RNC attendees wear ear bandages ‘in solidarity' with Trump after assassination attempt
Appearing in public for the first time since a bullet grazed his ear, Trump entered the Fiserv Forum with a white bandage prominently affixed to his ear, a visual reminder of the potential tragedy he narrowly escaped
By NBC Chicago Staff and Associated Press ••
NBC Universal, Inc.
The spectacle of the Republication National Convention spanned more than just the speeches and visuals taking place onstage. Offstage, the scenes unfolding in the crowd also made plenty of headlines.
The spectacle of the Republication National Convention spanned more than just the speeches and visuals taking place onstage. Offstage, the scenes unfolding in the crowd also made plenty of headlines.
White patches on the ears of many in the crowd marked a new trend for former President Donald Trump's supporters as they donned makeshift ear bandages mimicking the one the former president wore throughout the Republican National Convention due to an ear injury he suffered during an assassination attempt over the weekend.
Appearing in public for the first time since a bullet grazed his ear, Trump entered the Fiserv Forum with a white bandage prominently affixed to his ear, a visual reminder of the potential tragedy he narrowly escaped.
In the days that followed, members of the crowd were seen with various versions of the patch on their own ears, some even wearing American flag-themed ear pieces in support of Trump.
Karen Tirio, a delegate from Woodstock in McHenry County, was seen handing out such pieces, made by Randy Donley from Donley Auctions in Union, Illinois.
"We're going try to get 1,500 people at the convention to wear these. They're not bandages - some people are actually wearing bandages, which kind of seems like mocking - but this, it rises above that because it's the American flag and it shows the American spirit of resilience. And when [Trump] was shot and got up and said, 'Fight, fight, fight,' that's what that's all about."
On the back of the cuffs, the ear pieces read "July 13. We ALL dodged a bullet."
Tirio said the pieces are being worn "in solidarity" with Trump.
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"It's the American spirit. I'm flying my flag upside down right now because I don't think we're following the Constitution. Our country's in big trouble and it's a sign of distress," she said. "But when President Trump got shot, and he stood right up after he got his shoes fitted back and he said, 'Fight, fight, fight,' it's like, we're resilient. That's what we're all about. And I'm hoping that President Trump doesn't even have the bandage on tonight, I don't know, but I hope."
The shooting hung over the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, where prominent GOP officials and everyday citizens from around the country spoke to the party faithful. They made their case for Trump to return to the White House and savaged Democratic President Joe Biden with blistering attacks on his record and his mental acuity.
Supporters in the audience were seen wearing cowboy hats, “make American great again” caps, Trump masks and American flag regalia as they cheered him on.
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – JULY 16: An attendee points to her “bandaged” ear on the second day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum on July 16, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Delegates, politicians, and the Republican faithful are in Milwaukee for the annual convention, concluding with former President Donald Trump accepting his party’s presidential nomination. The RNC takes place from July 15-18. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – JULY 15: A person has a American flag bandaid on his ear on the first day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum on July 15, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Delegates, politicians, and the Republican faithful are in Milwaukee for the annual convention, concluding with former President Donald Trump accepting his party’s presidential nomination. The RNC takes place from July 15-18. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)
Milwaukee , Wisconsin – July 16: A delegate with a mock-bandage on his ear seen at Fiserv Forum on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, on the second day of the Republican National Convention in downtown Milwaukee, Wis. Former President Donald Trump is set to be named the Republican presidential nominee during the convention after he was injured by a bullet in an assassination attempt on July 13 during a campaign rally in Butler, Pa.
(Photo by Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – JULY 17: A Donald Trump supporter and performer places a bandage over his ear in reference to Trump’s wound at the Republican National Convention (RNC) on the third day of the convention on July 17, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Security throughout downtown Milwaukee remains high following the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump over the weekend. Thousands of delegates, politicians and the Republican faithful are arriving into the traditionally Democratic city over the next few days for the annual convention which will conclude with former President Donald Trump accepting his party’s presidential nomination. The RNC takes place from July 15-18. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – JULY 17: Arizona delegate Stacy Goodman wears a ‘bandage’ on her ear on the third day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum on July 17, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Delegates, politicians, and the Republican faithful are in Milwaukee for the annual convention, concluding with former President Donald Trump accepting his party’s presidential nomination. The RNC takes place from July 15-18. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – JULY 17: People wear “bandages” on their ears on the third day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum on July 17, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Delegates, politicians, and the Republican faithful are in Milwaukee for the annual convention, concluding with former President Donald Trump accepting his party’s presidential nomination. The RNC takes place from July 15-18. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)
A delegate wears an imitation ear bandage during the Republican National Convention (RNC) outside the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US, on Wednesday, July 17, 2024. The RNC chairman warned against complacency when his party concludes its official nominating jamboree this week with polls predicting ex-President Donald Trump prevailing over President Joe Biden in the November election. Photographer: Vincent Alban/Bloomberg via Getty Images
WASHINGTON – JULY 17: An Arizona delegate wears an ear bandage in solidarity with Donald Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, in the Fiserv Forum on the third night of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wis., on Wednesday July 17, 2024. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI – JULY 17: An attendee wears a bandage on his ear in solidarity with former president Donald Trump during Day 3 of the Republican National Convention on July 17, 2024 in Milwaukee, WI. Former President Donald Trump is the Republican presidential candidate and will address the convention on Thursday. (Photo by Ricky Carioti/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
A delegate wears an imitation ear bandage during the Republican National Convention (RNC) at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US, on Wednesday, July 17, 2024. The RNC chairman warned against complacency when his party concludes its official nominating jamboree this week with polls predicting ex-President Donald Trump prevailing over President Joe Biden in the November election. Photographer: Victor J. Blue/Bloomberg via Getty Images
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – JULY 17: A person wearing a ‘bandage’ on his ear watches on the third day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum on July 17, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Delegates, politicians, and the Republican faithful are in Milwaukee for the annual convention, concluding with former President Donald Trump accepting his party’s presidential nomination. The RNC takes place from July 15-18. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – JULY 17: A man wearing a cowboy hat has a “bandage” on his ear on the third day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum on July 17, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Delegates, politicians, and the Republican faithful are in Milwaukee for the annual convention, concluding with former President Donald Trump accepting his party’s presidential nomination. The RNC takes place from July 15-18. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – JULY 17: People wear “bandages” on their ears as they watch on the third day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum on July 17, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Delegates, politicians, and the Republican faithful are in Milwaukee for the annual convention, concluding with former President Donald Trump accepting his party’s presidential nomination. The RNC takes place from July 15-18. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
A delegate wears an imitation ear bandage during the Republican National Convention (RNC) outside the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US, on Wednesday, July 17, 2024. The RNC chairman warned against complacency when his party concludes its official nominating jamboree this week with polls predicting ex-President Donald Trump prevailing over President Joe Biden in the November election. Photographer: Vincent Alban/Bloomberg via Getty Images
A delegate wears an imitation ear bandage during the Republican National Convention (RNC) at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US, on Wednesday, July 17, 2024. The RNC chairman warned against complacency when his party concludes its official nominating jamboree this week with polls predicting ex-President Donald Trump prevailing over President Joe Biden in the November election. Photographer: Victor J. Blue/Bloomberg via Getty Images
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – JULY 15: Rapper Forgiato Blow stands in the crowd on the first day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum on July 15, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Delegates, politicians, and the Republican faithful are in Milwaukee for the annual convention, concluding with former President Donald Trump accepting his party’s presidential nomination. The RNC takes place from July 15-18. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
