The Rise of Republican Trumpism

Donald Trump's near assassination has intensified his following in the Republican Party, transforming it into a robust and loyal base. As Trump prepares to accept his presidential nomination, supporters view him as divinely protected, unifying behind his hard-edged policies. Critics fear his potential autocratic rule in a second term.

Five days after narrowly escaping assassination, Donald Trump is set to accept his presidential nomination on Thursday, cementing his transformation of the Republican Party into a firm base of support.

The attempt on Trump's life has deepened the fervor among his supporters, elevating him to a quasi-religious figure believed to be divinely protected. Each night at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, attendees fervently chanted, "Trump, Trump, Trump" as he made appearances, his right ear bandaged, in an atmosphere of reverence and divine attribution to his survival.

Trump's grip on the Republican Party has never been tighter. With internal dissent largely quelled, he is in a stronger position to pursue his agenda, including hard-edged policies on illegal migration, aggressive trade practices, and a crackdown on government officials not deemed loyal. "You need a strong leader at the top," stated Bill Dowd, a 79-year-old business owner at the convention.

(With inputs from agencies.)