Some GOP voters welcome Trump's somewhat softened tone at Republican National Convention

MILWAUKEE (AP) — For those conservative voters long turned off by former President Donald Trump's rhetoric, his somewhat softened tone in accepting the Republican nomination Thursday night was a welcome relief.

“He's much improved,” said Dave Struthers, a 57-year-old farmer from Collins, Iowa, after watching the beginning of Trump's speech in the basement of his farmhouse. “It's more of a conversation with the American people, rather than yelling at them.”

Trump, who has a long history of divisive commentary, has said shoplifters should be immediately shot, suggested the United States’ top general be executed as a traitor and mocked Democratic Rep. Nancy Pelosi's husband, who was beaten with a hammer by a far-right conspiracy theorist.

But on Thursday night in Milwaukee, he sported a white bandage over his right ear, which was pierced by a bullet from a would-be assassin just days earlier, and spoke in a quieter, more relaxed tone for at least the first part of the speech. He described his experience of the shooting and called for an end to discord, division and demonization in national politics.

Nevertheless, many of his talking points remained familiar and his rhetoric grew more ascerbic as the 93-minute speech wore on. He claimed that Democrats are destroying America, derided the prosecutions against him as a partisan witch hunt, warned of an “invasion” at the U.S.-Mexico border and insisted, without evidence, that murder rates in Central and South American countries were down because they were sending their killers to the U.S.

The more muted delivery at the outset was enough to get Trump a second look from Erich Hazen, a 32-year-old art teacher in Milwaukee, who described himself as a longtime Democrat who supports abortion and LGBTQ+ rights. He said he's now considering a vote for Trump in November — surprising even himself.

“I feel like he’s calmed things down a bit more,” Hazen said. “Now that he’s a little more reserved, it’s making me feel more comfortable.”

“I’m normally not undecided, so this is a little bit strange for me,” he added. “But what I’ve seen from the other side hasn’t been impressive at all. He’s at least making coherent sentences.”

Jennifer Ryan Garnica, 52, who owns a store that sells Trump merchandise in Seal Beach, California, said she noticed an uptick in traffic in her store during the speech and thought people found it inspiring. She said the attempt on Trump’s life was an emotional experience for her and a change in tone was desperately needed.

“Our country has become so divided that we wish ill will on each other,” Garnica said.

Struthers, a Republican who raises pigs and grows soybean and corn, supported Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis during the caucuses. He said that while he appreciated some of Trump's policies as president, his trade war with China hurt agriculture — including soybean sales, as that country is an important customer.

The speech didn't win over everyone, however.

“I don’t think he sounds any different than he did before the assassination attempt,” said John Frank, a 25–year-old designer in Milwaukee and self-described libertarian.

Frank said he does not plan to vote in November but nonetheless met up with a friend to watch the speech because "we didn’t want to miss something big happening in Milwaukee.”

Inside the secure zone around the convention, attendees packed a pub called Drink Wisconsinbly and sang along to “Proud to Be an American” as they watched Trump take center stage on the television screens around the bar.

All week, Max Bradshaw, the bar's general manager, said he’s noticed a softened tone in Trump and other party leaders after the attempted assassination. Bradshaw declined to give his own view of Trump and said there's a diversity of political beliefs among his staff, “but this whole week everybody’s been neutral.”

“It seems like we’re all coming a little bit more together, so regardless of what’s happening politically, I still feel more togetherness right now,” he said. “I’m very happy about that.”

Outside the pub Liam Stanton, 29, said he feels increasingly out of place in America’s two-party system, calling both parties “pathetic.” He described himself as a Bernie Sanders supporter who in previous presidential elections has voted for both Republicans and, once, a Democrat.

Despite agreeing with the Democratic Party’s “pro-immigrant views,” Stanton said he plans to vote for Trump. He sees President Joe Biden as “incoherent” and out-of-touch.

Still, Stanton wasn’t impressed by Trump’s speech and said he only attended the convention because a friend had free guest passes.

“I was hoping he would be spicier, to be honest with you,” Stanton said.

Johnson reported from Seattle. Jeff Roberson in St. Charles, Missouri; Ashley Landis in Seal Beach, California; and Charlie Neibergall in Collins, Iowa, contributed.

