Patrick Healy

The Republican convention erupted into tumult July 20 as the bitter primary battle between Donald J. Trump and Sen Ted Cruz (R-TX) reignited unexpectedly, crushing hopes that the party could project unity. In the most electric moment of the convention, boos and jeers broke out as it became clear that Sen Cruz — in a prime-time address from center stage — was not going to endorse Trump. It was a pointed snub on the eve of Trump’s formal acceptance speech. As hundreds of delegates chanted “Vote for Trump!” and “Say it!” Sen Cruz tried to dismiss the outburst as “enthusiasm of the New York delegation” — only to have Trump himself suddenly appear in the back of the convention hall.

Virtually every head in the room seemed to turn from Sen Cruz to Trump, who was stone-faced and clearly angry as he egged on delegates by pumping his fist. Sen Cruz was all but drowned out as he asked for God’s blessing on the country and left the stage, while security personnel escorted his wife, Heidi, out of the hall. One delegate yelled “Goldman Sachs!” at her — a reference to the company that has employed her, a job that Trump attacked during the primaries. A short while later, Sen Cruz faced insults as he made his way down a corridor — one woman yelled “Traitor!” When he tried to enter the convention suite of the Las Vegas (NV) casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, he was turned away.