Trump leaned into his usual talking points during his RNC speech.
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.
Trump said he is thrilled to have Sen. JD Vance as his "new friend and partner fighting by my side."
"He is going to be great for this country and with this movement, greatest movement, 'Make America Great Again,'" he said.
Trump calls Vance his 'new friend' at RNC
Trump went off script for the first major time tonight, as he talked about Dana White, Kid Rock and Lee Greenwood and Hulk Hogan.
He also took a jab at Nancy Pelosi — comments that were not on the teleprompter.
Trump praised Hulk Hogan for his speech earlier tonight.
"When he used to press a big man into the audience, I said maybe it is entertainment but he is strong," he said as Hulk smiled on.
Trump gushes over Hulk Hogan's RNC speech
In his speech, Trump just spiked the football over the dismissal of his classified-documents case on Monday. (The decision is likely to be appealed.) That was a major victory for Trump, but I believe he is the first speaker of the entire RNC to mention it.
—538's Nathaniel Rakich
