Donald Trump reveals JD Vance as running mate
Republicans gather in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, this week for the Republican National Convention, where former President Trump officially received the party’s nomination for president. Trump selected JD Vance as his running mate. The convention is taking place from July 15 to 18.
Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
Senator JD Vance will join Fox News' Sean Hannity live tonight at 9pm ET, hours after he was announced as former President Trump's running mate.
This will be Vance's first interview since being announced as Trump's VP pick this afternoon.
"After lengthy deliberation and thought, and considering the tremendous talents of many others, I have decided that the person best suited to assume the position of Vice President of the United States is Senator J.D. Vance of the Great State of Ohio," Trump announced on his Truth Social platform.
Trump emphasized that Vance, on the campaign trail "will be strongly focused on the people he fought so brilliantly for, the American Workers and Farmers in Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, Minnesota, and far beyond…."
A Biden-Harris campaign official told Fox News that VP Harris reached out to Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio -- former President Trump's runningmate -- and left a voicemail congratulating him on his selection, and "expressed her hope that the two can meet in the vice presidntial debate proposed by CBS News."
Fox News Digital has reached out to Trump's campaign for comment.
Harris’ former communications director said last month that JD Vance, today announced as former President Trump's running mate, is the one Republican who would be the "greatest threat" to her vice presidency if chosen.
Meanwhile, the Biden campaign claimed Monday he will "enable" an "extreme MAGA agenda" following the announcement.
Fox News' Adam Shaw and producer Patrick Ward contributed to this report.
Kamil Krzaczynski/AFP via Getty Images
The Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America (SBA) nonprofit organization that supports anti-abortion politicians through its SBA Pro-Life America Candidate Fund political action committee called JD Vance a "strong pick" to be former President Trump's runningmate in a statement provided to Fox News Digital.
"JD Vance is an exceptional selection as President Trump's running mate," SBA president Marjorie Dannenfelser said in a statement Monday afternoon. "His courage in exposing Democrats' agenda of abortion for any reason, even in the seventh, eighth, or ninth month, helped propel him to a decisive victory in the 2022 midterm elections."
Dannenfelser said Vance's "hardscrabble upbrining" informs his "compassionate" approach to certain abortion restrictions.
In 2021, Vance defended a Texas law that banned most abortions after six weeks of pregnancy. Asked by Spectrum News in Columbus, Ohio, at the time whether he supported abortion exceptions for cases of rape and incest, he disagreed with the question's premise and said "two wrongs don't make a right."
"At the end of day, we are talking about an unborn baby. What kind of society do we want to have? A society that looks at unborn babies as inconveniences to be discarded? … It’s not whether a woman should be forced to bring a child to term, it’s whether a child should be allowed to live, even though the circumstances of that child’s birth are somehow inconvenient or a problem to the society," Vance said.
He also said during the Ohio Senate debate in 2022 against Democratic opponent Tim Ryan that he was pro-life with "reasonable exceptions." He also said that year he supported Sen. Lindsey Graham's, R-S.C., proposed 15-week abortion ban that included exceptions for rape, incest and the mother's life.
However, a national abortion ban has been left off the Republican National Convention (RNC) platform, and Trump opposes one, too.
Fox News Digital's David Rutz contributed to this report.
Milwaukee. AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite
Vice President Harris’ former communications director said last month that JD Vance, today announced as former President Trump's running mate, is the one Republican who would be the "greatest threat" to her vice presidency if chosen.
Ashley Etienne, who served as Harris’ communications director in 2021, told CNN that she believes Ohio Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, is an "incredible debater" and could present a challenge to Harris in the upcoming election.
"I think JD Vance would pose the greatest threat [to] Kamala Harris, in some respects. I mean he's an incredible debater," Etienne told CNN. "I think he has this quality that makes him seem palpable to that one to two percent that actually might vote or that is undecided, that will actually pay attention to the debates because most people don't pay attention to the debates."
AP Photo/Matt Rourke
Former President Trump and his newly picked running mate, Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, are both skeptical of continued foreign aid to Ukraine's defense against Russia, according to past statements.
In a post on his Truth Social account in April, the Republican frontrunner questioned why the U.S. was sending more money to the Eastern European nation than Europe itself.
"Why can’t Europe equalize or match the money put in by the United States of America in order to help a country in desperate need?" Trump asked.
He added that "survival and strength" was important to the U.S. but that it should be a larger concern for Europe.
