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RNC Day 4: Trump delivers longest acceptance speech in history

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Last updated: Friday, July 19, 2024 12:39AM EDT
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 18, 2024, 9:51 PM EDT

Hulk Hogan riles RNC crowd, rips off shirt

Hulk Hogan, bandana and sunglasses on his head and a sports coat covering his tank top, revved the crowd up with "USA" chants and called Trump "my hero" and a "gladiator."

Hulk Hogan tears off his shirt while speaking on the final night of the Republican National Convention on Thursday, July 18, 2024, in Milwaukee.
Hulk Hogan tears off his shirt while speaking on the final night of the Republican National Convention on Thursday, July 18, 2024, in Milwaukee.

By the middle of his remarks, he lost his jacket and ripped his tank top off to reveal a Trump-Vance T-shirt, crescendoing with passion as he said,"I think about how his family was compromised, how his business was compromised. But what happened last week when they took a shot at my hero -- and tried to kill the president of the United States -- enough was enough"

"Let Trump-O-Mania rule again, let Trump-O-Mania make America great again," he shouted, a nod to his career as a WWE entertainer.

Hogan abandoned the teleprompter and free-wheeled with his penchant theatrics, earning a "thank you" from Trump and energizing the crowd some 20 minutes before the former president takes the stage to accept his nomination.

ByNathaniel Rakich FiveThirtyEight logo
Jul 18, 2024, 9:29 PM EDT

RNC not sticking to the schedule

We were supposed to hear from wrestler Hulk Hogan a few minutes ago, but the RNC skipped over his speaking slot, and now we're being treated to a long musical interlude. Perhaps they're doing some last-minute rearranging of the program?

ABCNews logo
Jul 18, 2024, 9:27 PM EDT

Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump arrive

Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump have arrived in the arena for the first time this convention.

ABCNews logo
Jul 18, 2024, 9:14 PM EDT

Deafening applause for Tucker Carlson

The arena immediately rose to its feet for the former Fox host.

Tucker Carlson, who did not use a teleprompter, talked about how last week's assassination attempt resulted in a "transformation" in the former president.

"He was no longer just a political party's nominee, or a former president or a future president. This was the leader of a nation," he said.

Tucker Carlson walks up to the podium to speak on the final day of the Republican National Convention on Thursday, July 18, 2024, in Milwaukee.
Tucker Carlson walks up to the podium to speak on the final day of the Republican National Convention on Thursday, July 18, 2024, in Milwaukee.

Carlson said he spoke with Trump immediately after the shooting and the former president said he was amazed the crowd did not run away.

"This is the most responsible, unifying behavior from a leader that I've ever seen," he said.

Carlson and Fox News agreed to part ways last year following the network's $787.5 million settlement agreement with Dominion Voting Systems.

Dominion accused Fox News in a lawsuit of knowingly pushing false conspiracy theories that the voting machine company rigged the 2020 presidential election in Joe Biden's favor.

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