JD Vance accepts GOP’s nomination for vice president

Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, will address the Republican National Convention (RNC), formally accepting the party's nomination for vice president. And the Secret Service director is confronted at the convention, as lawmakers seek answers following the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Thursday, July 18, 2024.

JD Vance accepts GOP's nomination for vice president

Former President Donald Trump is slated to address the Republican National Convention on its fourth and final day, Thursday, July 18. Vance will formally accept the party’s presidential nomination just days after Trump survived assassination attempt during a campaign rally. Day 3 , meanwhile, served as an introduction for Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance to the GOP and the nation as Trump’s running mate.

“So tonight, Mr. Chairman, I stand here humbled and I'm overwhelmed with gratitude to say I officially accept your nomination to be vice president of the United States of America,” Vance said.

With the former president in attendance, Vance addressed the Milwaukee crowd on Wednesday, July 17, speaking about his humble upbringing in southwest Ohio and his vision for the future of America while attacking President Joe Biden’s record. Calling the president a “ career politician ,” the 39-year-old senator pointed out Biden has been in politics longer than he has been alive.

“When I was in the fourth grade a career politician by the name of Joe Biden supported NAFTA , a bad trade deal that sent countless good jobs to Mexico,” Vance said. “When I was a sophomore in high school that same career politician named Joe Biden gave China a sweetheart trade deal that destroyed even more good American middle-class manufacturing jobs. When I was a senior in high school that same Joe Biden supported the disastrous invasion of Iraq . And at each step of the way in small towns like mine in Ohio or next door in Pennsylvania or Michigan, in states all across our country, jobs were sent overseas and our children were sent to war.”

In an emotional moment during his speech, Vance turned the spotlight to his mother , Beverly, whose struggles with addiction were documented in his memoir “Hillbilly Elegy.”

“I'm proud to say that tonight my mom is here 10 years clean and sober," he said. "I love you, Mom.”

The crowd broke out in a chant of “JD’s mom!”

Another of Vance’s relatives also made her introduction. His wife, Usha , spoke in support of her husband.

The daughter of Indian immigrants, Usha Vance said despite their very different backgrounds, the two were able to fall in love while attending Yale Law School . She called it a “testament to this great country.”

The night also featured heavy criticism of President Biden’s foreign policies, with Gold Star families — relatives of the 13 service members killed during the U.S.’ withdrawal from Afghanistan — taking the stage. A 99-year-old World War II veteran spoke as well, declaring “America is still worth fighting for.”

Just hours after being released from a Miami prison , former Trump adviser Peter Navarro got a standing ovation from the convention crowd as he walked to the podium. Navarro served a four-month sentence for refusing to cooperate with the Jan. 6 Committee’s investigation. He told the RNC his sentencing was their “wake up call.”

The night also featured members of the Trump family, including Donald Trump’s 17-year-old granddaughter, Kai , who shared her view of her grandfather.

“The media makes my grandpa seem like a different person, but I know him for who he is,” Kai Trump said. “He's very caring and loving he truly really wants the best for this country, and he will fight every single day to make America great again."

Secret Service director agrees to testify before Congress

Calls from top Republican leaders in Congress are growing for the director of the Secret Service to step down following the July 13 assassination attempt on former President Trump in Pennsylvania. Kimberly Cheatle has agreed to a subpoena issued by House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer on Wednesday, July 17, demanding she testify publicly next week.

Comer said there has been a lack of transparency and failure to cooperate with the committee.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., are among those who are calling for Cheatle to step down. She has indicated she has no intention of doing so.

At the Republican National Convention Wednesday night, a group of GOP senators confronted the Secret Service director on the floor, demanding answers and accountability.

With investigations into the Secret Service’s protocols underway, new details are emerging. ABC News reports law enforcement officials said 20 minutes passed from when Secret Service snipers first spotted the gunman on the rooftop of a building outside the rally’s security zone and the time he fired at former President Trump.

Reports: Pelosi, Schumer express concerns Biden can't win 2024 election

Support for President Joe Biden within his own party seems to be waning even more. New reports say former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told the president in a recent conversation that polling shows he can't win over Trump, and he could ruin Democrats' chances of winning other races if he stays on the ticket.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., have also reportedly both spoken with the president privately to discuss concerns over his refusal to step down.

The president has been insistent he will stay in the race. In an interview that aired Wednesday, July 17, Biden told BET's Ed Gordon there's only one way he'd reevaluate running.

“Is there anything that you would look to, you personally, not anybody else, not other pundits, not even perhaps family members, that you would look to, to say, if I see that, I will reevaluate?” Gordon asked.

“If I had some medical condition that emerged,” President Biden said. “If somebody, if the doctors came to me and said, ‘you got this problem, that problem.’"

The White House has confirmed the president tested positive for COVID-19 after an event in Las Vegas on Wednesday. Officials said he has mild symptoms and he cut his campaign visit to Nevada short after the diagnosis, canceling an event aimed at garnering support from Latino voters.

Biden is expected to remain in isolation at his home in Delaware for several days.

U.S. military to dismantle Gaza humanitarian aid pier

The U.S. military has officially shut down its troubled temporary Gaza aid pier , saying it accomplished what it was meant to. The pier is currently back in port in Ashdod, Israel.

Pentagon officials said it will not be reattached to the shore in Gaza. Instead, it's to be permanently dismantled.

Since it opened in May, the pier has only seen about 20 days of operational use because of bad weather and rough seas. Humanitarian aid is now beginning to be brought in through an Israeli port instead.

Las Vegas' iconic 'Mirage' shuts down for good

The iconic Mirage Hotel and Casino on the Las Vegas strip has officially shut down after more than three decades in business. The Mirage, which opened in 1989, is known for revolutionizing the casino resort industry and reshaping Las Vegas as a tourist destination.

The 3,000-room resort will now undergo a three-year renovation. It's set to reopen in 2027 as Hard Rock Las Vegas — with a 700-foot-tall hotel tower in the shape of a guitar, similar to Hard Rock's Hollywood, Florida hotel and casino.

FX, Netflix dominate 2024 Emmy nominations

The nominations for the 76th annual Primetime Emmy Awards are in, with FX leading the charge. FX's historical drama "Shogun" topped the list with the most nominations — 25 — and its comedy-drama "The Bear" followed closely with 23 nominations of its own.

When it comes to networks, Netflix is continuing its reign with 107 nominations this year.

This will technically be the second Emmy Awards ceremony this year, after the 2023 awards were postponed after Hollywood actors and writers went on months-long strikes last year. The 75th annual Emmy Awards ceremony was held in January.

The 2024 awards show will be held Sept. 15 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.

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