34 American Things At The Republican National Convention That Would Make ZERO SENSE To Non-Americans

BuzzFeed

Sat, July 20, 2024 at 10:44 AM UTC

4 min read

The Republican National Convention featured a variety of unconventional moments, including a dog governor, Hulk Hogan, and fashion statements like fake ear bandages and unique attire.
Attendees at the convention showcased their support for former President Trump through creative means such as wearing "free ear patches," Trump-themed merchandise, and unique accessories like Trump-themed shoes and Melania Trump dresses.
The event concluded with unexpected elements like an opera performance, highlighting the diverse and sometimes eccentric nature of American political conventions.

The Republican National Convention just finished its four-day nominating ceremony.

A crowd celebrates in front of a stage, surrounded by red, white, and gold balloons. The event has a festive atmosphere with many people taking photos — Jim Watson / AFP via Getty Images

And let me tell you, no country, and I mean no country, does politics quite like the U.S.

A person wearing a bedazzled — Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images

Here are the moments that would surely confuse the absolute hell out of people who are not American:

1.First of all, this bulldog:

A man in a suit and tie speaks from a podium with teleprompters on either side. A bulldog sits on a chair to his left — Bill Clark / CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

His name is "Babydog," and he's the governor of West Virginia's dog.

A bulldog walks on a glossy floor, showing its reflection — Bill Clark / CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

He got his own seat on the main stage.

Bulldog sitting on a black leather couch, facing the camera with its tongue out. The background is blurred and not relevant to the content — Anadolu / Anadolu via Getty Images

2.Hulk Hogan giving a keynote speech...

A muscular man wearing a red Trump Vance 2024 tank top and red bandana poses with a flexed arm and a pointed finger gesture at a podium — Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images

...and then Hulk Hogan ripping off his shirt:

Hulk Hogan, wearing a red bandana, tears open his shirt while speaking at the Republican National Convention. The CNN ticker reads, — CNN

3. Donald Trump blowing Hulk a kiss:

Why is Trump blowing kisses at Hulk Hogan at the RNC? pic.twitter.com/RvQ0p7lEPK

— ReviewHateUSA (@ItsA_CultOfHate) July 19, 2024

CNBC/ Twitter: @ItsA_CultOfHate

4.All of the people wearing fake ear bandages in solidarity with former President Trump:

Several attendees, including a woman wearing a red — Joe Raedle / Getty Images

5.Like, this guy just straight-up taped a napkin to his head:

An older man is wearing a hat with the Arizona state flag and an American flag napkin under the brim. He appears to be at a public event — The Washington Post / The Washington Post via Getty Images

6. There was also a "free ear patch" station outside of the venue:

Spotted outside the RNC pic.twitter.com/EBGf6n0hvC

— Robert Downen (@RobertDownen_) July 18, 2024

Twitter: @RobertDownen_

7. Donald Trump appearing on stage in dramatic broadway fashion.

Trump on Broadway pic.twitter.com/307IkYbVcB

— Hamdi Rifai حمدي الرفاعي 🇺🇸 (@HamdiRifaiJD) July 19, 2024

CSPAN/ Twitter: @HamdiRifaiJD

8. Amber Rose being a keynote speaker.

Amber Rose is currently speaking at the Republican National Convention: pic.twitter.com/gaohfENXiH

— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) July 16, 2024

Twitter: @Phil_Lewis_

9.A reality TV star being another keynote speaker.

Savannah Chrisley stands at a podium, smiling and wearing a white dress with short sleeves, during a formal event — Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images

10.This hat:

A person wears a festive hat featuring a bobblehead doll with American flag-themed accessories and decorations at a political event — Joe Raedle / Getty Images

A bobblehead of President Joe Biden in a leather jacket and sunglasses is surrounded by rocket decorations, resembling a patriotic theme — Andrew Harnik / Getty Images

11.This Donald trump with laser eyes fan:

A woman holds a fan with an illustration of Donald Trump against a backdrop of the American flag. Another person is blurred in the background — Leon Neal / Getty Images

12.This large Trump head gold chain:

Person wears a shirt reading — Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

13.These tights:

Two individuals stand on a red carpet. One wears white sneakers and a sparkly dress; the other wears gold light-up shoes and leggings printed with images of Donald Trump — Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

14.This gown:

Joy Villa wears a — Brendan Smialowski / AFP via Getty Images

15.This gown:

A woman in a dress adorned with American flag motifs shows the year — Jim Watson / AFP via Getty Images

16.And these socks:

Close-up of a person's feet wearing socks with Donald Trump's face and shoes with the word — The European mind could not comprehend the fashion.

