Ex-Reagan adviser schools Trump ahead of RNC speech: 'Change the temper'

After a gunman opened fire in what appears to have been an assassination attempt on ex-President Donald Trump Saturday, several political experts have compared the incident to the 1981 assassination attempt on Ronald Reagan, noting that the late US president responded with a message of unity — not division.

David Gergen, a former Reagan adviser, on Sunday spoke with CNN's Manu Raju, suggesting that although Trump is likely "shaken" by the attempt on his life, the former president has a responsibility to try "to bring people together" after such a horrific act of violence.

Gergen says Trump has an opportunity to do that this week when the MAGA hopeful addresses the Republican National Convention crowd in Milwaukee.

READ MORE: Secret Service rep debunks MAGA claim security request was denied for Trump rally

"You alluded to this, about what this moment for Trump — as he says he's going to plan to still deliver this speech — expected on Thursday from Milwaukee at the site of the Republican convention," Raju said to the ex-presidential adviser, asking, "What would you tell Trump ahead of this speech this week?"

Gergen replied, "Don't give up your principles, but change the temper and the way you present them, and in way you try to bring people along."

He continued, "Stop riding on other people's coattails, or slamming the Left one day after another. There are an awful lot of people in that crowd in Pennsylvania who would like to see Trump succeed. And you could just feel it in the air and the conversations that CN reporters had with various people there. This is a very, very big test for the country, but also for the Trump administration."

Politico reports that MAGA "campaign senior advisers Chris LaCivita and Susie Wiles sent a memo to staff indicating that the RNC convention will continue as planned, but that staff should stay away from campaign offices as locations are assessed and new security measures are implemented."

READ MORE: Historian recalls bipartisan unity after 1981 Reagan assassination attempt: 'We came together'

Watch the video below or at this link.

Ex-Reagan advisor shares advice for Trump following rally shooting: 'Change the temper'youtu.be