Anti-Donald Trump Rebellion Thwarted At Republican Convention Amid Chaotic Scenes

Critics denied last-ditch vote to dump Trump
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Article originally published 18/07/2016: due to a technical issue this article may have resurfaced for some readers, and the original publish date may not have been visible.

The Republican convention where Donald Trump is to be named US presidential candidate has descended into chaos amid a failed rebellion to halt the controversial property magnate being selected.

Anti-Trump activists at the Cleveland event wanted to force the party to let every delegate vote with their conscience on who should be the Republican pick, rather than nominate a candidate based on the recent primary election results.

But the last-ditch bid by so-called ‘Never Trump’ critics was thwarted as Republican leaders bypassed the call for a “roll call” vote on convention rules, and did so via a request for an “aye” or “no” vote to measure support.

The clip below of chairman Steve Womack - the presiding official - declaring the rules approved underlines the uproar in the convention hall.

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Republican National Convention delegates yell and scream as the Republican National Committee Rules Committee
Brian Snyder / Reuters

Pro- and anti-Trump factions delivered competing chants, many demanding a vote and others yelling “Trump” and “USA!”.

It emerged the anti-Trump faction had enough support for the ‘roll-call vote’, but that was whittled down while the podium was empty between sessions.

“Donald Trump is so ignorant of anything that he hasn’t a clue what is going on here in general or in detail,” said New Hampshire delegate Gordon Humphrey, a former senator, and one of the Stop Trump ring-leaders. 

Humphrey said his plan would give him and like-minded Republicans one last chance to empower their fellow delegates to get rid of Trump.

“It gives us time to make the case to delegates in recess, one on one and through the news media, that they’re getting screwed, frankly,” Humphrey said.

“They’re getting shorn of their manhood and their womanhood. Their right to make their own judgements on any questions are being taking away, and that’s an outrage.”

Meanwhile, Trump indicated he was watching the proceedings. The presumptive nominee was not displeased with the mess on the floor, however, but with US news broadcaster CNN.

While the anti-Trump numbers were very far from guaranteed, a rule change would have allowed critics to lobby the convention’s 2,472 delegates to support adopting new rules that could have ousted the TV star-turned-politician.

Though unlikely to succeed, it underlined the division within the Republican Party at the time when the party is seeking unity.

