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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#RNC #Cleveland convention finale - balloons and confetti. http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cn8JBQHWgAAiWon.jpg
by Christine Romo via twitter 7/22/2016 3:42:19 AM -
BALLOONS! A conventional ending to a very unconventional GOP convention.by Mary Bruce via twitter 7/22/2016 3:38:15 AM
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This speech is one-part specially crafted convention speech, one-part 25 min rally speech tacked on the end.by Candace Smith via twitter 7/22/2016 3:29:35 AM
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References support of evangelical community that was so important to his success in South Carolina: "I'm not sure I totally deserve it."by Brad Mielke via twitter 7/22/2016 3:26:01 AM
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Trump mentions the NRA - which has dropped about $2.8 million in television ads on him in battleground states in the last several weeks.by Ryan Struyk via twitter 7/22/2016 3:25:41 AM
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Fact Check (Mostly False): America is One of the Highest-Taxed Nations in the World
ABC's JOHN KRUZEL:Claim: America is one of the highest-taxed nations in the worldStatus: Mostly False. The U.S. is near the bottom of the list of industrialized countries in terms of taxes as a share of GDP. But marginal corporate tax rates are among the highest.Donald Trump said: “Middle-income Americans will experience profound relief, and taxes will be simplified for everyone. America is one of the highest-taxed nations in the world. Reducing taxes will cause new companies and new jobs to come roaring back into our country.”Background: An analysis by the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center shows the U.S. has among the lowest taxes as a share of GDP compared to other industrialized countries in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).If Trump had claimed more narrowly that American corporate tax rates are among the highest in the world, he would have been more accurate. According to Tax Foundation, the U.S. has the third highest marginal corporate tax rate in the world at 39 percent.But as Politifact notes, the marginal corporate tax rate doesn’t account for deductions and exclusions, which lowers the amount of tax companies pay in practice. Using a different metric--corporate tax revenue as a percentage of GDP--the U.S. ranked 17th among the 33 industrialized countries (OECD), according to 2014 data.
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Trump: "We cannot afford to be so politically correct anymore.” #RNCinCLE http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cn73m-HUkAEaEUC.jpg
by Dan Linden via twitter 7/22/2016 2:25:09 AM -
ABC's EVAN MCMURRAY: It's been 401 days since Donald Trump announced
his candidacy for president after descending his escalator: https://twitter.com/ABCPolitics/status/756312840135475200 -
Donald Trump Accepts Republican Nomination for President
ABC's ADAM KELSEY: Donald Trump is officially the presidential candidate of the Republican Party, accepting the nomination in the opening remarks of his speech tonight at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland."Friends, delegates and fellow Americans: I humbly and gratefully accept your nomination for the presidency of the United States," said Trump to a standing ovation from the gathered delegates on the floor of the arena, before leading them in a chant of "U.S.A." -
Ivanka Trump Makes the Case for Women Voters to Back Her FatherIvanka Trump, who has helped run her father's business Trump Organization, argued her father was the best to take on women's fight for pay equality." He will fight for equal pay for equal work and I will fight for this too, right alongside of him," Trump said.Trump argued that at the Trump Organization "there are more females than male executives.""Women are paid equally for the work that we do and, when a woman becomes a mother, she is supported not shut out," Trump said.
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Ivanka Trump Introduces Her Father at RNCABC's VERONICA STRACQUALURSI: Ivanka Trump introduced her father as a strong leader, a great father, and a man of " kindness and compassion.""Millennials, I do not consider myself categorically Republican or Democrat. More than party affiliation, I vote based on what I believe is right for my family and my country," Trump said. "Sometimes, it’s a tough choice. That is not the case this time.""If it’s possible to be famous, and yet not really well known, that describes the father who raised me," Trump said, adding "My father taught my siblings and me the importance of positive values and a strong ethical compass."Trump had introduced her father when he declared his candidacy on June 16, 2015.More from ABC's Michael Edison Hayden here.
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Trump Campaign Promotes Hashtag Mocking Clinton
ABC's ADAM KELSEY: The campaign of presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump made a purchase on Trump's favorite social media platform in anticipation of his speech at the Republican National Convention tonight.#TrumpIsWithYou currently appears at the top of Twitter's United States Trends. Trump coined the phrase a few weeks ago, saying, "I'm with you," referring to the American people, while mocking the Hillary Clinton campaign's attempts to connect with its supporters. The Democrats had encouraged use of the #ImWithHer hashtag to express support for Clinton's run.In a draft of Trump's prepared remarks for Thursday, Trump addresses the "I'm with her" pledge and promotes his version. -
Donald Trump's 'Air Kiss' With Mike Pence Puts Spotlight on Political Smooching
Donald Trump’s attempted kiss of Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, after Pence’s speech Wednesday night at the Republican National Convention, is drawing plenty of attention and comparisons to other awkward shows of affection at political conventions.
