SALT LAKE CITY — First lady Melania Trump said what’s best for the country — and American families — is compassion and love for others, which would only come from reelecting her husband and bringing her back for another four years as first lady.
In the final speech of the second night of the Republican National Convention Tuesday evening, Melania Trump walked out alone to speak from the Rose Garden but promised the American public that no family is alone under the Trump administration.
“We are one nation under God and we need to cherish one another,” she said.
She was one of a few speakers throughout the evening to talk extensively about the coronavirus pandemic and the impact it has had on families across the country.
“It is in times like this that we will look back and tell our grandchildren that through kindness and compassion, strength and determination, we were able to restore the promise of our future,” she said.
She made the case for reelecting President Donald Trump, saying he was a president who continues to fight for families every day and night.
“Donald wants to keep your family safe. He wants to help your family succeed,” she said.
Her White House “Be Best” campaign became a focus of her speech, talking about how the idea aims to teach children about their mental and physical health, as well as online dangers and the risk of drug abuse.
She also spoke directly to parents, saying she identifies with parents who worry about how to teach their children about social media and technology, as well as how to stay engaged with education.
“To mothers and parents everywhere, you are warriors,” she said.
Melania Trump’s speech addressed the coronavirus pandemic, racial unrest and media reactions to the Trump administration, hitting several points of the Trump campaign.
Her speech focused more on the reality of the nation compared to other speakers, who included a Maine lobsterman, a Wisconsin dairy farmer, a Democratic mayor of small town in Minnesota’s “Iron Range,” a former Planned Parenthood director that is now a pro-life activist, several politicians and religious figures. They spoke more on campaign stances, culture war issues like abortion and opposition to Democratic nominee Joe Biden.
Two other members of President Donald Trump’s family — adult children Eric and Tiffany Trump — also spoke.
Highlights:
- Families and the American spirit were constant themes throughout the night. Melania Trump reached out to families of military members, COVID-19 victims and health care workers, as well as everyday American families whose children might be worried about social media. Jason Joyce, a Maine fisherman, talked about the impact Trump’s economic policies have had for good on families. And of course, Tiffany Trump and Eric Trump talked about the Trump family.
- Vice President Mike Pence was featured prominently in a video where he introduced and spoke with Americans from all over the country, another sign of optimism from throughout the night. He highlighted how Americans benefited under Trump, like finding jobs and receiving more opportunities to succeed.
- Trump made a few appearances from the White House to pardon a reformed felon, host a naturalization ceremony for five immigrants and to listen to his wife speak from the Rose Garden.
- The memory of former Republican presidents Abraham Lincoln and Ronald Reagan came up several times from different speakers Tuesday.
- Multiple speakers continued a strategy from last last night labeling Democrats and Biden as the “extreme left” or “socialists.”
Quotes of the night:
- “It is in times like this that we will look back and tell our grandchildren that through kindness and compassion, strength and determination, we were able to restore the promise of our future.” — Melania Trump
- “Like all of you, I have reflected on the racial unrest in our country. It is a harsh reality that we are not proud of parts of our history. I encourage people to focus on our future while still learning from our past.” — Melania Trump
- “We must make sure that women are heard and that the American dream continues to thrive.” — Melania Trump
- “As a soldier, I saw firsthand people desperate to flee to freedom. The way each of us can best ensure our freedoms is by electing leaders that just don’t talk, but who deliver.” — Secretary of State Mike Pompeo
- “And soon, under my father’s leadership, it (the American spirit) will send Americans to Mars.” — Eric Trump, a son of the president
- “We believe in freedom of religion for all faiths.” — Tiffany Trump, daughter of the president
- “Make America Great Again is not a slogan for my father — it is what drives him.” — Tiffany Trump
- “Let us stand for political freedom, moral freedom, religious freedom and the rights of all Americans. And let’s never give in to those who try to take it from us.” — Cissie Graham Lynch, the granddaughter of Billy Graham
- “Canceled is what is happening to people around this country that refuse to be silenced by the far left.” — Nicholas Sandmann, high school student
Secretary of State Pompeo speaks from Jerusalem on Trump’s foreign policy
In a prerecorded speech from Jerusalem, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo praised Trump’s “America first vision,” saying the president’s actions have kept the secretary’s and other American families safe and “their freedoms more secure.”
