Balloons fall around former President Donald Trump and his family after his speech at the Republican National Convention on Thursday, July 18.
Updated 2:11 AM EDT, Fri July 19, 2024
Former President Donald Trump, speaking at the Republican National Convention on Thursday night, formally accepted his party’s presidential nomination for a third straight election.
“With faith and devotion, I proudly accept your nomination for president of the United States,” Trump said to applause.
His keynote speech came five days after he survived an assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania. It was the first time he had spoken directly to the public since the shooting.
“I’m not supposed to be here tonight,” he told the crowd. The attendees started chanting, “yes you are,” earning a quick smile from Trump.
“I stand before you in this arena only by the grace of almighty God,” he said.
Trump attended the convention every night this week in Milwaukee, sporting a bandage over his injured right ear. In his speech Thursday, he called for unity and said he was running to be president for all of America.
“I am running to be president for all America, not half of America, because there is no victory in winning for half of America,” he said.
Trump and former first lady Melania Trump were joined on stage by vice presidential nominee JD Vance and his wife, Usha.
Convention attendees take photos and videos at the end of Trump's speech on Thursday.
The former president holds hands with his wife after his speech.
Trump and his family stand on stage at the end of the convention.
Popped balloons cover the floor of the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee.
The Trumps appear on stage together at the end of his speech.
Trump asked the crowd to hold a moment of silence for Corey Comperatore, the man who was killed during the assassination attempt at Trump's campaign rally on Saturday. Comperatore was a firefighter.
Images of Trump from Saturday's attack were shown during his speech.
The former first lady sits next to Vance, left, and Eric Trump in the VIP box.
Trump points at the start of his speech. It was his first speech since Saturday's shooting in Butler, Pennsylvania.
During his speech Thursday, the former president urged Democrats to drop the “partisan witch hunts” against him.
Delegates hold up cheese hats —a Wisconsin tradition — at the convention.
Trump's son Eric speaks on Thursday. He reflected on his father’s decision to run for president in 2016: “He decided to leave behind the comforts of an unbelievable business empire, to leave behind everything he had ever built, to answer the call to serve our nation.”
People hold up their phones as Melania Trump arrives at the convention.
The former first lady takes her seat in the VIP box. She had attended just two public appearances since Trump launched his third presidential bid.
WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan addresses the crowd Thursday. “When I came here tonight there was so much energy in this room. I thought maybe I was in Madison Square Garden getting ready to win another world title,” the retired pro wrestler said.
The band Sixwire plays during the convention on Thursday.
Trump arrives at the Fiserv Forum on Thursday.
US Rep. Lauren Boebert speaks to a delegate at the convention on Thursday.
Trump listens to convention speakers with members of his family and special guests.
Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson speaks at the convention on Thursday. He said "everything was different" after Saturday's attempted assassination: “This convention is different. The nation is different. The world is different. Donald Trump is different.”
Trump is seen before his speech on Thursday.
Alina Habba, an attorney for Donald Trump, speaks at the convention on Thursday. “The only crime President Trump has committed is loving America,” she said.
A woman wears a hat with Trump's name on it.
Trump has attended every night of the convention this week.
Journalists report from the Fiserv Forum on Thursday.
People stand for the national anthem as it is performed inside the Fiserv Forum on Thursday.
A woman wears Trump socks and leggings outside the convention on Thursday.
Rapper Forgiato Blow wears a Trump medallion around his neck on Thursday.
Wags the dog wears a Trump pin outside the convention on Thursday.
Ohio Sen. JD Vance, Trump's running mate, takes the stage for his keynote speech on Wednesday. “Tonight is a night of hope — a celebration ofwhat America once was and, withGod’s grace, what it will soonbe again,” Vance said.
Vance is greeted by his wife, Usha, after his speech.
Trump kisses his granddaughter Kai at the convention. She addressed the crowd on Wednesday and described the former president as a proud grandfather and an inspiration to her.
Delegates cheer after Vance's speech on Wednesday.
Trump is still wearing a bandage on his right ear, which was injured in Saturday's assassination attempt.
House Speaker Mike Johnson watches Vance's speech next to Vance's mother, Beverly. During his speech, Vance spoke of his mother’s struggle with addiction and acknowledged her where she sat in the VIP box. “Our movement is about single moms like mine who struggled with money and addiction but never gave up," he said. "And I’m proud to say my mom is here — 10 years clean and sober. I love you, Mom."
