Numerous prominent DFW officials have reacted positively to former President Donald Trump’s nomination acceptance speech, which he delivered on Thursday evening, the fourth and final day of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
“Donald Trump’s speech was exactly what America needed. Full of hope, optimism, and joy,” Tarrant County Judge Tim O’Hare told The Dallas Express.
“President Trump showed his love for America and delivered a uniting, positive message that is sure to bring more people to our party and to the polls in November. He knocked it out of the park,” he added.
Former Southlake Mayor and congressional candidate John Huffman described the speech in similarly glowing terms.
“WOW. Best speech I’ve ever heard from President Trump. It was classic Trump in many ways but an elevated version — sober, uniting, hopeful. He met the moment,” Huffman said in a text to DX.
Echoing some of Tucker Carlson’s convention remarks about leadership, Huffman turned his attention to what he sees as a global problem.
“Right now, our country — the whole world really — is starved for real leadership,” he said. “And tonight, [former] President Trump reminded us all that he is that leader. We needed strength, and he was strong. We needed reassurance, and he brought a calming voice. In every way, Trump gave our country and the world the speech we all needed to hear.”
Huffman closed with his thoughts on what he saw as the most powerful tableau of the evening: the turnout gear of the Pennsylvania fireman who was tragically killed when he was struck by an assassin’s bullet that was meant for Trump.
“When they brought Corey Comperatore’s firefighter gear on stage — that hit hard,” he said.
At one moment during his speech, Trump departed from the podium, walked to the side of the stage, and kissed the helmet of the fallen fireman. He paused in silence for some time as the audience looked on. Then, he continued his address and his recounting of last Saturday’s assassination attempt.
Shelby Williams of Plano City Council Place 5 similarly remarked upon the impact of the former president’s account of Saturday’s events.
“President Trump’s speech last night, and his retelling of the attempt to assassinate him, helped galvanize patriotic support across America for the direction our nation MUST take,” Williams said. “The enthusiasm for this movement is gaining enormous steam!”
Rich DeOtte, a member of the Tarrant Appraisal District Board and force behind Life Education and Action, a Texas organization working to change churches’ messaging toward a more anti-abortion position, also weighed in.
“Trump’s speech was warm and genuine. It connected on an emotional level better than I’ve ever heard. He was magnanimous [in] recognizing others. He clearly has a great plan to make America great again,” DeOtte said.
He also addressed the rumors that surged during the news cycle leading up to the speech.
“Joe Biden will probably withdraw from the race, and Trump will be the next president over anybody they replace Biden with,” DeOtte concluded.
The (mostly) retired engineer was referring to reports that Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) told Biden that he cannot win and that top Democrats now believe his departure from the race is imminent. If this happens, it will send the Democrats to their first open convention since 1968.
The four-day Republican National Convention concluded on July 18. The Democrat National Convention will be held August 19 through August 22 in Chicago, the same city as the raucous 1968 convention.