Delegates at the Republican National Convention (RNC) are turning heads with an unexpected new trend: ear bandages. The trend started after former President Donald Trump was injured in an assassination attempt. He was hit by a bullet during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, and appeared at the RNC with a bandage over his right ear.
A Show of Solidarity for Trump
Joe Neglia, an Arizona delegate, was among the first to adopt the look. “Everybody in the world is going to be wearing these pretty soon,” he told CBS News. Neglia crafted his bandage from a piece of paper while en route to the convention.
Stacey Goodman, another Arizona delegate, wore a similar bandage. “This is done in solidarity with my president, Trump, not the current administration,” Goodman stated. The ear bandage symbolizes unity and support for Trump among his followers.
The assassination attempt took place during a campaign rally. Trump was struck in the ear by a bullet fired from a nearby rooftop. Secret Service agents quickly responded, neutralizing the shooter. Trump’s quick reflexes and security detail saved his life. Despite the ordeal, Trump appeared at the RNC, his ear bandaged, to a roaring crowd.
Former White House physician Rep. Ronny Jackson describedthe former president’s injury. “He was lucky,” Jackson said. “It was far enough from his head to avoid a concussive effect.” Trump’s survival is seen by many as a miracle, reinforcing his resilience.
The ear bandage trend quickly gained traction among RNC attendees. One woman paired her bandage with a cowboy hat and a GOP lanyard. Another attendee, dressed as Uncle Sam, wore a bandage while performing “God Bless the U.S.A.” on a harmonica.
Neglia expressed his motivation for wearing the bandage. “When Trump entered to rapturous applause, I thought, ‘What can I do to honor him?’” he explained. The bandage became a symbol of empathy and unity with Trump.
Trump is expected to deliver a speech at the convention, shifting his focus to unite the country. “I had prepared a tough speech about the administration,” Trump told The New York Post. “But I threw it away. I want to try to unite our country.”