‘One of the Truly Awful and Self-Indulgent Performances of Our Time’: The Best and Worst Moments From Night 4 of the Convention
Times Opinion writers assess Night 4 of the Republican convention, which included speeches from Hulk Hogan, Mike Pompeo and Donald Trump.
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Guest Essay
“One of the Truly Awful and Self-Indulgent Performances of Our Time”: Highlights and Lowlights from Night 4 of the Convention
*July 19, 2024*
*Credit: Illustration by The New York Times*
In this commentary piece, we recap the fourth night of the Republican National Convention, where Times Opinion writers gave their ratings on the evening, culminating in Donald Trump’s acceptance speech. Scores were assigned on a scale from 0 (disastrous for Trump) to 10 (potentially boosting his poll numbers).
Best Moments
- Kristen Soltis Anderson (Times Contributor): Trump provided a heartfelt account of being under fire and pledged to represent all Americans—a commendable sentiment, though perhaps difficult to achieve.
- David Brooks (Times Columnist): The initial 20 minutes of Trump’s speech were strong. Had he focused on a narrative about the assassination attempt followed by concrete policy, he might have strengthened his position.
- Jane Coaston (Times Contributor): Hulk Hogan delivered a standout performance, reminiscent of his peak in the wrestling arena.
- Matthew Continetti (American Enterprise Institute Fellow): Trump’s recounting of the assassination attempt was captivating, showcasing a rare vulnerability and creating memorable visuals.
- David French (Times Columnist): Trump’s tribute to Corey Comperatore, with his uniform prominent on stage, was a poignant reminder of loss.
- Matt Labash (Newsletter Author): Trump’s demeanor was notably humble and gracious at times, albeit fleeting.
- Katherine Mangu-Ward (Editor of Reason): Trump’s decision to pivot to a tone of unity was commendable, although his speech later deviated from that intent.
- Dan McCarthy (Modern Age Editor): Eric Trump effectively took his father's place, energizing the crowd with key campaign themes.
- Pamela Paul (Times Columnist): Trump showed rare support for the Secret Service, defying narratives from some far-right factions.
- Zeynep Tufekci (Times Columnist): The evening showcased a mix of golf and wrestling, with notable appearances by golf professionals and UFC leaders.
- Peter Wehner (Times Contributor): The early moments of Trump’s speech conveyed genuine gratitude—a departure from his typical demeanor.
Worst Moments
- Anderson: As Trump continued, his energy waned, and the performance became unfocused.
- Charles Blow (Times Columnist): The speech was overshadowed by deceit, as Trump reverted to familiar patterns of darkness, undermining attempts at empathy.
- Brooks: After the initial story, the remainder of Trump’s speech became self-indulgent, leading to overwhelming fatigue among listeners.
- Coaston: The political convention felt akin to a sporting event for enthusiasts who disdain athletics—a familiar yet uncomfortable atmosphere.
- Continetti: Trump’s acceptance speech was compelling initially but soon lost focus.
- French: The latter part of the speech descended into a monotonous collection of familiar Trumpisms.
- Labash: Amidst the excessive flattery, one could easily mistake the event for a North Korean celebration.
- Mangu-Ward: Trump’s false claims about immigration were particularly absurd, claiming that “107 percent” of jobs created were filled by illegal immigrants.
- McCarthy: Mike Pompeo’s presence felt lackluster, serving as a reminder of the hawkish Republicans he represents.
- Paul: Trump's attempt at vulnerability felt contrived and insincere—a predictable performance.
- Tufekci: Tucker Carlson’s presence was unexpected and invoked an uncomfortable reference to election conspiracy theories.
- Wehner: The speech morphed into a lengthy, meandering monologue filled with narcissism and lies—a landscape devoid of coherence.
What Else Caught Our Attention?
- Anderson: The atmosphere in Trump’s VIP box was surprisingly subdued, with Hogan’s appearance bringing genuine joy.
- Brooks: Both parties seem intent on losing the election. Trump's speech could bolster Biden's re-election campaign.
- Coaston: Carlson’s contradictory praise for Trump was notable, considering his previous harsh remarks about him.
- Continetti: Hogan and Kid Rock’s performances resonated with the crowd, blending nostalgia with contemporary pop culture.
- French: The Trump campaign appears to be targeting the male demographic heavily.
- Labash: The night included some questionable remarks, particularly from Trump’s lawyer, highlighting a lack of self-awareness.
- Mangu-Ward: Carlson’s observations pointed out Trump’s rarity in choosing calm over chaos after the assassination attempt.
- McCarthy: The convention highlighted a nostalgic return to pop culture flair, a contrast to more serious political tones.
- Paul: The repetitive call to "fight" underscores Trump's combative rhetoric rather than a focus on service.
- Tufekci: A lack of focus among established Republican figures was evident, raising concerns about their role in a potential second Trump administration.
- Wehner: In terms of self-indulgence, this convention stood out in comparison to previous years, marking a clear shift in Trump’s political approach.