“It may not have not have made him popular in every foreign capital, but it’s worked,” Pompeo said.
He praised Trump for his efforts “in nearly every corner of the world,” like his “accountability” of China, how the president “lowered the temperature” in North Korea and for strengthening NATO.
“Today, today because of the president’s determination and leadership, the ISIS caliphate is wiped out. It’s gone.”
The president restored Jerusalem as “the rightful capital to the Jewish homeland” and “brokered a historic peace deal between Israel and the United Arab Emirates,” Pompeo said.
“As a soldier,” Pompeo said, “I saw firsthand people desperate to flee to freedom. The way each of us can best ensure our freedoms is by electing leaders that just don’t talk, but who deliver.”
Pompeo was reportedly the first secretary of state to address a political convention in 75 years and was harshly criticized by Democrats and diplomats as violating federal law and politicizing his position and issues like the relocation of Jerusalem.
President Trump pardons activist Jon Ponder
President Donald Trump announced a pardon of Jon Ponder, coming through on a promise he made before the convention.
Ponder — founder of Hope for Prisoners who was befriended by Richard Beasley, the FBI agent who arrested him — spoke openly about the circumstances of his arrest for bank robbery. He said in answer to his prayer to God, a judge gave him a lighter sentence than he thought he would receive.
- “(God) said never forget the promise that you made to me. And ever since that day, I got up off that floor, and my life went into a 180-degree turn in the other direction.”
- “I gave my life to Jesus and made him a promise that I would spend the rest of my days helping others like me.”
Trump — who attended the Hope for Prisoners graduation earlier this year — appeared in a prerecorded video where he issued the full pardon of Ponder.
“We believe each person is made by God for a purpose,” Trump said. “I will continue to provide all Americans including former inmates the best chance to build a new life and achieve their American Dream.”
Eric Trump says his father will send Americans to Mars
Eric Trump, the second oldest son of the president, said after his father was elected, ”America came first, America started winning again, America started being respected again.”
“My father ran not because he needed the job, but because he knew hardworking people across this country were being left behind.”
- “The silent majority has no one fighting for them.”
- “And so began the great American comeback.”
He said his father tore up and renegotiated global trade deals and ended the country’s never-ending wars.
American soldiers are still deployed to Afghanistan and other nations in the continuing war on terror.
Biden would be a “giant relief for terrorists,” Eric Trump said.
- “If you do not have a border, you do not have a country,” Trump said of the southern border wall.
- “Every day my father fights for the American people. The forgotten man and woman of this country. The ones who embodied the American spirit,” Trump said.
“And soon, under my father’s leadership, it (the American spirit) will send Americans to Mars,” Trump said.
Tiffany Trump says MAGA is not just a slogan for her father
Tiffany Trump accused the media and tech companies for regulating what Americans can read and see.
“Ask yourselves, why are we prevented from seeing certain information?” the president’s daughter said. “The answer is control.”
- “Working together, outside of our political comfort zones, we’ll accomplish so much more.”
- “We believe in equality of opportunity. We believe in freedom of thought and expression.”
- “We believe in school choice.”
- “We believe in freedom of religion for all faiths.”
- “We believe in the American spirit.”
She said her “father is the only person to challenge the establishment.”
- “My father does not run away from challenges.”
- “Fighting for America is something he (Donald Trump) will sacrifice anything for.”
- “Make America Great Again is not a slogan for my father — it is what drives him.”
- “God has blessed us with unstoppable spirit, his spirit, the American spirit.”
- “My father has made me believe America can truly be great again.”
Cissie Graham Lynch promotes religious freedom
Cissie Graham Lynch — daughter of Franklin Graham and the granddaughter of Billy Graham — highlighted the need to embrace religious freedom.
She said religious freedom was attacked under President Barack Obama. But Trump supports it.
- “Our founders did not envision a quiet, hidden faith, fought to ensure voices of faith were always welcomed, not silenced, not bullied.”