A Trump supporter cheers on the former president inside the Fiserv Forum.
Trump is introduced to the crowd at the Fiserv Forum on Wednesday.
World War II veteran William Pekrul walks off stage after speaking on Wednesday.
A journalist reports from Fiserv Arena on Wednesday.
Trump attends the convention on Wednesday.
People watch the convention inside the Fiserv Forum.
Donald Trump Jr. speaks on Wednesday. He praised Vance in his remarks, saying he "is going to make one hell of a vice president.” Trump Jr. is a close friend and unabashed supporter of Vance, and he helped make a last-minute push for his father to pick him as his running mate,CNN reported.
Convention attendees watch Wednesday's events at the Fiserv Forum.
Donald Trump Jr. takes the stage with his daughter Kai on Wednesday.
Trump raises a fist after arriving to the Fiserv Forum on Wednesday.
North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum speaks at the convention on Wednesday. He opened his speech by asking the crowd multiple times, “Who will make America energy dominant?” The crowd answered resoundingly each time: “Trump.”
Kimberly Guilfoyle, a former member of Trump’s presidential campaign and the fiancée of Donald Trump Jr., spoke on Wednesday and called the upcoming presidential election “the most important election in our lifetime.”
This delegate was one of many attendees who were wearing a bandage on their ear to show solidarity with Trump.
Trump and others in his VIP box watch the convention on Wednesday.
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich attends the convention Wednesday with his wife, Callista.
Former Trump White House adviser Peter Navarro was greeted by a cheering crowd before his speech. He traveled from Miami, where he was released from a federal prison Wednesday after completing his four-month sentence fordefying a subpoenafrom the January 6 congressional committee.
Convention attendees stand outside the Fiserv Forum on Wednesday.
Families of several American service members killed in Afghanistan take the stage on Wednesday. The service members were killed during the US troop withdrawal in 2021.
Anti-Trump protester Nadine Seiler demonstrates outside the convention on Wednesday.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott takes the stage on Wednesday. During his speech, Abbott said the United States needs more security at the US-Mexico border.
Delegates walk outside the Fiserv Forum on Wednesday.
US Rep. Matt Gaetz started his speech Wednesday with an impassioned call for Trump to be reelected. “Donald Trump is unstoppable," he said. "Elect him president again, and America will be unstoppable, too.”
Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy walks into the convention on Wednesday.
Delegates and alternate delegates wave signs on Wednesday.
Trump supporters wear shirts that show Trump raising his fist after he survived his assassination attempt.
Petroleum engineer Sarah Phillips speaks at the convention on Wednesday.
Signs are placed on seats inside the Fiserv Forum ahead of Wednesday's speeches.
Volunteers walk outside the Fiserv Forum on Wednesday.
Trump returns to the Fiserv Forum to attend Day 2 of the convention on Tuesday.
Fashion designer Andre Soriano dances with other delegates at the convention on Tuesday.
Trump and Vance applaud on Tuesday.
A delegate holds up a hat, showing support for Trump's goal to become the nation's 47th president.
Vance shakes hands with a delegate from Idaho on Tuesday.
Trump supporters hold signs on the convention floor on Tuesday.
Trump takes in the night's events on Tuesday.
People pass out posters that say “back the blue” on Tuesday.
Trump moves toward his seat after arriving at the convention on Tuesday.
Trump supporter Blake Marnell, wearing a brick wall suit, shows his support on Tuesday.
Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, right, gets help with a pocket camera as he attends the convention on Tuesday.
Trump wears a bandage on his injured right ear.
Nancy Cottle, who is facing criminal charges for allegedly conspiring to overturn the 2020 election results in Arizona, attends the convention on Tuesday. She has been charged with multiple felonies in connection with her role as a pro-Trump fake elector four years ago. She has pleaded not guilty.
Trump and Vance stand for the benediction at the end of Tuesday's events.
Former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, one of Trump's former primary rivals, delivers a speech on Tuesday. She said the Republican Party needs to expand. “We are so much better when we are bigger," she said. "We are stronger when we welcome people into our party who have different backgrounds and experiences."
A delegate from Nebraska prays during the benediction on Tuesday.
Florida Sen. Marco Rubio gives a speech at the convention. He said the upcoming presidential election is about “putting America first."
