MILWAUKEE, WI — In a strategic response to a recent shooting incident and an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, the Trump campaign has exercised substantial influence over the content and tone of speeches delivered at the Republican National Convention (RNC). NBC News, drawing from four sources involved in the convention's speech preparation, has revealed that the campaign has both suggested specific changes and directly edited speeches to moderate political rhetoric and emphasize policy contrasts with President Joe Biden.

Adjustments to Speech Content

In response to the heightened security concerns and the need for a more measured public message, the Trump campaign has revised the speeches of convention participants. Former President Trump himself has reworked his acceptance speech for the Republican nomination, slated for Thursday night. The campaign has indicated that Trump's revised speech will pivot towards a theme of national unity, moving away from previous, more divisive rhetoric.

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, R-Ga., who addressed the convention on Wednesday, confirmed that the campaign communicated its expectations for the tone of speeches. “Frankly, they sent the same message to those of us giving speeches,” Gingrich stated. He highlighted that the campaign's objective was to project party unity and present a clear contrast between Trump’s accomplishments and President Biden’s perceived failures.

Brian Hughes, a senior adviser to the Trump campaign, expressed confidence in the convention’s strategic direction. “We always planned to be a reflection of our party’s unity and remind the American people of the difference between President Trump’s success and Crooked Joe Biden’s failure,” Hughes stated. “The convention messages from everyday Americans and policymakers have met that goal. This convention is one of the greatest ever held and will launch us forward to victory in November.”

Shift in Focus

Throughout the convention’s initial nights, there has been a deliberate shift away from certain contentious issues that had previously characterized Trump’s political discourse. Speakers have largely refrained from discussing subjects such as unfounded claims of election fraud, the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, investigations into Trump’s political adversaries, and legal actions against him by prominent figures like special counsel Jack Smith, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, and Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis.

Instead, the convention has emphasized policy contrasts and broader themes of unity. While speeches have robustly addressed issues like immigration and crime, they have consciously avoided delving into more divisive elements of the party’s platform. Notably, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, key rivals of Trump in the Republican presidential primaries, received a warm reception on Tuesday, although Haley encountered some boos.

Guidance and Reactions

Sources disclosed that certain speakers were provided with suggested talking points to align their remarks with the convention’s revised theme. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., was among the few to use the phrase “weaponized government,” a term frequently employed by Trump and his allies to describe the legal challenges he faces. Johnson later asserted that the incorrect version of his speech had been loaded into the teleprompter, implying that the intended message differed from what was delivered.

A spokesperson for Johnson clarified that the initial draft of his speech was designed to recognize the convention's context during a “somber moment in history” and to highlight Trump’s call for unity. The spokesperson also noted that the draft had omitted statements like “Today’s Democratic Party is a clear and present danger to America,” which were part of the original speech.

Campaign Strategy and Public Perception

Jason Miller, a senior adviser to the Trump campaign, acknowledged that while the campaign had not explicitly directed the content of convention speeches, there had been a concerted effort to moderate rhetoric and promote a more unified message. “Politically, the country’s a tinderbox right now,” Miller said. “We've got to find a way to take down the temperature.”

When questioned about the decision to avoid topics such as the Capitol riot and the 2020 election, Miller suggested that Trump’s speeches generally reflect his core passions and that the campaign aims to echo these themes while adapting to current circumstances. “These are the issues that he’s passionate about,” Miller said. “So we’re going to follow his lead. And — I think through the first two nights of the convention — I think the speakers have done a masterful job of really echoing those themes but also saying, quite frankly, why they support him.”

Conclusion

The revisions to the Republican National Convention’s speeches underscore the Trump campaign’s strategic response to recent security concerns and evolving public sentiment. By focusing on themes of unity and policy contrasts, the campaign aims to reconcile its core messages with the need for a more coherent and sensitive party narrative. As the convention continues, the impact of these changes on public perception and the overall success of the event will become increasingly evident.