RNC 2024 Day 1 updates: Bandaged and emotional, Trump makes RNC appearance

Chants of "we love Trump" could be heard as he entered the RNC.

ByMeredith Deliso, Tal Axelrod, Chris Boccia, and Alexandra Hutzler
Last Updated: July 15, 2024, 11:01 PM EDT

The first day of the Republican National Convention has wrapped up in Milwaukee -- marked with an appearance by former President Donald Trump just two days he was wounded in an assassination attempt at a Pennsylvania rally on Saturday evening.

Despite the shooting, the gathering of more than 50,000 attendees, including an expected 2,400 Republican delegates, is slated to maintain its original programming as a time to bring the party together -- but now newly energized by Trump's amazing survival and raised-fist show of defiance.

One of the most anticipated moments of Trump's campaign happened Monday when Trump named 39-year-old Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance as his running mate.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing:
Jul 15, 2024, 2:54 PM EDT

GOP party platform passes

Delegates from California stand during the first day of 2024 Republican National Convention, July 15, 2024, in Milwaukee.
Carolyn Kaster/AP

The Republicans have passed their party platform, despite dissent from the evangelical wing over softened language on abortion that better matches Trump's current posture. A fair amount of "nayes" were heard in the convention hall, but not enough for the vote to fail.

Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla., told delegates that the "platform was personally approved by President Donald J. Trump."

"It's a different kind of platform," said platform co-chair Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., as she presented the platform for a vote.

"It is not a laundry list of special interests' wishes, but a succinct, clear agenda and a promise to the American people."

Before the overwhelming voice vote in Milwaukee, the platform had passed 84-14 by the platform committee.

-ABC News' Brittany Shepherd, Tommy Barone and Jacob Steinberg

Jul 15, 2024, 2:35 PM EDT

Burgum told he is not Trump's running mate

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum has been told he is not Trump's running mate pick, three sources familiar with the matter tell ABC News.

Trump's pick is expected to be announced at some point Monday.

-ABC News' Rachel Scott, Rick Klein, Katherine Faulders

Jul 15, 2024, 2:45 PM EDT

RNC officially underway

The Republican National Convention is underway. A live rendition of Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA" filled the convention center in Milwaukee. Groups of delegate were seen before and during these opening ceremonies pumping their fists and chanting "fight, fight, fight," taking up former President Trump's gesture after the shooting at his rally as a symbol for the party's nominating convention.

Crowds continued the chant during "God Bless the USA" ahead of a vote on the party's platform.

RNC co-chair Michael Whatley gaveled the convention to order and asked for a moment of silence to honor the shooting.

As Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell was announced as an honorary co-chair, audible boos were heard from the crowd. The Senate leader, who will step down from his perch atop the GOP conference, has had a frosty relationship with the former president since Jan. 6, 2021.
-ABC News' Jay O'Brien

Jul 15, 2024, 2:18 PM EDT

Rubio told he is not Trump's running mate

Florida Sen. Marco Rubio has been told he is not former President Donald Trump's running mate pick, five sources familiar with the matter tell ABC News.

Trump's pick is expected to be announced at some point Monday.

-ABC News' John Santucci, Katherine Faulders, Rachel Scott, Rick Klein