After eliminating 16 party rivals, warring with much of the Republican establishment and provoking controversy at the party convention,Donald Trump on Tuesday formally became the Republican nominee for the White House as New York’s delegates pushed him over the edge.
The party began a formal roll-call vote to put Trump’s name in nomination one day after opponents staged a failed attempt to force a vote opposing his candidacy, and a speech by his wife Melania drew accusations of plagiarism.
Senator Jeff Sessions, an early backer of Trump, placed the New York businessman’s name in nomination, calling him “a warrior and a winner.” House Speaker Paul Ryan, the highest ranking elected Republican, ran the meeting and launched the nominating process.
Despite threats of another chaotic day, anti-Trump Republican U.S. Senator Mike Lee said efforts by some delegates to block Trump’s nomination appeared finished.
Trump’s campaign has been marked by frequent controversy over his rhetoric on Muslims, Hispanics, illegal immigration and trade, alarming many in the Republican establishment.
Party officials are hoping to use the four-day convention, which began on Monday, to smooth out some of his rough edges and present him as a job creator and a strong hand to combat security threats at home and abroad.