What to know about Day 3 of the Republican National Convention
- Sen. JD Vance focused heavily on his family and his upbringing in his first speech since he was named former President Donald Trump's running mate. Trump and Vance have each attended parts of the RNC, but this was the first time one of them has spoken onstage.
- The RNC theme today was "Make America Strong Once Again," with a focus on military and foreign policy. Several of the speakers tonight leaned heavily on anti-migrant sentiments or inflammatory rhetoric.
- Former Trump White House official Peter Navarro was given a standing ovation and resounding applause when he took the stage hours after being released from prison. Navarro served a four-month sentence for defying a subpoena from the House Jan. 6 committee.
- President Joe Biden tested positive for Covid-19 today and is experiencing mild symptoms, the White House said. Biden cut his trip to Las Vegas short and flew back to Delaware, where he's expected to self-isolate. He told reporters in Nevada, "I feel good."
Coverage of this event has ended. Get live updates and the latest news from the Republican National Convention here.
Full speech: JD Vance accepts Republican vice presidential nomination
At the GOP convention, Trump’s call to be ‘united’ means coming together to beat Biden
A day after the attempt on his life, Trump called on the country to come together.
“In this moment, it is more important than ever that we stand United, and show our True Character as Americans, remaining Strong and Determined, and not allowing Evil to Win,” he wrote on social media Sunday.
For many attendees at the Republican National Convention here this week, being “united” means one main thing: coming together around Trump to beat Biden.
Florida delegate Jason Fischer said all Americans should “stand united with the greatest president of our lifetime.”
“His enemies tried to silence him,” he said. “They tried to bankrupt him. They tried to imprison him. Then they tried to kill him.”
Iowa GOP Chairman Jeff Kaufman said Wednesday: “I think it means every single registered Republican needs to vote for President Trump. I think unification — if the specter of Joe Biden after the last month is not enough motivation for you, I don’t know what would be.”
JD Vance calls for a ‘big tent’ GOP in VP nominee acceptance speech
Vance, a right-wing populist known for his unbending opinions, introduced himself tonight as a vice presidential candidate open to compromise and eager for unity but unapologetically drawn to hot-button debates.
“We have a big tent in this party, on everything from national security to economic policy,” Vance told convention delegates as he accepted their nomination to be Trump’s running mate. “But my message to you, my fellow Republicans, is: We love this country, and we are united to win. And our disagreements actually make us stronger.”
Biden is at home for the night
Biden has arrived at his beach house in Rehoboth, Delaware, where he's expected to isolate after it was announced today that he'd tested positive for Covid.
Vance walks off to Fleetwood Mac's 'Don't Stop,' Clinton's 1992 campaign song
As Vance wrapped up his speech and walked off the stage, he was accompanied by “Don’t Stop” by Fleetwood Mac, Bill Clinton’s presidential campaign song in 1992.
Vance: Disagreement can be 'good'
In his closing remarks, Vance argued that it was OK for people to disagree about how to address issues facing the country.
"We won’t always agree on every issue, of course, not even in this room. We may disagree from time to time about how best to reinvigorate American industry and renew American family," he said. "That’s fine. In fact, it’s more than fine. It’s good."
"But never forget that the reason why this united Republican Party exists, why we do this, why we care about those great ideas and that great history, is that we want this nation to thrive for centuries to come," he added.
JD Vance has wrapped up his speech; convention set to recess until tomorrow
Vance just wrapped up his speech after he formally accepted the vice presidential nomination. The convention is set to recess for the rest of the evening.
Vance touches on wife's parents' story as South Asian immigrants
Vance spoke about his wife's parents.
"I am married to the daughter of South Asian immigrants to this country. Incredible people, people who genuinely have enriched the country in so many ways," he said.
The line echoed remarks of speakers last night who contrasted legal immigrants with "illegal" immigrants.
The parents of his wife, Usha Chilukuri Vance, immigrated to the U.S. from India.
Vance pins GOP’s Iraq War on Biden
Two decades ago, President George W. Bush accepted the Republican presidential nomination from a party thrilled with his decision to invade Iraq.
Tonight, newly minted Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance blamed that war on Biden, who voted as a senator to give Bush the authority to launch the Iraq War.
“When I was a senior in high school, that same Joe Biden supported the disastrous invasion of Iraq,” Vance said.
As a member of the Senate, Vance undoubtedly understands the difference between a senator’s voting to give the president the power to go to war and a president’s launching a war. As a student of politics and history and an Iraq War veteran, he’s probably also well aware of how the two parties broke down on the vote.
Bush asked for the power, Congress granted it, and then Bush used it. Along the way, Republicans were nearly united in voting to authorize it, while Democrats were publicly divided. All 23 votes against the resolution in the Senate were cast by Democrats.
Vance recounts finding grandmother's handguns to laughter
Vance told a story about finding 19 loaded handguns in his grandmother's house after she died.
"When we went through her things, we found 19 loaded handguns," he said as the audience applauded. "Now, the thing is, they were stashed all over her house — under her bed, in her closet, in the silverware drawer."
"It occurred to us that towards the end of her life, Mamaw couldn’t get around so well," he said. "And so this frail old woman made sure that no matter where she was, she was within arm’s length of what she needed to protect her family."
The story was met with big applause and laughter. He added that it was an example of American spirit.
