In Harley-Davidson's home town, Trump revs up the Grand Old Party

Mood at Republican convention upbeat amid diverse support for former president

- Bhagyashree Garekar

A tightly choreographed show has been unfolding in this city, the home of Harley-Davidson.

Like that celebrated, muscular American motorcycle recognisable all over the world, the Republican Party is also a Wisconsin baby.

The party – almost 50 years older than the motorbike – was founded here to oppose the advance of slavery in the American West.

And just as the loud, heavyweight Harleys are turning electric in a bid to reverse falling sales, the Republican Party is trying to rejig its fortunes by reinventing itself for today’s voters.

On July 15, the first day of the ongoing four-day national convention of the party, under skies patrolled by drones, choppers and screeching seagulls hovering over the arena, delegations from 50 states rose turn by turn to give their pledges of support to former United States president Donald Trump who is seeking a second term.

That show of support for the 78-year-old who escaped an assassination bid just days before the convention was widely anticipated.

Less expected was the sight of a millennial, multiracial rapper with a tattooed head and a union leader – not typical supporters of what is often called the party of conservative white men – who took the stage to hail him.

The presence of rapper Amber Rose, who said she felt free to express herself in Trump’s party, was a signal to her 24 million followers on Instagram.

Mr Sean O’Brien, the president of the Teamsters, likewise suggested it was okay for union workers to forsake loyalty to President Joe Biden.

On the second day, nearly all the Republicans who had tried for months to prevent the former president from becoming the party nominee made speeches about Trump’s fitness for the job.