Andrew Milligan/PA Wire
Comedian Simon Brodkin, also known as Lee Nelson, disrupts a press conference being held by US presidential hopeful Donald Trump at Turnberry hotel in South Ayrshire, where the Trump Turnberry golf course has been revamped.
Andrew Milligan/PA Wire
Comedian Simon Brodkin, also known as Lee Nelson, disrupts a press conference being held by US presidential hopeful Donald Trump at Turnberry hotel in South Ayrshire, where the Trump Turnberry golf course has been revamped.
Andrew Milligan/PA Wire
US presidential hopeful Donald Trump speaks at Turnberry hotel in South Ayrshire, where the Trump Turnberry golf course has been revamped.
Jeff J Mitchell via Getty Images
Presumptive Republican nominee for US president Donald Trump arrives to his Trump Turnberry Resort on June 24, 2016 in Ayr, Scotland
Jeff J Mitchell via Getty Images
Jeff J Mitchell via Getty Images
Jeff J Mitchell via Getty Images
A bagpipe player wears traditional dress holding a hat in support of Presumptive Republican nominee for US president Donald Trump as he awaits his arrival by helicopter
Jeff J Mitchell via Getty Images
Trump surround by his family his son Eric Trump (R), granddaughter Kai Trump and daughter Ivanka Trump (L) arrive to his Trump Turnberry Resort
Jeff J Mitchell via Getty Images
A supporter of Presumptive Republican nominee for US president Donald Trump takes a photo with her phone as she awaits his arrival by helicopter
Clodagh Kilcoyne / Reuters
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is welcomed as he arrives at his Turnberry golf course, in Turnberry, Scotland
Clodagh Kilcoyne / Reuters
Carlo Allegri / Reuters
Jeff J Mitchell via Getty Images
Men wear red hats in support of Presumptive Republican nominee for US president Donald Trump as they await his arrival
Jeff J Mitchell via Getty Images
AYR, SCOTLAND - JUNE 24: A man wears a red hat in support of Presumptive Republican nominee for US president Donald Trump as he awaits his arrival by helicopter to his Trump Turnberry Resort on June 24, 2016 in Ayr, Scotland. Mr Trump will officially open his golf resort which has undergone an eight month refurbishment as part of an investment thought to be worth in the region of two hundred million pounds. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)
Clodagh Kilcoyne / Reuters
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump waves as he arrives at his Turnberry golf course, in Turnberry, Scotland, Britain June 24, 2016. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne
Clodagh Kilcoyne / Reuters
Donald Trump arrives at Turnberry golf course in Scotland, Britain June 24, 2016. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne
Jeff J Mitchell via Getty Images
AYR, SCOTLAND - JUNE 24: A man wears a red hat in support of Presumptive Republican nominee for US president Donald Trump as he awaits his arrival by helicopter to his Trump Turnberry Resort on June 24, 2016 in Ayr, Scotland. Mr Trump will officially open his golf resort which has undergone an eight month refurbishment as part of an investment thought to be worth in the region of two hundred million pounds. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)
Clodagh Kilcoyne / Reuters
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is welcomed as he arrives at his Turnberry golf course, in Turnberry, Scotland, Britain June 24, 2016. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne
Jane Barlow/PA Wire
US presidential hopeful Donald Trump lands by helicopter at his revamped Trump Turnberry golf course in South Ayrshire.
Clodagh Kilcoyne / Reuters
Donald Trump waves as he arrives at Turnberry golf course in Scotland, Britain June 24, 2016. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne
Andrew Milligan/PA Wire
US presidential hopeful Donald Trump arrives at his revamped Trump Turnberry golf course in South Ayrshire.
Andrew Milligan/PA Wire
US presidential hopeful Donald Trump arrives at his revamped Trump Turnberry golf course in South Ayrshire.
Andrew Milligan/PA Wire
US presidential hopeful Donald Trump arrives at his revamped Trump Turnberry golf course in South Ayrshire.
Andrew Milligan/PA Wire
US presidential hopeful Donald Trump lands by helicopter at his revamped Trump Turnberry golf course in South Ayrshire.
Andrew Milligan/PA Wire
US presidential hopeful Donald Trump arrives at his revamped Trump Turnberry golf course in South Ayrshire.
Clodagh Kilcoyne / Reuters
Donald Trump waves as he arrives at Turnberry golf course in Scotland, Britain June 24, 2016. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne
Andrew Milligan/PA Wire
US presidential hopeful Donald Trump arrives at his revamped Trump Turnberry golf course in South Ayrshire.
Andrew Milligan/PA Wire
US presidential hopeful Donald Trump arrives at his revamped Trump Turnberry golf course in South Ayrshire.
Andrew Milligan/PA Wire
Security await the arrival of US presidential hopeful Donald Trump at his revamped Trump Turnberry golf course in South Ayrshire.
Andrew Milligan/PA Wire
US presidential hopeful Donald Trump hugs his son Donald Trump Jr, alongside his other son Eric, after speaking at Turnberry hotel in South Ayrshire, where the Trump Turnberry golf course has been revamped.
Andrew Milligan/PA Wire
Comedian Simon Brodkin, also known as Lee Nelson, disrupts a press conference being held by US presidential hopeful Donald Trump at Turnberry hotel in South Ayrshire, where the Trump Turnberry golf course has been revamped.
Andrew Milligan/PA Wire
US presidential hopeful Donald Trump arrives to speak at Turnberry hotel in South Ayrshire, where the Trump Turnberry golf course has been revamped.
Andrew Milligan/PA Wire
US presidential hopeful Donald Trump arrives to speak at Turnberry hotel in South Ayrshire, where the Trump Turnberry golf course has been revamped.
Andrew Milligan/PA Wire
US presidential hopeful Donald Trump speaks at Turnberry hotel in South Ayrshire, where the Trump Turnberry golf course has been revamped.
Jane Barlow/PA Wire
US presidential hopeful Donald Trump speaks at his revamped Trump Turnberry golf course in South Ayrshire.
Andrew Milligan/PA Wire
Comedian Simon Brodkin, also known as Lee Nelson, disrupts a press conference being held by US presidential hopeful Donald Trump at Turnberry hotel in South Ayrshire, where the Trump Turnberry golf course has been revamped.
Andrew Milligan/PA Wire
Comedian Simon Brodkin, also known as Lee Nelson, disrupts a press conference being held by US presidential hopeful Donald Trump at Turnberry hotel in South Ayrshire, where the Trump Turnberry golf course has been revamped.
Andrew Milligan/PA Wire
Comedian Simon Brodkin, also known as Lee Nelson, disrupts a press conference being held by US presidential hopeful Donald Trump at Turnberry hotel in South Ayrshire, where the Trump Turnberry golf course has been revamped.