After more than an hour-and-a-half, former President Trump wrapped up a speech that outlined his vision for America.
He was joined on stage by his family as red, white, blue, and gold balloons fell from the ceiling onto the convention floor. Joining them was Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio), and his wife, Usha Vance.
“If the events of last Saturday make anything clear, it is that every single moment we have on Earth is a gift from God,” former President Trump said to Franklin Graham during his speech. “We have to make the most of every day for the people and for the country that we love.”
The would-be assassin in Pennsylvania, he said, “wanted to stop our movement.” But, he told the crowd, the movement was never about him.
“It has always been about you,” he said. “It's your movement. The biggest movement in the history of our country.
Former President Donald Trump decried the Biden administration’s green energy and electric vehicle initiatives.
“I'm all for electric. They have their application, but if somebody wants to buy a gas-powered car, gasoline-powered car, or hybrid, they're going to be able to do it,” he said.
Former President Trump called on those who are holding Americans hostage to release them or face repercussions.
"We want our hostages back and they better be back well, you will be paying a very big price," he said.
Eight Americans have been held hostage by the Hamas terrorist group since Oct. 7, 2023, when it launched its attack on Israel.
During his July 13 rally in Pennsylvania, former President Trump was looking and reading off a chart related to illegal immigration numbers when he was president. It was while looking at the chart that a bullet grazed his right ear.
It was the turning of his head to look at the chart that he said saved his life in the assassination attempt.
The “chart that saved my life” was displayed on screens as the former president spoke on July 18.
Former President Trump told the audience about a waitress who had talked to him about her tips being taxed.
“There's just very little cash given, it's all put right on the check. And they come in and they take so much of our money. It's just ridiculous,” he recalled the waitress telling him.
“I got my information from a very smart waitress. That's better than spending millions of dollars” on consultants, he said.
Former President Trump recalled the U.S.–China trade deal negotiated in early 2020 in which China agreed to buy $50 billion worth of American goods.
He said, “I don't even talk about it because of COVID. I don't even mention it frankly because of what happened with the China virus.”
He lamented the United States importing cars from China and abroad and pledged to enact a 100 percent to 200 percent tariff on cars not made in the United States, if elected.
Former President Trump gave a shout out to his running mate, Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio).
He lauded Mr. Vance’s law credential and noted that he and his wife, Usha Vance, met at Yale Law.
If the Trump–Vance ticket wins, Usha Vance will be the first spouse of a vice president of Indian descent and the first woman of color.
Former President Trump honored his wife, Melania, and thanked her for writing her letter to America calling for national unity
“I am deeply honored to be joined by my amazing wife Melania,” the former president said during his acceptance speech. “Melania, thank you very much.”
“It really took the Republican Party by surprise,” he said of the letter. "I will tell you it was beautiful.”
Former President Trump held a moment of silence for firefighter Corey Comperatore, who was killed in the assassination attempt against him during his July 13 rally in Pennsylvania.
"But Corey unfortunately, we have to use the past tense,” he said before the moment of silence. “He was incredible.”
Former President Trump paused his nomination acceptance speech to give praise and remembrance to Corey Comperatore, the man who lost his life during the assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13.
“He was incredible,” said President Trump during his July 18 speech.
“He lost his life selflessly acting as a human shield to protect them from flying bullets,” he said. “He went right over the top of them and was hit. What a fine man.”
Former President Donald Trump, just after accepting the GOP presidential nomination, recalled surviving the assassination attempt against him at the July 13 rally in Pennsylvania.
"Let me begin this evening by expressing my gratitude to the American people for your outpouring of love and support following the assassination attempt at my rally on Saturday. As you already know the assassin's bullet came within a quarter of an inch of taking my life," he said.
"So many people have asked me what happened. Tell us what happened please. And therefore I will tell you exactly what happened,” he said. “And you will never hear it from me a second time because it's actually too painful to tell. It was a warm, beautiful day in the early evening in Butler Township in the great Commonwealth of Pennsylvania."
Former President Donald Trump formally accepted the GOP’s nomination for President of the United States July 18.
“I am running to be president for all of America. Not half of America because there is no victory in winning for half of America,” he said.
“So tonight, with faith and devotion I proudly accept your nomination for president of the United States.”
Former President Trump has taken the stage to Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA.”
On stage is firefighter Corey Comperatore's uniform. Mr. Comperatore was killed during the assassination attempt against former President Trump in Pennsylvania on July 13.
UFC CEO Dana White introduced his longtime friend, former President Donald Trump, ahead of the formal nomination acceptance speech.
He said former President Trump asked him a couple weeks ago to address the RNC.
He relayed a text message: “I only wish you didn't have to interrupt your family trip. But I hope they understand. They love you. And they know how important this is.”
