RNC 2024 Day 2: Trump feted by former rivals Haley, DeSantis in show of GOP unity

Trump, with a bandage on his ear, made an appearance again Tuesday evening

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Last updated: Wednesday, July 17, 2024 10:00AM GMT
RNC 2024 Day 2: Trump feted by former rivals Haley, DeSantis
Former President Trump's political rivals came together in a show of unity Tuesday.

MILWAUKEE -- 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 said God spared Trump in the shooting, saving him for a divine plan for the presidency.

Key Headlines

Here's how the news is developing.
ABCNews logo
Jul 16, 2024, 10:58 PM GMT

RNC kicks off 2nd night, themed 'Make America Safe Once Again'

The Republican National Convention's second night has begun, and the theme is "Make America Safe Once Again."

Several speakers -- including former U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis -- are expected to take the stage.

ByABC7 Chicago Digital Team WLS logo
Jul 16, 2024, 10:18 PM GMT

Man shot, killed by Ohio police about 1 mile from RNC in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

There was a deadly police shooting Tuesday about a mile from the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.

Witnesses told ABC7 Chicago that the victim is a man who lives in a park nearby. He reportedly got into an argument, and pulled out knives.

There was a Milwaukee police shooting today. A man was shot and killed by Columbus, Ohio police near the RNC in Wisconsin.

Police officers from out of town are in Milwaukee, helping during the convention.

They responded, and the man was shot.

Read more.

ByHannah Demissie ABCNews logo
Jul 16, 2024, 9:55 PM GMT

Vance walks RNC floor with Don Jr.

Sen. JD Vance, right, talks with Donald Trump Jr., center, and Kimberly Guilfoyle, left, during a walkthrough for the Republican National Convention on July 16, 2024, in Milwaukee.
Sen. JD Vance, right, talks with Donald Trump Jr., center, and Kimberly Guilfoyle, left, during a walkthrough for the Republican National Convention on July 16, 2024, in Milwaukee.

JD Vance returned to the RNC convention Tuesday afternoon and walked the floor.

He was accompanied by Donald Trump Jr., but did not answer shouted questions from the press.

ABCNews logo
Jul 16, 2024, 11:09 PM GMT

Asa Hutchinson walks back comments about not voting for convicted felon

Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson was one of the major Republicans who voiced his disapproval of Trump after he was convicted in a Manhattan criminal court, stating he wouldn't vote for a convicted felon.

However, when ABC News' Jay O'Brien broached the subject Tuesday the the convention, the former governor seemed to have different sentiments.

Asa Hutchinson walked back comments about not voting for convicted felon.

"Well, you know that I've made some commitments about not voting for a convicted felon, but that seems like a long time ago," Hutchinson said.

O'Brien continued to press Hutchinson.

"So you could move away from that commitment?" he asked the former governor.

"Let's see how it develops in the future," Hutchinson responded.