2016 Republican National Convention

{{bronze}}{{see also|2016 Republican Party presidential nomination}}{{uspolitics}}{{cquote|The GOP is becoming the de facto White party. Nothing wrong with that.|||[[White nationalist]] blogger [[Paul Ray Ramsey]]<ref name=WhiteNationalists>(July 20, 2016). [http://mediamatters.org/research/2016/07/20/white-nationalists-love-trump-s-convention-gop-becoming-de-facto-white-party/211757 "White Nationalists Love Trump's Convention: "GOP Is Becoming The De Facto White Party""]. ''[[Media Matters for America]]''</ref>}}
The '''2016 Republican National Convention''' (July 18–21, 2016) was held in July 2016, in which [[Republican Party|Republican]] delegates chose the party's nominees for [[President of the United States]] and [[Vice President of the United States]] ([[Donald Trump]] and [[Mike Pence|Mike "Consider a Lobotomy Before Engaging in Sodomy" Pence]] respectively). The event was held in Cleveland, Ohio.<ref name="RNC">[http://www.cbsnews.com/news/rnc-officially-approves-cleveland-as-2016-convention-host/ "RNC officially approves Cleveland as 2016 convention host"], ''CBS News''. Associated Press.</ref> In addition to determining the party's national {{wpl|Ticket (election)|ticket,}} the convention ratified the party platform.

==Themes==
On July 17, 2016, the Republican National Convention announced that their themes were going to be themed around "Make America ___ Again": "Make America Safe Again" (Monday), "Make America Work Again" (Tuesday), "Make America First Again" (Wednesday), and – to court the militaristic [[Buddhist]] vote – "Make America One Again" (Thursday).<ref name=RNCCleveland>{{cite web|title=[http://convention.gop/post/147558746375/2016-gop-convention-program-announced?mid=76259&rid=15158612 2016 GOP Convention Program Announced]|work=2016 GOP Convention|accessdate=July 20, 2016|date=July 17, 2016}}</ref> However, it has been noted that on many of these events, it's been difficult for the speakers to focus on the topic at hand: this is likely in part due to the fact that, frankly, most people in the GOP don't have a fucking clue what Trump stands for.<ref>Stieger, Kay (July 21, 2016). [http://www.vox.com/2016/7/21/12234038/republican-national-convention-weird "What’s happening at the Republican National Convention is not normal"]. ''Vox''.</ref>

Throughout the RNC, there was a notable absence of former GOP Presidential Nominees (with the notable exception of [[Bob Dole]]) – many of whom jumped on the #NeverTrump bandwagon<ref>{{cite news|last1=Taylor|first1=Jessica|title=[http://www.npr.org/2016/07/18/486512303/watch-chaos-erupts-on-rnc-floor-as-nevertrump-makes-last-stand Chaos Erupts On RNC Floor As #NeverTrump Makes Last Stand]|work=NPR.org|date=July 18, 2016}}</ref> – and the first evening "began with a last-ditch effort by the anti-Trump Republicans to force a voice vote to call for releasing delegates, which resulted in competing factions yelling at each other on the floor", and was dominated by reality TV stars and faded actors, as opposed to the usual lawmakers and past GOP nominees.<ref name="NPRTaylor16">{{cite news|last1=Taylor|first1=Jessica|title=[http://www.npr.org/2016/07/18/486543063/trump-campaign-outlines-how-to-make-america-safe-again-on-first-night-of-rnc Melania Trump Caps Emotional Night At Republican National Convention]|accessdate=July 21, 2016|work=NPR.org|date=July 18, 2016}}</ref>

=== Clinton-bashing ===
[[File:Pic giant 051314 SM Hillary-and-Boko-Haram.jpg|thumb|Killary Klinton, servant of Lucifer, seen here as a loyal member of [[Boko Haram]].]]
{{cquote|Our Convention occurs at a moment of crisis for our nation. The attacks on our police, and the terrorism in our cities, threaten [[Conservative correctness|our very way of life]]. Any politician who does not grasp this danger is not fit to lead our country. ... This is the legacy of [[Hillary Clinton]]: death, destruction and weakness.|||Donald Trump<ref name=TrumpFinalSpeech>(July 21, 2016). [http://www.politico.com/story/2016/07/full-transcript-donald-trump-nomination-acceptance-speech-at-rnc-225974 "Full text: Donald Trump 2016 RNC draft speech transcript"]. ''Politico''.</ref>}}
{{cquote|The party at times seemed unified only around a shared determination to imprison the former secretary of state.|||''[[The New York Times]]''<ref>Healy, Patrick; Martin, Jonathan (July 21, 2016). [http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/22/us/politics/donald-trump-rnc-speech.html "His Tone Dark, Donald Trump Takes G.O.P. Mantle"]. ''[[The New York Times]]''.</ref>}}

Although the theme of the first night – "Make America Safe Again" was supposedly about safety and national security, the GOP press release showed what the line of attack really was going to be:
{{quotebox|From attacks on our own soil and overseas to the tragedy in [[Benghazi]], the policies of [[Barack Obama]] and [[Hillary Clinton]] have left us vulnerable. Our immigration system is broken, leaving our country open to security threats and the negative consequences of illegal immigration. A Donald Trump administration will listen to and learn from our nation's heroes who have put themselves in harm's way and pursue a national security strategy and foreign policy that will strengthen our military and make America safe again.<ref name=RNCCleveland />}}

Often, the RNC was dominated more by anti-Clinton furore than pro-Trump fervor, with Clinton's name being mentioned more times than Trump's throughout the RNC.<ref name=CNN202016>(July 20, 2016). [http://mediamatters.org/blog/2016/07/20/cnn-reports-hillary-clinton-mentioned-more-republican-national-convention-donald-trump/211769 "CNN Reports Hillary Clinton Mentioned More At Republican National Convention Than Donald Trump"]. ''[[Media Matters for America]]''.</ref> Although many have put the vitriol directed at her down to [[Misogyny|the fact that she is a woman]] or due to a long-term attack on Clinton by the media due to her time in the public life,<ref>Kay, Katty (July 21, 2016). [http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-us-2016-36862552 "A political convention like no other"]. ''BBC News''.</ref> but the reality may be simpler than that: Effectively, unifying against a common enemy (Clinton) is the GOP's best chance at survival, being bitterly torn apart by the idiocy known as Trump.<ref name=CNN202016 />

The damn crooked American media unanimously condemned the festering hatred for Hillary at the RNC,<ref>(July 20, 2016). [http://mediamatters.org/research/2016/07/20/media-denounce-witch-ritual-against-hillary-clinton-during-rnc-s-second-night/211736 "Media Denounce "Witch-Like Ritual" Against Hillary Clinton During RNC's Second Night"] ''[[Media Matters for America]]''.</ref> and even [[Fox News]] admitted that the attacks on Hillary may have been a tad over the top, and that screeching for Clinton to be locked up may give off a bad image. Perhaps.<ref>(July 19, 2016). [http://mediamatters.org/video/2016/07/19/even-fox-news-thinks-rnc-has-overdone-attacks-clinton/211732 "Even Fox News Thinks RNC Has "Overdone" Attacks On Clinton"]. ''[[Media Matters for America]]''.</ref><ref>(July 20, 2016). [http://mediamatters.org/video/2016/07/20/foxs-krauthammer-it-just-looks-bad-have-gop-calling-clinton-be-jailed/211763 "Fox's Krauthammer: "It Just Looks Bad" To Have The GOP Calling For Clinton To Be Jailed"]. ''[[Media Matters for America]]''.</ref>

Repeating earlier-repudiated claims of Clinton's culpability of the [[Benghazi]] attacks, Trump's Republican Party has been accused of exploiting genuine emotions of grief from the loves ones who lost their lives in the attacks:<ref name=Freedland1>{{cite news|last1=Freedland|first1=Jonathan|title=[https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jul/19/republican-convention-trump-gop-grief-exploitation Trump's Republican party hits new low: relentless exploitation of genuine grief]|accessdate=July 20, 2016|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=July 19, 2016}}</ref>

{{quotebox|As the ''Daily Beast''{{'}}s Mike Tomasky asked, how many parents of the 241 US marines killed in a terrorist attack in Beirut in 1983 were guest speakers at the Democratic convention in 1984? No doubt there would have been mothers and fathers ready to blame Ronald Reagan personally for their bereavement. But to use that grief would have felt too much like exploitation.

Nor did Democrats invite the families of US soldiers slain in the [[Iraq War]] on stage in 2004, even though they would have had every right to blame George W Bush as he sought re-election. Republicans would have accused their opponents of contemptible shroud-waving if they had.

