Republicans opened their scaled-back national convention Monday with a roll call vote to formally renominate President Donald Trump to top the Republican ticket in November.The overall theme of the convention, "Honoring the Great American Story," will highlight "the promise and greatness of America" and Trump's "leadership and what he has planned for the future," a Trump campaign official said.MORE: 2020 Republican National Convention: Split between 2 cities, Trump to accept nomination from White House
Each night will also have a sub-theme; on Monday, it is "Land of Promise."Travis Dove/The New York Times via AP, POOLThe room is set and delegates begin to arrive for the first day of the Republican National Convention, Aug. 24, 2020, in Charlotte.The room is set and delegates begin to arrive for the first day of the Republican National Convention, Aug. 24, 2020, in Charlotte.
Before attention turns to primetime programming, the presidential nomination, seconding speeches and roll call took place in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Monday morning.As previously reported by ABC News, Trump is expected to be a part of the programming for each night of the convention.ABC News Live will kick off primetime coverage each day at 7 p.m. ET on the network's streaming news channel, and primetime coverage will air from 10-11 p.m. ET each night of the convention on the ABC Television Network. Check back here for live updates starting at 7 p.m.MORE: Trump cancels Florida portion of GOP convention as coronavirus cases surge: 'Not the right time'
Here's how the day is unfolding:Evan Vucci/APPeople listen as President Donald Trump speaks on stage as he visits the Republican National Committee convention site, Aug. 24, 2020, in Charlotte.People listen as President Donald Trump speaks on stage as he visits the Republican National Committee convention site, Aug. 24, 2020, in Charlotte.12:45 p.m. Trumps makes first RNC appearance Just before Trump took the stage in Charlotte, Florida State Sen. Joe Gruters, the chairman of the Florida Republican Party, announced Florida's 122 votes for Trump -- despite them already being included in the tally. Though Trump was already well over the top when Florida announced its delegates, the RNC put up a graphic prepared for the moment when Trump secured the required number.After suggesting his supporters chant "12 more years" instead of "four more years," Trump declared the country's economic recovery was in a "super V-shape" and fired off attacks against mail-in voting.Trump said Democrats are "trying to steal the election from the Republicans" by expanding access to mail-in ballots, which millions of Americans are relying on amid the pandemic."This is the greatest scam in the history of politics, I think, and I'm talking about beyond our nation. They act like they are aggrieved by saying this, saying such a horrible thing, we are not patriotic by saying this. No," Trump said. "We voted during World War I. We voted at the voting booth during World War II. The pandemic we are doing very well -- and people know how to handle it -- look at the crowds. They are doing very well. It's very safe."Trump went on to accuse Democrats of using the pandemic to push a political agenda -- while Democratic lawmakers back in Washington grilled Postmaster General Louis DeJoy over controversial operational changes to the Postal Service which Democrats argue were designed to slow the mail and help Trump win the election.“They're using COVID to defraud the American people -- all of our people -- of a fair and free election," Trump claimed. "We can’t do that. Don't let them give you the post office stuff."MORE: Democratic campaign launches 'Republicans for Biden' as Flake, former GOP lawmakers endorse him
The president also said that "China will own our country" if Biden is elected, before repeating a familiar claim that he has done for the Black community than anyone."Nobody has done more for the historically Black colleges and universities than Donald Trump. Nobody, nobody has done more for the African-American community," Trump said, with the exception of President Abraham Lincoln, he added.Notably, Trump's political opponent Kamala Harris, Democratic nominee for vice president, is the first HBCU graduate to be nominated for national office by a major political party.Before he concluded his remarks, Trump again hinted that Democrats will take the election away -- the same claim Democrats make about Republicans."This is the most important election in the history of our country. Don't let them take it away from you," he said.Carlos Barria/ReutersPresident Donald Trump addresses the first day of the Republican National Convention after he delegates voted to confirm him as the Republican 2020 presidential nominee for re-election in Charlotte, Aug. 24, 2020.President Donald Trump addresses the first day of the Republican National Convention after he delegates voted to confirm him as the Republican 2020 presidential nominee for re-election in Charlotte, Aug. 24, 2020.12:15 p.m. Republicans reach threshold to renominate Trump for presidentAfter Pence wrapped his remarks, the roll call vote continued with Nevada, whose 25 delegates technically put Trump over the top to have enough votes to once again secure the nomination.Florida, Trump's adopted home state, was the only state moved out of alphabetical order, which would have allowed for the state to put Trump over the top -- but it was Nevada's delegate on the screen when Trump surpassed the 1,276 delegate threshold to win the nomination.Despite Florida not being seen at the microphone to announce the state's 122 delegates, nor the secretary officially announcing a record of the votes, those votes were included in the RNC's delegate tally, putting Trump over the top.With Nevada,1,284 delegates have