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, 8:57 PM EDT

Trump arrives at convention

Trump has walked out on the convention floor to the James Brown song "It's A Man's Man's Man's World."
0:56

Trump arrives at convention

Trump has walked out on the convention floor to the James Brown song "It's A Man's Man's Man's World."
ABCNews.com

Republican presidential candidate, former U.S. President Donald Trump arrives on the third day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum, on July 17, 2024, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Leon Neal/Getty Images

Trump has walked out on the convention floor to the James Brown song "It's A Man's Man's Man's World."

He is wearing a bandage on his ear again and is raising his fist as the crowd cheers.

Seen in the VIP box with Trump are Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, Colorado Rep. Lauren Boebert, New York Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and others.

Republican presidential nominee and former President Donald Trump arrives to attend Day 3 of the Republican National Convention (RNC), at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on July 17, 2024.
Mike Segar/Reuters

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