One has to go back to Richard Nixon's deployment of the families of prisoners of war and US soldiers missing in action in Vietnam to find a similar act of exploitation. But Trump's move felt cruder.<ref name=Freedland1 />}}

On day two, echoing the "Crooked Hillary" characterization of [[Hillary Clinton]] which Donald Trump so far has been able to project, speaker after speaker on the first day of the RNC touched on the same themes, again and again and again: Clinton is a liar and a crook who perceives herself to be above the law, that she is corrupt, and that she is tainted by a string of real and imagined scandals dating back 25 years. [[Chris Christie]] addressed the hall and asked the audience to be Clinton's "jury" amidst chants of "lock her up, lock her up", accusing Clinton of being an apologist for [[Boko Haram]] to a cry of "guilty" from  the floor. Images of Clinton in an orange jumpsuit and behind bars were also peppered around Cleveland town, as well as posters of "Hillary for Prison".<ref>{{cite news|last1=Freedland|first1=Jonathan|title=[https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jul/20/republicans-target-hillary-clinton-vicious-campaign-us-elections The targeting of Hillary Clinton suggests a vicious campaign ahead]|accessdate=July 20, 2016|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=July 20, 2016}}</ref> [[Ben Carson]] went one step further, unironically tying Clinton in with [[Lucifer]] – [[Poe's law|no, we're not making this up]]<ref>{{cite news|last1=Klein|first1=Charlotte|title=[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/ben-carson-lucifer_us_578ee5ffe4b04ca54ebf7941 Lucifer Gets A Shoutout At The Republican National Convention Thanks To Ben Carson]|accessdate=July 20, 2016|work=[[The Huffington Post]]|date=July 19, 2016}}</ref> – and senior Trump adviser {{wpl|Al Baldasaro}} suggested that Clinton "should be put in the firing line and shot for treason", a statement he has refused to apologise for.<ref>Bixby, Scott (July 20, 2016). [https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jul/20/trump-adviser-al-baldasaro-hillary-clinton-firing-line "Senior Donald Trump adviser: Hillary Clinton 'should be shot for treason'"]. ''[[The Guardian]]''.</ref><ref>Ronayne, Kathleen (July 23, 2016). [http://www.pressherald.com/2016/07/23/n-h-lawmaker-criticized-for-remark-about-clinton/ "N.H. lawmaker won't apologize after calling for Clinton's execution"]. ''Portland Press Herald'', via the Associated Press.</ref>

In order to deflect attention from Trump's misogyny and alleged sexual assault, the RNC co-chair offered a [[tu quoque]] at Clinton – ''Bill'' Clinton, that is – accusing him of sexual assault.<ref>Gass, Nick (July 19, 2016). [http://www.politico.com/story/2016/07/rnc-2016-sharon-day-225841 "RNC co-chair: Clinton 'viciously attacked' women her husband 'sexually abused'"]. ''Politico''.</ref> Trump has done the same previously, and some have accused the Trump campaign of purposefully confusing the Monica Lewinsky case with sexual assault as well.<ref>Marcotte, Amanda (May 25, 2016). [http://www.salon.com/2016/05/25/hey_mr_trump_rape_is_not_sex_his_bill_clinton_smears_are_tricking_the_media_into_confusing_consensual_acts_with_assault/ "Hey Mr. Trump, rape is not sex: His Bill Clinton smears are tricking the media into confusing consensual acts with assault"]. ''Salon''.</ref><ref>Levitz, Eric (May 23, 2016). [http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2016/05/new-trump-ad-depicts-bill-clinton-as-a-rapist.html "Donald Trump Releases 15-Second Horror Movie Starring Bill Clinton As a Rapist"]. ''New York''.</ref> [[Alex Jones]] decided to chip in here too, offering T-Shirts claiming Bill Clinton is a rapist, designed by [[Infowars]]' [[Roger Stone]].<ref>Mahdawi, Arwa (July 20, 2016). [https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jul/20/bill-clinton-rape-shirt-republican-convention-hillary-merch "The Bill Clinton rape shirt: what anti-Hillary merch says about this election"]. ''The Guardian''.</ref>

==Make America Safe Again==
On the first day of the convention, Trump appeared to be the leader of some form of [[personality cult]]: he arrived on a darkened stage to ''Queen''{{'}}s "We Are The Champions"<ref name="NPRTaylor16" /> – which prompted ''Queen''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s second complaint to Trump's campaign in two months about unauthorized usage of their song, as well as many commentators noting the irony of anti-[[LGBT]] Republicans using the songs from {{wpl|Freddie Mercury}}, a gay man who died from [[HIV/AIDS]] complications.<ref>(July 19, 2016). [http://mediamatters.org/video/2016/07/19/cbs-evening-news-highlights-irony-anti-lgbt-gop-using-queen-song-rnc/211721 "''CBS Evening News'' Highlights The Irony Of Anti-LGBT GOP Using Queen Song At RNC"]. ''[[Media Matters for America]]''.</ref> This is not the first time this occurred with Trump, as Ivanka Trump's use of the Beatles' song "Here Comes the Sun" prompted an angry response from the estate of George Harrison.<ref>Lewontin, Max (July 22, 2016). [http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2016/0722/Is-politicians-use-of-music-at-conventions-legal "Is politicians' use of music at conventions legal?"]. ''Christian Science Monitor''.</ref> Sadly, there's not really much they can do about it.<ref>Tara, John (July 19, 2016). [http://time.com/4412672/republican-convention-donald-trump-queen/ "Queen Is Not Happy That Donald Trump Used Their Song at the Republican Convention"]. ''TIME''.</REF>

The slogan "Make America Safe Again" – with the implication that there was "[[Good old days|a golden age of peace]] to which we might return" – was used for the first day of the RNC conference. On this day, a number of anti-Clinton speeches and talk of [[illegal immigration|"illegal aliens"]] killing ordinary Americans and then taking their jobs, and a moment of silence was given for the assassinated police officers in Baton Rouge<ref name=Amée>{{cite news|last1=Latour|first1=Amée|title=[http://www.bustle.com/articles/173358-that-make-america-safe-again-slogan-is-capitalizing-on-our-biggest-fears That "Make America Safe Again" Slogan Is Capitalizing On Our Biggest Fears]|accessdate=July 20, 2016|work=Bustle|date=July 18, 2016}}</ref> – whilst at the same time, African-American speakers bitterly denounced the [[Black Lives Matter]] movement.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Massie|first1=Victoria M.|title=[http://www.vox.com/2016/7/19/12219378/donald-trump-republican-convention-rnc-black-lives-matter Donald Trump plans to "Make America Safe Again" — from the Black Lives Matter movement]|accessdate=July 20, 2016|work=Vox|date=July 19, 2016}}</ref> [[Rudy Giuliani]] gave one of the most fiery speeches of the night, saying that "When [law enforcement] come to save your life, they don't ask if you are black or white. They just come to save you!";<ref>Carly Hoilman. (July 19, 2016). [http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2016/07/19/giuliani-police-dont-ask-if-you-are-black-or-white-they-just-come-to-save-you/ "Giuliani: Police 'Don't Ask if You Are Black or White, They Just Come to Save You!'"]. ''The Blaze''. </ref> i.e. completely in [[denial]] of the disproportionate number of black people killed by police in comparison to whites.

Alongside the Clinton-bashing and plagiarism controversy, Trump promised to protect veterans and strengthen the US military.<ref name="NPRTaylor16" /> Trump has made the [[Iraq War]] a key cornerstone in this speech; whilst liberals may view this as a [[stopped clock]] moment or indicative of old-school anti-interventionalism, Trump's position on Iraq is a lot more nuanced than he would have us believe: Trump's running mate voted in favour of the Iraq War at the time,<ref>{{cite news|last1=Golshan|first1=Tara|title=[http://www.vox.com/2016/7/18/12211482/donald-trump-iraq-war-pence Trump on Pence's vote for the Iraq war: "He's entitled to make a mistake" On Clinton: "She's not"]|accessdate=July 19, 2016|work=Vox|date=July 18, 2016}}</ref> and Trump appeared to be in favour of intervention in 2002.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Kaczynski|first1=Andrew|last2=McDermott|first2=Nathan|title=[https://www.buzzfeed.com/andrewkaczynski/in-2002-donald-trump-said-he-supported-invading-iraq-on-the?utm_term=.pbyd0PqYP8 In 2002, Donald Trump Said He Supported Invading Iraq]|accessdate=July 21, 2016|work=BuzzFeed|date=February 19, 2016}}</ref> However, as Trump had financial interests in the region, it's possible that Trump was either lying here, or changed his mind later in life.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Kiely|first1=Eugene|title=[http://www.factcheck.org/2016/02/donald-trump-and-the-iraq-war/ Donald Trump and the Iraq War]|accessdate=July 21, 2016|work=FactCheck|date=February 19, 2016}}</ref>

