Republican National Convention: Live Updates and Analysis
The Republican National Convention kicks off Monday July 18 to Thursday July 21 in Cleveland, Ohio. Get real-time and behind-the-scenes coverage from ABC News.
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.@tedcruz to supporters in Cleveland "you believe in tomorrow" - The TX senator speaks tonight at RNC http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cn05h5IWcAA1jHP.jpg
by Josh Haskell via twitter 7/20/2016 5:56:48 PM -
Heidi Cruz says Ted Cruz "has total command of the issues" in introduction at thank you event for campaign.by Ryan Struyk via twitter 7/20/2016 5:53:57 PM -
Quite a crowd here in Cleveland for this Ted Cruz event. Is it 2020 yet? #RNCinCLE http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cn04_jkUAAAhh7X.jpg
by Ryan Struyk via twitter 7/20/2016 5:53:53 PM -
Hillary Clinton Didn't Necessary Lie About Her Name's Origins
ABC's CHRISTOPHER GOOD:During day two of the 2016 Republican National Convention, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Clinton "even lied about why her parents named her Hillary."In 1995, Clinton recounted that her mother had "always" told her she was named after mountaineer Sir Edmund Hillary. But in 2006, The New York Times issued the following correction:An article on Wednesday about an addition to the Clinton household in Washington — Dorothy Rodham, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton’s mother — mistakenly perpetuated a story that Mrs. Rodham had named her daughter for the mountaineer Sir Edmund Hillary. That statement was based on a 1995 interview with Mrs. Clinton during her visit to Nepal, in which she met Sir Edmund and related the story, as told to her by her mother. As it turns out, the tale was just a family legend. An article today takes a look at how that yarn came to be.In a follow-up story, The Times noted that Sir Edmund and his Sherpa guide reached the Mount Everest summit in 1953, six years after Hillary Clinton was born in 1947.
“It was a sweet family story her mother shared to inspire greatness in her daughter, to great results I might add,” Clinton campaign spokeswoman Jennifer Hanley told the Times in 2006.
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Rep. Kevin McCarthy Speaks at RNC
ABC's ADAM KELSEY:House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy followed Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, the man occupying the job that many once felt would be McCarthy's.McCarthy removed his name from the running prior to a vote last October and has instead re-settled into his post as Majority Leader, a position he has held since 2014.He took his time at the podium tonight to talk about the Republican agenda that could become a reality with a victory in November."Together -- by electing a Republican Congress, Donald Trump and Mike Pence -- we can build a better America and make that shining city upon the hill bright again," said McCarthy. -
David Muir Takes 360 Video Tour at RNCABC's MICHAEL EDISON HAYDEN and RONNIE POLIDORO:Take a 360-degree tour inside the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, where Donald Trump has just clinched the Republican presidential nomination.ABC News' David Muir shows viewers the arena, which is blanketed in posters asking voters to "Make America Great Again." No fewer than six members of the Trump family are speaking at the convention this week.
Donald Trump delivers a message to the 2016 RNC in Cleveland from Trump Tower in New York City. Credit: Andrew Gombert/EPA -
10 of 12 Freshman GOP Senators Join Sen. Dan Sullivan at RNC
ABC's ALI ROGIN and ADAM KELSEY:The crop of new Republican senators was missing two of its own as Alaska Sen. Dan Sullivan spoke at the RNC.Colorado Sen. Cory Gardner and Nebraska Sen. Ben Sasse were absent from the appearance. Gardner left the convention earlier in the evening and Sasse is an ardent "Never Trump-er" who said he would not be travelling to Cleveland this week. -
Speaker Paul Ryan Addresses RNC About Uniting the Party
ABC's JULIA JACOBO:
Speaker of the House Paul Ryan said it was a "great honor" to be the Republican National Committee's vice presidential nominee during the last election cycle while speaking on day two of the 2016 Republican National Convention.
"Next time there’s a State of the Union Address, I don’t know where Joe Biden and Barack Obama are going to be," Ryan said. "But you’ll find me right there on the rostrum with Vice President Mike Pence and President Donald Trump."
Ryan called this 2016 an "incredible year with so many surprises" and said the disagreements the party has had "signs of life" and "signs of a party that's not just going through the motions."
