MILWAUKEE — Two days after surviving an attempted assassination, former President Donald Trump appeared triumphantly at the Republican National Convention's opening night with a bandage over his right ear, the latest compelling scene in a presidential campaign already defined by dramatic turns.

Republican delegates cheered wildly when Trump appeared onscreen backstage and then emerged in the arena, visibly emotional, as musician Lee Greenwood sang 'God Bless the USA.' That was hours after the convention had formally nominated the former president to head the Republican ticket in November against President Joe Biden.