=== Melania Trump plagiarism controversy ===
[[File:Melania-trump-speech.jpg|thumb|Nothing to see here, folks…]]
[[File:ObamaTrumpTea.jpg|thumb|Michelle Obama, the plagiarized version (left); Michelle Obama, the real one (right)]]
{{cquote|Melania Trump denies ripping off [[Michelle Obama]] speech, as that's not in her nature as a proud black woman.|||''Have I Got News For You?''<ref>Facebook post, 19 July 2016. Original post [https://www.facebook.com/HaveIGotNewsForYou/photos/a.480809768770138.1073741828.470137386504043/557748341076280/?type=3&theater here], image [https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13692551_557748341076280_7129976580879878579_n.jpg?oh=d8f717f154c68d631085549a7cb72737&oe=5825135C here].</ref>}}
On July 18, 2016, [[Donald Trump]]'s (current) wife gave a speech on the first day of the 2016 Republican National Convention to talk about why the Donald would be the 
racially
 superior United States presidential candidate. The speech contained a paragraph that was pretty much identical to a paragraph of [[Michelle Obama]]'s speech at the 2008 Democratic National Convention.<ref name="Plagiarism allegations">{{cite news |title=[https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/republican-national-convention-scrutiny-of-melania-trumps-speech-follows-plagiarism-allegations/2016/07/19/3efc4208-4da4-11e6-a7d8-13d06b37f256_story.html Scrutiny of Melania Trump's speech follows plagiarism allegations] |first1=Karen |last1=Tumulty |first2=Robert |last2=Costa |first3=Jose |last3=DelReal |date=July 19, 2016 |work=[[The Washington Post]] |accessdate=July 19, 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=[https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/07/19/melania-trumps-speech-appears-to-have-cribbed-from-michelle-obamas-in-2008/ Melania Trump's speech appears to have cribbed from Michelle Obama's in 2008] |first=Philip |last=Bump |date=July 19, 2016 |work=[[The Washington Post]] |accessdate=July 19, 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=[http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/20/us/politics/melania-trump-speech.html Melania Trump's Speech Bears Striking Similarities to Michelle Obama's in 2008] |first1=Maggie |last1=Haberman |first2=Alan |last2=Rappeport |first3=Patrick |last3=Healy |date=July 19, 2016 |work=[[The New York Times]] |accessdate=July 19, 2016 }}</ref> Following Trump's speech, various media outlets reported the similarities, stating that Trump's speech was "awkward", "embarrassing" and "an act of [[plagiarism]]";<ref>{{cite news|last1=Engel|first1=Pamela|title=[https://www.businessinsider.com/melania-trump-takes-center-stage-night-one-gop-convention-2016-7 Melania Trump's speech appeared to lift from parts of Michelle Obama's 2008 convention address] |date=July 19, 2016 |accessdate=July 19, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Allen|first1=Cooper|title=[http://amp.usatoday.com/story/87278088/ Was Melania Trump's speech plagiarized from Michelle Obama?] |work=USA Today |date=July 19, 2016 |accessdate=July 19, 2016}}</ref> however, the Trump campaign denied for 24 hours that these remarks were plagiarized.

Speakers {{wpl|Darryl Glenn}} and [[Tom Cotton]] were also accused of plagiarism at the convention<ref name=TYT>{{cite web|title=[https://youtu.be/hp_YGpnoyuc Republicans Plagiarized A LOT Of Lines At RNC]|work=[[The Young Turks]]|date=July 19, 2016|accessdate=July 20, 2016}}</ref> – these allegations were not widely spread due to the Melania Trump controversy. Trump Jr. was also accused of plagiarism from an ''American Conservative'' article in Day 2 of the convention.<ref name=VoxDay2>Caleb Lewis. (July 20, 2016). [http://www.vox.com/2016/7/20/12230994/republican-convention-day-2-lucifer "Republican National Convention day 2 recap: what Republicans discussed (Lucifer) and didn't (jobs)"]. ''Vox''.</ref><ref>{{cite web |title= [https://twitter.com/TheDailyShow/status/755601024908300288 Tweet Number 755601024908300288] |url= |author= The Daily Show |date=July 20, 2016 |quote= 👀 https://t.co/QEftnTTwy3 |work= [[Twitter]] }}</ref>

Various media outlets also suggested that members of Donald Trump's presidential campaign should respond to the accusations, which they did a few hours after the speech in the form of the following statement by the campaign's Senior Communications Advisor Jason Miller: {{quotebox|In writing her beautiful speech, Melania's team of writers took notes on her life's inspirations, and in some instances included fragments that reflected her own thinking. Melania's immigrant experience and love for America shone through in her speech, which made it such a success.<ref name=Habermanetal />}}

[[Reince Priebus]], chairman of the Republican National Committee, described the speech as "inspirational" but said if plagiarism were found, he thought "it certainly seems reasonable" to fire the person who wrote the speech,<ref>{{cite news |title=[http://www.bostonherald.com/news/us_politics/2016/07/rnc_chairman_reince_priebus_itd_be_reasonable_to_fire_melania_trumps RNC Chairman Reince Priebus: It'd be 'reasonable' to fire Melania Trump's speechwriter] |first=Ted |last=Johnson |date=July 19, 2016 |work=Boston Herald |accessdate=July 19, 2016 }}</ref> and Melania's speechwriter has officially come forward to apologize for the plagiarism.<ref>{{cite web |title= [https://twitter.com/BBCJonSopel/status/755806349666217984/photo/1 Tweet Number 755806349666217984] |author= Jon Sopel |date= July 20, 2016 |quote= Apology from speechwriter for the #FamousMelaniaTrumpQuotes ominishambles speech https://t.co/npOZ1JHGwa |work= [[Twitter]] }}</ref> It had previously been alleged by ''[[The New York Times]]'' that, whilst a professional speechwriter was used for Melania's speech, Melania was not happy with the draft she was given and decided to re-write a new version – with Trump's version containing the plagiarism, which was unchecked by any official speechwriters.<ref name=NYT202016>{{cite news|last1=Haberman|first1=Maggie|last2=Barbaro|first2=Michael|title=[http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/20/us/politics/melania-trump-convention-speech.html How Melania Trump's Speech Veered Off Course and Caused an Uproar]|accessdate=July 20, 2016|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=July 19, 2016}}</ref>

Paul Manafort, Donald Trump's campaign chairman, called it a "great speech" and said "obviously Michelle Obama feels very similar sentiments toward her family". He later said "to think that she would be cribbing Michelle Obama's words is crazy", adding "This is once again an example of when a woman threatens [[Hillary Clinton]], she seeks out to demean her and take her down. It's not going to work against Melania Trump"<ref name=Habermanetal>{{cite news |title=[http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/20/us/politics/melania-trump-speech.html Questions Over Melania Trump's Speech Set Off Finger-Pointing] |first1=Maggie |last1=Haberman |first2=Alan |last2=Rappeport |first3=Patrick |last3=Healy |first4=Jonathan |last4=Martin |date=July 19, 2016 |work=[[The New York Times]] |accessdate=July 19, 2016 }}</ref> – quite what that has to do with the allegations of plagiarism is anybody's guess. The controversy led to the hashtag #famousMelaniaTrumpQuotes being promoted on Twitter, with hilarious results.<ref>[https://twitter.com/search?q=%23famousmelaniatrumpquotes #famousMelaniaTrumpQuotes on Twitter]</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Zarya|first1=Valentina|title=[http://fortune.com/2016/07/19/famous-melania-trump-quotes/ Read the Best #FamousMelaniaTrumpQuotes Tweets and Memes]|accessdate=July 20, 2016|work=Fortune|date=July 19, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Kile|first1=Meredith B.|title=[http://www.etonline.com/news/193547_melania_trump_appears_to_plagiarize_michelle_obama_at_republican_national_convention_twitter_goes_nuts/ Melania Trump Appears to Plagiarize Michelle Obama at Republican National Convention, Twitter Goes Nuts]|accessdate=July 20, 2016|work=Entertainment Tonight|date=July 18, 2016}}</ref>