- “Let us stand for political freedom, moral freedom, religious freedom and the rights of all Americans. And let’s never give in to those who try to take it from us.”
- “They will force the choice between being obedient to God or Caesar because the radical left’s God is power.”
We are not enemies, we are Americans, says Kentucky attorney general Daniel Cameron
Daniel Cameron, the Kentucky attorney general, put forth the argument that Americans should be united as Americans — and we all have shared values.
Cameron promoted the American spirit and ideals in his speech.
- “Our heroes are those who propelled an imperfection nation ever forward.”
- “Whether you are the family of Breonna Taylor or David Dorn, these are the ideals that will heal our nation’s wounds.”
Cameron said he used to work at a coffee shop, where he came across people from all walks of life.
- “No matter who you are, everyone needs a cup of coffee.”
He then attacked Joe Biden and made a case for why Black people can vote for whichever party they want to in the 2020 election.
- “I am not in chains. My mind is my own. And you can’t tell me how to vote because of the color of my skin.”
- “Joe Biden would destroy jobs, raise our taxes and throw away the lives of countless unborn children.”
- “I believe Donald Trump can meet Lincoln’s mandate.”
- “And though we fuss and fight, we are not enemies. We are Americans.”
A remarkable adoption story of policeman Ryan Holets
Albuquerque Police Officer Ryan Holets told his story of adopting the baby of a woman suffering from opioid addiction.
Holets said God helped him make the decision to adopt the child from the mother whom he first met responding to a call and found her about to take drugs.
- “When Crystal said she was looking for a family to adopt her baby, God showed me exactly what I had to do. Without hesitation, I told her that my family would adopt her baby. Today, our beautiful daughter, Hope, is a thriving 2-year-old.”
He said opioid addiction has declined under Trump.
- “We have a president and a vice president who get things done. ... Our country is able to bounce back from setbacks and see opportunity grow and thrive.”
- “President Trump is the leader we need for the next four. Donald Trump is the right president at the right time.”
Florida lieutenant governor, the daughter of Cuban immigrants, warns against socialism
Jeanette Nuñez, Florida’s lieutenant governor and the daughter of Cuban immigrants, said “the fabric of our nation is in peril” and accused Democrats of pushing a “socialist” agenda.
- “Socialism doesn’t offer opportunity, socialism deprives.”
- “Americans have a choice, we can go down a dark road of chaos and government control, or we can choose a path of freedom and opportunity.”
- “I have faith that American will choose the right path.”
She said that Trump supports the values of “faith,” “family,” and “freedom.”
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds praises Trump for helping Iowa
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds opened up her speech stating that “Iowa is one big small town. Neighbor helping neighbor is in our DNA,” and Trump is someone who worked to help the state.
- She said Iowans help each other, take care of each other, and Trump has always had their back, too.
- “When the winds had finished raging and the cleanup had only begun, he showed up. ... We quickly received a major disaster declaration.”
She talked about a recent derecho storm that ran through Iowa, damaging 14 million acres of land in the process. She said the national media didn’t cover the story of Trump visiting the state, but he did — providing help to Iowans who suffered damage from the story.
- “We have a president and a vice president who get things done. ... Our country is able to bounce back from setbacks and see opportunity grow and thrive.”
“MAGA” hat teen calls for the end of cancel culture, blasts media
Nicholas Sandmann gained national attention last year when the high school student wore a red “Make America Great Again” hat during a school trip to Washington, D.C.
A video of Sandmann and his fellow Covington Catholic High School classmates went viral after media outlets accused the high schoolers of trying to intimidate a Native American man near the Lincoln Memorial while attending a March for Life rally.
In reality, the boys and the Native Americans were actually being harassed, together, by a group of protesters, according to RealClear Politics.
“My life changed forever in that one moment. The full war machine of the mainstream media revved up into full attack mode,” Sandmann said. “The truth was not important.”
- “Canceled is what is happening to people around this country that refuse to be silenced by the far left.”
- “But I would not be canceled. I fought back hard to expose the media for what they did to me.”
