RNC 2024 Day 3 updates: JD Vance touts working class roots in debut as VP nominee

The theme at the RNC on Wednesday is "Make America Strong Once Again."

ByMeredith Deliso, Ivan Pereira, Chris Boccia, Alexandra Hutzler, and Tal Axelrod
Last Updated: July 17, 2024, 11:38 PM EDT

Day three of the Republican National Convention centered around vice presidential candidate JD Vance as he introduced himself to Republicans as Trump's running mate.

The day was held under the theme of "Make America Strong Once Again."

Former President Donald Trump made an appearance at the convention hall to watch his running mate make his national debut. Other notable speakers included Trump's son and granddaughter and several Gold Star families who expressed their support for the former president.

Despite calls for unity, several speakers spent time bashing President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and the Democrats on several issues including immigration, crime and Israel.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing:
Jul 17, 2024, 10:12 AM EDT

Tonight’s theme is ‘Make America Strong Once Again’

The RNC says speakers today with focus on "Chinese Military and Economic Threats, Border Security, Energy Security and Securing the Peace/Restoring America's Place in the World Israel."

Featured speakers include: Peter Navarro, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, Kellyanne Conway, Kimberly Guilfoyle, and Reps. Nancy Mace, Brian Mast, Ronny Jackson, Matt Gaetz, Monica De La Cruz, Anna Paulina Luna, and Michael Waltz.

Jul 17, 2024, 9:53 AM EDT

Peter Navarro set to speak after release from prison

Peter Navarro speaks to the press at the Country Mall Plaza before reporting to the Federal Correctional Institution, in Miami, Florida, Mar. 19, 2024.
Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images, FILES

Former Trump adviser Peter Navarro will speak at the RNC tonight just hours after being released from federal prison in Miami this morning, according to a source familiar with the situation.

Navarro's release date for serving time after being convicted on contempt of Congress charges was previously set for today, and according to a source, he left prison this morning.

He served four months in a low-security facility.

-ABC's Katherine Faulders

Jul 17, 2024, 9:45 AM EDT

JD Vance to introduce himself to voters

Donald Trump's running mate – the 39-year-old first-term senator from Ohio – gets his chance in the national spotlight when he makes a prime-time speech at the RNC.

J.D. Vance can be expected to tell his personal story of growing up in Middletown, Ohio, and the upbringing that inspired him to write his best-seller "Hillbilly Elegy."

Even with that, he is largely an unfamiliar face to many Americans – even to Republicans – including those in the convention hall.

Trump can again be expected to be watching from his presidential box.

Vance will be introduced by his wife, Usha Chilukuri Vance, after strong Vance- backer Donald Trump Jr. speaks right before.

-ABC's Soorin Kim