34 American Things At The Republican National Convention That Would Make ZERO SENSE To Non-Americans

    It's the bulldog named Babydog for me.

    Matt Stopera
    by Matt Stopera

    BuzzFeed Staff

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    The Republican National Convention just finished its four-day nominating ceremony.

    A crowd celebrates in front of a stage, surrounded by red, white, and gold balloons. The event has a festive atmosphere with many people taking photos
    Jim Watson / AFP via Getty Images

    And let me tell you, no country, and I mean no country, does politics quite like the U.S.

    A person wearing a bedazzled "TRUMP" hat and a decorated red jacket celebrates with both fists in the air
    Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images

    Here are the moments that would surely confuse the absolute hell out of people who are not American:

    1. First of all, this bulldog:

    A man in a suit and tie speaks from a podium with teleprompters on either side. A bulldog sits on a chair to his left
    Bill Clark / CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images
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    His name is "Babydog," and he's the governor of West Virginia's dog.

    A bulldog walks on a glossy floor, showing its reflection
    Bill Clark / CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

    He got his own seat on the main stage.

    Bulldog sitting on a black leather couch, facing the camera with its tongue out. The background is blurred and not relevant to the content
    Anadolu / Anadolu via Getty Images

    2. Hulk Hogan giving a keynote speech...

    A muscular man wearing a red Trump Vance 2024 tank top and red bandana poses with a flexed arm and a pointed finger gesture at a podium
    Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images

    ...and then Hulk Hogan ripping off his shirt:

    Hulk Hogan, wearing a red bandana, tears open his shirt while speaking at the Republican National Convention. The CNN ticker reads, "Republican National Convention"
    CNN

    3. Donald Trump blowing Hulk a kiss:

    Why is Trump blowing kisses at Hulk Hogan at the RNC? pic.twitter.com/RvQ0p7lEPK

    — ReviewHateUSA (@ItsA_CultOfHate) July 19, 2024
    CNBC/Twitter: @ItsA_CultOfHate

    4. All of the people wearing fake ear bandages in solidarity with former President Trump:

    Several attendees, including a woman wearing a red "Make America Great Again" hat, listen at an event, some with bandages on their ears post-surgery
    Joe Raedle / Getty Images

    5. Like, this guy just straight-up taped a napkin to his head:

    An older man is wearing a hat with the Arizona state flag and an American flag napkin under the brim. He appears to be at a public event
    The Washington Post / The Washington Post via Getty Images

    6. There was also a "free ear patch" station outside of the venue:

    Spotted outside the RNC pic.twitter.com/EBGf6n0hvC

    — Robert Downen (@RobertDownen_) July 18, 2024
    Twitter: @RobertDownen_

    7. Donald Trump appearing on stage in dramatic broadway fashion.

    Trump on Broadway pic.twitter.com/307IkYbVcB

    — Hamdi Rifai حمدي الرفاعي 🇺🇸 (@HamdiRifaiJD) July 19, 2024
    CSPAN/Twitter: @HamdiRifaiJD

    8. Amber Rose being a keynote speaker.

    Amber Rose is currently speaking at the Republican National Convention: pic.twitter.com/gaohfENXiH

    — philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) July 16, 2024
    Twitter: @Phil_Lewis_

    9. A reality TV star being another keynote speaker.

    Savannah Chrisley stands at a podium, smiling and wearing a white dress with short sleeves, during a formal event
    Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images

    10. This hat:

    A person wears a festive hat featuring a bobblehead doll with American flag-themed accessories and decorations at a political event
    Joe Raedle / Getty Images
    A bobblehead of President Joe Biden in a leather jacket and sunglasses is surrounded by rocket decorations, resembling a patriotic theme
    Andrew Harnik / Getty Images

    11. This Donald trump with laser eyes fan:

    A woman holds a fan with an illustration of Donald Trump against a backdrop of the American flag. Another person is blurred in the background
    Leon Neal / Getty Images

    12. This large Trump head gold chain:

    Person wears a shirt reading "Impeached, Arrested, Convicted, Shot, Still Standing" with a picture of Donald Trump. They wear gold chains and rings
    Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

    13. These tights:

    Two individuals stand on a red carpet. One wears white sneakers and a sparkly dress; the other wears gold light-up shoes and leggings printed with images of Donald Trump
    Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

    14. This gown:

    Joy Villa wears a "Don't Tread on Me" dress, speaking with five police officers inside a building with a crowd and a poster of Donald Trump in the background
    Brendan Smialowski / AFP via Getty Images

    15. This gown:

    A woman in a dress adorned with American flag motifs shows the year "2024" and "America's Comeback!"
    Jim Watson / AFP via Getty Images

    16. And these socks:

    Close-up of a person's feet wearing socks with Donald Trump's face and shoes with the word "TRUMP" on them. Another person in high heels is visible in the background
    The Washington Post / The Washington Post via Getty Images

    The European mind could not comprehend the fashion. 