Music artist Kid Rock took the stage at the RNC and immediately took the audience back to former President Trump’s first action and words after he survived an assassination attempt on July 13.
Performing a rendition of “American Bad-[expletive],” which consisted of several pro-Trump lyrics, he told the audience to raise a fist in the air and shout, “Fight! Fight!” and later in the song he had them chant “Trump! Trump!”
At the song’s conclusion Kid Rock introduced the CEO of UFC, Dana White.
Former First Lady Melania Trump has walked into the arena to take her seat in her family box. She walked in to background music from Beethoven’s 9th Symphony.
Mrs. Trump is not a scheduled speaker, but her husband will deliver the final speech of the night, accepting the GOP nod.
She has taken a backseat during her husband’s campaign.
The Trump campaign has released excerpts of former President Trump’s speech accepting the GOP presidential nomination. It includes the former president addressing the attempt on his life over the weekend.
Here are some excerpts obtained by The Epoch Times:
"I stand before you this evening with a message of confidence, strength, and hope. Four months from now, we will have an incredible victory, and we will begin the four greatest years in the history of our country."
Franklin Graham took the stage and asked the audience to stand as he led them in a prayer for the nation.
With hearts turned skyward, Mr. Graham gave thanks for former President Donald Trump, Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio), and their families, and asked for protection and guidance for them and all of the nation’s political leaders. He also prayed for unity.
“Our nation is in trouble,” he said. “We’re divided politically, racially, economically, with millions of people seeking refuge and hope and are dry and thirsty land. They're the only ones who can fix the complexity of the problems that we face today.
Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.) told The Epoch Times he “learned long ago not to try and predict what Donald Trump will and won’t do.”
“I think no one knows what Donald Trump is going to say,” Saurabh Sharma, the executive director of the conservative staffing organization American Moment, told The Epoch Times.
Mr. Sharma didn’t comment in detail about former President Trump's running mate, Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio), a man closely tied to American Moment. He rejected labels such as “postliberalism” while acknowledging that the former president had initiated a radical change in the American system.
Wrestling legend Hulk Hogan, firing up the crowd, took off his suit jacket, and ripped his shirt to reveal a Trump–Vance shirt underneath.
The crowd went wild.
"I didn't come here as Hulk Hogan, but I just had to give you a little taste of my name,” he said. “My name is Terry Bollea.”
Former President Donald Trump re-entered the arena and walked up to his box shortly before wrestling icon Hulk Hogan addressed the crowd.
He was joined by members of his family including his daughter, Ivanka Trump, and her husband, Jared Kushner—both of whom served in the Trump administration but have not been involved in his current presidential campaign.
President Trump is scheduled to be the last speaker of the night after accepting the GOP presidential nomination.
Rapper Forgiato Blow was one of many Trumpworld personalities working the halls of the Fiserv Forum.
In an interview with The Epoch Times, he defended the appearance of model and rapper Amber Rose at the RNC, describing her as key to building a bigger constituency—in line with the “big tent” theme resounding through Milwaukee.
He said the hip-hop world loved Trump before his presidency.
Tucker Carlson said that former President Trump’s example in Pennsylvania exemplifies what it means to be a true leader.
“A leader is the bravest man,” he said to applause.
“That is true in all human organizations. This is a law of nature,” he said, crediting the president’s bravery with preventing a chaotic situation from spiraling further out of control.
FREEPORT, Pa.—A steady stream of mourners from around the country gathered in Freeport on July 18 to honor the life of Corey Comperatore, the 50-year-old retired fire chief who was killed last Saturday when a gunman attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump.
A husband and father of two daughters, Mr. Comperatore took his family to former President Trump’s rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, about a half-hour from his home in rural western Pennsylvania.
From bleacher seats behind the podium, he watched former President Trump speak. When gunfire erupted, Mr. Comperatore threw himself on top of his family to shield them.
Trump lawyer Alina Habba recalled walking the streets of Manhattan after a trial when she heard a man nearby say “God bless you and President Trump.”
She was on the phone with President Trump as this was happening and the former president asked Ms. Habba to put the man on the phone.
He got to “spend time speaking to him and thanking him for his support,” Ms. Habba recalled.
Entrepreneur and friend of former President Donald Trump Steve Wifkoff reflected on their phone call after Saturday’s assassination attempt.
Mr. Wifkoff said he expected to get a voicemail, but was surprised to find out that not only did former President Trump pick up the phone, but he asked nothing of himself.
“He just came within an inch of his own life ending,” Mr. Wifkoff said. “But he picked up the phone and said, ‘Hi Steve. I'm really glad you called. How are you? How are your kids?’”
Shortly before 8 p.m. ET, former President Donald Trump walked into the Fiserv Forum to thunderous applause. He entered his box with guests including Sens. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Mike Lee (R-Utah) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas), and GOP Senate candidates including Eric Hovde and Sam Brown.
