Trump is back out in the spotlight for the first time after his assassination attempt, and he's wearing a massive rectangular bandage over his ear

• Donald Trump has appeared at his first major event since being shot at in Butler, Pennsylvania.
• He arrived at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee with a giant bandage on his ear.
• The crowd welcomed him with applause and cheers as "God Bless the USA" by Lee Greenwood played.

Former President Donald Trump is back out in public for his first major appearance after he got shot at during a Saturday rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

He pulled up to the first day of the Republican National Convention 2024 in Milwaukee, sporting a massive rectangular bandage that covered almost his entire ear.

The crowd erupted into applause as Trump entered the venue, and Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA" played.

Like his pose in a photograph from Saturday snapped by the Associated Press' Evan Vucci, Trump was seen pumping his fist while waving to the crowd of conservatives in Milwaukee.

Trump was seen ducking for cover after gunshots rang out at the Pennsylvania rally. He later stood up with blood streaks on his face and pumped his fist in front of rallygoers in Butler in a show of defiance.

Trump earlier said he was glad he didn't have to die for the viral photo.

"A lot of people say it's the most iconic photo they've ever seen," Trump said to the New York Post on Sunday. "They're right, and I didn't die. Usually, you have to die to have an iconic picture."

The 20-year-old gunman has been identified, and an investigation into the assassination attempt is ongoing.

Trump's first public appearance at the RNC was after he selected Sen. JD Vance of Ohio as his vice presidential nominee.

Vance, 39, is the author of the bestseller memoir, "Hillbilly Elegy." He was once a Trump critic, and per leaked text messages from 2016, once told his college roommate that he feared Trump might become "America's Hitler."

But Vance has now made it clear that as vice president, he intends to be a Trump loyalist.

"As Vice President, J.D. will continue to fight for our Constitution, stand with our Troops, and will do everything he can to help me MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN," Trump said when announcing his pick on Truth Social on Monday.

A representative for Trump did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Business Insider sent outside regular business hours.