By Nathan Layne, Joseph Ax and Jeff Mason

MILWAUKEE/REHOBOTH BEACH, Delaware (Reuters) -Donald Trump described on Thursday how he narrowly survived an try on his life, telling a rapt viewers on the Republican Nationwide Conference in his first speech because the assault that he was solely there “by the grace of Almighty God.”

“I heard a loud whizzing sound and felt something hit me really, really hard on my right ear,” he stated in Milwaukee, a thick bandage nonetheless protecting his ear. “I said to myself, ‘Wow, what was that? It can only be a bullet.”

When he instructed the group that he was “not supposed to be here,” the delegates chanted again, “Yes you are!” With images of a bloodied Trump exhibiting on screens behind him, Trump praised the Secret Service brokers that rushed to his aspect and paid tribute to the volunteer firefighter who was killed, Corey Comperatore, kissing his hearth helmet.

The previous president struck an unusually conciliatory tone in the course of the speech’s opening moments, when he formally accepted the celebration’s presidential nomination.

“I am running to be president for all of America, not half of America, because there is no victory in winning for half of America,” he stated, in a marked shift in tenor for the sometimes bellicose former president.

However he swiftly pivoted to well-worn assaults on the Biden administration, which he stated was “destroying” the nation. He claimed with out proof that his felony indictments are a part of a Democratic conspiracy, warned that Biden would usher in “World War Three” and described an “invasion” of migrants over the southern border.

As he has accomplished all through his political profession, Trump argued that solely he can save a dwindling nation from sure doom.

The speech capped a four-day occasion through which he was greeted with adulation by a celebration that now seems fully in his thrall.

The conference’s program of audio system mirrored the nominee’s background as a actuality tv star – the primetime checklist featured combined martial arts govt Dana White, the rapper and singer Child Rock and the professional wrestler Hulk Hogan, who fired up the group by tearing his prime off to disclose a sleeveless pink Trump marketing campaign shirt.

His entrance was befitting of a TV star or a professional wrestler – a display screen lifted slowly to disclose Trump standing in entrance of large lights organized to spell out his final identify earlier than a picture of the White Home was projected behind him.

Trump’s opponent within the Nov. 5 election, in the meantime, Democratic President Joe Biden, was “soul searching” about whether or not to drop out of the race fully, one supply stated, after senior celebration figures, congressional allies and main donors warned him he couldn’t win following a halting debate efficiency on June 27.

Biden, 81, was isolating at his Delaware house after contracting COVID-19. His physician stated he was experiencing delicate signs.

Earlier than Trump was as a consequence of take the stage for his keynote tackle, the conference paused to welcome his spouse, Melania Trump, who has not often been seen in the course of the marketing campaign. She entered the world to classical music and waved to the group from a field subsequent to Trump’s vice presidential decide, Senator J.D. Vance.

Vance, at 39 half Trump’s age, is broadly seen because the ideological inheritor to Trump’s Make American Nice Motion.

“J.D., you’re gonna be doing this for a long time,” Trump stated. “Enjoy the ride.”

BIDEN ON THE BRINK?

A few of the eclectic group of audio system – together with conservative commentator Tucker Carlson, who acquired an enormous ovation, and Trump’s son Eric – employed heated language in denouncing the Biden administration.

The pinnacle professional at Trump’s Florida golf membership, John Nieporte, praised Trump’s abilities on the course and claimed the previous president had gained 21 membership championships.

“Joe Biden? Zero,” he stated, evoking the surreal second from the presidential debate when Trump and Biden argued over which of the 2 candidates had a greater golf sport.

Together with his grip on the Republican Occasion by no means tighter, Trump might be in a a lot stronger place than in his 2017-2021 time period to observe by on his agenda if he wins the election.

Biden has confronted rising stress from heavyweights in his celebration to cede his place on the prime of the ticket. Former Home of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi is amongst those that have instructed him he can’t win in November, in line with a White Home supply conversant in the matter.

After weeks of insisting that he’ll stay within the race, Biden is now taking calls to step apart significantly, and a number of Democratic officers suppose an exit is a matter of time, in line with sources conversant in the matter.

Democratic leaders within the Home and Senate – Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer – have instructed Biden straight that he won’t solely lose the White Home but in addition endanger their effort to win again the Home, in line with studies in a number of information shops.

Opinion polls present 4 of the seven best states wanting more and more out of attain for Biden. The Trump marketing campaign, in the meantime, stated it believes it’s now aggressive in Democratic-leaning states together with Minnesota, New Hampshire, and Virginia.

Former President Barack Obama has instructed others that Biden, who was Obama’s vp, ought to rethink his candidacy, the Washington Put up reported, citing nameless sources.

Senator Jon Tester, who faces a difficult reelection battle in Montana this 12 months, on Thursday grew to become the twenty first congressional Democrat and the second senator to publicly name on Biden to drop out.