The fist..and the furious

>> Republican fervour ramps up for The Don >> Even silent he steals show at convention

- MARTIN FRICKER

IT was hard not to feel sorry for country singer Lee Greenwood.

Tasked with introducing Donald Trump to the Republican National Convention, the eyes of the 17,000strong crowd were meant to be focused on him.

But delegates had spotted their hero on the big screen, standing in the wings. So as Greenwood belted out God Bless The USA at Milwaukee's Fiserv Forum, hardly a soul was watching him.

Chants of "fight, fight, fight" filled the air as Trump, his right ear bandaged, waited patiently.

With a phalanx of Secret Service agents surrounding him, he began the slow walk into the arena.

Now it was time for "The Don".

Trump events are known for their razzmatazz but Monday night was on another level.

Shouts of "USA, USA, USA" rang out as the 78-year-old presidential nominee headed to the VIP area.

Then came the "fist" salute - his trademark following his reaction to Saturday's assassination attempt.

Remarkable to think 48 hours earlier he had been in the sights of a wannabe-assassin's AR-15.