RNC 2024 Day 2 updates: Trump rivals take center stage along with divine intervention
The theme of Tuesday's session is "Make America Safe Again."
The second day of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee ended Tuesday with appearances from some of former President Donald Trump's former rivals: former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy -- all calling for Republican Party unity.
They were joined by some of Trump's longest allies including Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Ben Carson in bashing the Democrats over what they claimed were harmful and failed policies.
The program focused on law and order with a theme of making the country "safe again."
Trump, with a bandage on his ear, made an appearance again Tuesday evening -- just days after he was wounded in an assassination attempt at one of his rallies in Pennsylvania over the weekend. Several speakers touched on that God spared Trump in the shooting, saving him for a divine plan for the presidency.
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DeSantis says America can't afford a 'Weekend at Bernie's' presidency
Florida governor and former Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis ripped into Biden's age and questions about viability when he took the stage.
"We need a commander-in-chief who can lead 24 hours a day, seven days a week. America cannot afford four more years of a 'Weekend at Bernie's' presidency," he said, referencing the 1989 comedy.
DeSantis claimed that Biden was just the "figurehead" who acts as "a tool for imposing a leftist agenda of the American people."
Haley calls for a 'unified Republican party'
During her speech, Nikki Haley made an appeal to those who don't fully support Trump.
"My message to them is simple. You don't have to agree with Trump 100% of the time to vote for him," she said.
"Take it from me, I haven't always agreed with the president. But we agree more often than we disagree. We agree on keeping America strong," she continued.
She said a "unified Republican party is essential" for saving the country. She criticized President Joe Biden as showing "every possible sign of weakness" on foreign policy and Vice President Kamala Harris as contributing to the "border disaster."
"We are stronger when we welcome people into our party who have different backgrounds and experiences," she said. "Right now we need to be strong to save America. This is a defining moment, not only for our party but for our country."
Haley had rocky start, ends strong
Nikki Haley, Trump’s biggest challenger in the 2024 Republican primary, was met with some scattered boos as she took the stage.
One woman seated in the crowd said, mockingly, “Now she’s going to dig herself out of the hole.”
But she got more of the audience on her side throughout her speech, and by the end, many stood up out of their seats and even tipped their hats.
-ABC News’ Alexandra Hutzler
Nikki Haley officially endorses Trump
Nikki Haley, Trump’s former GOP primary rival, officially endorsed the former president for the first time after walking out to applause and some boos.
"President Trump asked me to speak to this convention in the name of unity," Haley said. "I'll start by making one thing perfectly clear: Donald Trump has my strong endorsement, period."
Trump stood up to applaud.