Republican Convention Day 2: Melania tells supporters ‘Donald won’t stop fighting for you, he gets results’

In a warm and conciliatory speech Melania Trump urged unity, and told victims of coronavirus: ‘You are not alone’ | WATCH

• Melania: you’re not alone
• Praise for Trump over Covid
• Speaker withdrawn over anti-Semitic tweet
• First night figures down on Dems
• Melania to give headline speech

Day Two of the Republican National Convention is now over. First Lady Melania Trump gave the headline speech, assuring Americans they’re not alone during the coronavirus pandemic.

Cameron Stewart 2.15pm: ‘Man of action won’t stop fighting’

Melania Trump has called on Americans to give her husband four more years in office, saying Donald Trump is a man of action who will never stop fighting to restore the country’s economy and its fortunes.

In a wide-ranging address at the White House Rose Garden, the First Lady also urged Americans to stop rioting and looting over issues of race and to come together to think about a more unified way forward.

US First Lady Melania Trump addresses the Republican Conventionfrom the Rose Garden. Picture: AFP.

In her speech to the Republican National Convention, Mrs Trump also openly acknowledged how life in the US had changed because of the coronavirus and expressed her sympathies for the widespread suffering in a pandemic that has claimed more than 175,000 American lives.

“I want to acknowledge the fact that since March, our lives have changed drastically,” she said. “My deepest sympathy goes out to everyone who has lost a loved one and my prayers with those who are suffering.”

“I know many people are anxious and some feel helpless. I want you to know you are not alone,” she said.

In a speech which was conciliatory and unifying, Mrs Trump said she would not “attack the other side” as her predecessor Michelle Obama did last week when she attacked the president.

‘Because as we saw last week that kind of talk only serves to divide the country further,” Mrs Trump said.

But she did press Mr Trump’s case for a second term, saying: “He demands action, and he gets results.”

“In my husband you have a president who will not stop fighting for you and your families and despite the unprecedented attacks of the media and opposition, he will not give up,” she said.

“Donald Trump has not and will not lose focus on you, he loves this country and he knows how to get things done. As you have learned over the past five years he is not a traditional politician, he doesn’t just speak words, he demands action and gets results.”

Mrs Trump spoke of her work on behalf of opioid victims and young disadvantaged children and said she had recently been reflecting on the recent racial unrest in the country.

‘I’d like to call on the citizens of this country to take a moment, pause and look at things from all perspectives,” she said.

“I urge people to come together in a civil manner. I also ask people to stop the violence and looting being done in the name of justice. And never make assumptions based on the colour of a person’s skin.

“Instead of tearing things down let’s reflect on our mistakes, be proud of our evolution and look to our way forward.”

Donald Trump embraces Melania after her address. Picture: AFP.

For Ms Trump, who does not like the spotlight, this was the most important speech since the 2016 election campaign. Her last major speech at the 2016 Republican Convention led to her being criticised for plagiarising parts of Michelle Obama’s 2008 speech to the Democratic National Convention.

As part of day two of the four day convention, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo gave a pre-recorded speech from Jerusalem in which he spoke of Mr Trump’s achievements on the world stage.

On China, he said the president had “pulled back the curtain on the predatory aggression of the Chinese Communist Party.”

This included holding Beijing accountable for covering up the coronavirus, jailing and sending back Chinese spies posing as diplomats and ending unfair trade deals.

Breaking with past precedent of secretaries of state not addressing political conventions, Mike Pompeo in pre-taped remarks to the RNC praises President Trump's foreign policy, saying he has "led bold initiatives in nearly every corner of the world" https://t.co/Le9MDdEWuZ pic.twitter.com/tIUDoob02O

— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) August 26, 2020

On North Korea, Mr Pompeo said the president had lowered the temperature and had brought the North Korean leadership to the table which had resulted in no new nuclear or long range missile tests.

On the Middle East, Mr Pompeo touted the assassination of Iranian terrorist Qasem Soleimani, the battlefield defeat of ISIS , the moving of the US embassy in Israel to Jerusalem and the recent peace deal between Israel and the United Arab Emirates.

The two and a half-hour program touched on numerous issues dear to Republicans including speeches condemning abortion and socialism. Women employees at the White House lauded Mr Trump’s record on women’s issues while one speaker attacked Mr Biden’s son Hunter Biden for his business interests in Ukraine.

The program included Mr Trump holding a naturalisation ceremony for new American citizens at the White House and issuing a pardon to Jon Ponder, a former convicted felon-turned-advocate for newly released prisoners.