"GET MOVING EUROPE!" Trump said. "In addition, I am the only one who speaks for ‘ME’ and, while it is a total mess caused by Crooked Joe Biden and the Incompetent Democrats, if I were President, this War would have never started!"
Meanwhile, Vance previously shared an exclusive memo with Fox News Digital in January he circulated with members in his Senate GOP flank warning them about a Department of Defense (DOD) report that he said detailed the "shortcomings in monitoring U.S. aid to Ukraine."
Vance wrote, "U.S. personnel on the ground could not keep up with the volume of weapons streaming into Ukraine and failed to keep an accurate, timely record of them" and that, "There was no live, comprehensive database of equipment sent to Ukraine, and systemic failures inhibited the proper validation of reports of lost or expended equipment."
Vance was also one of the few lawmakers in April to vote against the $95 billion aid package for Israel and Ukraine, which also included support for Taiwan, in a 79-18 vote. The package allocated $61 billion to Ukraine.
The Democratic National Committee reacted to former President Donald Trump's decision to tap Ohio Sen. JD Vance as his running mate, arguing Vance "embodies MAGA."
“This is the most consequential election of our lifetimes, and with Donald Trump’s decision today to add J.D. Vance to the Republican ticket, the stakes of this election just got even higher.," the statement said. "J.D. Vance embodies MAGA – with an out-of-touch extreme agenda and plans to help Trump force his Project 2025 agenda on the American people. Vance has championed and enabled Trump’s worst policies for years – from a national abortion ban, to whitewashing January 6, to railing against Social Security and Medicare. Let’s be clear: A Trump-Vance ticket would undermine our democracy, our freedoms, and our future. There is so much on the line, and it’s more important than ever that we reelect President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris this November.”
Former President Donald Trump, the expected Republican presidential nominee, on Monday announced Ohio Sen. JD Vance as his running mate, and the Biden campaign is claiming he will "enable" an "extreme MAGA agenda."
In an initial reaction to his contender's choice as vice president, President Biden said Vance "talks a big game" about wanting to support working-class Americans but that he pushes "more tax cuts for the rich."
"Here’s the deal about J.D. Vance ," Biden posted on X Monday. "He talks a big game about working people. But now, he and Trump want to raise taxes on middle-class families while pushing more tax cuts for the rich."
"Well, I don’t intend to let them," Biden said, asking supporters to donate to his campaign.
JD Vance, former President Donald Trump's vice presidential running mate, and his wife discussed the idea of serving in the White House ahead Monday's highly-anticipated announcement.
Usha Chilukuri Vance and her Senator husband joined Fox & Friends for a sit down interview just three weeks before he was announced as Trump's running mate.
"I don't think people understand how hard he works and how creative he is. Everything he says and does is built on a foundation of so much thought. He's always trying to do better," Usha told Fox of her husband.
When asked how she feels about the VP speculation, Usha said "I don't know that anyone is ever ready for that kind of scrutiny. I think we found the first campaign he'd embarked on to be a shock. It was so different from anything we'd ever done before, but it was an adventure."
Usha added, "I believe in JD and I really love him, so we'll just see what happens."
Kamil Krzaczynski/AFP via Getty Images
Sen. JD Vance's name is being added to the Trump campaign's jet, after he was announced as former President Donald Trump's VP pick.
Senior Advisor Jason Miller posted the image of the changes being made on X.
Trump announced Vance as his choice for running mate on Monday. The Ohio senator will be formally nominated at the Republican National Convention.
Donald Trump Jr. posted on X Monday after Trump announced Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, will be 2024 his running mate that "Biden is stuck with the worst VP in the history of our nation," referring to VP Harris.
"President Trump has one of the most dynamic, young leaders in the country in [JD Vance]," Trump wrote. "We also have incredible patriots like Governor [Doug Burgum], Senator [Marco Rubio], and countless others who will work their tails off to get my father elected this November!"
He added, "Our party has never been more unified!"
Trump announced his VP pick in aTruth Social post Monday afternoon.
"After lengthy deliberation and thought, and considering the tremendous talents of many others, I have decided that the person best suited to assume the position of Vice President of the United States is Senator J.D. Vance of the Great State of Ohio," Trump wrote on the social media platform.
Elon Musk took to X to praise former President Donald Trump's pick of Ohio Senator JD Vance as running mate.
"Congratulations," Musk said to Vance. "Excellent decision by @realDonaldTrump."
Trump announced on his own social media platform, Truth Social, his selection of Vance on Monday, picking the Ohio Senator over contenders such as Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgrum.