- “I believe we must all embrace our First Amendment rights and not hide in fear of the media or from the tech companies or from the outrage mob.”
- “This is worth fighting for, this is worth voting for and this is what Donald Trump stands for.”
At the end of his speech, dressed in a grey suit, Sandmann put on his red “Make American Great Again” hat.
Pam Bondi hits right at the Biden family
Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi attacked Biden, accusing him of enriching his family through political connections.
Bondi — a member of Trump’s impeachment defense team — said Biden’s family members, not the American people, benefited from Biden’s political success.
- “He says he wants to Build Back Better? Yeah, Build the Bidens Back Better.”
- Bondi said Biden has connections with the Chinese communist party’s bankers, who she alleged provided millions to go to Hunter Biden’s firm. She said China’s communist party “covered up a deadly virus” as well.
Bondi then praised Trump and explained why he’s a better fit for president.
- “He’s a tough, no-nonsense outsider who can’t be bought or intimidated. He won’t even take a paycheck from the American people. He donates his paycheck to charities across this country.”
- “If they want to make the case for who’s saving America and who’s swindling America, bring it on.”
Abby Johnson calls Trump ‘the most pro-life president we’ve ever had’
Abby Johnson — a former Planned Parenthood clinic director — promoted Trump as a pro-life president in her speech at the RNC.
- Johnson — now an anti-abortion activist — graphically described how abortion works and some of the harrowing details of her time at Planned Parenthood.
- Johnson said she supports Trump because he has done more for the unborn than any other president.
- Johnson said Trump the most pro-life president the U.S. has ever had.
Larry Kudlow, White House chief economic adviser, makes case for Trump
Larry Kudlow, the White House chief economic adviser, urged voters to “stay with Trump” to continue economic rebuild.
Kudlow noted trade deals that Trump has worked on. He said Trump helped rebuild the economy in three years, during which all groups benefited — women, Hispanics, Black people and other demographics.
But then came the “awful” pandemic, he said. “Hardship and heartbreak were everywhere.”
Kudlow said presidential leadership came “swiftly and effectively” to fight the novel coronavirus resulting in a housing, auto and a consumer spending boom.
“Coming out of the de-pandemic, who in their right minds” would vote for Biden, Kudlow said, claiming the Democratic nominee would look to take money from taxpayers.
Vice president of Navajo Nation endorses Trump
Myron Lizer, the vice president of the Navajo Nation, officially endorsed President Trump for a second term.
“Our First Nations people, the host people of the land, we are still here. Our creator placed us here,” said Lizer before a backdrop of the expansive Navajo Nation that straddles Arizona, Utah and New Mexico. “Our people have never been invited into the American dream.”
The president has made it a priority to repair relationship with Indigenous peoples, Lizer said, giving Trump credit for the $8 billion Indian tribes received in coronavirus aid.
Maine Lobsterman who didn’t support the president in 2016, endorses Trump
Jason Joyce, an eighth-generation lobsterman from Maine, said he didn’t support Trump four years ago, but he does now.
“I have to confess, I didn’t support Trump in 2016. Skeptical that he shared my conservative views, I expected him to flip-flop on his campaign promises,” Joyce said, recognizing Trump helping lift European tariffs on American lobster.
- “Maine lobstermen are true environmentalists. We practice conservation every day. If we didn’t, we’d be putting ourselves out of business.”
- “As long as Trump is president, fishing families like mine will have a voice.”
- “(Trump) listens to working people.”
Wisconsin fabrication business owner said his business did better after Trump was elected
John Peterson, a second-generation owner of a metal fabrication business in Wisconsin, said it was “torturous” when he had to cut staff during the 2008 recession because his employees were like family.
Peterson said the business scraped by during the Obama/Biden years, but business improved after Trump was elected, citing tax cuts and the ability to compete in the global market.
- “(Trump) knew what it was like to build a company and create American jobs.”
- “Even with all the challenges presented by the coronavirus, President Trump is rebuilding and our economy is roaring back again.”
Peterson said he is a University of Wisconsin Badgers football fan, and that the team and Trump share some of the same traits the nation needs in a lead — “smart,” “tough” and “dependable.”