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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Ramaswamy leaves an impression: 'Blew the lid off this place'
Vivek Ramaswamy was the first of Trump's 2024 rivals to speak Tuesday night (he will be followed by former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis) and some attendees say he will be tough to beat.
"He blew the lid off this place," one said.
Another man standing next to him said he was the "best so far."
The two men were 40 years apart in age, but argued Ramaswamy "transcends generations" and had a natural "gift."
The only time they said they heard the Fiserv Forum that loud was when Trump made his first entrance yesterday.
Trump arrives, with bandage on ear again
Trump has arrived on the convention floor, wearing a bandage again on his right ear that was struck in the assassination attempt, walking out to the song "What I Like About You."
The crowd got on to their feet, many recording his entrance, as he raised his fist several times.
Vance arrives at convention
J.D. Vance arrived at the convention, walking out to the song "America First" by Merle Haggard -- just as he did when he made his first appearance on Monday.
He could be seen greeting Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Eric Trump in VIP box and shaking Tiffany Trump's hand.
Vivek Ramaswamy, former Trump rival, receives warm welcome
Vivek Ramaswamy, Trump's former GOP primary rival, received a warm welcome, with people rising to their feet for a long ovation.
He launched into a fiery speech that included leading the crowd in a call-and-response of "vote Trump" that grew louder with each prompt.
"If you want to seal the border, vote Trump," he said. "If you want to restore law and order in this country, vote Trump. If you want to reignite the economy in this country, vote Trump. If you want to revive national pride in this country, vote Trump. If you want to make America great again, vote Trump."
Ramaswamy said the "most important reason" to vote for Trump is that he "will actually unite this country. Not through empty words but through action."
Ramaswamy, who was notably a millennial candidate, also had a message for young voters.
"You will be the generation that saves this country," he said. "You want to be a rebel? You want to be a hippie? You want to stick it to the man? Show up on your college campus and try calling yourself a conservative. Say you want to get married, have kids -- teach them to believe in God and pledge allegiance to their country, because you know what? Fear has been infectious in this country, but courage can be contagious, too."