Americans may see a “different version” of Donald Trump as he makes his first address to the country since a gunman attempted to assassinate him, his daughter-in-law Lara Trump has said.
Trump is set to take centre stage at the Republican National Convention on Thursday evening to deliver a speech and formally accept the party’s presidential nomination.
Lara Trump told the BBC’s US news partner CBS that Trump was affected by his “near death experience” and that will be reflected in his address.
On the last day of the convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the former president will also share his vision to “usher in a new golden age for America”, according to the party.
Thursday at the RNC – themed “Make America Great Once Again” – caps off a week of speeches from Republican politicians, Trump’s former primary rivals, delegates and governors.
Trump told the Washington Examiner newspaper on Sunday that he decided to rewrite his primetime speech in the wake of the assassination attempt, switching from attacks on President Joe Biden’s policies to a message of unity.
“It’s going to be a whole different speech now,” he said.
“This is a chance to bring the whole country, even the whole world, together. The speech will be a lot different, a lot different than it would’ve been two days ago,” he added.
One rally attendee was killed in the Saturday shooting and two were badly injured. Trump was shot in the ear.
A unity message from Trump would be a departure from the strong rhetoric he’s often used on the campaign trail, where he has railed against “communists, Marxist, fascists and the radical left thugs”.
He is also likely, like his vice-president pick, Ohio Senator JD Vance, did on Wednesday night, to still criticise President Biden and his record.
Mr Vance assailed “career politicians” like Mr Biden in his speech.
Lara Trump said one goal of the former president’s prime-time speech will to connect to a wider set of US voters than just the party faithful at the convention.
“You may see a bit of a different version of Donald Trump tonight perhaps a bit softer version that than maybe some of the people at home have seen in the past,” Lara Trump, who is married to the former president’s son Eric, told CBS Mornings on Thursday.
“And maybe that allows them to open themselves up to actually what he’s saying.”
Trump’s remarks follow the address from Mr Vance, who vowed on Wednesday night to fight for working-class Americans who he said had been “cast aside and forgotten” by Democrats.
Several others are expected to take the stage, including Eric Trump, the former president’s son, former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, and Trump’s former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
Trump will be introduced by his friend, Dana White, the president of Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Wrestler Hulk Hogan will also speak ahead of Trump formally accepting the Republican nomination.
Trump’s wife Melania and daughter Ivanka are also set to appear at the convention for the first time.
President Joe Biden, meanwhile, has had to pause campaign stops in Las Vegas, Nevada after testing positive for Covid-19 on Wednesday. He is experiencing mild symptoms, the White House said.
Mr Biden is under increasing pressure to step aside after reports emerged on Wednesday that both Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries privately urged him to end his re-election campaign.
Polls show a tight race between the two candidates, with Mr Biden trailing the former president in several swing states.
Trump has received praise from Republican attendees this week, including some who greeted in the him in the convention centre with tears in their eyes, and others wearing fake ear bandages to express solidarity in the wake of the shooting.
The last day of the Republican convention is expected to begin around 17:45 CST (23:45 BST), with Trump’s speech lasting until potentially 22:30 CST.