"After lengthy deliberation and thought, and considering the tremendous talents of many others, I have decided that the person best suited to assume the position of Vice President of the United States is Senator J.D. Vance of the Great State of Ohio," Trump said of the pick. "J.D. honorably served our Country in the Marine Corps, graduated from Ohio State University in two years, Summa Cum Laude, and is a Yale Law School Graduate, where he was Editor of The Yale Law Journal, and President of the Yale Law Veterans Association."
Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Republican Committee, released a statement Monday congratulating Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, on being selected as former President Trump's running mate.
Daines joins a chorus Vance's GOP colleagues offering strong support for Vance.
"As chairman of the Utah delegation to the Republican National Convention, I just cast all of Utah’s 40 votes for President Donald Trump and for his running mate, my friend and colleague JD Vance," Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, posted to X.
Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., called Vance a "friend" and "a conservative chamption who fights for American workers."J.D.
"He’ll make an outstanding vice president," Cotton said. "I commend President Trump’s excellent choice of a patriot who served our nation in uniform."
Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., a former ambassador to Japan in the Trump administration, called Vance a "true patriot" who will "implement his America First agenda, fight for the forgotten men and women of America, and Make America Great Again!"
Robert F. Kennedy will receive protection from the U.S. Secret Service, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said Monday.
The protection is being given to Kennedy, an Independent presidential candidate, following the assassination attempt of former President Trump over the weekend.
“In light of this weekend's events, the president has directed me to work with the Secret Service to provide protection to Robert Kennedy Jr.," Mayorkas told reporters.
Trump joined growing calls for Kennedy to receive Secret Service protection in the days since the assassination attempt.
In a Truth Social post, Trump said it was “imperative” that Kennedy receive the protection detail.
“Given the history of the Kennedy Family, this is the obvious right thing to do!” Trump wrote, referencing the 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy and the 1968 killing of Robert Kennedy, then a presidential candidate.
Former President Trump has officially won enough delegates at the Republican National Convention to make him the Republican 2024 presidential nominee.
Trump secured a majority of the nearly 2,500 delegates gathered at the RNC in Milwaukee after a roll call vote to select the party's presidential nominee.
Joshua A. Bickel/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Republican Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, former President Trump's running mate, was first elected to the Senate in 2022, having never before held elected office.
Vance first rose to prominence after authoring a 2016 book called “Hillbilly Elegy,” a memoir about his upbringing in a poor Appalachian family that reflects the values of many Americans who support Trump's policies. Prior to his run for office, Vance worked as a venture capitalist at entrepreneur Peter Theil's firm, Mithril Capital, and for a short time at a corporate law firm.
He also served as a U.S. Marine, including on a deployment to Iraq. Vance came out on top in a crowded Republican primary field in his Senate race before facing Democrat Rep. Tim Ryan, a former presidential candidate, in a closely watched November general election that year.
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 30: United States Senator, Marsha Blackburn speaks at Warner Music Group CEO Robert Kyncl and Singer/Actor FKA twigs Congressional Testimony – NO FAKES Act at Dirksen Senate Office Building on April 30, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Shannon Finney/Getty Images for RIAA)
Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., is out with a statement praising the pick of Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio as former President Trump's running mate.
"The America First ticket just became stronger with Senator JD Vance joining President Trump as his running mate,” Blackburn said in a statement.
“JD is a true freedom fighter, who will champion the issues important to Americans: secure borders, safer communities, lower taxes, a lethal fighting force, and the rule of law. It has been an honor to serve with JD in the U.S. Senate and to witness his hard work on behalf of Ohioans."
"I know he will make an incredible Vice President for the American people, and I’m all in for Trump-Vance 2024! Together, we’ll defeat Joe Biden and the Democrats in November and save our country," she said.
MILWAUKEE — Former President Trump has decided on his running mate, and it won't be Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida or North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum.
Multiple sources told Fox News on Monday that Rubio - the three-term conservative senator who was considered to be among the names on a short list of contenders for running mate - was informed that he wouldn't be named as the GOP's 2024 vice presidential nominee.
And sources also told Fox News that Burgum, the two-term North Dakota governor and top Trump surrogate, was also informed that he would not be named as the former president's running mate.
The Trump campaign says that the first time we will see the running mate in-person will be at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, where the Republican National Convention kicked off on Monday, at 4:37PM ET, just ahead of the vice presidential roll call nominating process.
Besides Rubio and Burgum, Sen. JD Vance of Ohio was also considered to be a front-runner to serve as Trump's running mate.