Trump seemed to attempt to kiss his running mate on the forehead while shaking his hand but Pence stopped him short, resulting in what’s being called an awkward “air kiss.” The move quickly drew its own hashtage, #airkiss, and its own Twitter account.
12:49 AM - 21 Jul 2016- Reply
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Credit: ABC NewsFULL TEXT: Ted Cruz's 2016 Republican National Convention Speech
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Donald Trump Says Republican Party is 'Very United'Other than a small group of people who have suffered massive and embarrassing losses, the party is VERY united. Great love in the arena!10:49 AM - 21 Jul 2016
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Chaos Continued at Texas Delegation Breakfast After Ted Cruz LeftABC's ARLETTE SAENZ:A pro-Cruz woman grew emotional at a breakfast for Texas delegates Thursday as she argued with two delegates angry with Cruz's decision not to endorse Donald Trump as the party nominee for president."This is like if there's an engagement and
your guy that you're gonna marry goes out and does these things that is
abomination to your vows that you're gonna take then you have a right to reject
that person and not marry him," one emotional Cruz supporter
said.One pro-Trump man shouted at that woman and said, "People talked about my family and I didn't cry
about it. I grew up."Another man said of Cruz, "He said he's a Christian. He should forgive."The woman responded, "He should forgive,but he does not need to endorse."One man who defended Cruz said, ""I hope you'd do the same thing I hope
you'd have some character and stand for your family." -
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Eric Trump Highlights Father's Passion for Helping Others in RNC AddressABC's MICHAEL EDISON HAYDEN:
Eric Trump said that his father "shattered the expectations of every political pundit" in his rise to win the Republican nomination in a speech endorsing him for the presidency on Wednesday -- and coming in the wake of a raucous address by Ted Cruz where he failed to endorse the New York billionaire.
"It's an honor to be here for a man I love so, so, so much," Eric Trump started in what would be an impassioned endorsement of his father.
He went on to talk about the "unwavering support" he and his siblings pledged to the Trump campaign, and portrayed his father as a businessman who is fighting with urgency to repair the American dream.
Read more from ABC's MICHAEL EDISON HAYDEN here.
Eric Trump speaks during the third session of the 2016 Republican National Convention. Credit: J. Scott Applewhite/AP -
Gov. Mike Pence Compliments Donald Trump's Children During RNC Speech
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RNC Crowd Chanting 'We Like Mike'.@GovPenceIN very different in style from @realDonaldTrump. But still delivering a powerful speech. Crowd chanting "We like Mike."10:51 PM - 20 Jul 2016
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.@Mike_Pence: "Let's resolve that Hillary Clinton will never become president" https://t.co/gLDggeMNu5 https://t.co/0jxHPlltRF10:50 PM - 20 Jul 2016- Reply
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Mike Pence: “Donald Trump will never turn his back on those who serve and protect us at home and abroad." https://t.co/rRfLvFgFEX10:54 PM - 20 Jul 2016- Reply
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Heidi Cruz Escorted out of RNCABC's Rick Klein:Former Attorney General of Virginia Ken Cuccinelli told ABC's Terry Moran that Ted Cruz's wife, Heidi faced physical threats of violence before she was escorted out of Quicken Loans Arena Wednesday night.“People behind her were getting very ugly, and physically approaching her and Raphael, and it was not a pretty situation," Cuccinelli said. "And the decision was instantly made to not talk to media and get immediately out of the arena. Walked Right down here down the aisle. And people from my own delegation were physically approaching her while yelling at her. So, I physically moved media out of her way, and got in the way of my own delegation so she could clear by and get out of the arena.".@KenCuccinelli tells @ABC he escorted Heidi out b/c "It was volatile & trump folks were physically approaching & confrontationally yelling"10:29 PM - 20 Jul 2016
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10:26 PM - 20 Jul 2016- Reply
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Newt Gingrich Speaks to RNC
ABC's ADAM KELSEY:As former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich stepped to the podium, he sought to clear the air in the aftermath of Sen. Ted Cruz's speech."I think you misunderstood one paragraph that Ted Cruz, who is a superb orator, said," explained Gingrich. "And I just want to point it out to you. Ted Cruz said, 'You can vote for conscience for anyone who will uphold the constitution.' In this election there is only one candidate who will uphold the constitution."The former congressman from Georgia and author of the 1994 "Contract with America" spent much of the remainder of his time contrasting America's freedoms with the threat of terrorism."Let me be very clear, because I know the news media will do their best to distort this," said Gingrich. "We have nothing to fear from the vast majority of Muslims... The challenge is, when even a small percentage of a billion, six hundred million people support violence against those who disagree with them, that is still a giant recruiting base." -
Donald Trump Watches Proudly During Son Eric's RNC Speech
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Eric Trump Speaks at RNC
ABC's ADAM KELSEY:
Donald Trump's son Eric spoke to the RNC tonight, tracking his father's journey over the past year from businessman to candidate for President.
