An unexpected face was seen on the floor of the Republican National Convention on Wednesday: Paul Manafort, the former chief of the 2016 Trump campaign who was convicted of conspiracy against the United States and served two years of combined prison and home confinement before former President Donald Trump pardoned him on his way out of office.
The appearance of Manafort, whose convictions stemmed from bank fraud, illegal foreign lobbying, and lying to investigators about his contacts with Russian officials, prompted a firestorm on social media, with many pointing out that he is just one of many convicted felons — including the nominee — on the floor of a convention of a party that is supposed to stand for law and order.
"This crime wave must end," wrote Lincoln Project co-founder and political strategist Rick Wilson.
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"People welcomed back to 2024 GOP convention: Paul Manafort," wrote Politico legal affairs reporter Kyle Cheney. "People not welcomed back to 2024 GOP convention: Mike Pence."
"I was going to count all the people at the RNC who have spent time in prison — or currently risk visiting one — but I simply don't have that kinda time!" wrote Canadian comedian Deven Green, through her satirical Mrs. Betty Bowers, "America's Best Christian" persona.
"Tonight’s unannounced theme is a soft focus look at the Trump crime family," wrote former Senate staffer Josh Dorner.
"Paul Manafort was pardoned after lying about why he shared campaign strategy with someone Treasury says is a Russian spy -- who gave the strategy to other Russian spies," wrote analyst Marcy Wheeler. "And note, the platform this time around pretty much sells Ukraine down the river, just like Kilimnik wanted."
"Is he already out of prison?" wrote the account @hollywoodpete69. "Oh wait, I confused him with Steve Bannon, I mean Peter [Navarro], uhm maybe Michael Cohen, or was it Roger Stone, but it could have been Weisselberg too……"
"Why is Paul Manafort, Russian colluder, allowed at the Republican Convention?" wrote the account @sto_k. "Republicans just flagrantly and brazenly showcase their criminality and collusion with hostile foreign governments now, apparently."
"Good lord … raise your hand if you are attending the @GOP Convention and DON’T have a criminal conviction … not too many, I’m guessing," wrote the account @DrainTheTrumps on Wednesday.
"The Republican National Convention! AKA the prison reunion show," wrote the account @DaleGaldret.