Trump tramples unity theme in two-act convention speech

The "new" Donald Trump soothed and silenced the nation for 28 minutes last night. Then the old Trump returned and bellowed, barked and bored America for 64 minutes more.

Why it matters: Despondent Democrats were reminded why they had long believed, before President Biden melted down in last month's debate, that Trump is a flawed candidate — and eminently beatable.

Zoom in: A bandaged, somber, subdued Trump opened his nomination speech by recounting his near-death experience last weekend in vivid detail, promising it would be the first and only time he'd do so "because it's too painful to tell."