Sean Spicer, director of communications for the Republican National Committee and professional Brony, defended the speech by saying that similar statements have existed before her speech such as quotes by John Legend, Kid Rock, and Twilight Sparkle from ''[[My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic|My Little Pony]]''.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Tatum|first1=Sophie|title=[http://www.cnn.com/2016/07/19/politics/sean-spicer-melania-trump-my-little-pony/ RNC official cites 'My Little Pony' to defend Melania Trump]|accessdate=July 19, 2016|work=[[CNN]]|date=July 19, 2016}}</ref> Legend himself responded to Spicer on [[Twitter]] by tweeting "I would very much like to be excluded from this narrative".<ref>{{cite news|last1=Sarlin|first1=Benjy|last2=Tur|first2=Katy|last3=Vitali|first3=Ali|title=[http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/2016-conventions/trump-campaign-struggles-manage-melania-trump-speech-fallout-n612446 Trump Campaign Struggles to Manage Melania Trump Speech Fallout]|accessdate=July 19, 2016|date=July 19, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title= [https://twitter.com/johnlegend/status/755461353414938624 Tweet Number 755461353414938624] |author= John Legend |date= July 19, 2016 |quote= I would very much like to be excluded from this narrative https://t.co/I46VtY2CXI |work= [[Twitter]] }}</ref> Several [[pundit]]s from conservative media outlets ([[Fox News]] in particular) attempted to justify the speech Trump gave, saying among other things: this actually applied to Trump, Obama was lying about it! (in 2008);<ref>[http://mediamatters.org/video/2016/07/19/foxs-kilmeade-excuses-melania-trumps-speech-plagiarizing-michelle-obamas-because-it-actually-applies/211678 Fox News, Fox & Friends, 7/19/16]. Via [[Media Matters]].</ref> "nobody owns" the words she used<ref>[http://mediamatters.org/embed/clips/2016/07/19/47826/fnc-f-f-20160719-pirromelaniaspeech Fox News, Fox & Friends, 7/19/16]. Via [[Media Matters]].</ref> – true, but when the Donald has criticized others for plagiarism in the past,<ref>Katie Reilly (July 19, 2016). [http://time.com/4413066/donald-trump-joe-biden-plagiarism/ "Donald Trump Criticized Joe Biden for Plagiarism Last Year"]. ''TIME Magazine'' online.</ref> you ''think'' his campaign may be more vigilant; and – perhaps most ironically – that speaking in a foreign language is hard.<ref>[http://mediamatters.org/embed/clips/2016/07/19/47827/fnc-f-f-20160719-ingrahammelaniaspeech Fox News, Fox & Friends, 7/19/16]. Via [[Media Matters]].</ref> Alternatively, we could go down the [[neo-Nazi]] route: ''[[The Daily Stormer]]'' and other such outfits blamed the controversy on the "dirty kike media", and [[Don Black]] claimed that the controversy was designed to help Clinton, because Obama's black.<ref name=WhiteNationalists /> Yup, totally makes sense...

Before delivering the speech, Trump had told NBC News' {{wpl|Matt Lauer}} that she and a speechwriter had been "working on the speech" for the past "five to six weeks". In that same NBC News interview Trump also stated that she had "read it once over" and that she "wrote it with as little help as possible".<ref>{{cite news |title=[http://www.today.com/news/melania-trump-convention-speech-i-wrote-it-little-help-possible-t100942 Melania Trump on convention speech: 'I wrote it with as little help as possible'] |first=Scott |last=Stump |date=July 19, 2016 |publisher=Today |accessdate=July 19, 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=[http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc-news/watch/exclusive-the-trumps-speak-with-matt-lauer-727480899958 Exclusive: The Trumps speak with Matt Lauer] |date=July 18, 2016 |publisher=[[MSNBC]] |accessdate=July 19, 2016 }}</ref> David Lauter from the ''Los Angeles Times'' stated that while these allegations are unlikely to cost Trump votes, the distraction is unhelpful, referring to it as a "lost opportunity" for the campaign.<ref>{{cite news |title=[http://www.latimes.com/politics/la-na-pol-melania-trump-plagiarism-accusations-20160719-snap-story.html Why the plagiarism allegations against Melania Trump matter for her husband's campaign]|author=David Lauter|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=July 19, 2016|accessdate=July 19, 2016}}</ref>

Since the potential First Lady has yet to repudiate her plagiarism personally, {{wpl|Laura Benanti}} decided to issue an apology on her behalf:<ref name=Inaeoh>Inae Oh. (July 20, 2016). [http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2016/07/melania-trump-stephen-colbert-convention-speech-spoof "Melania Trump Defends Her Plagiarized Convention Speech in a Hilarious Spoof"]. ''Mother Jones''.</ref>

{{quotebox|My fellow Americans. [Pauses to pose for the camera amidst cheers and applause] This is truly the best of times, it is the worst of times. I did not plagiarize my speech last night. I would never do such a thing. I would not, could not with a [[goat]]. [Laughter and applause] I would not, could not on a boat. That is because I learned honesty during my humble upbringing: in West Philadelphia, born and raised – [Cheers and applause] Thank you! – and on the playground is where I spent most of my days. So, to those who say I stole my speech, I say give me a break. Give me a break. Break me off a piece of that Kit Kat bar. [Cheers and applause] They may be able to take our, lives, but they will never take our... [Squints at teleprompter] ''freedom''? [Cheers and applause]

I am mad as hell, and I am not going to take it anymore. You gotta fight for your right to party. [Cheers and applause] Boom goes the dynamite, hakuna matata. Bada ba da da, I'm loving it.<ref name=Inaeoh /><ref>Brian Flood. (July 20, 2016). [http://www.thewrap.com/melania-trump-plagiarizes-fresh-prince-dr-seuss-stephen-colbert-late-show-sketch-laura-benanti/ "Melania Trump Plagiarizes 'Fresh Prince,' Dr. Seuss in 'Late Show' Sketch (Video)"]. ''The Wrap''.</ref>}}

==== Purposeful troll? ====
{{cquote|You know, the president told me to stop whining, but I really have to say, the media is even more biased this year than ever before — ever. You want the proof? Michelle Obama gives a speech and everyone loves it — it’s fantastic. They think she’s absolutely great. My wife, Melania, gives the exact same speech — and people get on her case.|||Donald Trump, roasting his wife at the 71st {{wpl|Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner|Al Smith dinner}} in New York<ref>"[http://time.com/4539981/read-the-transcript-donald-trump-speech-al-smith-dinner/ Read the Transcript of Donald Trump’s Speech at the Al Smith Dinner]", ''TIME''</ref>}}
There are also some [[conspiracy theories]] circling around that this plagiarism controversy was, in fact, constructed entirely by Donald Trump on order to gain attention for himself and gain free airtime.<ref name=TYT /> Some commentators also wondered whether Trump had referenced Rick Astley's song "Never Gonna Give You Up", with the lines "He will never, ever give up" ("never gonna give you up") and "he will never, ever let you down" ("never gonna let you down"); essentially, Melania's scriptwriters were quite literally accused of Rickrolling her.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Kircher|first1=Madison|title=[http://nymag.com/selectall/2016/07/did-melania-trump-rickroll-us-all-at-the-republican-national-convention.html Did Melania Trump Rickroll Us All at the Republican National Convention?] |work=New York |date=July 19, 2016 |accessdate=July 19, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Matthews|first1=Dylan|title=[http://www.vox.com/2016/7/19/12221654/melania-trump-rickroll Did Melania Trump include a Rickroll in the middle of her convention speech?]|publisher=Vox |date=19 July 2016 |accessdate=July 19, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=[http://time.com/4412801/melania-trump-rick-rolled-speech/ Melania Trump Just Rickrolled Us All]|last=Lang|first=Cady|work=Time |accessdate=July 19, 2016}}</ref>

==Make America Work Again==
{{cquote|"Make America Work Again" night showing our biggest growth industry is fear.|||Sarah Kendzior<ref>{{cite web |title= [https://twitter.com/sarahkendzior/status/755567654828515328 Tweet Number 755567654828515328] |author= Sarah Kendzior |date= July 20, 2016|quote= "Make America Work Again" night showing our biggest growth industry is fear #RNCinCLE |work= [[Twitter]] }}</ref>}}
[[File:Make America Work Again.jpg|thumb|Will the plagiarism never cease?!]]

