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, 12:28 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.
10 hours and 20 minutes ago

Trump thanks supporters for support following shooting, vows to unite

Trump began his speech saying he was running to be president for "all of America, not half of America."

"The discord and division in our society must be healed. As Americans, we are bound together by a single fate and a shared destiny. We rise together. Or we fall apart," he said before formally accepting the nomination.

Trump thanked everyone for their support following Saturday's assassination attempt and said the experience was "too painful to tell."

"Despite such a heinous attack, we unite this evening more determined than ever. Our resolve is unbroken, and our purpose is unchanged -- to deliver a government that serves the American people," he said.

Former Pres. Trump states "Ambition is our heritage, greatness is our birthright, but as long as our energy is spent fighting each other, our destiny will remain out of reach."
Former Pres. Trump states "Ambition is our heritage, greatness is our birthright, but as long as our energy is spent fighting each other, our destiny will remain out of reach."

10 hours and 21 minutes ago

Trump formally accepts nomination

Trump formally accepted the Republican nomination for president to applause.

"I am running to be president for all of America, not half of America, because there is no victory in winning for half of America," he said.

The former president was greeted by a standing ovation at the RNC at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee.
The former president was greeted by a standing ovation at the RNC at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee.

10 hours and 25 minutes ago

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.

10 hours and 27 minutes ago

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