RNC 2024 Day 3 updates: Trump prepares for Thursday RNC speech with walk around stage

Day 3 of the Republican National Convention features the prime-time debut of J.D. Vance introducing himself both to Republicans and Americans nationwide.

He'll speak to the delegates as Donald Trump is again expected at the convention hall to watch his running mate make his national debut.

Tonight's theme at the RNC is "Make America Strong Once Again."

Latest Developments

_{Jul 17, 5:48 PM}

What delegates want to hear from JD Vance tonight

Outside the convention center, two delegates spoke with ABC News Digital about what they want to hear when JD Vance gives his first speech since being tapped as Trump's running mate.

"I don't know him very well," said one delegate from New Jersey. "I mean, we all know that he was maybe not a fan of President Trump's, which makes it even more interesting, right? But I do think he has the same values."

"That's what we will want to hear tonight, that he has our values that he is going to, you know, that he's going to follow through on those values and when he is only the Vice President, but we're looking forward to four years from now," she said.

Another delegate from California said she was more familiar with Vance, having previously read his memoir "Hillbilly Elegy."

"He's young, he's smart and he knows what he's doing. He has a great compelling story, grew up in poverty, made it to the American dream. What could be more better than that?" she said.

-ABC News' Alexandra Hutzler

_{Jul 17, 4:56 PM}

Kai Trump prepares for speech

Kai Trump, the granddaughter of Trump, was seen on stage at the RNC on Wednesday afternoon preparing for her speech later tonight.

The teen is slated to address the RNC at 9 p.m. CT/10 p.m. ET on Wednesday, the same night as her father, Donald Trump Jr.

Learn more about the eldest of Trump's 10 grandchildren here .

_{Jul 17, 4:03 PM}

Trump takes a walk around RNC stage

Trump arrived at the RNC Wednesday afternoon and walked around the stage in preparation of his acceptance speech slated for Thursday.

He spent nearly five minutes practicing his entrance, pointing at the teleprompter, and adjusting his stance. He was joined by an entourage of campaign staff.

-ABC News' Kelsey Walsh

_{Jul 17, 3:35 PM}

Vance says he'll 'make the case' to put Trump back in White House in RNC speech

Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance spoke at a fundraiser Wednesday afternoon where he gave a preview of what he will say during his speech at the Republican National Convention on Wednesday night.

"Now we're going to get out there and try to fire up the crowd tonight and make the case, a very easy case to make, but an important case to make that we have got to reelect President Donald J. Trump to the White House," Vance said.

Vance said that he will talk about the attempted assassination of Trump and how he has not wavered.

"He keeps on persevering. He keeps on fighting. President Trump has taken everything that they've thrown at him, and he's come out stronger, and the country has come out better for his service."

-ABC News' Hannah Demissie

_{Jul 17, 1:49 PM}

Harris accepts 3rd date option offered by CBS for VP debate

Vice President Kamala Harris on Wednesday accepted a third date option proposed by CBS News for a vice-presidential debate, a Biden campaign official said.

The new proposed date is for Monday, Aug. 12, according to the Biden campaign.

"Now that the Trump campaign has selected a running mate, we encourage them to agree to a debate between Vice President Harris and Senator Vance," the campaign official said.

On May 16, CBS News offered two debate date options on either July 23 (the week after the RNC) or Aug. 13 (the week before the DNC), which Harris accepted at the time.

The next day Trump accepted a Fox News proposal for his eventual running mate -- who we now know is Vance.

"On behalf of the future Vice President of the United States, who I have not yet chosen, we hereby accept the Fox Vice Presidential Debate, hopefully at Virginia State University, the first Historically Black College or University to host a Debate - Date to be determined," Trump posted on Truth Social at the time. "I urge Vice President Kamala Harris to agree to this. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"

Fox News’ VP debate offer was for the same dates CBS News originally offered.

