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 18, 2024, 11:11 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.
Jul 18, 2024, 10:49 PM EDT

Trump addresses shooting victims

Near Trump on the stage is the firefighting gear, including the helmet and jacket, that belonged to Corey Comperatore, who was killed during the attempted assassination on the former president in Butler, Pennsylvania.

Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump kisses the helmet of Corey Comperatore during the Republican National Convention, July 18, 2024, in Milwaukee.
Matt Rourke/AP

"Tragically the shooter claimed the life of one of our fellow Americans, Corey Comperatore -- an unbelievable person, everyone tells me -- and seriously wounded two other great warriors," he said.

He called them "serious Trumpsters" and said he's spoken to their families. At one point he walked over and kissed Comperatore's helmet.

Near Trump on the stage is the firefighting gear, including the helmet and jacket, that belonged to Corey Comperatore, who was killed during an attempted assassination of Trump at a campaign rally.
Near Trump on the stage is the firefighting gear, including the helmet and jacket, that belonged to Corey Comperatore, who was killed during an attempted assassination of Trump at a campaign rally.

Jul 18, 2024, 10:47 PM EDT

Some in audience cry as Trump speaks

Some in the audience are growing emotional as Trump speaks.

A woman seated next to ABC News Digital began sobbing as Trump spoke about how he’s “not supposed to be here tonight.”

Jul 18, 2024, 10:46 PM EDT

'I'm not supposed to be here tonight'

Trump told the crowd, “I'm not supposed to be here tonight."

The crowd started chanting, "Yes you are."

"I stand before you this arena only by the grace of Almighty God," he said.

Former President Donald Trump accepts his party's nomination on the last day of the 2024 Republican National Convention, in Milwaukee, July 18, 2024.
Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

Jul 18, 2024, 10:45 PM EDT

Trump praises rally crowd for not running after shooting

Trump talked about how the crowd at the Pennsylvania rally did not flee or panic during the shooting.

"In fact, many of them bravely, but automatically, stood up looking for where the sniper would be. they knew immediately it was a sniper, and then began pointing at him. You can see that if you look at the group behind me," he said. "Nobody ran, and by not stampeding, many lives were saved."

"This beautiful crowd, they didn’t want to leave me, they knew I was trouble, they didn’t want to leave me," he added.