Arizona delegate Susan Ellsworth with a makeshift bandage on her ear on the third day of the Republican National Convention on 17 July 2024.
Photo: AFP
Attendees at the US Republican National Convention have been wearing bandages over their ears in an apparent act of solidarity with former President Donald Trump.
The four-day convention began less than 48 hours after a gunman opened fire at a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, killing one supporter.
The gunman was shot dead and his motive remains unclear.
Trump walked into the Fiserv Forum in downtown Milwaukee on the first night of the convention with a thick bandage over his ear as the crowd chanted “Fight! Fight! Fight” and pumped their fists, a reference to his reaction in the moments after he was wounded.
Republican presidential candidate, former US President Donald Trump arrives on the first day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum on 15 July 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Photo: Scott Olson / Getty Images / AFP
From the second night of the convention, delegates and attendees have been photographed also wearing makeshift bandages – from folded-up slips of paper to pieces of tape – on their right ears to showcase their solidarity with Trump.
Duane Schwingel, also known as “Uncle Jam,” wears bandages over his ear on the sidelines of the Republican National Convention on 17 July 2024.
Photo: AFP
Arizona delegate Joe Neglia, with a folded white envelope taped across his ear, told CBS News it was the newest fashion trend.
“I’m getting this going – everybody in the world is going to be wearing one of these pretty soon. It’s the latest thing,” Neglia said.
“I’m setting new fashion ground here.”
Trump is due to formally accept the party’s nomination in a prime-time speech on Thursday (local time), and will face Democratic President Joe Biden in the 5 November election.