*Charles M. Blow, David Brooks, David French, Pamela Paul, and Zeynep Tufekci are columnists for the Times.*
*Kristen Soltis Anderson is a contributing writer and Republican pollster. Jane Coaston is also contributing. Matthew Continetti is an AEI fellow, and Matt Labash is an author and contributor. Katherine Mangu-Ward is Reason magazine's editor in chief. Dan McCarthy is editor of Modern Age: A Conservative Review. Peter Wehner is a contributing Opinion writer.*
*For more opinions and discussions, connect with the New York Times Opinion section on social media.*
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Opinion
Supported by
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Guest Essay
“One of the Truly Awful and Self-Indulgent Performances of Our Time”: Highlights and Lowlights from Night 4 of the Convention
*July 19, 2024*
*Credit: Illustration by The New York Times*
In this commentary piece, we recap the fourth night of the Republican National Convention, where Times Opinion writers gave their ratings on the evening, culminating in Donald Trump’s acceptance speech. Scores were assigned on a scale from 0 (disastrous for Trump) to 10 (potentially boosting his poll numbers).
Best Moments
- Kristen Soltis Anderson (Times Contributor): Trump provided a heartfelt account of being under fire and pledged to represent all Americans—a commendable sentiment, though perhaps difficult to achieve.
- David Brooks (Times Columnist): The initial 20 minutes of Trump’s speech were strong. Had he focused on a narrative about the assassination attempt followed by concrete policy, he might have strengthened his position.
- Jane Coaston (Times Contributor): Hulk Hogan delivered a standout performance, reminiscent of his peak in the wrestling arena.
- Matthew Continetti (American Enterprise Institute Fellow): Trump’s recounting of the assassination attempt was captivating, showcasing a rare vulnerability and creating memorable visuals.
- David French (Times Columnist): Trump’s tribute to Corey Comperatore, with his uniform prominent on stage, was a poignant reminder of loss.
- Matt Labash (Newsletter Author): Trump’s demeanor was notably humble and gracious at times, albeit fleeting.
- Katherine Mangu-Ward (Editor of Reason): Trump’s decision to pivot to a tone of unity was commendable, although his speech later deviated from that intent.
- Dan McCarthy (Modern Age Editor): Eric Trump effectively took his father's place, energizing the crowd with key campaign themes.
- Pamela Paul (Times Columnist): Trump showed rare support for the Secret Service, defying narratives from some far-right factions.
- Zeynep Tufekci (Times Columnist): The evening showcased a mix of golf and wrestling, with notable appearances by golf professionals and UFC leaders.
- Peter Wehner (Times Contributor): The early moments of Trump’s speech conveyed genuine gratitude—a departure from his typical demeanor.
Worst Moments
- Anderson: As Trump continued, his energy waned, and the performance became unfocused.
- Charles Blow (Times Columnist): The speech was overshadowed by deceit, as Trump reverted to familiar patterns of darkness, undermining attempts at empathy.
- Brooks: After the initial story, the remainder of Trump’s speech became self-indulgent, leading to overwhelming fatigue among listeners.
- Coaston: The political convention felt akin to a sporting event for enthusiasts who disdain athletics—a familiar yet uncomfortable atmosphere.
- Continetti: Trump’s acceptance speech was compelling initially but soon lost focus.
- French: The latter part of the speech descended into a monotonous collection of familiar Trumpisms.
- Labash: Amidst the excessive flattery, one could easily mistake the event for a North Korean celebration.
- Mangu-Ward: Trump’s false claims about immigration were particularly absurd, claiming that “107 percent” of jobs created were filled by illegal immigrants.
- McCarthy: Mike Pompeo’s presence felt lackluster, serving as a reminder of the hawkish Republicans he represents.
- Paul: Trump's attempt at vulnerability felt contrived and insincere—a predictable performance.
- Tufekci: Tucker Carlson’s presence was unexpected and invoked an uncomfortable reference to election conspiracy theories.
- Wehner: The speech morphed into a lengthy, meandering monologue filled with narcissism and lies—a landscape devoid of coherence.
What Else Caught Our Attention?
- Anderson: The atmosphere in Trump’s VIP box was surprisingly subdued, with Hogan’s appearance bringing genuine joy.
- Brooks: Both parties seem intent on losing the election. Trump's speech could bolster Biden's re-election campaign.
- Coaston: Carlson’s contradictory praise for Trump was notable, considering his previous harsh remarks about him.
- Continetti: Hogan and Kid Rock’s performances resonated with the crowd, blending nostalgia with contemporary pop culture.
- French: The Trump campaign appears to be targeting the male demographic heavily.
- Labash: The night included some questionable remarks, particularly from Trump’s lawyer, highlighting a lack of self-awareness.
- Mangu-Ward: Carlson’s observations pointed out Trump’s rarity in choosing calm over chaos after the assassination attempt.
- McCarthy: The convention highlighted a nostalgic return to pop culture flair, a contrast to more serious political tones.
- Paul: The repetitive call to "fight" underscores Trump's combative rhetoric rather than a focus on service.
- Tufekci: A lack of focus among established Republican figures was evident, raising concerns about their role in a potential second Trump administration.
- Wehner: In terms of self-indulgence, this convention stood out in comparison to previous years, marking a clear shift in Trump’s political approach.
*Charles M. Blow, David Brooks, David French, Pamela Paul, and Zeynep Tufekci are columnists for the Times.*
*Kristen Soltis Anderson is a contributing writer and Republican pollster. Jane Coaston is also contributing. Matthew Continetti is an AEI fellow, and Matt Labash is an author and contributor. Katherine Mangu-Ward is Reason magazine's editor in chief. Dan McCarthy is editor of Modern Age: A Conservative Review. Peter Wehner is a contributing Opinion writer.*
*For more opinions and discussions, connect with the New York Times Opinion section on social media.*
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