Trump’s open-mic night at West Palm Beach a preview of the next four years

Never in American history has there been a presidential victory speech like it.

When Donald Trump won in 2016, he appeared shocked and, if anything, a little overawed by his against-the-odds achievement. He struck a conciliatory tone, thanking Hillary Clinton for fighting a tough race and vowing to unite Americans.

“Now it is time for America to bind the wounds of division,” he said. “To all Republicans and Democrats and independents across this nation, I say it is time for us to come together as one united people.”

Eight years later and on the way to the White House for a second time, Trump no longer feels bound by such conventions. At the Palm Beach Convention Centre in West Palm Beach, we saw Trump unscripted and unfiltered, delivering not so much a speech as a stream-of-consciousness monologue.

Memories came flooding back of Trump’s wild COVID-era press conferences, in which he mused about the possibility of using bleach to treat the virus.

During his victory speech, Trump invited not only his campaign bosses and running mate J.D. Vance to address the crowd but also the so-called “king of mixed martial arts”, Dana White.

White, chief executive of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, used his cameo to thank an array of right-wing online influencers, including the Nelk Boys, a group of online pranksters who encouraged college students to defy restrictions by holding parties during the pandemic.

As for Trump, he went on a lengthy digression about Elon Musk’s rocket launches, saying: “We have a new star – a star is born, Elon!”

He also gave a colourful shout-out to noted conspiracy theorist Robert F. Kennedy, who may serve in a senior role in Trump’s administration in a health or environmental portfolio.

“Bobby, leave the oil to me,” Trump said. “We have more liquid gold, oil and gas than any country in the world. More than Saudi Arabia, more than Russia. Bobby, stay away from the liquid gold. Other than that, have a good time, Bobby.”

The crowd found it hilarious.

It was exactly why tens of millions of Americans find Trump so entertaining and others so alarming. It was freewheeling, unpredictable and devoid of the cliches that make so much political rhetoric utterly dreary. Add to that; it was rambling and, at times, bizarre.

Projecting the sense of joy that once seemed to typify Kamala Harris’s campaign, Trump said: “I will not rest until we have delivered the strong, safe and prosperous America that our children deserve and that you deserve.

“This will truly be the golden age of America.”

In Trump’s open-mic night at the Palm Beach Convention Centre, we saw a preview of what the world can expect over the next four years: A president who is even more unrestrained, even more himself, than he was the first time around.

The Morning Edition newsletter is our guide to the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up here.