Trump returns with a sedate RNC speech

The Republican National Committee could not have hoped for a better convention. For three days, the party has exhibited a near-faultless display of unity. It is the first convention in 20 years where polls suggest the Republicans are on course to win the White House, producing an air of expectation and excitement. Activists are enthused and candidates are bullish, all the while Democrats tear themselves apart over Joe Biden’s fading re-elections hopes. Less than a week after the assassination attempt which almost took his life, the stage could not have been set for Donald Trump to make his first speech to the Republican faithful.

So it was to the chagrin of many in the audience then that Trump produced meandering and themeless speech that – at 92 minutes – takes the record for the the longest given by a nominee of a major party in modern American history.