Photos: The Triumphalist Republican National Convention

Photo: Mark Peterson for New York Magazine

This year’s Republican National Convention has had a swaggering feel so far. The confab kicked off two days after Donald Trump survived a shooter’s bullet and arrives as he holds an unmistakable lead in the polls against President Biden, who faces questions from fellow Democrats over his fitness to run. On Monday, Trump announced his vice-presidential pick, ideological compatriot J.D. Vance, who received a hero’s welcome at Milwaukee’s Fiserv Forum. And as Republican lawmakers went after Biden and strained to stick to the event’s “National Unity” theme, Trump himself appeared with a conspicuous bandage on his ear. Below, Mark Peterson for New York Magazine captures the RNC in photos.

The assassination attempt, a detour into how much ears bleed, topped Trump’s acceptance speech.

Dana White, the CEO of UFC; Hulk Hogan, wrestling legend.

Franklin Graham led the arena in a prayer where he credited God for saving Trump’s life and gave condolences to other casualties of the mass shooting at a rally days earlier.

Bandages became a symbol of solidarity with the party’s leader.

A man holds an American flag on the final night.

Eric Trump kicked off prime time before his father spoke. .

Melania Trump made a rare public appearance.

Eric Trump kicked off prime time before his father spoke.

Trump came out on stage to a lights show. Photo: Mark Peterson

Donald and Melania embrace after a particularly tumultuous year in their marriage. Photo: Mark Peterson

Trump photographed during the assassination attempt as two Secret Service agents keep close watch. .

The Fiserv Forum was sometimes subdued during Trump’s 90-minute speech.

Trump on the cusp of accepting his party’s nomination for president again. Photo: Mark Peterson

An attendee gets a bandage like the one Trump wears over his bullet-wounded ear.

Trump appearing onstage before the convention gets underway.

Attendees escaping reality on the periphery of the convention.

Two young Republicans bearing American flags.

Former Division I swimmer and anti-trans activist Riley Gaines.

Trump’s wounded ear was still bandaged on Wednesday night.

More and more RNC attendees are wearing Trump solidarity bandages.

The RNC’s primary slogan on display.

Trump running mate J.D. Vance headlined Wednesday night’s prime-time presentation.

Attendees stand for the national anthem on day three of the RNC.

Rival MAGA representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene and Lauren Boebert.

Texas governor Greg Abbott got a speaking slot on Wednesday night as well.

Trump and others in the VIP box watch North Dakota governor Doug Burgum give his speech.

Representative Matt Gaetz addresses the convention.

An attendee brandishes a Trump sign with light-up red eyes.

The Republican National Convention in Milwaukee on July 17.

Trump acknowledging one of the speakers on Wednesday night.

Governor Jim Justice of West Virginia, who spoke on the second night of the convention with his beloved Babydog at his side.

Trump, a bit subdued, appeared again with a large bandage over his right ear that was pieced by a bullet on Saturday.

Two Trump supporters look on.

The VIP stands (top) where Trump and other luminaries take in the festivities.

Rudy Giuliani, who was recently disbarred for lying about the 2020 election as Trump’s attorney.

Just a few of the 50,000 Republicans who came to Milwaukee to nominate Trump a third time.

Matt Gaetz, the Florida congressman, greets a fellow Republican.

Trump makes his way from the VIP stands to the Fiserv Forum’s floor.

Elise Stefanik gives a prime-time address before thousands.

A video of Trump dancing to the Village People’s “YMCA” thrilled attendees.

Former Trump rivals Ted Cruz and Nikki Haley came to praise him.

Marco Rubio, another former rival who was on Trump’s VP shortlist, touted “America First.”

Kevin McCarthy, the former House Speaker who was deposed by a hard-right faction of Republicans.

Newt and Callista Gingrich.

Hands raised in prayer.

Lara Trump, the nominee’s daughter-in-law and the co-chair of the RNC, speaking to the convention.

Kari Lake, the Republican Senate candidate who rose to fame by denying Trump’s loss in the 2020 election.

Trump touches the cheek of Senator Tom Cotton’s son.

J.D. Vance and his wife, Usha, are greeted by a raucous crowd welcoming Trump’s running mate on the first day of the convention.

The Republican National Convention in Milwaukee on July 15.

The Republican ticket.

A bandage covers Trump’s right ear, which was injured two days earlier in Pennsylvania. “I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin,” he wrote on Truth Social. “Much bleeding took place….”

Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia addresses the convention during its Make America Wealthy Once Again theme night.

“I realized Donald Trump and his supporters don’t care if you’re Black, white, gay, or straight. It’s all love,” Amber Rose told Republicans in a prime-time speech.