Vivek Ramaswamy delivers a speech on Tuesday. “This time last year I was a candidate for US president, and I’m proud to say that Iachieved the impossible, which isthat most of you actually knowhow to say my name by now. Sothank you for that,” he joked.
Trump, on the bottom row second from left, watches the convention next to his son Eric and Vance on Tuesday.
A delegate tears up during the convention on Tuesday.
Babydog Justice, the bulldog of West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice, sits on stage as Justice speaks at the convention on Tuesday.
Trump claps while attending the convention on Tuesday.
Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders delivers remarks on Tuesday. “Not even an assassin’s bullet could stop (Trump). God almighty intervened because America is one nation under God — and He is certainly not finished with President Trump,” she said to a standing ovation.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at the convention on Tuesday. He praised Trump on his US border and economic policies. “Our country was respected when Donald Trump was our commander-in-chief,” he said.
Justice's speech is seen on a monitor from the main concourse of the Fiserv Forum on Tuesday.
Kari Lake, a Senate candidate in Arizona, began her convention speech Tuesday by calling out what she called “the fake news” and “disastrous Democrat policies.”
North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum speaks to reporters at the convention on Tuesday. Burgum was one of the finalists to be Trump's running mate.
Trump is introduced to the crowd on Tuesday.
Hats are sold at the convention on Tuesday.
Michael Whatley, chairman of the Republican National Committee, opens the convention on Tuesday.
Lake speaks to a reporter at the Fiserv Forum on Tuesday.
A MAGA pin is affixed to a jacket lapel on Tuesday.
A journalist reports from the convention on Tuesday.
Trump signs are placed on seats ahead of Tuesday night's speakers.
The stage is set at the Fiserv Forum on Tuesday.
A woman sits in a section of the arena before the night's speeches on Tuesday.
Television control panels are set up at the convention venue on Tuesday.
People enter the Fiserv Forum on Tuesday.
Trump stands with Vance on the first night of the convention on Monday.
People watch Monday night's speeches at the convention.
Trump greets former Fox News host Tucker Carlson as he walks onto the convention floor Monday.
A service dog named Tzeitel rests during the convention on Monday.
Trump points to the crowd at the Fiserv Forum on Monday.
A child holds a Trump sign at the convention on Monday.
From left, Carlson, US Rep. Byron Donalds, Kimberly Guilfoyle, Trump, Donald Trump Jr., Vance and Eric Trump laugh at a joke during the convention on Monday.
Trump and Vance attend the convention together on Monday.
Sara Brady, from Boise, Idaho, shows off her dress on Monday.
US Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene delivers a speech at the convention on Monday. In her speech she spoke out against transgender people and said there are only two genders.
Trump merchandise is sold inside the Fiserv Forum on Monday.
Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird speaks at the convention as Vance was formally nominated as Trump's running mate.
Delegates from Texas wear cowboy hats on Monday.
A TV journalist reports from inside the Fiserv Forum on Monday.
House Speaker Mike Johnson introduces the roll call Monday to nominate Trump as the GOP's presidential candidate.
Vance appears on the convention floor on Monday.
Chase, left, and Knox, from Tampa, Florida, attend the convention on Monday.
Delegates from New York cheer during the convention on Monday.
Trump sons Eric, center left, and Donald Jr. attend the convention on Monday. On the right is Kimberly Guilfoyle, who is the fiancée of Donald Jr.
An alternate delegate takes a selfie at the Fiserv Forum on Monday.
Delegates pose for the convention’s official photo at the Fiserv Forum on Monday.
A delegate checks her cell phone inside the Fiserv Forum on Monday.
A delegate writes Vance's name on a Trump campaign sign on Monday.
Kay Hall and Sharon Henson, both from Texas, pose with a Trump poster on Monday.
The delegation from New Hampshire delivers their nomination speech in support of Trump on Monday.
The national anthem is played at the start of the convention on Monday.
Trump shirts are sold outside the Fiserv Forum on Monday.
Police officers sit on bicycles in front of the Fiserv Forum on Sunday.
Security personnel survey the convention floor on Sunday.
Members of the media work inside the arena on Sunday.
Bob Kunst, from Miami, holds a sign outside the Fiserv Forum on Sunday that read "Biden betrayed America and Israel."
Television reporters work at the convention site on Sunday.
Arizona delegates pose for pictures in front of the Fiserv Forum on Saturday.
People ride a boat on the Milwaukee River on Saturday. Security personnel are seen on a boat in the distance.