Despite the theme of "Make America Work Again" being centred around jobs, for the first hour of the day there was no mention of jobs at all, with continued mention of Benghazi and terrorism dominating the day.<ref name=TYTDay2>(July 20, 2016). [https://youtu.be/G7B0sknrFDk "TYT Summary Of Day 2 Of The 2016 Republican National Convention"]. ''[[The Young Turks]]''.</ref> The few speakers who actually mentioned jobs were business associates of Trump. They included Dana White, president of the UFC, the until-now-unknown Andy Wist, and Kerry Woolard, general manager of Trump Winery.<ref name=VoxDay2 /><ref>Danielle Kurtzleben (July 14, 2016). [http://www.npr.org/2016/07/14/486045694/in-search-of-andy-wist-or-the-2016-gop-convention-speakers-by-the-numbers "In Search Of Andy Wist (Or, The 2016 GOP Convention Speakers, By The Numbers)"]. ''NPR''.</ref> [[Paul Ryan]] also delivered his "party unity" speech – despite having a long history of disagreeing with Trump – rape accusations against [[Bill Clinton]] were brought up again and "Muslims for Trump" also offered a prayer for Trump.<ref name=VoxDay2 />{{onion}}

==Make America First Again==
[[File:Ingraham Nazi.jpg|thumb|Just in case there weren't enough [[Godwin's Law|Nazi comparisons]] at an "America First" event organized by Trump, [[Laura Ingraham|Frau Ingraham]] steps onto the stage...<ref>{{cite news|last1=Voorhees|first1=Josh|title=[http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2016/07/21/laura_ingraham_s_nazi_salute_examined.html Did Laura Ingraham Intentionally Give a Nazi Salute Last Night? An Investigation.]|work=Slate|date=July 21, 2016}}</ref>]]
{{see also|Britain First}}
{{cquote|If Donald Trump wants to make America great again, he should start by actually making things in America.|||[[Hillary Clinton]].<ref>{{cite web |title= [https://twitter.com/HillaryClinton/status/755591516995805184 Tweet Number 755591516995805184] |author= Hillary Clinton |date= 20 July 2016|accessdate= 20 July 2016 |quote= If Donald Trump wants to make America great again, he should start by actually making things in America. https://t.co/kKeJadUVce |work= [[Twitter]] }}</ref>}}

In his speech on July 20 outlining his foreign policy goals, Donald Trump chose to brand his [[Xenophobia|xenophobic]] and [[isolationist]] foreign policy with the noxious slogan "America First", the name of the [[Antisemitism|anti-Semitic]] {{wpl|America First Committee|national organization}} that urged the United States to appease [[Adolf Hitler|Hitler]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Dunn|first1=Susan|title=[http://edition.cnn.com/2016/04/27/opinions/trump-america-first-ugly-echoes-dunn/ Trump's 'America First' carries ugly echo]|accessdate=July 20, 2016|work=[[CNN]]|date=July 20, 2016}}</ref>

{{quotebox|"America First" was the motto of Nazi-friendly Americans in the 1930s, and Trump has more than just a catchphrase in common with them. Trump defines the "America" he wants to put "first" by saying who does not properly belong in it. That definition does not include certain people of foreign descent born in the United States, who are to him still foreigners and whom he labels accordingly ... It does not include Muslim residents, whom he would "certainly" and "absolutely" force to register their presence with the U.S. government (asked how this proposed policy differs from Nazi laws regarding Jews, Trump replied, "You tell me").

Trump wants his exclusionary America to cower behind walls. He would erect metaphorical barriers against immigrants (excluding Muslims from entry to the United States until they can be "properly and perfectly" screened) and trade. And of course, he would build a literal wall along the Mexican border. None of which is to say Trump's isolated America would decline to fight wars: Trump would increase bombing of the Middle East and fight "fast and ... furious for a short period of time" against the terrorist enemy.

This is what Trump's "America First" means: a white America ... living behind higher walls and screens, lashing out to prove its strength and then retreating again — not a government suspiciously tolerant of foreign threats. And this is also largely what "America First" has historically meant.<ref name=RauchwayJun2016>Rauchway, Eric. (June 14, 2016). [https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2016/06/14/donald-trumps-new-favorite-slogan-has-a-nazi-friendly-history/ "Donald Trump's new favorite slogan was invented for Nazi sympathizers"]. ''[[The Washington Post]]''.</ref>}}

During the early 1930s, {{wpl|William Randolph Hearst}} touted the "America First" slogan against [[FDR]], accusing the [[New Deal]] of being [[Red-baiting|a secret Bolshevik plot]] which was "more communistic than the communists", contrasting this to Hitler's fascism, which Hearst argued has won a victory for "liberty-loving people" in defeating [[Communism|the Red Menace]]. Alongside various communists, anti-interventionists and [[pacifist]]s, the America First Committee became the most prominent opponents to FDR's rule.<ref name=RauchwayJun2016 />

Just as Donald Trump believes that there are a few Muslims who may, ''may'' be acceptable to have in the US, {{wpl|Charles Lindbergh}} – who received a medal from {{wpl|Herman Goering}} "in the name of [[Adolf Hitler|the ''Führer'']]" – believed that there were "a few Jews of the right type" who may be suited to life in the USA. As with the Trump campaign, not all the America First supporters were as openly offensive as their leaders, but as with the Trump campaign many decent people stayed silent, and did not repudiate their fascist-sympathizing leaders.<ref name=RauchwayJun2016 /> And as Donald Trump has advanced the idea of the "[[silent majority]]" supporting his views (although Trump's supporters are generally far from silent, and have yet to be in the majority nationwide), Lindbergh advanced the idea that the vast majority of Americans were on his side, but that their opinions were drowned out by the powerful voices of the Jewish-dominated, pro-interventionist press.<ref>Rothman, Lily (March 28, 2016). [http://time.com/4273812/america-first-donald-trump-history/ "The Long History Behind Donald Trump's 'America First' Foreign Policy"]. ''TIME''.</ref>

And just in case you think that these views were in the past: [[white nationalist]] tweets from @[[vdare]] were displayed prominently at the GOP convention,<ref>Pleat, Zachary (July 19, 2016). [http://mediamatters.org/blog/2016/07/19/white-nationalist-website-s-tweet-featured-inside-rnc-convention-hall/211729 "White Nationalist Website's Tweet Featured Inside RNC Convention Hall"]. ''[[Media Matters for America]]''.</ref> and here is [[Donald Trump]]'s 
arch-nemesis
 
unknown supporter
 KKK endorser, "[[Professor of nothing|Dr.]]" [[David Duke]]:
{{quotebox|I was the first major candidate in modern times to promote the term and policy of "America First". ... we must [[Isolationism|protect American jobs and businesses]]. We must enforce {{wpl|United States antitrust law|antitrust laws}} that break up the anti-American huge media conglomerates. ''[[The New York Times]]'' admitted that my platform became the GOP mainstream, and propelled Republicans to control of Congress. ... I'm overjoyed to see Donald Trump and most Americans embrace most of the issues that I've championed for years. My slogan remains "America First", I've always said equal rights for all, special interests for none.<ref>David Duke Announces for US Senate, via [[David Duke]]'s official [[YouTube]] channel. ([https://youtu.be/OJ97gEFBH5k?t=55 0:55–1:50])</ref>}}

Now compare these to Trump's own comments:
{{quotebox|My foreign policy will always put the interests of the American people and American security above all else. That will be the foundation of every single decision that I will make. 'America First' will be the major and overriding theme of my administration.<ref>{{cite news|last1=DelReal|first1=Jose A.|title=[https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2016/04/27/trump-pivoting-to-the-general-election-hones-america-first-foreign-policy-vision/ Trump, pivoting to the general election, hones 'America First' foreign policy vision]|accessdate=July 20, 2016|work=[[Washington Post]]|date=April 27, 2016}}</ref>}}

Trump is going with the Third Reich's "worker's party" thing too,<ref>Savransky, Rebecca, [http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/presidential-races/281332-trump-my-gop-will-be-a-workers-party "Trump: My GOP will be a 'worker's party'"], ''The Hill'' (May 26, 2016, 08:59 am).</ref> and has reportedly threatened to sue ''Vanity Fair'' over allegations of keeping copies of Hitler's speeches by his bedside.<ref>Kascynski, Andrew, [https://www.buzzfeed.com/andrewkaczynski/trump-once-threatened-to-sue-over-a-report-he-owned-a-book-o "Trump Once Threatened To Sue Over A Report He Owned A Book Of Hitler Speeches"], ''BuzzFeed'' (Feb. 18, 2016, at 1:22 p.m.).</ref>

===Ted Cruz speech===
In the third night of the convention, [[Ted Cruz]] – who was notable in appearing at the RNC, when other opponents of Trump such as {{wpl|John Kasich}} boycotted the event – gave a speech in which he [[Stopped clock|declined to endorse Trump]] for president, offering congratulations for Trump winning the nomination before going on and urging listeners to "vote your conscience, vote for candidates up and down the ticket who you trust to defend our freedom and to be faithful to the Constitution".<ref name="HealyMartin">Patrick Healy & Jonathan Martin [http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/21/us/politics/ted-cruz-donald-trump-mike-pence-rnc.html "Ted Cruz Is Booed When He Refuses to Back Donald Trump at Convention"], ''[[The New York Times]]'' (July 20, 2016).</ref><ref name=NYTDay3sum>(July 20, 2016). [http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/07/20/opinion/campaign-stops/Opinion-Donald-Trumps-Convention-Day-3.html "Donald Trump's Convention: Day 3"]. ''[[The New York Times]]''.</ref> The best thing about this comment is that he allowed Trump voters to jump to the conclusion that voting for Trump was voting against their conscience: "exactly the kind of cunning and underhanded move one would expect from a time traveling serial killer".<ref>"you know, the best thing about ted cruz’s speech saying “vote with your conscience” is he doesn’t actually say “don’t vote for trump” like he literally let trump supporters themselves make the leap that voting for trump = not voting with your conscience<br />it’s exactly the kind of cunning and underhanded move one would expect from a time traveling serial killer" – princess-stabbity on Tumblr. [http://princess-stabbity.tumblr.com/post/147776990939/you-know-the-best-thing-about-ted-cruzs-speech Original post], posted July 23, 2016 at princess-stabitty.tumblr.com. [https://archive.ph/H5MJL Archived] from the original via {{wpl|archive.ph}}  on July 24, 2016.</ref>

