The Faces of Trump’s GOP

America is in the eye of the beholder.

By Josh Eidelson | July 22, 2016

Photographs by Jonno Rattman

From

Donald Trump took the stage Thursday night to formally accept the Republican presidential nomination—and to make his case to the broader American electorate. “Beginning on January 20th of 2017, safety will be restored,” he said at the start of a bleak, 76-minute speech describing a nation beset by danger.

The address was a fitting close to a convention that leaned heavily on anxieties about terrorists abroad, undocumented immigrants at home, and the liberal agenda ascribed to Hillary Clinton, the presumptive Democratic nominee. “Hillary Clinton means no hope, just more ruin, more devastation,” says Patricia Jones, who drove from Illinois with her husband to support Trump by hoisting custom-made signs near the convention hall. She fears that Clinton, if elected, would let so many immigrants become citizens that Republicans could never win back the presidency. “I don’t see any point having elections after that,” she says. “They will be so overwhelmed by so many illegal or legal but very poor people.”

Photographer Jonno Rattman has been in Cleveland all week to help Bloomberg Businessweek capture the faces of this week’s fractious convention. Here’s some of what he saw as the confab reached its end.

“The whole Middle East is being dumped in here, with all the criminals,” says Trump supporter Patricia Jones. She and her husband, who live outside Chicago, drove to Cleveland to show support for Trump.

A member of the security team guards the stage.

Masked protesters gather Thursday in Cleveland’s Public Square, not far from the Quicken Loans Arena.

Boxing promoter and Trump fan Don King gives an interview praising the GOP nominee.

Camera operators inside the convention hall.

A Florida delegate with a Trump doll on the convention floor.

Former Texas Governor Rick Perry, who ran a brief campaign for the GOP nomination.

Delegates watch Trump rival Ted Cruz speak on the main stage on Wednesday night.

Trump joins his running mate, Indiana Governor Mike Pence, on stage following his speech accepting the vice presidential nomination.

Delegates cheering Thursday night on the convention floor.

PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel speaking on the main stage Thursday night.

Ivanka Trump introduces her father before his acceptance speech Thursday night.

Texas delegates listen to Trump’s acceptance speech.

California delegates pray during Thursday’s proceedings.

Confetti rains down at the close of the convention.

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