Former US president Donald Trump has told a packed crowd of supporter he is alive only because he has “God on my side” while formally accepting the Republican party’s nomination for president.

Trump, who narrowly survived an assassination attempt at a rally in Pennsylvania last week, on Friday (Australian time) told the Republican National Convention, the ordeal was too “painful” to recount again.

He did, however, describe how “there was blood pouring everywhere and yet, in a certain way I felt very safe because I had God on my side”.

Trump’s speech in Milwaukee for the RNC is his first since the shooting. Still wearing a bandage over the ear that was shot, Trump told the crowd he came with a “message of confidence, strength and hope.”

“I am running to be president for all America, not half of America because there is no victory in winning for half of America,” he said.

It came as Democrat incumbent Joe Biden was said to be “soul searching” about staying in the race to November’s presidential election.

Biden, 81, has faced increasing pressure from heavyweights in his party to cede his position at the top of the ticket after a shoddy debate performance against Trump raised fears about his age and ability to win in November.

The President, who is isolating in Delaware with Covid, has pushed back defiantly against, arguing that he has won millions of votes in primary races in recent months.

But calls have mounted for him to stand aside, including reportedly from Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, former House speaker Nancy Pelosi and, most recently, his predecessor as Democrat president, Barack Obama.

Back in Milwaukee, Trump asked for a minute’s silence for Corey Comperatore, the man killed during the attempted assassination. While the crowd was silent, he kissed Comperatore’s fireman’s helmet, which was displayed on stage.

He then went on to demand his Democratic Party opponents drop their “witch hunt” against him.

“If Democrats want to unify our country, they should drop these partisan witch hunts, which I have been going through for approximately eight years,” Trump said.

“They should do that without delay and allow an election to proceed that is worthy of our people. We’re going to win it anyway.”

Before Trump took the stage, there were wild scenes as former professional wrestler Hulk Hogan delivered a fiery speech in support of his “hero”.

“When I came here tonight, there was so much energy in this room, I thought maybe I was in Madison Square Garden getting ready to win another title,” Hogan said.

“But what I found out was I was in a room full of real Americans, brother.”

As he spoke, Hogan – whose real name is Terry Bollea – tore off his shirt to reveal a red cutoff tank top emblazoned with Trump and Vance (for vice-presidential candiation JD Vance).

“I didn’t come here as Hulk Hogan, but I just had to give you a little taste,” he said.

Hogan was followed by rockstar Kid Rock. He performed American Bad Ass, at times stopping to lead the audience in chants of “say Trump! Trump!” and, “say fight! fight!” – an apparent reference to Trump’s gesture in the minutes after Saturday’s shooting.

“Ladies and gentlemen, get ready for the most patriotic American bad ass on Earth, President Donald J. Trump,” he said.

Ivanka Trump, Don Jr. and Eric Trump were among those in the crowd.

They were joined by Trump’s wife, Melania, in her first public appearance in months. Clad in red, Melania smiled and waved but did not speak as she joined the extended Trump clan.

Later there was a standing ovation as Trump paid tribute to her.

“On this journey, I am deeply honoured to be joined by my amazing wife, Melania,” he said.

-more to come