RNC Day 4: Trump delivers longest acceptance speech in history

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Last updated: Friday, July 19, 2024 4:39AM GMT
Trump pitches unity, but revives old grievances in nomination acceptance speech
Former President Donald Trump pitched unity but revived old grievances in his nomination acceptance speech.

MILWAUKEE -- On the fourth and final day of the Republican National Convention, former President Donald Trump gave a highly anticipated speech, which he said beforehand would call for unity following his assassination attempt.

However in his first speech since the incident, Trump leaned into his usual talking points, slamming President Joe Biden, Democrats and other critics on a wide variety of issues from the economy, immigration and crime.

For over an hour, Trump went off script much to the crowd's delight. The former president told them he was grateful for their support after his brush with death but argued that the country needed to be fixed due to Biden's policies.

The night also included wild speeches from guests such as Hulk Hogan and Eric Trump, who echoed some of the former president's rhetoric bashing Biden and the Democrats.

Key Headlines

Here's how the news is developing.
ABCNews logo
Jul 19, 2024, 4:15 AM GMT

Trump wraps up speech

Trump has concluded his keynote speech, with his family joining him on stage.

"America's future will be bigger, better, bolder, brighter, happier, stronger, freer, greater and more united than ever before," he said. "And quite simply put we will very quickly make America great again."

ByNathaniel Rakich FiveThirtyEight logo
Jul 19, 2024, 4:12 AM GMT

This was the longest acceptance speech in history

Trump's acceptance speech lasted 1 hour and 33 minutes. That makes it the longest presidential nomination acceptance speech in recorded history. The previous record was 1 hour 15 minutes, also set by Trump in 2016.

ByMary Bruce ABCNews logo
Jul 19, 2024, 4:11 AM GMT

'He's playing the greatest hits from 2016': Biden adviser


An adviser to President Joe Biden further criticized Trump's speech.

"He's playing the greatest hits from 2016," the adviser told ABC News. "Trump has not changed, he has not moderated, he has gotten worse, and he is making no appeal to moderates."

ByMary Bruce ABCNews logo
Jul 19, 2024, 4:05 AM GMT

'All about him': Biden adviser

An adviser to President Biden told ABC News Trump's speech was "all about him, no plan for future, exactly what people hate about politicians."