RNC Day 3: JD Vance accepts nomination for vice president as Trump watches on

Former president's 17-year-old granddaughter speaks

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Last updated: Thursday, July 18, 2024 9:23AM GMT
RNC DAY 3 RECAP: Trump watches running mate JD Vance

MILWAUKEE -- Day 3 of the Republican National Convention featured the prime-time debut of J.D. Vance, introducing himself both to Republicans and Americans nationwide.

Former President Donald Trump made an appearance at the convention hall to watch his running mate make his national debut.

His 17-year-old granddaughter spoke, as well, humanizing her grandfather.

Wednesday's theme at the RNC was "Make America Strong Once Again."

As the RNC's evening session was about to begin, the Biden campaign announced that the president had contracted COVID-19 and would be flying to Delaware to quarantine.

ABCNews logo
Jul 17, 2024, 5:25 PM GMT

Donald Trump's granddaughter Kai Trump to speak at RNC tonight

Donald Trump Jr.'s daughter Kai Trump is scheduled to speak at the Republican National Convention tonight at 9 p.m. CT/10 p.m. ET tonight, she posted on her social media account.

"I am honored to be speaking at the RNC at 9 pm (CDT)," she posted with a photo of former President Donald Trump and Sen. JD Vance side by side.

Kai Trump, a 17-year-old daughter between Donald Trump Jr. and his ex-wife Vanessa Trump, is the eldest of Trump's 10 grandchildren.

Over the weekend, she posted a photo of the former president pumping his fist after being shot at his Pennsylvania campaign rally, writing: "We love you Grandpa. Never stop fighting!"

In June, she posted a photo of herself with Donald Trump at what appears to be a Turning Point Action event in Detroit, Michigan.

BySoorin Kim, Lalee Ibssa, Kelsey Walsh ABCNews logo
Jul 17, 2024, 4:48 PM GMT

Trump to attend RNC tonight

Trump will attend the RNC events Wednesday evening -- as he has the previous two days.

The former president is expected to enter the arena around the same time as Tuesday night -- around 8:02 p.m. CT.

The last two days, Trump, with a bandaged ear, has entered Fiserv Forum to cheers from his supporters and chants of "fight, fight, fight" as he pumps his fist in the air -- a callback to his response shortly after an assassination attempt on him at his rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday.

ByAlexandra Hutzler ABCNews logo
Jul 17, 2024, 2:45 PM GMT

Wisconsin voters speak on Trump, Biden and America's divisions in wake of shooting

It had been less than 48 hours since the attempted assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump, and for four Wisconsin voters, it was yet another sign of how divided the nation has become.

Valori Schmidt, a Republican living in Milwaukee, described the shooting at the former president's Pennsylvania rally as a "wake-up call."

"Unfortunately, it wasn't necessarily a surprise because the climate of hatred has escalated to such a high level," Schmidt said. "The wake up call is we must take the temperature down. We must become more civil, and we must start being factual and not not name calling and just saying awful things about one another."

Next to her, Gary Berns, a fellow Milwaukeean who votes Democratic, replied: "I can't disagree with that."

Berns and Schmidt, joined by other local residents Julie Buckholt and Charlene Abughrin, sat down with ABC News at Miss Katie's Diner just as the Republican National Convention was kicking off in their hometown.

"As far as the loudness and the anger calling, I mean he brings that on himself," Berns said of Trump. Schmidt later countered that Trump, "has been vilified as a Hitler, as an anti-American, as an extremist ... it's been nonstop from all aspects."

Read more here.

ABCNews logo
Jul 17, 2024, 2:17 PM GMT

Tonight's theme is 'Make America Strong Once Again'

The RNC says speakers today with focus on "Chinese Military and Economic Threats, Border Security, Energy Security and Securing the Peace/Restoring America's Place in the World Israel."

Featured speakers include: Peter Navarro, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, Kellyanne Conway, Kimberly Guilfoyle, and Reps. Nancy Mace, Brian Mast, Ronny Jackson, Matt Gaetz, Monica De La Cruz, Anna Paulina Luna, and Michael Waltz.