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.
Latest headlines:
Harris accepts 3rd date option offered by CBS for VP debate
Vice President Kamala Harris on Wednesday accepted a third date option proposed by CBS News for a vice-presidential debate, a Biden campaign official said.
The new proposed date is for Monday, Aug. 12, according to the Biden campaign.
"Now that the Trump campaign has selected a running mate, we encourage them to agree to a debate between Vice President Harris and Senator Vance," the campaign official said.
On May 16, CBS News offered two debate date options on either July 23 (the week after the RNC) or Aug. 13 (the week before the DNC), which Harris accepted at the time.
The next day Trump accepted a Fox News proposal for his eventual running mate -- who we now know is Vance.
"On behalf of the future Vice President of the United States, who I have not yet chosen, we hereby accept the Fox Vice Presidential Debate, hopefully at Virginia State University, the first Historically Black College or University to host a Debate - Date to be determined," Trump posted on Truth Social at the time. "I urge Vice President Kamala Harris to agree to this. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"
Fox News’ VP debate offer was for the same dates CBS News originally offered.
-ABC News' Fritz Farrow, Gabriella Abdul-Hakim and Will McDuffie
Kai Trump, Donald Trump Jr.'s daughter, expected to speak tonight at RNC
Kai Trump, the daughter of Donald Trump Jr. and granddaughter of former President Donald Trump, is scheduled to speak at the Republican National Convention Wednesday night at 9 p.m. CT/10 p.m. ET, she posted on her social media account.
"I am honored to be speaking at the RNC at 9 pm (CDT)," she posted with a photo of the former president and Sen. J.D. Vance.
Kai Trump, the 17-year-old daughter of Donald Trump Jr. and his ex-wife Vanessa Trump, is the eldest of Trump's 10 grandchildren.
Over the weekend, she posted a photo of the former president pumping his fist after being shot at his Pennsylvania campaign rally, writing: "We love you Grandpa. Never stop fighting!"
In June, she posted a photo of herself with Donald Trump at what appears to be a Turning Point Action event in Detroit, Michigan.
-ABC News Soorin Kim, Lalee Ibssa and Kelsey Walsh
Vance's first fundraiser as VP today
Sen. J.D. Vance is scheduled to hold his first fundraiser as former President Donald Trump's running mate Wednesday afternoon, sources familiar with the event told ABC News.
And Trump and Vance are scheduled to hold a roundtable-style fundraiser together Thursday afternoon, sources said.
This isn't Vance's first time fundraising alongside Trump. As then-possible vice presidential contender, Vance had joined the former president on multiple Trump campaign fundraisers -- including hosting fundraisers in Ohio and attending other fundraisers at a special guest speaker.
-ABC News' Soorin Kim, Hannah Demissie, Lalee Ibssa and Kelsey Walsh
Trump to attend RNC tonight
Trump will attend the RNC events Wednesday evening -- as he has the previous two days.
The former president is expected to enter the arena around the same time as Tuesday night -- around 8:02 p.m. CT.
The last two days, Trump, with a bandaged ear, has entered Fiserv Forum to cheers from his supporters and chants of "fight, fight, fight" as he pumps his fist in the air -- a callback to his response shortly after an assassination attempt on him at his rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday.
-ABC News' Soorin Kim, Lalee Ibssa, Kelsey Walsh