Trump's assassination attempt takes center stage at RNC, with ear bandages and shirts

What are some of the hottest trends at the 2024 Republican National Convention?

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RNC: It's all about the merch

One of the most popular shirts – emblazoned with the now iconic photo of Trump bleeding from the ear, went on sale almost immediately across the U.S. after Saturday's assassination attempt.

It took a few days for the same shirt to reach the RNC. But when the $50 shirts finally hit the streets outside the convention center on Wednesday, they sold out quickly, Nexstar Media reported.

Raised fists

The recent assassination attempt in Pennsylvania inspired another trend at the RNC.

Many supporters and delegates in the crowd have kept their fists raised during speeches, held in defiance as Trump did before being whisked off the stage by the Secret Service on Saturday. It's become equally popular among speakers, pumping their firsts during their time on stage.

Bandaged ears

Among the sea of people wearing the distinctive red "Make America Great Again" hats at the RNC, several attendees sported makeshift bandages on their ears, the latest accessory some are using to showcase their loyalty to former President Donald Trump, who was shot in the right ear in an assassination attempt in Pennsylvania on Saturday.

Joe Neglia, a 63-year-old delegate from Tempe, said the prop he wore on his right ear was an homage to the presumptive Republican presidential nominee. In an interview with CBS News, he called it "the newest fashion trend" and added that he crafted the fake bandage while on the bus to the second day of the convention.

For supporters of Trump, it appears that the assassination attempt has taken center stage at the RNC – at least in terms of fashion and iconography. The larger-than-life moment echoed through the convention center and, by all accounts, may do the same on the campaign trail for the remainder of the election season.

Melissa Cruz is an elections reporting fellow who focuses on voter access issues for the USA TODAY Network. You can reach her at [email protected] or on X, formerly Twitter, at @MelissaWrites22.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: The hottest trends at the RNC? Trump shooting shirts and ear bandages