President Trump headlined the fourth and final night of the Republican convention. Our correspondents followed every revelation and provided live analysis and insights.
President Trump headlined the fourth and final night of the Republican convention. Our correspondents followed every revelation and provided live analysis and insights.
Full Analysis: Final Night of the Republican National Convention
Aug 27, 2020
Full Analysis: Final Night of the Republican National Convention
President Trump headlined the fourth and final night of the Republican convention. Our correspondents followed every revelation and provided live analysis and insights.
Katherine Wu
Science Reporter
It really is quite the soundtrack tonight.
John Eligon
Domestic Correspondent
Who is this singing?
Elaina Plott
National Political Reporter
From Jeff Buckley to Lee Greenwood to this
Elaina Plott
National Political Reporter
The finale feels to me like a musical equivalent of Cheesecake Factory decor. It can’t decide what it wants to be.
Mike Isaac
Domestic Correspondent
Surreal finale.
Katie Glueck
National Politics Reporter
As we discussed earlier, there were a number of speakers whose remarks appeared designed to make moderates feel more comfortable with a decision to support Trump. But ultimately, many strategists in both parties believe this will ultimately come down to a referendum on the man himself.
Lisa Lerer
Host, “On Politics” Newsletter
Is this an operatic version of Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah?
Nicholas Fandos
Congressional Correspondent
A second rendition?
Peter Baker
White House Correspondent
Chris Wallace noted that there were fireworks on the Mall but not in the speech.
Nicholas Fandos
Congressional Correspondent
I will point out it is nearing midnight here on the East Coast.
Lisa Lerer
Host, “On Politics” Newsletter
OK, on that note (see what I did there?) final thoughts?
Alan Rappeport
Economic Policy Reporter
Lisa, on the economy, Trump essentially vowed more or the same of his pre-pandemic policies to dig the U.S. out of recession and offered a caricature of Biden’s record. In general, Trump did not try to paint himself as a president for all Americans, as Biden did. Instead, he reaffirmed his view that anyone who opposes him lacks patriotism. Hyperpartisanship is what Trump sees as his path to another victory.
Nicholas Fandos
Congressional Correspondent
Oh my, here is Ave Maria.
Katherine Wu
Science Reporter
Seriously, who is DJing this show?
Peter Baker
White House Correspondent
Um, where’s the John Philips Sousa?
Katie Glueck
National Politics Reporter
This soundtrack is quite something! My big questions coming out of this are, how many wavering Republicans/center-right voters now decide to come “home” to the G.O.P., and which of the many arguments we saw laid out against Biden stick?
Katherine Wu
Science Reporter
Reflecting on the convention as a whole, perhaps the most common reference to the pandemic was a repetitive, accusatory condemnation of China foisting the coronavirus upon the rest of the world, with little attention paid to the virus’s rampage across the United States since it entered the country.
Mike Isaac
Domestic Correspondent
Just from my perspective, there was not a lot on tech specifically. Perhaps because it isn’t a core issue that either side is stumping on. I still imagine we’ll hear about conservatives being unfairly censored across social channels like Facebook and Twitter in the weeks ahead — a familiar refrain.
Lisa Lerer
Host, “On Politics” Newsletter
I’m tired guys. It’s late. And I’m calling it.
For the strong, the political junkies and the heavily caffeinated still with us, thanks for joining us tonight. And be sure to check out all our coverage of the convention onnytimes.com. We’ll have recaps, wrap-ups and tons of great reporting about what’s next for this most extraordinary of elections.
John Eligon
Domestic Correspondent
See you all in November!