RNC 2024 Day 3 updates: JD Vance touts working class roots in debut as VP nominee

The theme at the RNC on Wednesday is "Make America Strong Once Again."

Day three of the Republican National Convention centered around vice presidential candidate JD Vance as he introduced himself to Republicans as Trump's running mate.

The day was held under the theme of "Make America Strong Once Again."

Former President Donald Trump made an appearance at the convention hall to watch his running mate make his national debut. Other notable speakers included Trump's son and granddaughter and several Gold Star families who expressed their support for the former president.

Despite calls for unity, several speakers spent time bashing President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and the Democrats on several issues including immigration, crime and Israel.


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JD Vance delivers keynote address

Ohio Sen. JD Vance delivered his first speech as Trump's running mate, speaking at length about the former president, including the assassination attempt over the weekend.

"As we meet tonight, we cannot forget that this evening could have been so much different," he started. "Instead of a day of celebration, this could have been a day of heartache and mourning."

He urged people to watch the footage of the shooting to get a sense of Trump's character.

"When Donald Trump rose to his feet in that Pennsylvania field, all of America stood with him," he said.

Vance said the Trump he has gotten to know is tough, "but he cares about people."

"He can stand defiant against an assassin one moment and call for national healing the next," he said.

He said he is "humbled" and "overwhelmed with gratitude" to officially accept the Republican nomination for vice president and his message to the party is: "We love this country and we are united to win."

Vance got in a few jabs at Biden. He referred to the president as a career politician who, when Vance was in the fourth grade, supported NAFTA, "a bad trade deal that sent countless jobs to Mexico."

He said Biden's economy has given Americans an "inflation crisis."

He said America needs a leader who "answers to the working man" and "won't sell out to multinational corporations, but will stand up for American companies and American industries."

"President Trump represents America's last, best hope to restore what it lost and may never be found again," he said.

Trump's vision, Vance said, is "so simple yet so powerful."

"We are done catering to Wall Street. We will commit to the working man," he said. "We are done importing foreign labor. We are going to fight for American citizens and their good jobs and their good wages."

"We are done buying energy from countries that hate us. We are going to get it right here from American workers in Pennsylvania and Ohio and across the country," he continued.

If elected, he said he will be a vice president who "never forgets where he came from."

"I pledge to every American, no matter your party, I will give you everything I have, to serve you, and to make this country a place where every dream you have for yourself, your family and your country will be possible once again," he said toward the end of his speech.


People leaving as Vance continues speaking

Vance is still speaking, but many people are leaving their seats and moving around, some exiting the arena altogether..


Crowd cheers for Vance's mother and her sobriety

In his speech, JD Vance touched on being raised by his grandmother as his mother struggled with addiction.

"I'm proud to say that tonight my mom is here, 10 years clean and sober," he said, as the crowd gave his mother a standing ovation and chanted, "JD's mom."


Crowd engaged, but a little flat as Vance speaks

At times, the crowd joined into chants of "Joe must go" or "memaw" -- but they're not as enthusiastic as they've been other times this convention, despite the arena being a packed house tonight.

Many people remain seated as he speaks, even some the delegates on the floor.