The Washington Post / The Washington Post via Getty Images

17.This man with a "Hi mom" and "Fire Joe Biden" sign.

A man in a crowd holds a sign reading — Scott Olson / Getty Images

18. Kid Rock.

That cut from Kid Rock & zoom into Melania's reaction is perfection pic.twitter.com/e8GS08qg8k

— Tom Reagan's Hat (@RufusTSuperfly) July 19, 2024

CNN/ Twitter: @RufusTSuperfly

19.A group of men wearing cheese heads with "MAGA" written on them:

Supporters with cheese hats and — Patrick T. Fallon / AFP via Getty Images

20.This person who wrote "Jesus #1" on his cheesehead:

People wear cheese-shaped hats, some with — Scott Olson / Getty Images

21.These delegates saluting with their cheese hats:

Crowd at an event holds up large, foam cheese hats. Unidentified individuals celebrate enthusiastically. The background includes the text — They're from Wisconsin, duh.

Brendan Smialowski / AFP via Getty Images

22. These people selling "Trump poetry" which is just a book of his old Tweets:

I haven't laughed this hard while writing a story in a while. Two men have a booth set up at the RNC selling a coffee table book of Trump's tweets. They swear they're not trolling. pic.twitter.com/9jNMvDvmUm

— Cate Martel (@CateMartel) July 18, 2024

Twitter: @CateMartel

23.This man selling Trump cereal:

A person stands behind a table displaying various Trump-themed cereal boxes outdoors. The boxes feature illustrations of former President Donald Trump — Jim Vondruska / Getty Images

24.A "I'm voting for the convicted felon" tee:

Table with — Jim Vondruska / Getty Images

25.And all of the people wearing elephant hats:

Man wearing a suit, tie, and elephant hat stands in front of two TV screens showing a crowded indoor event — Surely, non-Americans would be confused by the whole donkey and elephant thing.

Bill Clark / CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

26.This "freedom and shit" hat:

A person wearing a white cowboy hat with the text — Leon Neal / Getty Images

27.This blazer:

People at an event. A man is wearing a jacket with repeated prints of Donald Trump's face. Other people are engaged in conversation — Joe Raedle / Getty Images

28. These $400 Trump shoes:

Spotted someone wearing a pair of the $399 Trump sneakers here at RNC pic.twitter.com/zStRJ4F77p

— Tia "Very Calm Sis" Mitchell (@TIAreports) July 18, 2024

Twitter: @TIAreports

29.And this Melania Trump dress:

A woman wears a sleeveless dress with an image of Melania Trump on it, holding her phone and shopping bag, among a crowd of seated people — I mean, come on, how can you say Americans have no culture (lol)?

Brendan Smialowski / AFP via Getty Images

30.A dog in a cowboy hat:

A black poodle wearing a red cowboy hat with an American flag badge and a harness with a patriotic lion badge sits facing the camera — Leon Neal / Getty Images

31.Russell Brand being there:

He's British.

Leon Neal / Getty Images

32.A man dressed up as hospital patient Joe Biden with a "mental health matters" sign:

Person wearing a — Jim Watson / AFP via Getty Images

33.A rat randomly being outside the venue:

Person in a large rodent costume holds a sign reading — Nick Oxford / AFP via Getty Images

34. And lastly, the fact that it ended with an opera performance:

The #RNC closed with an opera performance.Not at all what I expected, but I quite liked it. pic.twitter.com/0smJX2AQBB

— Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) July 19, 2024

Twitter: @BasedMikeLee

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