RNC Day 4: Trump delivers longest acceptance speech in history

KGO logo
Last updated: Friday, July 19, 2024 4:39AM GMT
Trump pitches unity, but revives old grievances in nomination acceptance speech
Former President Donald Trump pitched unity but revived old grievances in his nomination acceptance speech.

MILWAUKEE -- On the fourth and final day of the Republican National Convention, former President Donald Trump gave a highly anticipated speech, which he said beforehand would call for unity following his assassination attempt.

However in his first speech since the incident, Trump leaned into his usual talking points, slamming President Joe Biden, Democrats and other critics on a wide variety of issues from the economy, immigration and crime.

For over an hour, Trump went off script much to the crowd's delight. The former president told them he was grateful for their support after his brush with death but argued that the country needed to be fixed due to Biden's policies.

The night also included wild speeches from guests such as Hulk Hogan and Eric Trump, who echoed some of the former president's rhetoric bashing Biden and the Democrats.

Key Headlines

Here's how the news is developing.
ABCNews logo
Jul 19, 2024, 12:10 AM GMT

Trump gets roaring ovation as he arrives

Trump entered the arena around 7:53 p.m. ET to a roaring crowd.

Trump was still sporting a bandage to his right ear, which was wounded in last week's attempted assassination during a rally.

Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump arrives for the 2024 Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum, Thursday, July 18, 2024, in Milwaukee.
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump arrives for the 2024 Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum, Thursday, July 18, 2024, in Milwaukee.

AC/DC's song "Back in Black" played as he made his way to his seat.

ABCNews logo
Jul 18, 2024, 11:43 PM GMT

Linda McMahon touts Trump tax cuts

Linda McMahon, administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration under Trump, spoke about the former president's economic policies during his first term, specifically his tax cut plans.

"He knew that small businesses are the engine of the American economy, and the Trump tax cut proved to be like rocket fuel for them," she said.

Linda McMahon speaks during the Republican National Convention Thursday, July 18, 2024, in Milwaukee.
Linda McMahon speaks during the Republican National Convention Thursday, July 18, 2024, in Milwaukee.

McMahon, the co-founder and former CEO of WWE, said that if reelected, Trump would make those tax cuts permanent.

ABCNews logo
Jul 18, 2024, 11:37 PM GMT

NRCC House chair vows to grow majority: 'We need backup'

National Republican Congressional Committee Chair Rep. Richard Hudson of North Carolina made his case to increase the GOP majority in the House.

"We need backup to save America," he said.

Rep. Richard Hudson, R-NC., Chair of National Republican Congressional Committee, speaking on the final night of the Republican National Convention, July 18, 2024, in Milwaukee.
Rep. Richard Hudson, R-NC., Chair of National Republican Congressional Committee, speaking on the final night of the Republican National Convention, July 18, 2024, in Milwaukee.

Hudson claimed Democrats would "hold sham investigations and hearings to bog down" Trump's agenda if he's elected.

The congressman vowed that a Republican majority would rebuild the military, "stand up to communist China" and "finish the wall."

ABCNews logo
Jul 18, 2024, 11:17 PM GMT

'A risen man': What RNC attendees expect from Trump tonight

Convention-goers spoke with ABC News Digital about what they are expecting to hear from Trump tonight as he accepts the nomination.

"Here's where he lays out his ideas of what he's going to do when he gets elected in November, and what he's going to do for the next four years," said delegate Adolpho Telles. "It's exciting for all us."

Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump gestures as he arrives at the Republican National Convention Wednesday, July 17, 2024, in Milwaukee.
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump gestures as he arrives at the Republican National Convention Wednesday, July 17, 2024, in Milwaukee.

Telles added, "Given what happened on Saturday, to have that man standing in front of us today, it shows his strength. I mean, the guy's outstanding."

Several attendees said that after the attempted assassination attempt, they expect to hear about unity and see a different side of Trump.

"I expect to see a risen man, a man who has had an encounter, a transformative encounter, with the divine, with death and with God, and God won," said delegate Minerva Diaz. "So I expect to see a transformed man who now is going to embrace all the people who love him, every person of every nation."

"I am already hearing these messages of unity, these messages of hope, these messages of the principles that will bring us to that culmination of the unity," said delegate Betty Chu.

"I'd like to hear how he's going to continue to unify our country, as he's been doing so well," said one woman. "And I think he has given us the opportunity to bring back our country, and he's going to tell us how he is going to do that."

Another said she expects the stadium to be on "fire."