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
RNC DAY 3 RECAP: Trump watches running mate JD VanceVP pick JD Vance speaks at RNC. Here's what he said and what he didn't talk about.

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.

Jul 18, 2024, 12:16 AM GMT

Peter Navarro delivers speech hours after his release from prison

Peter Navarro, Trump's former White House trade adviser, was greeted with loud applause as he took to the stage hours after he was released from federal prison upon completing his sentence on contempt of Congress charges.

Navarro served four months in a low security facility in Miami for defying a subpoena from the Jan. 6. congressional committee.

Peter Navarro speaks during the Republican National Convention Wednesday, July 17, 2024, in Milwaukee.
Peter Navarro speaks during the Republican National Convention Wednesday, July 17, 2024, in Milwaukee.

"I've got a very simple message for you. If they can come for me, if they can come for Donald Trump -- be careful, they will come for you," he told the crowd.

"If we don't control our government, their government will control us," he continued.

Navarro said the "D.C. swamp" jailed him "but did not break me," as the crowd chanted "Fight, fight, fight."

"They will never break Donald Trump," he said.

Navarro called himself a "wake-up call," adding, "I went to prison so you don't have to."

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Jul 18, 2024, 2:05 AM GMT

JD Vance will get his political introduction at RNC Wednesday as Trump's pick for vice president

Introducing himself to the nation after Donald Trump picked him as his running mate, J.D. Vance is planning to use his Wednesday night address at the Republican National Convention to share the story of his hardscrabble upbringing and make the case that the GOP ticket best understands the challenges facing many Americans.

The 39-year-old Ohio senator is a relative political unknown. In his first primetime speech since becoming the nominee for vice president, Vance is expected to recount growing up poor in Kentucky and Ohio, his mother addicted to drugs and his father absent, and how he later went on to the highest levels of U.S. politics.

J.D. Vance will get his political introduction at the RNC Wednesday, as Trump's pick for vice president.

Read more.

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Jul 17, 2024, 11:43 PM GMT

Gaetz cheered as he blasts Democrats, touts Trump's policies

Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz took the stage and did not waste time laying into the Democrats and Biden over their policies.

He received loud applause from the crowd for his zingers that included a jab at New Jersey Sen. Bob Menedez, who was convicted this week on bribery charges.

"Under Biden Harris, inflation has gotten so bad you can no longer bribe Democrat senators with cash alone," he said. "You have to use gold bars just so that it holds value."

Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., gestures while speaking during the Republican National Convention on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, in Milwaukee.
Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., gestures while speaking during the Republican National Convention on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, in Milwaukee.

The crowd also laughed when Gaetz claimed under Trump that there "were only two genders."

Gaetz is currently the subject of a House Ethics Committee investigation into alleged sexual misconduct allegations but did not mention the probe during his speech. He has denied all of the allegations.

Gaetz thanked the crowd for "having his back."

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Jul 17, 2024, 11:25 PM GMT

'Mass Deportation Now!' signs being passed out

As the third night gets underway, with a national security and foreign policy theme, new signs are being given to attendees that read, "Mass Deportation Now!"

Trump has pledged to carry out the largest deportation in U.S. history if reelected, targeting millions of immigrants living in the country without legal permission.