Five days after surviving an assassination attempt, former President Trump pleaded for national unity as he accepted the GOP presidential nomination.
"I am running to be president for all of America, not half of America," Trump emphasized to thousands in Milwaukee's Fiserv Forum and a national audience.
"The discord and division in our society must be healed," he continued. "We rise together. Or we fall apart."
The shooting at Trump's rally in Pennsylvania, where one spectator and the gunman were killed, altered the tone of the convention and his address.
"Let me begin by expressing my gratitude for your support after the assassination attempt," Trump said. "The assassin’s bullet came within a quarter of an inch of taking my life."
Trump recounted the shooting, saying he knew "we were under attack." He praised the "very brave Secret Service agents who protected me."
"There was blood pouring everywhere, but I felt very safe with God on my side," Trump said. "If I had not moved my head, the bullet would have hit its mark."
"I stand before you tonight by the grace of God," Trump said. The crowd chanted, "Yes you are! Yes you are!"
"We don't know God’s plan, but every moment is a gift," he said. "We must make the most of every day."
Trump pointed to the helmet and firefighting jacket of Corey Comperatore, the former fire chief killed at the rally, and asked for a moment of silence.
He mentioned raising over $6 million for Comperatore's family and the families of the seriously wounded.
Trump thanked his wife, Melania, for her support. "I am deeply honored to be joined by my amazing wife," he said.
He praised her letter calling for unity. "A letter to America calling for national unity. It was beautiful," he said.
He also thanked his family, especially his children and grandchildren.
In the wake of his brush with death, Trump called for lowering the political temperature. "We are one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all," he stressed.
"We must not criminalize dissent or demonize political disagreement," Trump claimed.
He made a pitch "to every citizen, whether you are young or old, Democrat, Republican, or Independent." He criticized the Democratic administration but only mentioned President Biden's name once.
"They will not have done the damage that Biden has done," Trump said. "Biden. I'm not going to use the name anymore."