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, 12:58 PM EDT

Vance's first fundraiser as VP today

Former President Donald Trump pumps his fist alongside Republican vice-presidential candidate J.D. Vance during the second day of the 2024 Republican National Convention, in Milwaukee, July 16, 2024.
Leon Neal/Getty Images

Sen. J.D. Vance is scheduled to hold his first fundraiser as former President Donald Trump's running mate Wednesday afternoon, sources familiar with the event told ABC News.

And Trump and Vance are scheduled to hold a roundtable-style fundraiser together Thursday afternoon, sources said.

This isn't Vance's first time fundraising alongside Trump. As then-possible vice presidential contender, Vance had joined the former president on multiple Trump campaign fundraisers -- including hosting fundraisers in Ohio and attending other fundraisers at a special guest speaker.

-ABC News' Soorin Kim, Hannah Demissie, Lalee Ibssa and Kelsey Walsh

Jul 17, 2024, 11:43 AM EDT

Trump to attend RNC tonight

Trump will attend the RNC events Wednesday evening -- as he has the previous two days.

The former president is expected to enter the arena around the same time as Tuesday night -- around 8:02 p.m. CT.

The last two days, Trump, with a bandaged ear, has entered Fiserv Forum to cheers from his supporters and chants of "fight, fight, fight" as he pumps his fist in the air -- a callback to his response shortly after an assassination attempt on him at his rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday.

Former President Donald Trump pumps his fist alongside Republican vice-presidential candidate J.D. Vance during the second day of the 2024 Republican National Convention, in Milwaukee, July 16, 2024.
Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images

-ABC News' Soorin Kim, Lalee Ibssa, Kelsey Walsh

Jul 17, 2024, 10:25 AM EDT

Wisconsin voters speak on Trump, Biden and America's divisions in wake of shooting

It had been less than 48 hours since the attempted assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump, and for four Wisconsin voters, it was yet another sign of how divided the nation has become.

Valori Schmidt, a Republican living in Milwaukee, described the shooting at the former president's Pennsylvania rally as a "wake-up call."

"Unfortunately, it wasn't necessarily a surprise because the climate of hatred has escalated to such a high level," Schmidt said. "The wake up call is we must take the temperature down. We must become more civil, and we must start being factual and not not name calling and just saying awful things about one another."

Next to her, Gary Berns, a fellow Milwaukeean who votes Democratic, replied: "I can't disagree with that."

Berns and Schmidt, joined by other local residents Julie Buckholt and Charlene Abughrin, sat down with ABC News at Miss Katie's Diner just as the Republican National Convention was kicking off in their hometown.

"As far as the loudness and the anger calling, I mean he brings that on himself," Berns said of Trump. Schmidt later countered that Trump, "has been vilified as a Hitler, as an anti-American, as an extremist … it's been nonstop from all aspects."

Read more here:

-ABC’s Alexandra Hutzler

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.