Mr Trump’s son, Eric Trump gave a dark and fiery speech, warning that the Democrats were the party of high taxes and anti-patriotic sentiments and were disrespectful of law enforcement and hostile towards freedom of religion and speech.

“The Democrats want an America where your thoughts and opinions speech are censored when they do not align with their own,” he said.

“I’m proud to watch you give them hell,” he said to his father. “Never stop. Continue to be unapologetic. Keep fighting for what’s right.”

Mr Trump’s daughter Tiffany Trump addressed the convention, accusing the US media of manipulating the news to fit its own biased anti-Trump narrative.

“Rather than allowing Americans the right to form our own beliefs, this misinformation system keeps people mentally enslaved to the ideas they deem correct. This manipulation of what information we receive impedes our freedoms,” she said.

“We believe in freedom of thought and expression. Think what you want.”

Others who appeared include a dairy farmer who praised the president’s trade policy, a lobster fisherman who gave thanks for government assistance and a former Planned Parenthood employee from Texas who now opposes abortion.

(Cameron Stewart is also US Contributor for Sky News Australia)

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How Day 2 of the Republican Convention unfolded

Anne Barrowclough 12.50pm: Melania: You are not alone”

Melania Trump is speaking in the Rose Garden of the White House, praising the “hero” first responders in the coronavirus which has “changed our lives dramatically,” and assuring Americans her husband would not rest “until he has done all he can to take care of everyone impacted by the pandemic. “

First lady Melania Trump addresses those affected by Covid-19: "My deepest sympathy goes out to everyone who has lost a loved one and my prayers are with those who are ill or suffering. I know many people are anxious and some feel helpless. I want you to know you are not alone" pic.twitter.com/qkKnJNnVGi

— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) August 26, 2020

“I want to acknowledge the fact that since March, our lives have changed drastically. The invisible enemy, Covid-19, swept across our beautiful country. And impacted all of us,” she said. “My deepest sympathy goes out to everyone who has lost a loved one and my prayers are with those who are ill or suffering. I know many people are anxious and some feel helpless. I want you to know you are not alone.”

She vowed that the Trump administration would “not stop fighting until there’s an effective treatment on or vaccine available to everyone.”

The First Lady went on to thank frontline workers for their tireless fight against coronavirus.

“I want to extend my gratitude on to you all of the health care professionals, frontline workers and teachers who stepped up in these difficult times,” she said. “Despite the risk to yourselves and your own families you put our country first and my husband and I are grateful.”

Anne Barrowclough 12.25pm: Eric Trump denounces Democrats

Eric Trump has launched a bitter denunciation of the Democrats and expressed his love for his father in the strongest speech of the Trump children in this convention. Mr Trump accused the Democrats of propagating cancel culture, and of wanting to erase American history and “burn the stars and stripes.” He also claimed Democrats did not want the Pledge of Allegiance in schools or the phrase “One nation under God.”

He also erroneously accused the Democrats of “bowing to China and bribing Iran.”

“This is the fight that we are in right now, and it is the fight that only my father can win,” he said.

He spoke after Donald Trump held a naturalisation ceremony at the White House, welcoming five people “into our great American family.”

In a pre-taped video, President Trump holds a naturalization ceremony at the White House: "Today America rejoices as we welcome five absolutely incredible new members into our great American family. You are now fellow citizens of the greatest nation on the face of God's Earth" pic.twitter.com/GUXFvT7gnV

— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) August 26, 2020

Robert Gottliebsen 12.15pm: How Biden could blow it

With the November 3 US election just over two months away, Joe Biden, the challenger, is in a similar position to Bill Shorten prior to the 2019 poll.

Biden is well ahead in the opinion polls and is rated a near certainty by the bookmakers. Like 2019 in Australia, this is an election that is there for the challenger to lose. But, as I will describe below, many on Wall Street believe they will decide the presidency.

For Australia, the US attitude to China is vital. China is recovering rapidly from the virus and it seems that by 2028 China’s economy will be as large as the US, in dollar terms. The candidates have similar attitudes to China, but Trump will be tougher on the US’ economic rival, which wants a Biden victory.

Joe Biden appears oh stage with his wife Dr. Jill Biden after delivering his acceptance speech on the fourth night of the Democratic National Convention. Picture: AFP.

