Drawing the RNC, Day One
Some things are the same, some worse, some different
Today I turned on CNN to check in on the Republican National Convention which began today. They were doing the States roll call of delegates, something I have enjoyed watching over the years. There on screen I saw Eric, Donald Jr. and Tiffany, and Eric yelled the number of delegates from Florida for his father. The number put Trump over the top to become the Republican nominee.
I only drew a few people tonight.
Around 10:15, Trump came out to wild applause. As the band played, “Proud to be an American,” he walked slowly, waving and offering a demure smile to the crowd. He arrived at the family box, which also included Speaker of the House Mike Johnson and Tucker Carlson, and stood next to his Veep pick, JD Vance. Trump gave him a deep look and they shook hands. Trump has a white bandage on his ear.
I immediately noticed a different Donald Trump. As a cartoonist, I have been observing Trump for almost a decade (well, even before then as a New Yorker, but I didn’t draw him back then), and tonight, I saw a less arrogant-seeming man. It was very wierd to see, and I almost didn’t want to acknowledge it. What I saw felt and looked like a man who had been affected by having come close to death. He looked like the wind had been knocked out of him. While he stood in the stand, listening to the speakers, he looked at times sad and bored, and more serious than I’ve ever seen him.
If he is indeed different in some way, if the shooting on Saturday altered him, it will be interesting to see how it plays out. I for one will never trust him and never forgive him.
I’m tired, so I will say goodnight. See you tomorrow.
What I saw was a phony playing beatific martyr. It’ll bring more money in.
You are an admirable person, watching and drawing this mess. Thank you! This is the first political convention since 1960 that I’ve missed. When I read that TFG had time to golf yesterday but didn’t have time to make a condolence call to the woman whose husband gave his life protecting his family I gave up. Couldn’t bear to see or hear TFG. So thank you again for your perseverance.