Uplifting speeches and actions during the 2020 Republican National Convention are striking cords with Trump supporters who feel the media is not accurately portraying the positive aspects of the political event. Night two of the RNC featured numerous female speakers including first lady Melanie Trump, as well as first responders and average Americans who owned businesses. Rich George, a Republican voter in the swing state of Michigan, enjoyed seeing a "great cross-section" of speakers who he believes shared motivational messages. "It was very hopeful. It was very optimistic," George said. "I know I was really struck by the orchestrated calls of how dark the first day was, the first day of the convention. That everything was dark, it was dark, dark tones. And that just struck me as there is no way that you could call the second night of the convention dark at all." George said he was surprised to see President Donald Trump sign a pardon for Jon Ponder, a convicted felon who now runs the social service organization Hope for Prisoners. "I didn't expect that. I just thought we were hearing this story of redemption," George said. "We all need to hear stories of redemption. We all need that in our own life. It's something that really does affect so many of us." During his second surprise appearance of the night, Trump helped conduct a naturalization ceremony for a diverse group of five new American citizens. Republican voter Zach Lahring likened the moment to America representing a beacon of light to those seeking freedom and opportunity for a better life. "The idea that Trump is supporting women and minorities and immigration, legal immigration is a very powerful message," Lahring said. Another speaker who resonated with Trump's political base was Kentucky teenager Nick Sandmann, who is known for video of his interaction with a Native American man during dueling demonstrations at the Lincoln Memorial in 2019. Lahring respects Sandmann's courage to stand up to the media, and to express his first amendment rights by proudly wearing his red "Make America Great Again" hat both during the viral moment and again at the end of his convention speech. "I actually know a lot of people that own Trump hats but don't necessarily wear them unless it's a political event or where they might feel safe," Lahring said. "When (Sandmann) got pushed, he pushed back a little bit. He kind of reminded me of Trump in that aspect. He went after some of the media that had come, came after him. It was an outstanding speech from a young man that I was very encouraged by him." Both George and Lahring enjoyed other convention speakers who focused on popular conservative policies like Abby Johnson, a former Planned Parenthood employee who made a convincing argument for becoming pro-life. ------------------ For More News and Videos SUBSCRIBE and Turn Notifications On https://bit.ly/2r0BEND Get a Digital Subscription to the Tampa Bay Times https://bit.ly/2Xinunj Follow us: Facebook ► https://www.facebook.com/tampabaycom Twitter ► https://twitter.com/TB_Times Instagram ► https://www.instagram.com/tampabaytimes