In a speech that he proudly told the media this morning he wrote himself, Eric Trump made the case that his father was the right man for the job at a difficult time for the country.
"It's time for a president with common sense," said Trump. "It's time for a president who understands the 'Art of the Deal.'"
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Sen. Ted Cruz delivers a speech on day three of the 2016 Republican National Convention. Credit: Win McNamee/Getty ImagesThe entire Texas delegation is standing up as they listen to @tedcruz's speech. They're hard to miss -- they are all in cowboy hats.9:40 PM - 20 Jul 2016
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9:48 PM - 20 Jul 2016- Reply
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.@tedcruz: UK's Brexit vote shows "voters are overwhelmingly rejecting big government" https://t.co/pxj9ioW95K https://t.co/giHp6l2RMl9:49 PM - 20 Jul 2016- Reply
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Cruz: New York (voted Trump and home state) is different than Iowa (voted Cruz)-- subtle dig? #RNCinCLE9:48 PM - 20 Jul 2016- Reply
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Cleveland Police Arrest 17 in RNC ProtestsABC's JULIA JACOBO:A total of 17 people protesting at the 2016 Republican National Convention were arrested Wednesday, according to the Cleveland Police Department. Twenty-two people have been arrested in the three days of the convention.Charges on those arrested include felonious assault on a police officer, failure to disperse and resisting arrest. No pepper spray was used during demonstrations.Two police officers were assaulted. They sustained minor injuries after they were punched and pushed, police said.A protester lit a flag on fire before lighting himself on fire. The flames were extinguished by firefighters. There were no serious injuries in that incident.Massive media presence is making it difficult for officers to police demonstrations, Cleveland police said. Cleveland Police are broadcasting a live feed from the demonstrations on Periscopt.Protestor lit flag on fire, then lit himself on fire, catching others on fire. Flames extinguished by firefighters. No serious injuries.7:19 PM - 20 Jul 2016
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7:20 PM - 20 Jul 2016- Reply
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Massive media presence is making it difficult for law enforcement officers to police demonstrations.7:21 PM - 20 Jul 2016- Reply
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7:21 PM - 20 Jul 2016- Reply
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Day 3 of the RNC Will Begin SoonGet ready for the opening gavel at day 3 of the #RNCinCLE live on https://t.co/q28pCcd7nc https://t.co/Ux1uAL9cLo6:13 PM - 20 Jul 2016
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6:23 PM - 20 Jul 2016- Reply
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6:57 PM - 20 Jul 2016- Reply
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Why the Never Trump Movement Failed at the Republican National Convention
ABC's ALANA ABRAMSON and JOHN PARKINSON:After months of back-channel buzz and intra-party bickering, the Never Trump movement to block the Republican nomination for president is over. Donald Trump is officially the Republican presidential nominee.Consistently deemed one of the most divisive candidates in the history of presidential politics, all forces seemed to be in a place to stop Trump. He had a small campaign, and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz’s ability to gain the support of unbound delegates proved he could easily be out-organized. He lacked support from the establishment, failing to gain endorsements from the likes of the Bushes and Mitt Romney. But none of that seemed to matter in the end. So, what went wrong?Donald Trump and his family attend a welcome arrival event with Gov. Mike Pence and his family at the Great Lakes Science center in Cleveland. Credit: Jeff J. Mitchell/Getty Images
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Watch Donald Trump Exit his Helicopter in Cleveland for the RNC
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2 Cleveland Officers Assaulted During RNC ProtestsABC's LINSEY DAVIS:Protests in Cleveland's Public Square are not at all the same intensity as yesterday. The biggest flare-up just took place when a handful of protesters were arrested after attempting to burn the American.Multiple protesters refused to disperse and two police officers were ultimately assaulted, suffering minor injuries.Officers mounted on horses kept media and the rest of the crowd back.Bikers for Trump showed up in Public Square with fire extinguishers to "aid police." However, fire extinguishers are banned in the Republican National Convention event zone, so police confiscated them.
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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
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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
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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."