Supporters of Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump gather to watch a television broadcast of Trump's acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention, Thursday, July 18, 2024, in St. Charles, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Joyce Riviere, left, and Shannon Cunningham react as they watch former President Donald Trump speak on television on Thursday, July 18, 2024, in Seal Beach, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Supporters of Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump watch his speech at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee on a television at the Arizona GOP headquarters Thursday, July 18, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Supporters of Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump watch his speech at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee on a television at the Arizona GOP headquarters Thursday, July 18, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

A man watches from the 11th Frame Bar and Grille in Butler, Pa., as Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump arrives on stage at the Republican National Convention, Thursday, July 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Supporters of Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump gather to watch a television broadcast of Trump's acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention, Thursday, July 18, 2024, in St. Charles, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

A man watches as Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump addresses the Republican National Convention on television at California Burritos restaurant, Thursday, July 18, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Supporters of Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump watch his speech at the Republican National Convention on a television from the Arizona GOP headquarters Thursday, July 18, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump addresses the Republican National Convention on a television at the restaurant California Burritos, Thursday, July 18, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

A supporter of Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump watches his speech at the Republican National Convention on a cellphone at the Arizona GOP headquarters Thursday, July 18, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

A supporter of Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump wears a bedazzled Trump hat as supporters watch his speech at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee from the Arizona GOP headquarters Thursday, July 18, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Supporters watch Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speak at the Republican National Convention on a television Thursday, July 18, 2024, in Seal Beach, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Farmer Dave Struthers, of Collins, Iowa, watches a television as Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaks at the Republican National Convention, Thursday, July 18, 2024, in Collins, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Supporters watch Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speak at the Republican National Convention on a television Thursday, July 18, 2024, in Seal Beach, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Shannon Cunningham, right, watches the Republican National Convention on television Thursday, July 18, 2024, in Seal Beach, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

A couple kisses at 11th Frame Bar and Grille in Butler, Pa., as the Republican National Convention broadcasts, Thursday, July 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Supporters of former President Donald Trump drink beers as they watch him speak on television on Thursday, July 18, 2024, in Seal Beach, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Farmer Dave Struthers watches a television Thursday, July 18, 2024, in Collins, Iowa, as Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaks at the Republican National Convention. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Farmer Dave Struthers, of Collins, Iowa, watches a television as Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaks at the Republican National Convention, Thursday, July 18, 2024, in Collins, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Supporters watch Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speak at the Republican National Convention on a television on Thursday, July 18, 2024, in Seal Beach, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Supporters of Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump gather to watch his speech at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, from the Arizona GOP headquarters Thursday, July 18, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Jim, left, and Tamara Hamilton watch former President Donald Trump speak on television on Thursday, July 18, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

LONDON (AP) — Cricket great Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff was appointed head coach of the England Lions on Saturday.

The former England captain has been a successful television personality since ending his storied playing career, but his appointment is his latest step into coaching.

“I’m incredibly excited to take on this role with the England Lions. It’s a fantastic opportunity to work with some of the best up-and-coming talent in the country and to help shape the future of the men’s game," Flintoff said.

Flintoff has signed up for the winter tours of South Africa and Australia as well as summer fixtures against India A and Zimbabwe.

Since returning to cricket over the past year, the 46-year-old Flintoff has been an assistant coach at this summer’s T20 World Cup. He led the Northern Superchargers in The Hundred.

He is currently standing in for batting coach Marcus Trescothick for England for this week's test against Sri Lanka.

Flintoff, who was an allrounder, played 79 tests for England and was the 2005 Ashes player of the series.

In December 2022, Flintoff sustained facial injuries from an accident that occurred during filming for “Top Gear" at the show’s test track in Surrey.

The England and Wales Cricket Board said Flintoff was the “standout candidate from a pool of high-caliber applicants.”

“Andrew stood out thanks to his inspirational leadership, coaching expertise, and deep understanding of the game,” said Ed Barney, the ECB men's performance director.

Flintoff begins his role in October and will take charge for the upcoming year.

The Lions program helps to develop the next generation of cricket talent.

“With Andrew’s guidance, the highest potential players will continue to develop, thrive and take their game to new levels," Barney said. "I'm confident his influence will resonate across English cricket, helping drive the game forward.”

Since retiring from the sport — initially in 2010 and then in 2014 — Flintoff has featured in popular TV shows like “Top Gear” and “A League of Their Own.”

He also had a short-lived attempt at boxing.

AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket

England coach Andrew Flintoff on day one of the Third Rothesay Men's Test at The Kia Oval, London, Friday Sept. 6, 2024. (John Walton/PA via AP)