RNC 2024 Day 2 updates: Trump rivals take center stage along with divine intervention

The theme of Tuesday's session is "Make America Safe Again."

ByMeredith Deliso, Ivan Pereira, Tal Axelrod, Chris Boccia, and Alexandra Hutzler
Last Updated: July 16, 2024, 11:35 PM EDT

The second day of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee ended Tuesday with appearances from some of former President Donald Trump's former rivals: former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy -- all calling for Republican Party unity.

They were joined by some of Trump's longest allies including Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Ben Carson in bashing the Democrats over what they claimed were harmful and failed policies.

The program focused on law and order with a theme of making the country "safe again."

Trump, with a bandage on his ear, made an appearance again Tuesday evening -- just days after he was wounded in an assassination attempt at one of his rallies in Pennsylvania over the weekend. Several speakers touched on that God spared Trump in the shooting, saving him for a divine plan for the presidency.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing:
Jul 16, 2024, 9:23 PM EDT

Ted Cruz blames Democrats for murders by undocumented suspects

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz came out and slammed Democrats for immigration policies he claimed led to vicious crimes in various states.
7:22
Ted Cruz blames Democrats for murders by undocumented suspectsTexas Sen. Ted Cruz came out and slammed Democrats for immigration policies he claimed led to vicious crimes in various states.
ABCNews.com

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz came out and slammed Democrats for immigration policies he claimed led to vicious crimes in various states.

He cited the murder cases of Kate Steinle, Laken Riley and Rachel Moran, which all involved suspects who were undocumented immigrants, as examples.

"Tonight, I speak for Kate and Lincoln and Rachel," he said.

Cruz praised Trump's policies as president and vowed that the former president would be tougher on undocumented immigration and crime.

Sen. Ted Cruz speaks on stage on the second day of the Republican National Convention, July 16, 2024, in Milwaukee.
Leon Neal/Getty Images

Jul 16, 2024, 9:20 PM EDT

Ramaswamy leaves an impression: 'Blew the lid off this place'

Vivek Ramaswamy was the first of Trump's 2024 rivals to speak Tuesday night (he will be followed by former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis) and some attendees say he will be tough to beat.

"He blew the lid off this place," one said.

Another man standing next to him said he was the "best so far."

The two men were 40 years apart in age, but argued Ramaswamy "transcends generations" and had a natural "gift."

The only time they said they heard the Fiserv Forum that loud was when Trump made his first entrance yesterday.

Jul 16, 2024, 9:05 PM EDT

Trump arrives, with bandage on ear again

Republican presidential candidate, former President Donald Trump arrives on the second day of the Republican National Convention, July 16, 2024, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Leon Neal/Getty Images

Trump has arrived on the convention floor, wearing a bandage again on his right ear that was struck in the assassination attempt, walking out to the song "What I Like About You."

The crowd got on to their feet, many recording his entrance, as he raised his fist several times.

The former president was met with a standing ovation at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee.
2:59
Donald Trump enters RNC hall for night 2The former president was met with a standing ovation at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee.
ABCNews.com

Jul 16, 2024, 9:01 PM EDT

Vance arrives at convention

J.D. Vance arrived at the convention, walking out to the song "America First" by Merle Haggard -- just as he did when he made his first appearance on Monday.

He could be seen greeting Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Eric Trump in VIP box and shaking Tiffany Trump's hand.

Eric Trump, son of former U.S. President Donald Trump, looks on as Republican vice presidential candidate, U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) arrives on the second day of the Republican National Convention on July 16, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wis.
Scott Olson/Getty Images

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