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The Republican National Convention (RNC) kicked off on Monday, featuring a slate of pro-Trump speakers and former president Donald Trump’s long-awaited decision on his running mate.
The speakers included longtime GOP fixtures, some previous vice presidential contenders, and newcomers into Trump’s ranks of supporters. The former president also made his first major public appearance since a gunman’s bullet grazed his right ear during a campaign rally over the weekend.
The most sensational moment of the day was Trump’s entrance at the convention. The former president arrived to thunderous applause and a standing ovation. Trump’s right ear, nicked in Saturday’s assassination attempt, was bandaged.
MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! #TRUMP2024 pic.twitter.com/yKhLQQDuOu
— Dan Scavino Jr.🇺🇸🦅 (@DanScavino) July 16, 2024
The day’s biggest news was Trump’s announcement of his vice presidential pick: Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance. After the announcement, Vance gave a roughly half-hour interview to Fox News host Sean Hannity on the sidelines of the RNC.
Trump “actually has me put my seven-year-old son on the phone. If you think about this, everything that’s happened, the guy just got shot at a couple of days ago and he takes the time to talk to my seven-year-old. It’s a moment I’ll never forget,” Vance said, describing the call he received from Trump offering the vice presidential slot on the ticket.
Full Future VP JD Vance interview on Hannity pic.twitter.com/462uq4WoMv
— Karli Bonne’ 🇺🇸 (@KarluskaP) July 16, 2024
Trump and Vance were officially nominated to be the Republican candidates for president and vice president, respectively, for the 2024 election. Trump’s son, Eric, officially put his father over the top with delegate votes to be the next GOP candidate for president. The younger Trump announced Florida’s 125 delegates toward the former president, giving Trump a majority.
Donald J. Trump is OFFICIALLY the Republican nominee for President of the United States!#RNCinMKE pic.twitter.com/PkskM1a4oT
— Team Trump (Text TRUMP to 88022) (@TeamTrump) July 15, 2024
Vance was also officially nominated as vice president in a resounding voice vote on the convention floor.
Just IN 🚨: Senator JD Vance officially nominated as President Trumps VP candidate at todays RNC convention.
— Anthony Cabassa (IWA) (@AnthonyCabassa_) July 15, 2024
The first day of the convention featured regular faces in Republican circles, with figures such as Turning Point USA CEO Charlie Kirk and Sens. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee and Tim Scott of South Carolina speaking. Scott was a one-time favorite to be Trump’s vice presidential pick.
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, who received some vice presidential buzz in the weeks leading up to the convention, also spoke. Youngkin flipped Virginia’s governor’s seat red in 2022, propelled by an explosive debate over biological males having access to girls’ restrooms in schools.
"I believe this year Virginia will elect ANOTHER Republican, outside businessman as President of the United States" — @GlennYoungkin pic.twitter.com/H3dZfQblnj
— Team Trump (Text TRUMP to 88022) (@TeamTrump) July 16, 2024
Rep. Byron Donalds of Florida, a close ally of the president who was present in the VIP box on Monday evening, also spoke.
Joe Biden & Kamala Harris claim they're "pro-choice."
But not if you want a "choice" over what your kids are taught.
Donald Trump believes EVERY PARENT deserves a choice.
And EVERY CHILD deserves a chance. pic.twitter.com/yLqci0Sx3a
— Byron Donalds (@ByronDonalds) July 16, 2024
The day also featured newcomers to Trump’s camp – one of the most surprising being Teamsters President Sean O’Brien. O’Brien’s speech hit on fault lines within the Republican coalition, targeting the Chamber of Commerce, “big business,” and “elites,” accusing them of colluding against the interests of American workers.
O’Brien’s address made him the first Teamsters boss to speak at the RNC in the union’s 121 years of existence. The address also stood out for its length—the union president received the largest allocation of speaking time for the evening.
Teamsters President Sean O'Brien: "I think we all can agree, whether people like him or they don't like him, in light of what happened to him on Saturday he has proven to be one tough S.O.B." pic.twitter.com/co8G2GTCKO
— MAGA War Room (@MAGAIncWarRoom) July 16, 2024
Entrepreneur David Sacks, another recent convert to Trump’s base of support, spoke against the U.S. policies regarding Ukraine and the role the U.S. played before and during the war with Russia.
The lineup also featured Amber Rose, a model and rapper, who, according to Democratic strategist Van Jones, gave “the most dangerous speech for the Democratic coalition.”
“We all want a better country for our children,” Rose said. “But I’m here tonight to tell you, no matter your political background, that the best chance we have to give our babies a better life is to elect Donald Trump president of the United States.”
here's Amber Rose's full speech at the Republican National Convention #RNC2024 in Milwaukee about her support for Trump
“I’m no politician and I don’t want to be, but I do care about the truth, and the truth is that the media has lied to us about Donald Trump… I know this… pic.twitter.com/djlAyqM53R
— SOUND (@itsavibe) July 16, 2024
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