Pro-Trump delegates were enraged at Cruz's speech, shouting him down and booing him off the stage,<ref name="TumultySullivan">Karen Tumulty & Sean Sullivan, [https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/day-3-of-republican-convention-pence-accepts-nomination-sought-for-unity-falls-short/2016/07/20/d592ff88-4e92-11e6-aa14-e0c1087f7583_story.html?hpid=hp_hp-top-table-main_no-name%3Ahomepage%2Fstory Day 3 of Republican convention: Pence accepts nomination; sought-for unity falls short], ''[[Washington Post]]''</ref> in what was described by ''[[The New York Times]]'' as "the most electric moment of the convention."<ref name="HealyMartin"/> Convention security personnel and Cruz advisor {{wpl|Ken Cuccinelli}} escorted Cruz's wife {{wpl|Heidi Cruz|Heidi}} out of the hall, fearing for her safety.<ref name="HealyMartin"/><ref name="TumultySullivan"/> Cruz's exit from the stage was overshadowed by the arrival of The Donald himself, and the cameras zoomed away from Cruz, not bothering to show Cruz's scuttling off stage.<ref name=NYTDay3sum /> Rather bizarrely, Trump later tweeted that he knew what Cruz was going to say two hours earlier on, but that he allowed Cruz to speak because: "No big deal!"<ref>(July 21, 2016). [http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-36852910 "The moment the crowd turned on Ted Cruz"]. ''BBC News''.</ref><ref>{{cite web |title= [https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/status/755972015249645568 Tweet Number 755972015249645568] |author= Donald J. Trump |date= 21 July 2016|accessdate= 27 July 2016 |quote= Wow, Ted Cruz got booed off the stage, didn't honor the pledge! I saw his speech two hours early but let him speak anyway. No big deal! |work= [[Twitter]] }}</ref>

{{quotebox|The bitter roundelay between the men started earlier in the day. As Ted Cruz had a campaign-style rally in Cleveland, with 2020 wafting in the air, Donald Trump's plane flew over and drowned Cruz out. [...] But this evening, the boos were going in the opposite direction.

At first, the crowd was enthusiastic about Cruz. But soon Cruz began to seem like the guy who comes to your book party and starts brandishing his own book. When he had been speaking for quite a while without endorsing the nominee, only perfunctorily congratulating him on winning the nomination, and when he advised everyone to vote "your conscience" up and down the ticket, the crowd turned ugly.

Suddenly Trump, certainly irritated at not hearing the glorious sound of his own name in an elongated address by a "loser," entered the arena. He was once more soaring in, drowning Cruz out. 

All eyes went to Trump as they dimmed the lights on the stage and the nominee regally walked in, a procession of one, to sit with his family in his stadium box with gold-and-black striped railings. The crowd got even more feral toward the former rival suddenly trapped onstage, looking like he didn't know how to finish and finally slinking off.

Delegates near me started booing and jumping up and pointing at Cruz and screaming, "Trump, Trump Trump!" Others shouted "He's full of baloney!" and taunts pocked with "idiot" and "moron."

Cruz finally escaped with his wife, Heidi, after she was escorted off the floor as a delegate shame-shame-shaming her with the name of her former employer: "Goldman Sachs!"

Asked about the kerfuffle, Marion Ashley, an alternate delegate from California, summed it up to ''The Times''{{'}} Sam Purdy this way: "Trump used 'Lyin' Ted.' It looked like he proved Trump right."<ref name=NYTDay3sum />}}

===NATO commitments===
Speaking to ''[[The New York Times]]'', Trump reiterated his earlier position that the United States would only come to the aid of [[NATO]] allies so long as "they fulfill their obligations to us", and praised 
Islamic extremist
 
Sultan
 [[Recep Tayyip Erdoğan]]'s dealing with those damn unruly coup plotters!<ref>{{cite news|last1=Sanger|first1=David E.|last2=Haberman|first2=Maggie|title=[http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/21/us/politics/donald-trump-issues.html Donald Trump Sets Conditions for Defending NATO Allies Against Attack]|work=The New York Times|date=July 20, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=[http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/22/us/politics/donald-trump-foreign-policy-interview.html Transcript: Donald Trump on NATO, Turkey’s Coup Attempt and the World]|work=The New York Times|date=July 21, 2016}}</ref>

==Make America One Again==
===Ivanka Trump speech===
{{cquote|[[Bullshit|As President, my father will change the labor laws that were put into place at a time when women were not a significant portion of the workforce. And he will focus on making quality childcare affordable and accessible for all.]]|||Ivanka Trump<ref>Drabold, Will (July 21, 2016). [http://time.com/4417579/republican-convention-ivanka-trump-transcript/ "Read Ivanka Trump's Speech at the Republican Convention"]. ''TIME''.</ref>}}
Ivanka Trump made a speech which discussed issues such as the gender pay gap and women's equality, and many commentators have noticed how Ivanka's speeches bore a lot of similarities to those of Donald Trump's opponent, [[Hillary Clinton]];<ref>Diaz, Daniella (July 22, 2016). [http://edition.cnn.com/2016/07/22/politics/ivanka-trump-dress-republican-national-convention/ "Ivanka Trump markets her look after RNC speech"]. ''CNN Politics''.</ref> ''[[The Guardian]]'', ''[[The Washington Post]]'', the ''New York'' magazine and ''Slate'' all noted that Ivanka's espoused policies put her closer to Clinton than Donald Trump.<ref>Owen, Paul; Bixby, Scott (July 22, 2016). [https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jul/22/ivanka-trump-republican-national-convention-speech "'The greatest asset Trump has': Ivanka gets rave reviews for Cleveland speech"]. ''[[The Guardian]]''.</ref>

{{quotebox|Why is Ivanka trying to pass off her caveman dad as a paragon of gender equality? Clearly to make an appeal to the women he's losing so badly. But what does she take America for? Does she really believe she can just invent a policy position that bears no relationship to her father's rhetorical record or stated policy interests? [...] The Republican platform does not include any mention of child care, day care, early education, equal pay, or paid leave, though it does strongly oppose gay marriage, single parenthood, cohabitation, abortion, and every one of the developments in marriage and economic patterns that have changed the world for women in the way that Ivanka Trump correctly described.

No, if Ivanka believes we need to alter our social and economic policies to better reflect the lived realities of today’s women and men, their economic needs and familial responsibilities, then she would do better to visit with the Democrats in Philadelphia next week.<ref>Traister, Rebecca (July 22, 2016). [http://nymag.com/thecut/2016/07/ivanka-trump-rnc-speech-wrong.html "Ivanka Is Right About Promoting Gender Equality — and Her Father Will Do the Exact Opposite"]. ''New York''.</ref>}}

She described Trump the "messenger of the people" and the "people's candidate",<ref>Hayden, Michael Edison (July 21, 2016). [http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/ivanka-trump-introduces-father-donald-rnc-peoples-champion/story?id=40783780 "Ivanka Trump Introduces Her Father Donald at the RNC: He Is 'the People's Champion'"]. ''ABC News''.</ref> portrayed Donald as "color-blind and gender-neutral" and tried to portray him as a [[feminist]] figure, with talk of accessible childcare and reforming labor laws.<ref>Filipovic, Jill (July 22, 2016). [http://www.cosmopolitan.com/politics/news/a61713/ivanka-trump-rnc-speech-womens-issues/ "The Disappointing Truth About Ivanka Trump's Inspiring Speech"]. ''Cosmopolitan''.</ref> This speech touched on issues usually touted by the Democrats, and was seen as an appeal not only to female voters but also to millennials,<ref>(July 22, 2016). [http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/ivanka-trump-speech-convention-1.3690842 "The kinder, gentler Trump: Speech sparks musings about Ivanka Trump's political future"]. ''CBC News''. (Thomson Reuters).</ref> and a bridge across partisan lines, especially with lines such as "Like many of my fellow millennials, I do not consider myself categorically Republican or Democrat."<ref>Khalid, Asma; Farrington, Dana (July 21, 2016).  [http://www.npr.org/2016/07/21/486944210/how-ivanka-trump-could-prove-to-be-her-fathers-most-powerful-weapon "Ivanka Trump Reaches Out To Women, Urges Support For Them In Workforce"]. ''NPR''.</ref> This could be crucial, as 17% of millennials have a favorable opinion of Donald Trump, compared to a 37% favorable for Hillary Clinton.<ref>McCaskill, Nolan D. (April 25, 2016). [http://www.politico.com/story/2016/04/poll-do-millennials-like-trump-222397 "Poll: Millennials don't like Trump"]. ''Politico''.</ref>

