Business Insider reports:

The Democratic and Republican National Conventions concluded this week, solidifying former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris as their party’s respective nominees.

But between the partisan speeches and celebrity appearances, the ambiance of the convention — created in part by the design of the stage each candidate spoke on and the signs held by audience members — underscored each party’s priorities headed into this year’s contentious election.

A political scientist told Business Insider the stagecraft and audience participation at the conventions revealed significant differences among both the voters and the candidates themselves.

“Harris’ backdrop was more traditional American imagery while Trump’s was Trump imagery,” Christian Grose, a professor of political science and public policy at the University of Southern California, told BI. “That’s an important contrast.”

Audience members at the RNC wore bandages on their ears as a symbol of support for Trump, who had survived an assassination attempt days prior. His defiant, fist-in-the-air pose from just after being shot was seen on posters and t-shirts around the convention hall.

Perhaps the most striking difference was each candidate’s stage design. Harris, at the DNC on August 22, stood in front of a row of American flags. When Trump took the stage at the RNC on July 18, he stood in front of a Broadway-style display of his name in lights. [Continue reading…]