Back in May I was yarning with Christine Todd, the Boston based US fixed income head for Amundi, Europe’s largest investment manager. At that time the bookmakers had Donald Trump as a hot favourite. But we knew COVID-19 was a big threat to Trump and we decided to talk again in late August. We expected that, if, by September, the US economy was depressed by the infection rate, then Trump might be in trouble.

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US Republicans launch their national convention with a full-throated endorsement of President Donald Trump’s record, while attacking Democratic candidate Joe Biden. Trump blam...

As it turns out, while the pandemic is still severe in the US, small businesses, which employ half the US workforce, are becoming increasingly optimistic and have started to hire. Indeed Todd says many are now reporting skills shortages. Indicators like retail sales and new and existing home sales have been strong. Large retailers are beating profit estimates and Wall Street is at record levels

In the key area of managing the economy, Trump ranks well ahead of Biden in the opinion polls.

This leads many on Wall Street to believe that Trump can overcome his opinion poll deficit. He was behind by a similar amount at this stage of the 2016 presidential election. Moreover, 58 per cent of voters who support Biden do so because they dislike Trump, rather than support Biden.

Read Robert’s full article here.

Staff writers 12.00pm: Kudrow praises Trump’s action over coronavirus

White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow has spruiked Donald Trump’s economic policies and his leadership during the coronavirus pandemic.

Mr Kudlow said that the country’s economic health was “coming back.

White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow praises President Trump's leadership during the coronavirus pandemic: "Our economic choice is very clear" https://t.co/G68k6uN3aT pic.twitter.com/5LJ1PwlQln

— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) August 26, 2020

“Moving forward, we’ve hit a turning point. And now the recovery has begun,” Mr Kudrow said. “Then came a once in 100 year pandemic. It was awful. Health and economic impacts were tragic. Hardship and heartbreak were everywhere. But presidential leadership came swiftly and effectively, with an extraordinary rescue for health and safety to successfully fight the coronavirus.”

He added: “Right now, our economic health is coming back with emergency spending and tax cuts, Americans are going back to work. There’s housing boom, there’s an auto boom, a manufacturing boom, a consumer spending boom.

“Coming out of the deep pandemic, who in their right mind would pick the pockets of taxpayers and drain money from their wallets and purses. Look, our economic choice is very clear. Do you want economic health, prosperity, opportunity and optimism or do you want to turn back to the dark days of stagnation, recession and pessimism? I believe there can’t be better economic policies than we’ve had in recent years. So I say, stay with him.”

Anne Barrowclough 11.40am: Tiffany Trump: ‘fight for freedom vs oppression’

Tiffany Trump, Mr Trump’s fourth daughter has praised her father’s contribution to law and order, the economy and healthcare. Like her brother Donald Trump Jr on Tuesday, Ms Trump did not speak of Mr Trump as a father, but of his achievements. “This is a fight for freedom versus oppression, for opportunity versus stagnation, a fight to keep America true to America,” she said.

“My father has made me truly believe that America can be great again.”

Anne Barrowclough 11.30am: Evangelicals’ support overshadowed by scandal

Evangelical supporters have spoken in support of Mr Trump.

Cissie Graham Lynch, the granddaughter of famous evangelist Billy Graham, said Mr Trump was “giving hope to people of faith around the world.”

Cissie Graham Lynch, the granddaughter of famous evangelist Billy Graham, says President Trump is "giving hope to people of faith around the world" https://t.co/MshH5gFLXS pic.twitter.com/hSMj8f9M6p

— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) August 26, 2020

Abby Johnson, a former Planned Parenthood worker who now opposes abortion, called Mr Trump “the most pro-life President we’ve ever had.”

However overshadowing the speeches is the scandal embroiling Mr Trump’s most predominant evangelical supporter, Jerry Falwell Jr, who resigned as president of Liberty University on Tuesday after reports he and his wife took part in a sexual relationship with a former pool boy.

Anne Barrowclough 10.55am: Trump uses convention to pardon bank robber

Donald Trump has used the convention to issue a pardon for Jon Ponder, who was arrested for robbing a bank and has since founded a reintegration program for former prisoners.

In a White House video announcing the pardon, Mr Trump called Ponder’s life story a “beautiful testament to the power of redemption.”

America believes in redemption.

America believes in second chances.

America believes in making a comeback. 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/9pt2ta4E5m

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) August 26, 2020

“We believe that each person is made by god for a purpose,” the President added. “I will continue to give all Americans, including former inmates, the best chance to build a new life and achieve their own American dream.”