JD Vance and former President Trump
Republican Ohio Sen. JD Vance was chosen by former President Trump as his running mate in the 2024 presidential election. The announcement was made on Truth Social during the kick-off of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
"After lengthy deliberation and thought, and considering the tremendous talents of many others, I have decided that the person best suited to assume the position of Vice President of the United States is Senator J.D. Vance of the Great State of Ohio," Trump wrote on the social media platform.
"J.D. has had a very successful business career in Technology and Finance, and now, during the Campaign, will be strongly focused on the people he fought so brilliantly for, the American Workers and Farmers in Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, Minnesota, and far beyond….," he continued.
The Ohio Republican was first elected to the Senate in 2022, having never before held elected office.
Vance first rose to prominence after authoring a 2016 book called “Hillbilly Elegy,” a memoir about his upbringing in a poor Appalachian family that reflects the values of many Americans who support Trump's policies.
Prior to his run for office, Vance worked as a venture capitalist at entrepreneur Peter Theil's firm, Mithril Capital, and for a short time at a corporate law firm. He also served as a U.S. Marine, including on a deployment to Iraq.
Vance came out on top in a crowded Republican primary field in his Senate race before facing Democrat Rep. Tim Ryan, a former presidential candidate, in a closely watched November general election that year.
Fiserv Forum
The Republican National Convention was called to order on Monday at 1:59 p.m. ET.
Former President Trump will be officially named the Republican presidential nominee for 2024 at the event.
Trump's campaign has said that the former president plans to call for unity at the convention, following his close call during an attempted assassination at his rally on Saturday in Butler, Pennsylvania.
"I’m not supposed to be here, I’m supposed to be dead," Trump said in an interview afterward. "I’m supposed to be dead."
Trump has also said he plans to announce his choice for running mate shortly after the festivities begin on Monday.
There have been several contenders for the vice presidential nominee, but leading the pack have been frontrunners Sens. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, and Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and Gov. Doug Burgum, R-N.D.
As speculation continues, Vance was observed leaving his Ohio home in a motorcade en route to the convention. However, a source familiar told Fox News the motorcade was made up of Ohio police and Capitol Police, not Secret Service.
Fox News' Alexas McAdams contributed to this report.
Former President Donald Trump will not choose either Sen. Marco Rubio or Gov. Doug Burgum as his 2024 running mate, sources tell Fox News.
Rubio and Burgum were both floated as top candidates Trump was considering as his vice president.
Trump reportedly has made his decision on who will join him on the 2024 ticket, but sources confirmed to Fox News that is his pick will not be Rubio or Burgum.
The former president is expected to announce his running mate on the first day of the Republican National Convention (RNC) Monday.
Former President Trump has chosen his running mate, Fox News has confirmed. He will be revealing his choice at the Republican National Convention.
Ahead of the announcement of Trump's vice presidential nominee, the former president has finally determined his preferred running mate.
Two of the frontrunners , Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and Gov. Doug Burgum, R-N.D., have received calls informing them that they have not been selected as Trump's running mate, sources confirmed to Fox News.
Another frontrunner for vice presidential nominee has been Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio. However, there are also several other contenders such as former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley and Gov. Glenn Youngkin, R-Va., who are also being speculated.
Rep. Wesley Hunt spoke with Fox News Digital ahead of Republican National Convention events on Monday and relayed his takeaways from watching the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.
"What it really articulated in my mind was the idea of what combat really means to me and to watch his courage under fire," Hunt said.
"He knelt down and he wanted to put his shoes back on, stood back up, and then told the crowd to fight because he wanted to walk off that stage with dignity," he added.
Hunt, a West Point graduate and War on Terror combat veteran, said he had seen horrible things while serving in the military.
"But nothing compares to watching a man that I admire, and a man that is fighting for this country, and is fighting for our values, and is fighting for our way of life every single day become a political target. For what? For what?," he asked.
Hunt added that he believes Trump will be President of the United States again and emphasized his disgust for some social media posts regarding Trump surviving the shooting.
"We should all be appalled by what we saw," Hunt said, adding that some tweets were "utterly disgusting."
Fox News' Outnumbered broke down the dismissal of the case against former President Donald Trump's handling of classified documents on Monday.
"Former President Trump’s Motion to Dismiss Indictment Based on the Unlawful Appointment and Funding of Special Counsel Jack Smith is GRANTED in accordance with this Order," U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon wrote in a 93-page ruling. "The Superseding Indictment is DISMISSED because Special Counsel Smith’s appointment violates the Appointments Clause of the United States Constitution."