He is scheduled to be the final speaker of the convention. His speech is expected to run 90 minutes.
Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo touted the Trump administration’s foreign policy accomplishments.
He mentioned the “maximum pressure” campaign of sanctions on Iran and the destruction of the Islamic State caliphate.
Mr. Pompeo, who also served as President Donald Trump’s CIA director, contrasted the former president’s policies with the current administration when it comes to Afghanistan, China, Russia and Iran.
FREEPORT, Pa.—A steady stream of mourners from around the country gathered in Freeport on July 18 to honor the life of Corey Comperatore, the 50-year-old retired fire chief who was killed last Saturday when a gunman attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump.
From bleacher seats behind the podium, he watched former President Trump speak. When gunfire erupted, Mr. Comperatore threw himself on top of his family to shield them. His last words were, “Get down!” his wife, Helen, told the New York Post.
Mr. Comperatore served as chief of the Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Company before stepping away to spend more time with his family.
Striding through the halls of the Fiserv Forum, Democrat strategist and former senior advisor to President Barack Obama, David Axelrod told The Epoch Times he won't comment on a report that President Biden may drop out this weekend.
White House senior deputy press secretary Andrew Bates refuted the report, saying “this fan fiction is wrong.”
Media coverage of the RNC in Milwaukee has emphasized the “unity” among Republicans.
Diane Hendricks took the stage in Milwaukee and introduced herself as “living proof that the American dream is possible with hard work and determination.”
“Today, the American dream is under threat,” she said. “Prices have risen over 20 percent. Aspiring entrepreneurs can't afford to take out a loan at 7, 10, 15 percent interest. Regulations have surged, and the administration has proposed $7 trillion in tax increases.
“I know how hard it is to build a company from nothing. And we need a president who understands that too.”
“Joe Biden” won’t show up anywhere in former President Donald Trump’s remarks tonight.
A source familiar with the speech confirmed to The Epoch Times that the Republican Party’s choice for president will omit his chief rival’s name.
Former President Trump said he rewrote his speech after an assassination attempt in Pennsylvania on July 13.
Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) told The Epoch Times he expects to see “a different Donald Trump” tonight, when the former president delivers his first public speech since surviving an assassination attempt in Pennsylvania last weekend.
“I hope it sticks,” Mr. Burchett said.
MILWAUKEE—Former President Donald Trump’s acceptance speech this evening will put the capstone on the series of emotional, historic events that preceded it, delegates and a political scientist say.
His campaign staff confirmed to The Epoch Times that the former president is writing his own remarks, a departure from the norm.
The speech, which will formalize his nomination as the Republicans’ presidential candidate, promises to be one of the most important he has made since entering political life in 2015. It is set for just after 9 p.m. CT. His running mate, Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio), accepted the party’s nomination for vice president on July 17.
Just days ago, the 78-year-old former president survived an assassination attempt, then jumped headlong into one of the most extraordinary political gatherings that political scientist Susan MacManus has ever seen.
“I’ve been covering conventions since 1992, and I’ve never seen the energy among Republicans that I’ve seen at this conference—never,” Ms. MacManus told The Epoch Times on July 18, the final day of the Republican National Convention.
She said a combination of factors had coalesced support for former President Trump, turning the ideal of “unity” into an apparent reality for the party faithful. She believes he will reinforce that notion during his speech, emphasize his policies, and compare his record to that of the incumbent, President Joe Biden.
Robin Medeiros, 63, an alternate delegate from Pennsylvania, told The Epoch Times that she has frequently volunteered for political campaigns over the years but has never seen “everyone really unifying and just coming together as one.”
“I feel it. It’s so incredible. You walk into that convention, and you just feel it,” she said.
Ms. Medeiros and others said support for former President Trump, his policies, and his performance as president during 2017-21 had already been strong. But the criminal prosecutions he has faced and the attempt to take his life multiplied that effect.
Immediately after being shot at a Pennsylvania rally on July 13, former President Trump rose to his feet. As blood trickled down his face, he pumped his fist in the air and shouted, “Fight!”—a chant repeated dozens of times since the GOP convention began on July 15.
That moment reflected his grit—and amplified respect for him, Ms. Medeiros said.
“He wanted to let everybody know that he’s still there and still fighting for them,” she said.
“It’s just a positive thing, and he’s showing his strength, and he’s showing that he’s there for us still, even though he had just been shot.”
As the nation watches his acceptance speech, Ms. MacManus said people are expecting the former president to appear presidential and strong and to again emphasize the party’s unification.