renominated Trump as the party's nominee, surpassing the 1,276 delegate threshold to win the nomination.The president is expected to speak briefly in Charlotte but will formally accept the nomination on Thursday night, when he delivers his speech from the White House South Lawn.MORE: Biden to ABC's David Muir on raising taxes: 'No new taxes' for anyone making less than $400,00011:48 a.m. Trump touches down in Charlotte, Pence takes the stage As Trump touched down in Charlotte, Vice President Mike Pence took the stage in the convention center to deliver remarks."It is a joy to be with you at the 2020 Republican National Convention here in North Carolina," Pence said. "I heard there a unanimous vote a little bit earlier, and I'll have more to say that at Fort McHenry on Wednesday night."Pence also teased Trump's incoming appearance, saying, "You might just see a friend of mine at the Republican National Convention today because we wanted to say 'thank you.'"Pence's speech was primarily a call to action to vote in November to preserve conservative values."This movement led our nation back in 2016. And I just know each and every one of you, we're going to do your part this year to reelect this president and reelected Republicans with strong sound conservative principles every day," he said.Andrew Harnik/APVice President Mike Pence speaks at the 2020 Republican National Convention in Charlotte, Aug. 24, 2020.Vice President Mike Pence speaks at the 2020 Republican National Convention in Charlotte, Aug. 24, 2020.11:00 a.m. Roll call vote to renominate Trump underway The convention has begun a state-by-state roll call vote on the renomination of President Donald Trump.After tests and temperature checks, 336 delegates representing 50 states, five territories and Washington, D.C., are participating in the process from inside the ballroom of the Charlotte Convention Center. They have been asked to wear masks and practice social distancing.Trump was nominated by Michael Whatley, the chairman of the North Carolina GOP, and Florida State Sen. Joe Gruters, the chairman of the Florida Republican Party.MORE: Former Trump staffer who penned tell-all book and sued the president, back working on Republican Convention
Mike Lindell, founder and CEO of My Pillow who recently said he met with Trump in the White House in July and discussed an unproven COVID-19 therapeutic, cast Minnesota's delegates for Trump in the roll call.Trump and Pence are scheduled to land in Charlotte around the time delegates plan to announce the results of their vote and are expected to make an appearance at the convention.10:14 a.m. Republicans renominate Pence for VPDelegates renominate Pence with a unanimous vote Monday morning ahead of their roll call vote on Trump.Former Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker delivered a brief speech making the nomination.The unanimous voice vote received a standing ovation from RNC delegates.Travis Dove/The New York Times via AP, POOLDelegates gather for the first day of the Republican National Convention, Aug. 24, 2020, in Charlotte.Delegates gather for the first day of the Republican National Convention, Aug. 24, 2020, in Charlotte.8:00 a.m. GOP forgoes party platform, to 'enthusiastically support' Trump agenda The Republican National Committee will go without a traditional policy platform at the GOP convention, saying it will instead "continue to enthusiastically support the president's America-first agenda."In a statement issued Sunday, the RNC said it adopted a resolution Saturday to go without a platform citing difficulties presented by the coronavirus pandemic.MORE: Coronavirus live updates: 1st long-lasting disinfectant approved by EPA
"The RNC has unanimously voted to forego the Convention Committee on Platform, in appreciation of the fact that it did not want a small contingent of delegates formulating a new platform without the breadth of perspectives within the ever-growing Republican movement," the RNC said.The decision is roiling some Republicans who argue that the old platform is outdated and not reflective of the current views of the president or the party. Four years ago in Cleveland, Ohio, the party adopted a strict, conservative platform around issues of gender and sexual orientation against the efforts by some of the party’s more moderate faction to soften the language.The announcement also follows a vote in June, where the committee decided to adopt the 2016 platform for November's presidential election.Convention speakers:Laurie Skrivan/St. Louis Post-Dispatch/TNS via NewscomArmed homeowners Mark T. and Patricia N. McCloskey stand in front of their house as they confront protesters marching to St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson's house on June 28, 2020.Armed homeowners Mark T. and Patricia N. McCloskey stand in front of their house as they confront protesters marching to St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson's house on June 28, 2020.
Those scheduled to speak on the first night include:Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C. House Republican Whip Steve Scalise, R-La. Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla. Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio Nikki Haley, former ambassador to the United Nations Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel Democratic Georgia state Rep. Vernon Jones Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA Kimberly Guilfoyle, national chair of the Trump Victory Finance Committee Mark and Patricia McCloskey, St. Louis couple that went viral after waving their guns at Black Lives Matter protesters Donald Trump, Jr., eldest son of the president ABC News' Kendall Karson, Terrance Smith, Rachel Scott, Will Steakin and Elizabeth Thomas contributed to this report.
Source : abcnews.go.com
Source : abcnews.go.com