The RNC opened with a promise of optimism. Then speakers warned Democrats 'wish to destroy our way of life.'

Charlie Kirk.
(Image credit: Committee on Arrangements for the 2020 Republican National Committee via Getty Images)

In the lead-up to the Republican National Convention, the word was that the four-day event would adopt an optimistic tone to counter the Democrats' criticism of President Trump's handling of the coronavirus pandemic. That rang true in the convention's opening video montage Monday night, which argued Trump's "swift action saved lives" and that he is now leading the United States to an economic recovery. Once the first round of speakers got up to the podium, however, the evening took a darker turn.

Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk called Trump the "bodyguard of western civilization" who was "elected to protect our families, our loved ones, from the vengeful mob that wishes to destroy our way of life, our neighborhoods, schools, church, and values." Kirk was followed by elementary school teacher Rebecca Friedrichs and Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), both of whom also painted a dystopian image of the U.S.

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Tim O'Donnell

Tim is a staff writer at The Week and has contributed to Bedford and Bowery and The New York Transatlantic. He is a graduate of Occidental College and NYU's journalism school. Tim enjoys writing about baseball, Europe, and extinct megafauna. He lives in New York City.