-ABC News' Fritz Farrow, Gabriella Abdul-Hakim and Will McDuffie

_{Jul 17, 1:32 PM}

Kai Trump, Donald Trump Jr.'s daughter, expected to speak tonight at RNC

Kai Trump, the daughter of Donald Trump Jr. and granddaughter of former President Donald Trump, is scheduled to speak at the Republican National Convention Wednesday night at 9 p.m. CT/10 p.m. ET, she posted on her social media account.

"I am honored to be speaking at the RNC at 9 pm (CDT)," she posted with a photo of the former president and Sen. J.D. Vance.

Kai Trump, the 17-year-old daughter of Donald Trump Jr. and his ex-wife Vanessa Trump, is the eldest of Trump's 10 grandchildren.

Over the weekend, she posted a photo of the former president pumping his fist after being shot at his Pennsylvania campaign rally, writing: "We love you Grandpa. Never stop fighting!"

In June, she posted a photo of herself with Donald Trump at what appears to be a Turning Point Action event in Detroit, Michigan.

-ABC News Soorin Kim, Lalee Ibssa and Kelsey Walsh

_{Jul 17, 12:58 PM}

Vance's first fundraiser as VP today

Sen. J.D. Vance is scheduled to hold his first fundraiser as former President Donald Trump's running mate Wednesday afternoon, sources familiar with the event told ABC News.

And Trump and Vance are scheduled to hold a roundtable-style fundraiser together Thursday afternoon, sources said.

This isn't Vance's first time fundraising alongside Trump. As then-possible vice presidential contender, Vance had joined the former president on multiple Trump campaign fundraisers -- including hosting fundraisers in Ohio and attending other fundraisers at a special guest speaker.

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

_{Jul 17, 11:45 AM}

Trump to attend RNC tonight

Trump will attend the RNC events Wednesday evening -- as he has the previous two days.

The former president is expected to enter the arena around the same time as Tuesday night -- around 8:02 p.m. CT.

The last two days, Trump, with a bandaged ear, has entered Fiserv Forum to cheers from his supporters and chants of "fight, fight, fight" as he pumps his fist in the air -- a callback to his response shortly after an assassination attempt on him at his rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday.

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

_{Jul 17, 10:28 AM}

Wisconsin voters speak on Trump, Biden and America's divisions in wake of shooting

It had been less than 48 hours since the attempted assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump, and for four Wisconsin voters, it was yet another sign of how divided the nation has become.

Valori Schmidt, a Republican living in Milwaukee, described the shooting at the former president's Pennsylvania rally as a "wake-up call."

"Unfortunately, it wasn't necessarily a surprise because the climate of hatred has escalated to such a high level," Schmidt said. "The wake up call is we must take the temperature down. We must become more civil, and we must start being factual and not not name calling and just saying awful things about one another."

Next to her, Gary Berns, a fellow Milwaukeean who votes Democratic, replied: "I can't disagree with that."

Berns and Schmidt, joined by other local residents Julie Buckholt and Charlene Abughrin, sat down with ABC News at Miss Katie's Diner just as the Republican National Convention was kicking off in their hometown.

At times, their conversation showed clear divides between the parties -- especially when it came to the two presidential candidates vying for their votes come November: President Joe Biden and former president Trump.

"As far as the loudness and the anger calling, I mean he brings that on himself," Berns said of Trump. Schmidt later countered that Trump, "has been vilified as a Hitler, as an anti-American, as an extremist … it's been nonstop from all aspects."

Read more here:

-ABC’s Alexandra Hutzler _{Jul 17, 10:12 AM}

Tonight’s theme is ‘Make America Strong Once Again’

The RNC says speakers today with focus on "Chinese Military and Economic Threats, Border Security, Energy Security and Securing the Peace/Restoring America's Place in the World Israel."

Featured speakers include: Peter Navarro, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, Kellyanne Conway, Kimberly Guilfoyle, and Reps. Nancy Mace, Brian Mast, Ronny Jackson, Matt Gaetz, Monica De La Cruz, Anna Paulina Luna, and Michael Waltz.

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