The former president has also benefited from the current uncertainty inside the Democratic Party, according to Ms. MacManus. President Biden has rebuffed calls for him to step aside that started after a poor debate performance at the end of June.Asked what she expects from the 45th president’s speech, Ms. Medeiros said, “I think he’s going to wrap it all up and say, you know, we just need to stick together, and we’re going to win this thing.”
“The air is so electrified here, and everyone is so positive—and we’re all going to walk away still feeling that.”
MILWAUKEE—The music artist, Kid Rock, is expected to hit the stage tonight at the Republican National Convention with a customized version of his hit tune, “American Bad-[expletive].”
Thursday afternoon, the musician who is known not to mince words could be heard rehearsing in the Fiserv Forum, where the convention’s main events have been held.
He added the lyrics, “Trump! Trump!” and “Fight! Fight!” to the song, evoking the words that former President Donald Trump spoke after he rose to his feet, bloodied from a would-be assassin’s bullet, and pumped his fist in the air.
Lou Dobbs, a longtime television host, has died at age 78.
“It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of ’the great Lou Dobbs,'” his representatives said in a statement on July 18.
“Lou was a fighter till the very end—fighting for what mattered to him the most, God, his family, and the country.”
“The President is still experiencing mild upper respiratory symptoms associated with his recent COVID-19 infection. He continues to receive Paxlovid,” Dr. O'Connor said.
“He does not have a fever and his vital signs remain normal. He will continue to conduct the business of the American people. With the President’s permission, I will continue to provide regular updates, as we have done before.”
On the final night of the RNC, here’s a list of notable speakers, in chronological order:
Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.), chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee
Rep. Richard Hudson (R-N.C.), chairman of the National Republican Campaign Committee
A campaign manager for President Joe Biden’s re-election bid condemned an appearance by Peter Navarro at the Republican National Convention.
“I think that it tells you everything you need to know about who the Republican Party is under Donald Trump, having somebody who is fresh out of prison for contempt of Congress take the stage,” Quentin Fulks told The Epoch Times.
The former director of the Office of Trade and Manufacturing appeared at the convention after finishing a four-month stint in prison earlier that day. He was convicted on criminal contempt of Congress after defying the House’s Jan. 6 Committee.
President Joe Biden is staying in the presidential race, his campaign reiterated on July 18.
“Our campaign is not working through any scenarios where President Biden is not the top of the ticket. He is and will be the Democratic nominee,” principal deputy campaign manager Quentin Fulks told reporters.
The confirmation was made as some Democrats remain concerned over the viability of the president’s candidacy since his debate last month with former President Trump.
The manager of the Pennsylvania township that hosted a campaign rally where a gunman fired shots at former President Donald Trump on July 13 said that local officers radioed a call on a tactical channel about a “suspicious male” near the warehouse where he ultimately perched.
In a statement released on July 17, Butler Township Manager Tom Knights said that after the former president arrived, “a call went out for a suspicious male near the AGR building,” referring to the warehouse that was used by Thomas Matthew Crooks.
Multiple officers who were on traffic duty for the rally “broke free from their traffic intersections ... to aid in the search” for the suspicious person, the statement said.
MILWAUKEE—Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) formally accepted the Republican Party’s vice presidential nomination on July 17, pitching himself as a fighter for the forgotten corners of America.
“I will be a vice president who never forgets where he came from,” the lawyer and venture capitalist, originally from Middletown, Ohio, told the crowd at the Republican National Convention, one day before former President Donald Trump is scheduled to speak.
Mr. Vance commended his running mate for his resilience days after an attempt on his life in Pennsylvania.
With temperatures in the 90s, an ambulance was making round trips between the July 13 Pennsylvania Trump rally and the Butler Memorial Hospital. That is according to Karen Foerster, 53, who was among those overcome by the heat.
She and her husband Rick Foerster, 56, attend most Trump rallies within a 100-mile radius from their Beaver County, Pennsylvania, home. This time they had front row seats.
They arrived at 9 a.m. and gates opened at 1 p.m., but just as the first speakers started, Ms. Foerster was feeling sick from the heat. Her husband had gone to get some drinks in the car. She recalled seeing a shade tree when she entered through the event gate, so she decided to seek shade there. On her way, she ran into her husband with the drinks. He immediately recognized she was sick. He called for help and soon, a golf cart came along and whisked her to the medical tent. Before long, she was in an ambulance on her way to the hospital.
MILWAUKEE—Vice Presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance headlined Day 3 of the Republican National Convention, presenting former President Donald Trump as the man who will champion the American worker and restore the nation to a position of strength in the world.
In an acceptance speech that highlighted his humble beginnings in an economically depressed industrial town in Ohio, Mr. Vance touted the former president’s record in building the economy, championing working Americans, and securing the country.
For most of the night, political speeches took a backseat to personal stories and the party hammered the themes of border security, military strength, and strength on the international stage against Lady Liberty’s adversaries.