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

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.

ABCNews logo
Jul 18, 2024, 3:46 AM GMT

Multiple senators chase down, jeer Secret Service director at RNC

Multiple Republican senators chased down U.S. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle after they spotted her at the RNC on Wednesday.

Tennessee Sen. Marsha Blackburn was one of the senators and shared a video of the confrontation on her X page, where she accused Cheatle of "stonewalling" them as she refused to respond to their repeated jeers.

The Secret Service director was chased by senators at the RNC Wednesday.

"This was an assassination -- you owe the people answers, you owe President Trump answers," Blackburn can be heard saying in the video.

Multiple sources, who verified the authenticity of the video, told ABC News that the Secret Service director was on the suite level of the convention hall.

-ABC News' Allison Pecorin and Katherine Faulders

BySCOTT BAUER AP logo
Jul 18, 2024, 2:37 AM GMT

Unauthorized aircraft escorted out of airspace surrounding RNC

An aircraft entered the restricted airspace surrounding the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee on Wednesday and was escorted out of the area by a North American Aerospace Defense Command F-35 jet.

The aircraft was not in communication with air traffic control when flying about 24 miles southwest of Milwaukee around 3:30 p.m., NORAD said. The F-35 jet was flying at about 4,000 feet and would have been visible from the ground, NORAD said.

NORAD did not provide any details about the type of aircraft it intercepted, where it was headed or if it knew it was violating the restricted airspace.

The Federal Aviation Administration has implemented temporary flight restrictions in and around Milwaukee throughout the convention which concludes Thursday.

ByNICHOLAS RICCARDI AP logo
Jul 18, 2024, 2:43 AM GMT

Trump Jr. calls for unity, attacks enemies

Donald Trump Jr. spoke movingly about his father's bravery on Saturday after a would-be assassin opened fire, saying he showed "for all the world" that "the next American president has the heart of a lion." But he toggled back and forth between talking about his father as a symbol of national unity and slamming his enemies.

"When he stood up with blood on his face and the flag at his back, the world saw a spirit that could never be broken," Trump Jr said. "And that is the true spirit of America. America knows what it's like to be down. We know what it's like to be confused and afraid."

He quickly segued to slamming the media's "lies."

"They lied about Russia collusion, they lied about Hunter's laptop. They lied about Joe Biden's fitness for office, they lied about the border being secure," Trump Jr said. Eventually, he said, "all hell has broken loose in America."

Trump Jr. concluded by referencing his father again on Saturday. "He may have moved to the ground but he stood back up," he said. "He raised his fist in the air and what did he say?" The crowd echoed back "Fight! Fight! Fight!"

The speech shows the challenge facing the convention - to give voice to the fear and frustration of their conservative base while also trying to promote Donald Trump as a symbol of hope for all voters.

ABCNews logo
Jul 18, 2024, 2:35 AM GMT

Kai Trump, former president's oldest grandchild, speaks before father, Donald Trump Jr.

Donald Trump Jr. walked up to the podium at the Republican National Convention Wednesday, but turned the microphone over to his 17-year-old daughter, Kai.

Trump is the eldest of the former president's 10 grandchildren.

Donald Trump Jr. walked up to the podium at the Republican National Convention Wednesday, but turned the microphone over to his 17-year-old daughter, Kai.

She called him "just a normal grandpa."

"He gives us candy and soda when our parents aren't looking," she said.

"He calls me during the middle of the school day to ask how my golf game is going and tells me all about his. But then I have to remind him that I'm in school and I will have to call him back later," she said. "When we play golf together, if I'm not on his team, he will try to get inside of my head. And he is always surprised that I don't let him get to me. But I have to remind him, I'm a Trump, too."

Kai addressed Trump's legal troubles, saying, "Even when he is going through all of these court cases, he always asks me how I'm doing."

She also addressed Trump's assassination attempt.

"On Saturday I was shocked when I heard that he has been shot," she said. "It was heartbreaking that someone would do that to another person.

"A lot of people have put my grandpa through hell, and he's still standing," she said.

Someone in the crowd yelled, "Kai 2040."

Over the weekend, she posted a photo of the former president pumping his fist after being shot at his Pennsylvania campaign rally, writing: "We love you Grandpa. Never stop fighting!"

The Associated Press contributed to this report.