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Sen. Mitch McConnell Speaks at RNC
ABC's ADAM KELSEY:Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell lobbed a number of attacks upon the candidacy of Hillary Clinton during his remarks at the RNC tonight, specifically addressing the "scandals that follow the Clintons like flies" and his disagreements with the presumptive Democratic nominee's policies."I've had my differences with Barack Obama but I'll give him this, at least he was up front about his plans to move America to the far left," said McConnell. "Not Hillary."McConnell described Clinton as someone who "will say anything, do anything, and be anything to get elected president."Later in his speech, the Kentucky senator pivoted towards his belief that the country would be more successful than ever with a Republican in the White House."The remarkable public servants that I am proud to lead in the Senate will not let you down," said McConnell. -
Pence Wins VP Nomination
ABC's ADAM KELSEY:Following his nomination by Sen. Mitch McConnell and Indiana Lt. Gov. Eric Holcomb, Mike Pence became the party's nominee for vice president with a voice vote from the convention.Pence was the only nominee for the spot and received an overwhelming number of "ayes" during the voice vote. -
Sen. Mitch McConnell and Lt. Gov. Eric Holcomb Introduce Mike Pence at RNCABC's JULIA JACOBO:Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell said Donald Trump and Mike Pence are "exactly" the type of leadership America is lacking.Indiana Lt. Gov. Eric Holcomb called Pence and his wife, Karen, two of his "dearest friends."The name of Indiana governor @mike_pence being officially submitted for Vice President. https://t.co/Mbtx79wklZ
8:16 PM - 19 Jul 2016- Reply
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Roll Call Vote Concludes
ABC's ADAM KELSEY:After the disagreement involving Alaska's votes was settled with all of the state's votes going to Donald Trump, Speaker of the House Paul Ryan announced the final tally:Donald Trump - 1,725
Ted Cruz - 475
John Kasich - 120
Marco Rubio - 114
Ben Carson - 7
Jeb Bush - 3
Rand Paul - 2"Accordingly, the chair announces that Donald J. Trump, having received a majority of these votes entitled to be cast at the convention, has been selected as a Republican party nominee for President of the United States," said Ryan -
Politicians Once Accused of PlagiarismJoe Biden, Vladimir Putin, Scott Brown and others have faced plagiarism accusations in the past.
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The Rock & Roll Convention
ABC’s ADAM KELSEY: Just over a mile from Quicken Loans Arena, The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is arguably Cleveland’s biggest tourist attraction. This week, the museum is offering free admission while the convention is in town.
Many recent Hall of Fame inductees like Green Day (2015), Cat Stevens (2014) and Public Enemy (2013) are known for political views that tend to lean to the left, but there are more than a few Republican rockers who have supported conservative causes in the past.
2011 honoree Alice Cooper was a George W. Bush supporter who condemned other musicians’ criticisms of the president.
Gene Simmons, who entered the Hall as the frontman of 2014 inductee, Kiss, was an outspoken supporter of the Iraq War and supported Mitt Romney in the 2012 election.
And The Beach Boys have prior RNC experience. The band brought ‘Good Vibrations’ to a 1984 convention fundraiser for Ronald Reagan, four years before entering the Hall of Fame in 1988.
As for politicians planning a trip to the museum, Ohio Gov. John Kasich -- who has made clear he’s not stepping foot inside the convention -- will attend an event today for the Ohio delegation to the convention at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.Now waiting on Gov John Kasich at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland https://t.co/WygaKlTgRw
2:37 PM - 19 Jul 2016- Reply
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Donald Trump Jr. is scheduled as one of tonight's headline speakers.Couldn't resist the opportunity to throw out an obscure #spinaltap reference during my mic check. #hellocleveland https://t.co/MMd1ktllT61:48 PM - 19 Jul 2016
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RNC Attendees Chant 'Lock Her Up'ABC's JULIA JACOBO:During Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn's speech at the 2016 Republican National Convention, Flynn emphasized that Hillary Clinton "needs to go" after the crowd began chanting, "Lock her up."Toward the end of Flynn's speech, attendees then starting chanting "Trump.""Donald Trump knows that the primary role of president is to keep us safe," Flynn said. "He recognizes the threats we face and i snot afraid to call them what they are."
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Quicken Loans Arena Begins to Empty Out During Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn's SpeechHard to follow the candidate's spouse. Do they let people in the cheap seats move down? #rncincle https://t.co/GWFg4ejf5p
10:54 PM - 18 Jul 2016- Reply
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ABC's MEGHAN KENEALLY:Melania Trump Sings Donald's Praises at the RNCThere are few people that can cut Donald Trump off. One appears to be his wife Melania.
