RNC 2024 Day 4 updates: Trump pitches unity, but revives old grievances

Trump leaned into his usual talking points during his RNC speech.

Last Updated: July 18, 2024, 9:25 PM EDT

On the fourth and final day of the Republican National Convention, former President Donald Trump gave a highly anticipated speech, which he said beforehand would call for unity following his assassination attempt.

However in his first speech since the incident, Trump leaned into his usual talking points, slamming President Joe Biden, Democrats and other critics on a wide variety of issues from the economy, immigration and crime.

For over an hour, Trump went off script much to the crowd's delight. The former president told them he was grateful for their support after his brush with death but argued that the country needed to be fixed due to Biden's policies.

The night also included wild speeches from guests such as Hulk Hogan and Eric Trump, who echoed some of the former president's rhetoric bashing Biden and the Democrats.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing.
9:25 PM EDT

Fact-checking Carlson’s claim about U.S. drug deaths, World War II comparison

“We've lost more Americans from drugs in the past four years than we lost in World War II. Yeah, our bloodiest war, more than we lost in World War II,” Carlson said. “Does anybody care? It is pathetic. It is pathetic. And do you hear a single word from Washington about doing anything?”

On the comparison of deaths, Carlson is close — but likely a bit off.

The Defense Casualty Analysis System of the U.S. government reports 405,399 soldiers died during World War II, with nearly 300,000 deaths coming on the battlefield. Drug overdose deaths in the United States have been averaging over 100,000 per year since Spring 2021, according the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Before that, the rate was closer to around 80,000 per year.

On calling World War II, America’s bloodiest war: It is America’s bloodiest foreign war. But an estimated 620,000 Americans died during the Civil War, according to American Battlefield Trust, with other estimates putting the figure closer to 750,000.

-PolitiFact’s Aaron Sharockman

9:24 PM EDT

RNC not sticking to the schedule

We were supposed to hear from wrestler Hulk Hogan a few minutes ago, but the RNC skipped over his speaking slot, and now we're being treated to a long musical interlude. Perhaps they're doing some last-minute rearranging of the program?

-538's Nathaniel Rakich

9:19 PM EDT

Attendee on what she thinks Trump will say tonight

“I think Trump will reference what happened Saturday, but not dwell on it,” said an attendee sitting next to ABC News Digital in the convention center.

“He has too much else to talk about,” she added.

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump arrives on the fourth day of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, July 18, 2024.
Justin Lane/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
9:27 PM EDT

Concert-like atmosphere

PHOTO:Delegates, supporters and  others cheer as they wait for former president Donald Trump to speak at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, WI, July 18, 2024.
Delegates, supporters and others cheer as they wait for former president Donald Trump to speak at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, WI, July 18, 2024.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images

The musical interludes tonight have people up out of their seats and in the aisles dancing. Delegates from Texas are swaying their cowboy hats in the air and others are waving “Make America Great Again” signs.