===Donald Trump speech===
[[File:2016trump.jpg|thumb|300px|Stage design courtesy of [[George Orwell]] and {{wpl|Albert Speer}}]]
Donald Trump's final speech touched a dark and [[authoritarian]] tone, with a promise to committing to "law and order"; this was an attempt to unify the deeply divided party, touching on common themes throughout the convention and campaign.<ref name=RobJac16>Roberts, Dan; Jacobs, Ben (July 22, 2016). [https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jul/21/donald-trump-republican-national-convention-speech "Donald Trump proclaims himself 'law and order' candidate at Republican convention"]. ''[[The Guardian]]''.</ref> He also launched an appeal to [[Bernie Sanders]] supporters who were opposed to [[free trade]], saying that:
{{quotebox|I have seen firsthand how the system is rigged against our citizens just like it was rigged against Bernie Sanders. He never had a chance, never had a chance. But his supporters will join our movement because we will fix his biggest single issue – trade deals that stripped our country of its jobs and stripped us of our wealth as a country.<ref>Inskeep, Steve (July 22, 2016). [http://www.npr.org/2016/07/22/486999070/ivanka-trump-s-gop-convention-speech-targeted-women-and-millennials "In His Acceptance Speech, Trump Promises To Restore Safety"]. ''NPR''.</ref>}}

This is wishful thinking on Trump's part; recent polls suggest that support for Clinton from Sanders supporters is at 90%.<ref>Kennedy, Kelsey (July 26, 2016). [http://qz.com/742264/despite-the-bernie-or-bust-contingent-90-of-bernie-sanders-core-supporters-now-back-clinton/ "Despite the Bernie-or-bust contingent, 90% of Bernie Sanders' core supporters now back Clinton"]. ''Quartz''.</ref> However, Trump was preaching to the already converted – no personal endearing anecdotes 
about receiving a small loan of a million dollars
 were given, no concessions were given to those still on the fence about Trump, and overall most scriptwriters were stupefied that Trump would miss such a golden opportunity.<ref>Barbaro, Michael (July 22, 2016). [http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/22/us/politics/trump-rnc-remarks.html "Escape His Caricature? Donald Trump Passes Up the Chance"]. ''[[The New York Times]]''.</ref>

The speech also blamed recent unrest – from the shooting of police to international terrorism – solely on [[Barack Obama]] and Hillary Clinton. He also promised to "do everything in my power to protect our [[LGBTQ]] citizens from the violence and oppression of a hateful foreign ideology",<ref>Taylor, Jessica (July 21, 2016). [http://www.npr.org/2016/07/21/486940891/trump-to-promise-safety-will-be-restored-as-he-accepts-gop-nomination "Painting A Grim Picture Of America, Trump Says 'Safety Will Be Restored' If He Wins"]. ''NPR''.</ref> whilst [[Hypocrisy|promoting a hateful domestic attitude]] towards gay people by a recent hard right shift in the GOP platform: all positive amendments to the LGBT community were removed by delegates -- with even mentions of gay people being targets of ISIL removed -- as well as a commitment to overturning the Supreme Court commission to legalise [[same-sex marriage]], supporting the appointment of judges who espouse "traditional [[family values]]", legalize [[reparative therapy]], support laws which allow businesses to discriminate against LGBT customers and supports laws which require [[transgender]] people to go to the bathrooms which correspond to the gender on their birth certificate.<ref name=NYTPeters2016>Peters, Jeremy W. (July 12, 2016). [http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/13/us/politics/republican-convention-issues.html "Emerging Republican Platform Goes Far to the Right"]. ''[[The New York Times]]''.</ref><ref>Sabri, Roya (July 24, 2016). [http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2016/0724/Peter-Thiel-s-I-am-proud-to-be-gay-is-a-GOP-convention-first "Peter Thiel's 'I am proud to be gay' is a GOP convention first"]. ''[[Christian Science Monitor]]''.</ref>

===Peter Thiel's speech vs. Republican reality on LGBT people===
Openly-[[gay]] tech entrepeneur and PayPal co-founder [[Peter Thiel]] made GOP history in his speech which – despite the anti-gay positions of the party (who make Trump look moderate in comparison) and the rightward shift in the GOP's LGBT policies<ref name=NYTPeters2016 /> – said that he was "proud to be gay" despite the party's official policy on LGBT rights, making him the first person to publicly announce to the GOP convention that he is gay.<ref>{{cite web|last=Margolin |first=Emma |title=[http://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/openly-gay-libertarian-tech-entrepreneur-peter-thiel-speak-rnc-n614191 Peter Thiel Makes History at RNC: 'I'm Proud to be Gay'] |publisher=NBC News |date=July 21, 2016}}</ref> Although the crowd cheered at this point – with those who disagreed with Thiel deciding to keep quiet – the GOP crowd was certainly not particulary GOP-friendly: indeed, Thiel did not even finish the first paragraph of his speech before a delegate heckled him with an anti-gay slur.<ref>Elliott, Phillip. (July 21, 2016). [http://time.com/4418475/republican-convention-peter-thiel-lgbt-gay-rights/ "How Donald Trump Courted Gay Voters at the Convention"]. ''TIME''.</ref>

Thiel's comments were made in the context of the GOP attempting to leave the [[culture war]]s alone and a throwaway comment about Thiel not caring about transgender bathroom bills<ref>Bradner, Eric; Chalian, David; Schleifer, Theodore. (July 22, 2016). [http://edition.cnn.com/2016/07/21/politics/peter-thiel-gay-republican-national-convention/index.html "A gay Silicon Valley billionaire just made GOP history at the RNC"]. ''CNN Politics''.</ref> – something the GOP definitely, ''definitely'' care about.<ref>Alderman, Julie (July 21, 2016). [http://mediamatters.org/research/2016/07/21/media-shouldnt-be-fooled-republican-national-convention-trump-pence-and-gop-aren-t-lgbt-friendly/211793 "Media Shouldn't Be Fooled By The Republican National Convention: Trump, Pence, And The GOP Aren't LGBT-Friendly"]. ''[[Media Matters for America]]''.</ref> 

As an openly-gay [[libertarian]], Thiel's support for [[same-sex marriage]] puts him at odds with the GOP platform, which Log Cabin Republicans suggest was the most homophobic in the party's 162-year-long history; Trump only mentioned protecting LGBT rights against Da'esh, not mentioning hatred from his fellow Americans – including his own supporters.<ref>Orttung, Nicole (July 21, 2016). [http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2016/0721/Peter-Thiel-s-presence-highlights-Republican-tension-over-LGBT-voters "Peter Thiel's presence highlights Republican tension over LGBT voters"]. ''[[Christian Science Monitor]]''.</ref> Despite all this homophobia swirling around, some guys over in Cleveland were having a hell of a time with male escorts – ''much'' more than with female escorts – with some escorts making more than 8 times more in 5 days than they usually would make in a week.<ref>Lang, Nico (July 22, 2016). [http://www.advocate.com/election/2016/7/22/male-escorts-are-making-killing-closeted-gay-republicans-rnc "Male Escorts Are Making a Killing Off Closeted Gay Republicans at the RNC"]. ''The Advocate''.</ref>