Rather than wait until the final day of the Republican convention like most presidential candidates, Trump first addressed the crowd in Cleveland tonight before his wife took the stage.
And unlike at many of Trump’s campaign rallies -- and even the announcement of his own vice president -- Trump kept his comments short as planned ahead of Melania’s speech.
Melania Trump speaks on the first day of the 2016 RNC. Credit: Tannen Maury/EPA -
Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn Speaks at RNC
ABC's ADAM KELSEY:��"I don't know how you follow an act like that," began Retired U.S. Army Lieutenant General Michael Flynn as he stepped to the podium following Melania Trump.Flynn, who was once considered to be on the shortlist of possible running mates for Donald Trump, has advised the candidate on foreign affairs and national security issues, fitting with tonight's theme to "Make America Safe Again.""Tonight, Americans stand as one, with strength and confidence to overcome the last eight years of the Obama-Clinton failures," said Flynn.Read more below: -
Melania Trump's RNC Speech Broke Free From the InsultsMelania speech was a break from insults and potential injuries. #RNCinCLE10:41 PM - 18 Jul 2016
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.@MELANIATRUMP: “It would not be a Trump contest without excitement and drama.” #GOPConvention https://t.co/WJi6HxqVL3
10:37 PM - 18 Jul 2016- Reply
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10:39 PM - 18 Jul 2016- Reply
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More on Melania TrumpABC's JULIA JACOBO:
"My husband is ready to lead this great nation. He is ready to fight every day to give our children the future they deserve. Ladies and gentleman, Donald J. Trump is ready to serve and lead this country as the next president of the United States. Thank you. God bless, you. And God bless America.""There is a great deal of love in the Trump family." -- @MELANIATRUMP10:32 PM - 18 Jul 2016- Reply
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Melania Trump says there's "no room for small thinking, no room for small results" in the @WhiteHouse. https://t.co/w5WItYNku7
10:33 PM - 18 Jul 2016- Reply
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Donald Trump Says He Advocated for Cleveland to Host RNCABC's MERIDITH MCGRAW:
During a phone interview on Fox News’ O’Reilly Factor tonight, Donald Trump said that he advocated for
Cleveland, Ohio to be chosen as the host city for the 2016 Republican National Convention.“I wanted it to be here. And we had lots of choices. I wanted it to be in Ohio. I recommended Ohio. And
people fought very hard that it be in Ohio.”Except that the site for the G.O.P.’s 2016 convention was picked in July of 2014.
Host cities are chosen by the RNC’s Site Selection Committee—comprised of RNC members from four regions across the country. In 2014 the Committee decided between Dallas and Cleveland, ultimately deciding to take the Convention to the swing state of Ohio.
Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani delivers a speech on the first day of the RNC. Credit: Win McNamee/Getty Images -
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Mother Who Lost Son in Benghazi Blames Hillary Clinton for His DeathABC's JULIA JACOBO:"How could she do this to me?" asked Patricia Smith, the mother of one of four killed in the Benghazi terrorist attacks in 2012. "How could she do this to any American Family?""Donald Trump is everything Hillary Clinton is not," Smith said.Pat Smith (mother of Sean Smith): "I blame @HillaryClinton personally for the death of my son." #benghazi #RNCinCLE https://t.co/6nbhaLB9Pp
8:28 PM - 18 Jul 2016- Reply
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'Lone Survivor' Marcus Luttrell Speaks at RNC
ABC's ADAM KELSEY:Marcus Luttrell, a former Navy SEAL known as the sole survivor of a 2005 ambush by Taliban fighters that killed three other members of his reconnaissance unit, received a hearty ovation as he discussed the treatment of veterans."We’ve got to make sure that the hell veterans return from is not the hell veterans come home to," said Luttrell"I challenge all of you to fight for this country and for each and every one of us. The world outside of our borders is a dark place. A scary place. America is the light," he added. -
Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry Speaks at RNCABC's JULIA JACOBO:"Making America great again starts with taking care of our veterans," said former Texas Gov.Rick Perry at the 2016 Republican National Convention, before he introduced Navy Seal Marcus Luttrell to the stage.Watch Rick Perry's speech here..@GovernorPerry: "Making America great again starts with taking care of our veterans." #RNCinCLE https://t.co/dnb2MjANIW
8:18 PM - 18 Jul 2016- Reply
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Statement from #NeverTrump Senior Adviser Rory Cooper:
Delegates presented party officials with more than enough states
to force a roll call vote on the floor. There is no excuse for strong arming
delegates and skirting the rules to silence these members of the party. Or as
the Trump campaign puts it, a ‘crushing’ and ‘destroying’ delegates. The
convention exists for a reason and to ignore the will of the delegates in order
to preserve a false sense of support for Donald trump will do even more harm to
the party and this week’s proceedings. If Donald Trump is secure in his
position as the presumptive nominee, he should have nothing to feat from a
routine roll call vote.” -
House Speaker Paul Ryan's Instagram Post Raises Questions About Diversity on Capitol HillABC's BEN SIEGEL:House Speaker Paul Ryan's selfie with Capitol Hill interns is prompting a backlash on social media and raising questions about diversity on Capitol Hill.
