Hells Angels, gun-slingers and off-duty nuns … we get ringside seat for Donald Trump’s Republican circus
Four-day jamboree ended with Trump officially accepting the Republican Party's nomination as candidate for President
WITH his tattooed chest, leather waistcoat, long hair and grizzled beard, biker Daryl Rembowski hardly looks dressed for a political convention.
Yet the 52-year-old rode into Cleveland, Ohio, this week to support presidential candidate Donald Trump — a man he believes will save his country.
Daryl, a carpenter, is a member of motorcycle posse Bikers for Trump. Their mission is clear.
He declared: “We want to get Donald elected. He knows our nation is broken and how to fix it.”
Welcome to the 2016 Republican Convention, a political rally where Hells Angels rub shoulders with Washington policy types, proud gun-owners roam the streets bearing assault rifles and off-duty nuns dish out lemonade.
And that is all before you even get inside the convention centre.
The four-day jamboree, which ended on Thursday with Trump officially accepting the Republican Party’s nomination as candidate for President, was every bit as bizarre as the magnate’s trademark hairdo.
Inside Cleveland’s Quickens Loan Arena delegates from every US state and territory donned costumes as if it was a fancy dress party.
He’s best thing to happen in 100 years
Barbara Finger, 60, from dairy-producing Wisconsin, wore a hat shaped like a huge wedge of cheese.
Jimmy Davidson, 27, of Massachusetts, went further and dressed as “The Donald” himself, complete with bad wig. He explained: “I got it on Amazon.”
Small business owner Mary Susan, 52, from Minnesota, drew admiring glances for her red superhero cape bearing the name Trump in flashing lights.
She explained: “It was made by my friend who is a legal Mexican immigrant, their story embodies the American dream.
“This is my first convention. I have never been outspokenly political before but Donald Trump awoke something in me.
“He is the best thing to happen to this country in 100 years.”
Trump himself provided plenty of razzmatazz in return.
He set the tone on the opening night, appearing on stage silhouetted against hazy light to the strains of We Are the Champions.
When he made his final speech on closing night, he joined in the crowd’s chants of “USA” before talking for more than an hour.
He promised to restore law and order, suspend immigration from nations linked to terror and to build a wall along the border of Mexico to keep out illegal immigrants.
The property mogul and former US Apprentice star, 70, also declared: “I have made billions of dollars in business making deals, I am going to make our country rich again.
"There are people who work hard but no longer have a voice. I am your voice.”
At the end of the speech the Rolling Stones’ hit You Can’t Always Get What You Want blasted out — despite the band earlier refusing permission for the song to be used.
Televised live to an audience of ten million, the convention served as a key moment to sell Donald Trump and his Vice Presidential choice, Indiana Governor Mike Pence, to the wider electorate.
Trump’s four adult children, Donald Jr, 38, Ivanka, 34, Eric, 32, and Tiffany, 22, certainly bolstered that effort by giving well-received speeches.
There was even a cameo from Barron Trump, Donald’s ten-year-old son with third, and current, wife Melania, 46.
Insiders say there is no figure more influential within Trump’s campaign than Ivanka, so it was no surprise she was chosen to introduce her father’s all-important closing speech.
The mother-of-three, vice president of the Trump Organization, all but stole the show as she made a grab for the female vote.
She touted her dad’s record of hiring women in the construction industry and vowed he would help working mothers.
Less successful, of course, was the speech made at the start of the week by Slovenian-born ex-model Melania.
Humiliatingly, it quickly emerged that chunks of the address were copied from one given by Michelle Obama to the 2008 Democratic Convention.
However, the huge stars and sports personalities Trump had previously boasted would be endorsing him at the convention failed to materialise.
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Instead delegates heard from a line-up which included a former Calvin Klein underwear model, a Dancing with the Stars TV contestant and Scott Baio — Chachi from Seventies sitcom Happy Days.
Trump had also invited Don King to speak but it is rumoured the plan was vetoed by convention chiefs who pointed out the boxing promoter had once served jail time for stomping a man to death before being pardoned.
King still showed up anyway and roamed the floor telling anyone who would listen he was backing Trump because he would “tear apart the system.”
This certainly wasn’t the choreographed political pageantry to which Americans are accustomed.
One of the gathering’s biggest Punch and Judy moments came when Senator Ted Cruz, who had failed in his own bid to become the Republican nominee, refused to endorse Trump.
Instead he used his speaking slot to outline his own agenda for America.
The Texan was furiously booed and his wife Heidi had to be escorted from the floor by security.
The bitter row only served to highlight the divisive effect Trump has had among Republicans.
Big hitters including George Bush Snr, George W Bush and former presidential candidates John McCain and Mitt Romney were all notably absent from the convention.
Political commentator Jonah Goldberg said: “It is incredibly unusual for people to skip the convention. Usually it is a huge, unifying event.
“But this convention has failed to unite the party as many find Trump a repugnant figure.”
Republican strategist Will Ritter, who also avoided the event, said: “I would rather attend the public hanging of a good friend.”
It was the Democratic party’s presumptive nominee, Hillary Clinton, who provided the point of unity.
Republicans seemed universally horrified at the idea of her becoming President.
Baying chants of “Lock her up” became a slogan in the hall.
One attendee even dressed up in bright orange, Guantanamo-style prison jumpsuit and a Hillary mask.
Meanwhile outside, a rag-tag mix including anti-Trump demonstrators, white supremacists, anti-gay protesters and Black Lives Matter activists filled the streets.
They were there to grab the attention of the crowds and the TV cameras — and to enjoy the free lemonade handed out by the off-duty nuns attending in a bid to “spread healing.”
Christian fundamentalists brandished signs declaring: “Every real Muslim is a jihadist.”
Some of the protesters were carrying weapons as well as their banners, taking advantage of Ohio’s “open-carry” laws which allow legally owned firearms to be displayed.
James Lefeber, 33, a carpenter from Lakeland, Ohio, wore a cap with Trump’s slogan Make America Great and touted a rifle and a 9mm semi-automatic pistol as he walked through the protests.
He said: “I am carrying my weapons here today to practice my constitutional right and reverse prejudices about guns.”
Among the throng was former Ukip leader Nigel Farage. He was given the red carpet treatment both inside and on the streets.
Britain’s successful Brexit vote was a recurrent theme at the convention.
He told The Sun: “I have had crowds coming up to congratulate me. People are fascinated because it is a message of hope.”
Transsexual reality star Caitlyn Jenner spoke at a LGBT fringe event.
She admitted: “It was easy to come out as trans. It was hard to come out as Republican.”