==Demonstrations and protest planning==
The ''Los Angeles Times'' wrote at the end of March 2016 that fears of a turbulent and volatile convention atmosphere were heightened because of a variety of factors: "a city scarred by controversial police shootings and simmering with racial tension; a candidate [Trump] who has threatened that his supporters will riot if he comes with the most delegates but leaves without the nomination; and a police force with a reputation for brutality."<ref name="LATimes">{{cite web|first=Matt|last=Pearce|title=[http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-republican-convention-protests-20160321-story.html This summer's Republican convention protests will be fueled by a volatile mix of forces]|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=March 30, 2016}}</ref> Concerns specifically focused on the ability of the Cleveland Police Department to handle protests in the wake of the {{wpl|Shooting of Tamir Rice|Tamir Rice}} and {{wpl|Shooting of Timothy Russell and Malissa Williams|Michael Brelo}} cases, and a 2014 Department of Justice investigation that criticized the police department had a pattern or practice of using "unreasonable and unnecessary force".<ref name="LATimes"/> In May 2016, the [[American Civil Liberties Union]] threatened to file a lawsuit on behalf of two activist groups, Citizens for Trump and a progressive group called Organize Ohio, asserting that protesters were being inhibited in their attempts to organize effectively by the city's delay in granting permits.<ref name="TobiasACLU">{{cite news|last1=Tobias|first1=Andrew|title=[http://www.cleveland.com/rnc-2016/index.ssf/2016/05/aclu_threatens_to_sue_clevelan.html ACLU threatens to sue Cleveland over delay in acting on demonstration permits for Republican National Convention]|accessdate=May 22, 2016|work=The Plain Dealer|date=May 19, 2016}}</ref> As of May 19, six groups had filed for permits, but none had been granted. Cleveland stalled on approving and making public the demonstration applications it received, while Philadelphia (hosting the [[2016 Democratic National Convention]]) had already granted an application.<ref>Mark Naymik, [http://www.cleveland.com/naymik/index.ssf/2016/05/cleveland_stalling_rnc_protest.html Philadelphia approves first DNC protest application while Cleveland continues to stall on RNC requests], ''The Plain Dealer'' (May 13, 2016).</ref> The ACLU sued the city in {{wpl|United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio|federal district court}} on June 14, 2016.<ref>{{cite news |last=DuVall |first=Eric |title=[http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2016/06/17/ACLU-sues-Cleveland-over-GOP-convention-protest-restrictions/2391466190609/?spt=hs&or=tn_us ACLU sues Cleveland over GOP convention protest restrictions] |agency=United Press International |date=June 14, 2016 |accessdate=June 18, 2016}}</ref> As of May 20, 2016, groups that have filed for protest permits have included the {{wpl|AIDS Healthcare Foundation|AIDS Healthcare Foundation;}} {{wpl|Global Zero (campaign)|Global Zero;}} Organize Ohio, a group of progressive activists; the Citizens for Trump/Our Votes Matter March; Coalition to March on the RNC and Dump Trump; Stand Together Against Trump, an anti-Donald Trump group; People's Fightback Center/March Against Racism; and Created Equal, an [[anti-abortion]] group. A pro-Trump group, Trump March RNC, withdrew its application after Trump became the presumptive nominee.<ref name="TobiasGroupsFile">{{cite news|last1=Tobias|first1=Andres|title=[http://www.cleveland.com/rnc-2016/index.ssf/2016/05/three_additional_groups_includ.html Three additional groups, including two anti-Trump groups, file for Cleveland protest permits during Republican National Convention]|work=The Plain Dealer|date=May 20, 2016}}</ref>

Adding to the concerns of violence was the state's open-carry laws, which allowed any of the guests at Trump's rally to openly carry firearms in the streets surrounding the RNC area. The law enforcement implored attendees to leave their guns at home, especially after the Baton Rouge shootings. Many made comparisons to the civil unrest of the 1960s, and organizers and law enforcement agencies undertook steps to ensure that the protests did not reach the level of chaos seen at the 1968 Convention in Chicago.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Kauffman|first1=Gretel|title=[http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/USA-Update/2016/0718/Cleveland-s-open-carry-gun-rights-spark-convention-worries Cleveland's open-carry gun rights spark convention worries]|work=[[Christian Science Monitor]]|date=July 18, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Kauffman|first1=Gretel|title=[http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/USA-Update/2016/0713/Leave-your-guns-at-home-Cleveland-police-implore-as-they-prep-for-the-RNC 'Leave your guns at home,' Cleveland police implore as they prep for the RNC]|work=[[Christian Science Monitor]]|date=July 13, 2016}}</ref>

On July 18, the convention's first day, dueling anti-Trump and pro-Trump demonstrations took place at various places in Cleveland, attracting several hundred demonstrators each. The demonstrations were peaceful,<ref>Yamiche Alcindor & Matt Flegenheimer, [http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/19/us/politics/gop-convention-protests-cleveland.html Peaceful, Dueling Protests So Far as G.O.P. Convention Begins], ''[[The New York Times]]'' (July 18, 2016).</ref> with just two reported arrests.<ref name="DomeckTaylor">Ann Domeck & Lorrie Taylor, [http://fox8.com/2016/07/19/cleveland-police-chief-5-arrests-since-the-start-of-the-rnc-strong-message-for-masked-protestors/ Cleveland police chief: 5 arrests since the start of the RNC, strong message for masked protestors], ''WJW'' (July 19, 2016).</ref> The pro-Trump rally – dubbed the "[[Word salad|America First Unity Rally]]" – organised by Citizens for Trump, featured [[Alex Jones]] and {{wpl|Roger Stone}}. Although not officially endorsed by Trump, many pro-Trump delegates such as Citizens for Trump, Students for Trump and Bikers for Trump – many of whom openly carried weapons despite police advice not to do so, because [[Blue Lives Matter|blue lives matter]], [[hypocrisy|amirite?]]<ref>Goldberg, Michelle (July 18, 2016). [http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2016/07/18/the_lunacy_of_trump_s_gop_at_the_america_first_unity_rally.html "All the Lunacy of Trump's GOP, at the America First Unity Rally"]. ''Slate''.</ref> Alex Jones also received "special guest" status at the actual RNC itself, which shows just what a shitstorm the GOP has become now.<ref>Gertz, Matt (July 20, 2016). [http://mediamatters.org/blog/2016/07/20/911-conspiracy-theorist-alex-jones-reportedly-received-special-guest-credential-rnc/211765 "9/11 Conspiracy Theorist Alex Jones Reportedly Received "Special Guest" Credential At RNC"]. ''[[Media Matters for America]]''.</ref>

On July 19, the convention's second day, peaceful protests continued. Demonstrators included those from groups such as the antiwar organization {{wpl|Code Pink}} and from the West Ohio Minutemen, a [[Militia movement|militia group]].<ref name="ConnorRasconWinter">Tracy Connor, Jacob Rascon & Tom Winter, [http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/2016-conventions/rnc-cleveland-protesters-get-face-arizona-sheriff-joe-arpaio-n612421 RNC in Cleveland: Scuffle Escalates Tensions But Calm Maintained], NBC News (July 19, 2016).</ref> Three people were arrested for criminal mischief for climbing flag poles and hanging a banner at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, bringing the total number of convention-related arrests to five.<ref name="DomeckTaylor"/><ref name="ConnorRasconWinter"/> A protestor from Code Pink who brandished an anti-racist, anti-bigotry placard 
was forced to wear a [[burqa]]
 had their head smothered by an American flag and pulled away for such ''indendiary'' activism, because when [[freedom]] calls...<ref>(July 20, 2016). [https://youtu.be/b7jCmBMNE78 "Code Pink Protester Mobbed By Trump Supporters For 'No Hate' Banner"]. ''[[The Young Turks]]''.</ref>

A brief scuffle between supporters of pro-Trump [[conspiracy theory|conspiracy theorist]] [[Alex Jones]] and anti-[[Nazi]]/anti-Trump protesters was quickly broken up by police.<ref name="ConnorRasconWinter"/><ref>Aubrey Whelan (July 19, 2016). [http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/real-time/Reporter-knocked-down-amid-scuffle-between-RNC-protesters.html "Outside RNC, conspiracy theorist Alex Jones gets in scuffle with anti-Nazi group"]. ''Philadelphia Inquirer''.</ref> Members of the [[Ku Klux Klan]], [[Black Lives Matter]] and the [[Westboro Baptist Church]] also ended up throwing urine at each other, as you do,<ref>(July 19, 2016). [http://nypost.com/2016/07/19/protesters-throwing-urine-at-each-other-outside-rnc/ "RNC protesters are getting vile"]. ''The New York Post''.</ref> and [[Cenk Uygur]] got involved in a shoutoff with Alex Jones.<ref>Henry, Patrick (June 21, 2016). [https://youtu.be/xfMuDa6JItE "Alex Jones Triggers The Young Turks!"]. Via [[YouTube]].</ref><ref>(July 21, 2016). [https://youtu.be/2e9MPx2hy5g "Cenk Uygur Explains What Happened With Alex Jones And Roger Stone At Republican National Convention"]. ''[[The Young Turks]]''.</ref>

==Videos==
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KtzdP7mR-4 "He will '''never give up'''. And most importantly, he will '''never let you down.'''"] - No word on if he will run around and desert you, make you cry, or say goodbye. Seems he might have told a lie, though.

==References==
{{reflist|3|90%}}

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[[Category:2016 US presidential election]]

Categories: 2016 US presidential election