RNC 2024 Day 1 live updates: Bandaged and emotional, Trump makes 1st appearance since assassination attempt
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The first day of the Republican National Convention has wrapped up in Milwaukee -- marked with an appearance by former President Donald Trump just two days he was wounded in an assassination attempt at a Pennsylvania rally on Saturday evening.
Despite the shooting, the gathering of more than 50,000 attendees, including an expected 2,400 Republican delegates, is slated to maintain its original programming as a time to bring the party together -- but now newly energized by Trump's amazing survival and raised-fist show of defiance.
One of the most anticipated moments of Trump's campaign happened Monday when Trump named 39-year-old Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance as his running mate.
Latest Developments
Jul 15, 11:01 PM
RNC in recess until Tuesday
Following chants of "we love Trump" from the crowd, RNC Chair Michael Whatley declared that the convention is in recess until 5 p.m. CT Tuesday.
Jul 15, 11:39 PM
'Elites have no party': Teamsters president marks final Monday RNC speaker
In the final speech of the first night of the Republican National Convention, Sean O’Brien, president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, addressed the failed assassination attempt at former President Donald Trump's rally over the weekend.
"I think we all can agree, whether people like him or they don't like him, in light of what happened to him on Saturday, he has proven to be one tough S.O.B.," O'Brien said, with Trump seen whispering "thank you."
O'Brien said Trump invited him to speak at this convention and "had the backbone to open the door to this Republican convention -- and that's unprecedented."
At the same time, he said the union is not interested in political affiliation: "We want to know one thing: What are you doing to help American workers?"
"Remember: Elites have no party. Elites have no nation. Their loyalty is to the balance sheet and the stock price at the expense of the American worker," he said.
He called for legal protections "that make it safer for workers to get a contract" and to stop corporations from "abandoning local communities to inflate their bottom line."
"I challenge each and every one of you and especially my friends on the Democratic side to embrace cooperation, to truly collaborate to achieve meaningful and productive change, to ensure we make this great nation and this world the better, faster, strongest nation in the entire world," he said.
Jul 15, 11:08 PM
'The media has lied about Donald Trump': Amber Rose
Rapper Amber Rose, one of several celebrities speaking at the convention, spoke on Monday night about what made her come around to former President Donald Trump in a speech that drew applause from the former president.
"The media has lied about Donald Trump," she said, eliciting lots of "yeahs" from the crowd, according to an ABC Digital reporter.
"The first person I knew that supported Donald Trump was my father. I was shocked. My entire family is racially diverse. I believed the left-wing propaganda that Donald Trump was a racist," she said.
She said the "left told her to hate Trump," but that she did her research and started watching rallies.
"I realized Donald Trump and his supporters don't care if you're black, white, gay or straight. It's all love," she said, prompting a large applause from Trump.
Trump smiled as Rose said, "When I met the president and Melania for the first time, he was kind and generous and funny as hell -- very funny."
She touched on high gas prices and a "failing" education system.
"When you cut through the lies, you realize the truth. American families were better when Donald Trump was president," she said.
Jul 15, 11:07 PM
Trump appears emotional in 1st public appearance since assassination attempt
Former President Donald Trump appeared emotional while listening to "God Bless the USA" as the crowd chanted "U.S.A!" -- marking the former president's first public appearance since the assassination attempt at his rally on Saturday.
Chants of "we love Trump" could also be heard as he stood in the crowd.
Trump gave a standing ovation to the two speakers, billed by the RNC as "everyday Americans," who spoke following his arrival.
Jul 15, 10:16 PM
Attendees sing along to 'God Bless the USA' as Trump enters RNC
The cheers for former President Donald Trump as he arrived were the loudest of the night.
Convention attendees are singing along to the song as he makes his way through the floor.
Trump pumped his fist -- in what appears to be a call-back to the "fight, fight, fight" fist pump after the failed assassination attempt -- before shaking hands with his running mate, J.D. Vance.
He could be seen mouthing "thank you" and waving to the crowd.
Trump had a more quiet, subdued demeanor during his appearance.
Jul 15, 10:10 PM
Trump arrives with bandage on ear
Former President Donald Trump has arrived at the convention with a bandage on his ear. The crowd cheered when he was shown on the jumbotron during a musical interlude. This is his first public appearance since the attempted assassination on Saturday at his rally.
Jul 15, 10:00 PM
Trump urges 'massive' voting turnout in video message
Former President Donald Trump urged his supporters to get out and vote in a video message shown during the convention.
"Many Republicans like to vote on Election Day, and we must swamp the radical Democrats with massive turnout on Tuesday, Nov. 5," he said. "The way you win is to swamp them."
The pre-taped video has played at Trump's rallies in the past.
Jul 15, 9:55 PM
'I love this guy': Charlie Kirk gets a warm welcome
Many in the arena stood up to cheer on Charlie Kirk -- the CEO of Turning Point USA, a nonprofit organization that advocates for conservative politics at schools and universities -- as he walked onto the stage.
"I love this guy," one woman said.
Kirk opened up with a joke about his outreach work to young voters, telling the audience he's gone to college campuses so they don't have to -- which received a hearty laugh from attendees.
-ABC News' Alexandra Hutzler
Jul 15, 9:38 PM
Conga lines break out at the RNC
On the left side of the stage, near where delegates from New York and Tennessee are stationed, a conga line has broken out.
Many participants are waving "Trump" signs in the air.
-ABC News' Alexandra Hutzler
Jul 15, 9:21 PM
Trump expected to make RNC appearance tonight
Trump is expected to make an appearance at the Republican National Convention Monday night, multiple sources told ABC News. He is not expected to speak.
A large motorcade recently left the hotel where Trump is staying and appears to be heading in the direction of the venue.
-ABC News' Rachel Scott, John Santucci, Katherine Faulders and Kelsey Walsh
