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, 9:03 PM EDT

'180 from Saturday': PA mayor on rally shooting, RNC

Jondavid Longo, the mayor of Slippery Rock in Butler County, Pennsylvania, was in the front row when the attempted assassination attempt against Trump took place on Saturday.

Now, he is at the Republican National Convention.

"What a 180 from Saturday," he told ABC News Digital of the convention's atmosphere. "And I think this is what we're all, we're looking forward to having on Saturday, and that was stolen from us, of course. But this right here shows you that the party is resolved, the base is ready to go and deliver Pennsylvania for Donald Trump and Senator JD Vance.”

He said tomorrow he wants to hear Trump "project strength."

"But I know that's what he's going to do. He projected strength on that stage that day, I saw him wrangle his arms from the Secret Service and raise his fist like that. He let us know, 'We're here. We're not going anywhere.'"

-ABC News' Alexandra Hutzler

Jul 17, 2024, 8:47 PM EDT

Conway on Trump: 'This is a man I know'

Kellyanne Conway, who was Trump's campaign manager in 2016 and one of his longest-serving aides, said she got to know Trump in a "foxhole." She said he had a long record of promoting women and signature qualities of "strength and toughness."

Kellyanne Conway, former Counselor to the President, speaks on Day 3 of the Republican National Convention (RNC) in Milwaukee, Wis., July 17, 2024.
Mike Segar/Reuters

"We don’t get those policies without that personality," Conway said.

"We win through addition, not division," she added, encouraging Republicans to reach out and expand their tent.

Jul 17, 2024, 8:40 PM EDT

Gov. Burgum focuses on energy

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, a one-time presidential hopeful and a top candidate for Trump's running mate, largely focused on energy during his speech.

"Who will make America energy dominant?" Burgum asked, as the crowd shouted in response, "Trump!"

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum speaks on stage on the third day of the Republican National Convention on July 17, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wis.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Burgum said Trump "champions innovation over regulation" and will "make sure that America is selling energy to our allies versus buying it from our adversaries."

During his speech, some attendees could be seen waving signs that said, "American oil from American soil."

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, a one-time presidential hopeful and a top candidate for Trump's running mate, largely focused on energy during his speech.
1:27

Gov. Burgum focuses on energy

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, a one-time presidential hopeful and a top candidate for Trump's running mate, largely focused on energy during his speech.
ABCNews.com

Jul 17, 2024, 8:44 PM EDT

East Palestine mayor praises Trump's support after toxic train derailment

East Palestine, Ohio, Mayor Trent Conaway took the stage, praising the first responders who rushed to help after a freight train carrying hazardous materials derailed last year.

He criticized the federal response, claiming the Biden administration "talked and talked, but they delivered little help."

Conaway went after Biden for not visiting the town in the immediate aftermath and praised Trump for coming to the town less than three weeks after the incident.

"I know a thing or two about train wrecks now and let me tell you, that is what the Biden administration has been," he said.

East Palestine, Ohio, Mayor Trent Conaway speaks on Day 3 of the Republican National Convention (RNC) in Milwaukee, Wis., July 17, 2024.
Mike Segar/Reuters

In an exclusive interview with ABC News anchor David Muir in February 2023, Biden said he "made it clear" to officials on the ground that "anything they need, we'll make it available to them."

The comments came after East Palestine's mayor called it a "slap in the face" that Biden traveled to Ukraine while his town felt forgotten in the weeks after the crisis. Biden went to East Palestine a year later.