I think this sets a record for the most number of #CapitolHill interns in a single selfie. #SpeakerSelfie.by speakerryan via InstagramThe photo was posted over the weekend to his Instagram account and critics have noted that virtually all of the interns visible in the photo are white..@SpeakerRyan, in this day & age, there’s no excuse for not having diverse staff & interns. https://t.co/8SUrigUxaK11:15 AM - 18 Jul 2016- Reply
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Read:House Speaker Paul Ryan's Instagram Post Raises Questions About Diversity on Capitol Hill -
19 Senate Republicans Skipping RNCABC's ALI WEINBERG:Of the 54 Republicans in the U.S. Senate, 34 plan to attend the Republican National Convention, while 19 will skip it. Sen. Jim Risch of Idaho is still undecided on whether he will attend. -
Security Concerns Surrounding the RNC
ABC's JOSH HASKELL and PIERRE THOMAS:Earlier today at the "Dump Trump" protest in Cleveland, ABC's Pierre Thomas said "feelings are raw" because protesters believe police are overly aggressive at times in this country."They don't like Hillary. They don't like Donald Trump," Thomas said. "So, it was a really interesting moment to witness."Police on bikes are on almost every corner in Cleveland right now, ABC's Josh Haskell said..@joshbhaskell is snapping from anti-Trump protests outside the #RNCinCLE. Follow ABCPolitics on @Snapchat for more: https://t.co/5rRUaU7S0I
Retweeted by joshbhaskell2:28 PM - 18 Jul 2016- Reply
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Here are the eleven states who backed roll call vote:
Minnesota
Iowa
Washington
Colorado
DC
North Dakota
Alaska
Virginia
Utah
Maine
Wyoming4:10 PM - 18 Jul 2016- Reply
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Protesters at the Republican National Convention
ABC’s MEGHAN KENEALLY:
Terry Kaye is a local retiree who was protesting at an anti-Trump rally near the Cleveland Convention Center today said that while he thinks Trump is "a failed businessman, a terrible reality actor and a misogynist," he was increasingly frustrated with both of the mainstream political parties.
"I'm not a Hillary fan. I'm not an Obama fan. Other countries have four, five, six people on the ballot," Kaye said, while dressed as his version of Uncle Sam.
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Here's the rule that anti-Trump efforts are trying to use to force a roll call vote on rules: http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CnqzX6CUsAAAXXo.jpg
by Ryan Struyk via twitter 7/18/2016 8:08:15 PM -
They're calling the roll in the GOP rules committee meeting here in Cleveland. Only 15 media allowed in the room. http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CnqjIkVWIAA837-.jpg
by Ryan Struyk via twitter 7/18/2016 5:44:53 PM -
The Political History of Ohio
ABC’s NOAH FITZGEREL: Ohio, the setting of this year’s Republican convention, has a prominent place in the nation’s political history. Ohio has been a key political battleground state, and has sided with the winner of the general election for the past several decades. Ohio, in fact, is tied with Virginia for being the birthplace of the most US presidents. Eight American presidents were born in the Buckeye State. -
Anti-Trump Group Says They Can Force Roll Call Vote on Rules Package
ABC’s RYAN STRUYK in Cleveland, Ohio: Delegates Unbound, a group still hoping to let GOP delegates vote for whomever they choose, says they have the support necessary to force a roll call vote on the rules package.
This is a very minor, incremental step -- one that relies on the delegates on the floor rejecting the entire rules package and sending it back to the committee.
The up-or-down vote on the rules package coming late this afternoon is traditionally handled by voice only.
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From ABC's JOSH HASKELL outside the Quicken Loans Arena --Cleveland police keeping a close eye on small groups of protesters in Public Square, checking permits #RNCinCLE https://t.co/21kN3LAmba
1:12 PM - 18 Jul 2016- Reply
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