    17. This man with a "Hi mom" and "Fire Joe Biden" sign.

    A man in a crowd holds a sign reading "Hi Mom Fire Joe Biden 2024" during a political rally. People around him are wearing various attire with political slogans
    Scott Olson / Getty Images

    18. Kid Rock.

    That cut from Kid Rock & zoom into Melania’s reaction is perfection pic.twitter.com/e8GS08qg8k

    — Tom Reagan’s Hat (@RufusTSuperfly) July 19, 2024
    CNN/Twitter: @RufusTSuperfly

    19. A group of men wearing cheese heads with "MAGA" written on them:

    Supporters with cheese hats and "MAGA" text enthusiastically cheer at a rally, making hand gestures and wearing lanyards
    Patrick T. Fallon / AFP via Getty Images

    20. This person who wrote "Jesus #1" on his cheesehead:

    People wear cheese-shaped hats, some with "Trump" stickers, at a political rally. A woman yells in the background
    Scott Olson / Getty Images

    21. These delegates saluting with their cheese hats:

    Crowd at an event holds up large, foam cheese hats. Unidentified individuals celebrate enthusiastically. The background includes the text "GREAT AGAIN."
    Brendan Smialowski / AFP via Getty Images

    They're from Wisconsin, duh. 

    22. These people selling "Trump poetry" which is just a book of his old Tweets:

    I haven’t laughed this hard while writing a story in a while.

    Two men have a booth set up at the RNC selling a coffee table book of Trump’s tweets.

    They swear they’re not trolling. pic.twitter.com/9jNMvDvmUm

    — Cate Martel (@CateMartel) July 18, 2024
    Twitter: @CateMartel

    23. This man selling Trump cereal:

    A person stands behind a table displaying various Trump-themed cereal boxes outdoors. The boxes feature illustrations of former President Donald Trump
    Jim Vondruska / Getty Images

    24. A "I'm voting for the convicted felon" tee:

    Table with "Make America Great Again" hats, pro-Trump merchandise, and two police officers in the background
    Jim Vondruska / Getty Images

    25. And all of the people wearing elephant hats:

    Man wearing a suit, tie, and elephant hat stands in front of two TV screens showing a crowded indoor event
    Bill Clark / CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

    Surely, non-Americans would be confused by the whole donkey and elephant thing.

    26. This "freedom and shit" hat:

    A person wearing a white cowboy hat with the text "TRUMP BECAUSE I KINDA LIKE FREEDOM AND SHIT" printed on it
    Leon Neal / Getty Images

    27. This blazer:

    People at an event. A man is wearing a jacket with repeated prints of Donald Trump's face. Other people are engaged in conversation
    Joe Raedle / Getty Images

    28. These $400 Trump shoes:

    Spotted someone wearing a pair of the $399 Trump sneakers here at RNC pic.twitter.com/zStRJ4F77p

    — Tia "Very Calm Sis" Mitchell (@TIAreports) July 18, 2024
    Twitter: @TIAreports

    29. And this Melania Trump dress:

    A woman wears a sleeveless dress with an image of Melania Trump on it, holding her phone and shopping bag, among a crowd of seated people
    Brendan Smialowski / AFP via Getty Images

    I mean, come on, how can you say Americans have no culture (lol)?

    30. A dog in a cowboy hat:

    A black poodle wearing a red cowboy hat with an American flag badge and a harness with a patriotic lion badge sits facing the camera
    Leon Neal / Getty Images

    31. Russell Brand being there:

    Russell Brand wears sunglasses and a black shirt with a deep V-neck. He is surrounded by people, engaged in conversation at a formal event
    Leon Neal / Getty Images

    He's British.

    32. A man dressed up as hospital patient Joe Biden with a "mental health matters" sign:

    Person wearing a "Mental Health Matters" shirt stands among crowd on a red carpet at an event. Various others are around, taking photos and mingling
    Jim Watson / AFP via Getty Images

    33. A rat randomly being outside the venue:

    Person in a large rodent costume holds a sign reading "$22 billion to save animals last year!" during an urban street protest
    Nick Oxford / AFP via Getty Images

    34. And lastly, the fact that it ended with an opera performance:

    The #RNC closed with an opera performance.

    Not at all what I expected, but I quite liked it. pic.twitter.com/0smJX2AQBB

    — Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) July 19, 2024
    Twitter: @BasedMikeLee
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