Trump makes appearance at convention with bandage on ear at RNC 2024

Chants of 'we love Trump' could be heard as he entered the RNC.

KTRK logo
Last updated: Tuesday, July 16, 2024 10:44AM GMT
Donald Trump arrives at RNC with bandage on ear days after assassination attempt
Donald Trump arrives at RNC with bandage on ear days after assassination attemptCeFaan Kim has more on Donald Trump's arrival at the Republican National Convention two days after the assassination attempt at his rally.

MILWAUKEE -- The Republican National Convention is officially underway in Milwaukee on Monday -- just two days after Donald Trump 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.

Jul 16, 2024, 2:34 AM GMT

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.

Former President Donald Trump makes his first appearance since the attempted assassination at a rally in Pennsylvania.

The cheers for 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.

ABCNews logo
Jul 16, 2024, 12:13 AM GMT

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene: 'Evil came' for Trump

Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene said the RNC comes at a "somber moment," two days after the assassination attempt against Trump.

"Two days ago, evil came for the man we admire and love so much," she said. "I thank God that His hand was on President Trump."

She said she prays for the family of Corey Comperatore, who was killed at the rally.

"Corey embodied the spirit of America. First, he displayed the ultimate show of love when he shielded his wife and daughter, sacrificing his own life," she said. "He reminded America of what we must be -- a people who will do whatever it takes to defend the people and the nation that we love."

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-GA., geturing. before addressing the Republican National Convention, Monday, July 15, 2024, in Milwaukee.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-GA., geturing. before addressing the Republican National Convention, Monday, July 15, 2024, in Milwaukee.

In turning her remarks toward the Biden administration, Greene said the Democrats have "ripped open our borders" and driven up housing costs and health care "while slashing American wages and eliminating jobs."

"They claim that our economy is thriving, yet hundreds of thousands of American-born workers lost their jobs these past few years," she said.

ABCNews logo
Jul 16, 2024, 12:00 AM GMT

RNC chair: 'We must unite as a nation'

Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley opened his remarks with a call for unity in the wake of the "horrifying assassination attempt" against Trump.

"We are praying for President Trump. We are praying for the injured. We are praying for the family of Corey Comperatore," Whatley said. "We must unite as a party and we must unite as a nation. We must show the same strength and resilience as President Trump and lead this nation to a greater future world."

ABCNews logo
Jul 15, 2024, 11:20 PM GMT

RNC called to order: theme is Make America Wealthy Again

RNC Chair Michael Whatley has called the convention to order for the second official session.

The theme of the evening is Make America Wealthy Again, where speakers are expected to discuss inflation, increased interest rates, gas prices and housing costs.

New York delegates attend the first day of the Republican National Convention, Monday, July 15, 2024, in Milwaukee.
New York delegates attend the first day of the Republican National Convention, Monday, July 15, 2024, in Milwaukee.