Staff writers 10.50am: Speaker withdrawn over anti-Semitic tweet

A previously-scheduled speaker at tonight’s convention session has been suddenly pulled from the program after it emerged that she had retweeted an ati-Semitic conspiracy theory post, CNN reports.

It was all just in fun, right, Mary Ann?

Your anti-Semitism reeks like a tire fire, and you can't just "oopsie" it away. https://t.co/IvkxcJMyIQ

— Monty 🇺🇸Hamilton's Battery🇺🇸 Boa (@MontyBoa99) August 26, 2020

Mary Ann Mendoza, whose police officer son was killed by a drunk driver, had been listed to speak but she is no longer on the speakers’ list.

Ms Mendoza tweeted an apology saying, “I retweeted a very long thread earlier without reading every post within the thread. My apologies for not paying attention to the intent of the whole message. That does not reflect my feelings or personal thoughts whatsoever.”

I retweeted a very long thread earlier without reading every post within the thread. My apologies for not paying attention to the intent of the whole message. That does not reflect my feelings or personal thoughts whatsoever.

— Angel Mom Mary Ann Mendoza💥TEXT EMPOWER TO 88022 (@mamendoza480) August 25, 2020

CNN also reports that Ms Mendoza was also identified as an advisory board member of Steve Bannon’s “We Build the Wall” organisation in a March 2019 Facebook post. Mr Bannon and three others involved in that group have been charged with defrauding donors.

Staff writers 10.35am: Second night of convention begins

The second night of the RNC has begun with an address by Navajo Nation Vice President Myron Lizer, who spoke of Donald Trump’s support for native Americans.

The highlight of the night will be Melania Trump, who is expected to speak of her work with children, her “Be Best” initiative and her second-term agenda as she argues that her husband should be re-elected. Advisers told CNN her speech was not vetted by anyone in the West Wing.

Anne Barrowclough 9.45am: First night viewing figures down on Dems

Ratings for the Republican National Convention’s first night were down 28 per cent from the first night of the 2016 GOP convention, while the 15.9 million viewers were also short of the 18.7 million who turned in for the first night of the Democratic convention.

Former Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley speaks during the first day of the Republican convention. Picture: AFP.

Nielsen Media Research figures released on Wednesday (AEST) show both Republicans and Democrats viewing figures falling by 28 per cent on 2016

Fox News led all networks on Monday with 7.06 million viewers in the second half of the night, when former US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley and Senator Tim Scott were among those giving speeches.

CNN was second with 2.009 million viewers, followed by ABC with 1.978 million.

The figures released by Nielsen do not include livestream data.

Anne Barrowclough 9.40am: Trump to hold naturalisation ceremony

Donald Trump is expected to hold a naturalisation ceremony for new American citizens from the White House during his speech today, the Washington Post reports.

Mr Trump is also expected to sign a pardon for Jon Ponder, the CEO of Hope for Prisoners, a post-prison re-entry program, who is also expected to speak.

PRE-SHOW: Republican National Convention - Night 2: Land of Opportunity #RNC2020 https://t.co/S9ITQkbkeo

— #RNC2020 GOP Convention (@GOPconvention) August 25, 2020

Cameron Stewart 9.00am: Melania Trump to give headline speech

Day two of the four day Republican National Convention will see speeches from more members of Donald Trump’s family and also his Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

The headline act today is a speech from First Lady Melania Trump from the White House Rose Garden, which she recently renovated.

Excited to honor history & celebrate the future in our beautiful @WhiteHouse Rose Garden this evening. Thank you to all who helped renew this iconic & truly gorgeous space. pic.twitter.com/ggiqLkdGbw

— Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) August 22, 2020

Mrs Trump does not like the spotlight and is a reluctant campaigner, but this will be her most watched speech since the 2016 Republican Convention where she was criticised for plagiarising parts of Michelle Obama’s 2008 speech to the Democratic National Convention.

Mr Pompeo will give a prerecorded speech from Jerusalem in which he will outline Mr Trump’s achievements on the world stage.

Others to speak today include two of Mr Trump’s children, Eric Trump and Tiffany Trump.

Others expected to appear include a dairy farmer who will praise the president’s trade policy, a lobster fisherman who will give thanks for government assistance and a former Planned Parenthood employee from Texas who now opposes abortion.

Also appearing will be Nicholas Sandmann, a former high school student from Kentucky who had a widely publicised encounter with a Native American activist on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in 2019.