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

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

ByMeredith Deliso, Ivan Pereira, Alexandra Hutzler, Chris Boccia, and Tal Axelrod
Last Updated: July 19, 2024, 12:29 AM 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.
Jul 18, 2024, 10:32 PM EDT

Trump takes stage to accept GOP nomination

Trump took the stage at 10:30 p.m. ET to accept the GOP presidential nomination and speak publicly for the first time since Saturday's attempted assassination in Pennsylvania.

Jul 18, 2024, 10:30 PM EDT

Dana White introduces Trump

Dana White, CEO of the Ultimate Fighting Championship and Trump friend, introduced the former president for his keynote speech.

President and CEO of the Ultimate Fighting Championship Dana White speaks on stage on the fourth day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on July 18, 2024.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

White called Trump the "toughest, most resilient human being I have ever met in my life."

"The harder the stakes, the harder he fights, and he never gives up," White said. "So what is at stake? He said it is a fight for our country."

Dana White spoke before the former president took the stage at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.
5:28

UFC CEO introduces Trump at RNC

Dana White spoke before the former president took the stage at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.
ABCNews.com

Jul 18, 2024, 10:29 PM EDT

Packed house for Trump

The Fiserv Forum is the most crowded it’s been this convention ahead of Trump’s acceptance speech.

Nearly every seat with an unobstructed view of the stage is filled.

Attendees are standing in the middle of the stadium’s stairways to get a glimpse of the former president speak. Trump is set to speak soon.

Jul 18, 2024, 10:25 PM EDT

Senator Kid Rock?

In 2018, Kid Rock teased a run for Senate in Michigan as a Republican — even creating a website for his campaign. Ultimately, though, he didn't officially jump in the race.

—538's Nathaniel Rakich