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RNC 2024 Day 2 updates: Trump rivals take center stage along with divine intervention

PHOTO: Former President Donald Trump attends the second day of the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, July 16, 2024.
3:29
Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images
RNC Day 2 highlights: Former Trump rivals Haley, DeSantis take stage
By Meredith Deliso, Ivan Pereira, Tal Axelrod, Chris Boccia, Alexandra Hutzler
Last Updated: July 16, 2024, 7:03 PM

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.

Latest headlines:

  • Lara Trump addresses assassination attempt in final speech of the night
  • Full Trump family to attend RNC Thursday: Sources
  • Crowd mimics Trump's raised fist: 'Fight, fight, fight'
  • Haley supporters react to speech
  • Rubio urges fighting 'with our voices and our votes'
Here's how the news is developing:

Jul 16, 2024 7:03 PM

Trump meets with Boris Johnson

Trump posted an image on his social media platform on Tuesday posing with former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

"Nice meeting with Former Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, a very fine guy!" Trump posted.

PHOTO: Former President Donald Trump meets with Former British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson in Milwaukee, July 16, 2024.
@realDonaldTrump/Truth Social
Former President Donald Trump meets with Former British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson in Milwaukee, July 16, 2024.
@realDonaldTrump/Truth Social

It's not clear if Johnson will be attending RNC events on Tuesday.


Jul 16, 2024 6:42 PM

Trump senior adviser doubles down on Trump's support for Second Amendment

Former President Donald Trump campaign's senior adviser Chris LaCivita spoke at a panel hosted by pro-Second Amendment group USCCA on Tuesday morning updating the crowd about Trump's recovery and message of unity.

LaCivita said both Trump and himself are supporters of the Second Amendment and reiterated the former president's messaging has always been to allow law-abiding citizens the ability to carry firearms to protect themselves and their families.

"It's also really important in this election, because Biden has made it clear he wants to ban them," LaCivita said. "There are so many things that you can do to curb the problem of individuals as opposed to trying to ban what is clearly… a right."

-ABC News' Kelsey Walsh, Lalee Ibssa and Soorin Kim


Jul 16, 2024 6:07 PM

Trump, Vance to hold campaign rally in Michigan

Trump's campaign announced that he and JD Vance will be holding a rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on Saturday.

This will mark their first rally together and the first one after Trump's assassination attempt. The rally will take place in an indoor venue.

-ABC News' Lalee Ibssa and Soorin Kim



Jul 16, 2024 5:06 PM

There's Trump merchandise galore at RNC

PHOTO: People look at political merchandise for sale on the first day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum, July 15, 2024, in Milwaukee.
Leon Neal/Getty Images
People look at political merchandise for sale on the first day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum, July 15, 2024, in Milwaukee.
Leon Neal/Getty Images
PHOTO: A person looks at political merchandise for sale on the first day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum, July 15, 2024, in Milwaukee.
Leon Neal/Getty Images
A person looks at political merchandise for sale on the first day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum, July 15, 2024, in Milwaukee.
Leon Neal/Getty Images

Merchandise abounds outside of the convention center, with official RNC-branded souvenirs sold inside the Fiserv Forum. The signature red "MAGA" hat is sold at all of them, but all of the vendors have slightly different stock.

A vendor outside of the main security line was selling shirts with the now-iconic photo after the assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump, while another inside of the security perimeter sold T-shirts that declared "I'm voting for the felon."

PHOTO: A vendor sells t-shirts honoring former President Donald Trump outside the Republican National Convention on July 16, 2024.
Diana Paulsen/ABC News
A vendor sells t-shirts honoring former President Donald Trump outside the Republican National Convention on July 16, 2024.
Diana Paulsen/ABC News

The official RNC store features T-shirts with Trump's mugshot along with more niche merchandise such as Christmas ornaments.

PHOTO: People buy merchandise supporting former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump during the first day of the 2024 Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum, July 15, 2024, in Milwaukee.
Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images
People buy merchandise supporting former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump during the first day of the 2024 Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum, July 15, 2024, in Milwaukee.
Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images

-ABC News' Diana Paulsen


Jul 16, 2024 11:40 PM

Pennsylvania Senate hopeful on witnessing rally shooting

Pennsylvania Senate hopeful Dave McCormick, who witnessed the assassination attempt on Trump, addressed the "terrifying" moment at the start of his remarks.

PHOTO: Businessman and politician Dave McCormick speaks during Day 2 of the Republican National Convention (RNC) in Milwaukee, Wis., July 16, 2024.
Mike Segar/Reuters
Businessman and politician Dave McCormick speaks during Day 2 of the Republican National Convention (RNC) in Milwaukee, Wis., July 16, 2024.
Mike Segar/Reuters

"I want to first acknowledge what transpired a few days ago in my home state where I witnessed firsthand from a front-row seat in Butler President Trump's remarkable strength and resolve in a terrifying and unpredictable moment," he said. "The president rose brilliantly to the challenge."

He acknowledged the victims of the incident before saying, "We all thank God President Trump is OK."

On the election, he posited it as a choice between "strength and weakness," between "America's greatness or its sad, disgraceful decline."

Dave McCormick, who witnessed the assassination attempt on Trump, addressed the "terrifying" moment at the start of his remarks at the Republican National Convention.
0:50
Dave McCormick, who witnessed the assassination attempt on Trump, addressed the "terrifying" moment at the start of his remarks at the Republican National Convention.

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