Trump had faced charges stemming from special counsel Jack Smith's investigation into his possession of classified materials at Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence. He pleaded not guilty to all 37 felony counts from Smith’s probe, including willful retention of national defense information, conspiracy to obstruct justice and false statements.
Trump's classified documents case was thrown out by Judge Cannon Monday on the basis that Special Counsel Jack's Smith's appointment violated the Constitution.
Fox News' Brianna Herlihy contributed to this report.
Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., is being floated as one of Trump's potential picks for vice president. (Bill Clark/Getty Images)
Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida cannot appear on the 2024 ticket alongside former President Donald Trump unless one of them changes their residency from Florida.
Rubio has been floated as one of the top contenders on Trump's shortlist for vice president, however, living in the same state presents a roadblock for potentially running on a ticket together.
Given that both Rubio and Trump live in Florida, the politicians are currently barred from running on a 2024 ticket together under the Twelfth Amendment to the Constitution that states that a president and a vice president may not reside in the same state.
However, in the case that either Trump or Rubio moved out of Florida before the election, then they could legally appear on the ticket together.
Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, and Gov. Doug Burgum, R-S.D., are also among the top candidates Trump is reportedly considering as his running mate, an announcement expected on the first day of the Republican National Convention (RNC) Monday.
former RNC chairwoman Ronna McDaniel
Former longtime Republican National Committee chair Ronna McDaniel is an extremely familiar face in the GOP.
But there's no word yet on whether McDaniel will attend the Republican National Convention this week in Milwaukee.
And if she does make an appearance, it's clear she'll have no formal speaking role at the convention.
But McDaniel would be among scores of friends in a party where she's made plenty of strong relationships during her tenure as Michigan GOP chair and her more than seven years steering the national party committee.
Then-President-elect Trump picked McDaniel to run the RNC after he won the White House in the 2016 election. She was overwhelmingly re-elected to the post in 2019 and 2021, and convincingly won a final re-election in January 2023 over a handful of challengers.
But earlier this year, Trump repeatedly urged changes at the committee – following lackluster fundraising last year and his opposition to the RNC's presidential primary debates.
His criticism of the RNC essentially pushed McDaniel out the door, and she stepped down at a party meeting in Houston in March as Trump clinched the 2024 GOP presidential nomination.
First-term House Rep. Wesley Hunt, R-Texas, is a part a growing group of young, Black conservative lawmakers who are steadily changing the face of the Republican Party – and he believes that more non-White voters will follow.
"This is what the party is today. This is the future of the party as well," Hunt told Fox News Digital in an interview.
Despite only being elected to Congress roughly a year and a half ago, Hunt – a retired Army captain who served in Iraq – is slated to speak at this week's Republican National Convention (RNC), where former President Donald Trump will be formally declared the party's White House nominee.
Hunt said it was important for more non-White Americans to join the GOP because it reflects the country's own changing demographics. He pointed to his own home state of Texas, for instance, which is projected to be a majority-Hispanic state by the next census, Hunt said.
Fox News Digital's Elizabeth Elkind and Matteo Cina contributed to this report.
Former US President Donald Trump during a campaign event at Trump National Doral Golf Club in Miami, Florida, US, on Tuesday, July 9, 2024. (Getty Images)
Former President Trump will announce his pick for vice presidential running mate, and delegates are expected to approve that pick via acclamation, not a roll call vote.
Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, Sen. JD Vance of Ohio, and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum are among the contenders on Trump’s short list, but “it's almost an embarrassment of riches that there are so many good people” for Trump to choose from, one senior campaign adviser said on “Fox & Friends” last Monday. “What President Trump has said is that whoever he does pick needs to be able to step in and do the job on day one,” he added.
The process has changed over time. At one point, vice presidential candidates were chosen by the party to balance a ticket either geographically or ideologically. Conventions used to be a place for delegates to negotiate or debate a potential vice presidential candidate.
Now, presumptive presidential nominees choose their own running mates, and typically announce their pick before the convention.
Protests against the RNC
Protesters have started to gather at the Coalition to March on the Republican National Convention rally at Red Arrow Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Ahead of the RNC's events kicking off on Monday afternoon, people have begun demonstrating against the GOP. Dozens of signs were seen at protests in the city, including those calling former President Trump and Republicans "racist," and some that called to end support for Israel.
"Ban bombs not books," another sign read.
For months ahead of the RNC, Republicans had fought with law enforcement and Secret Service leaders about the security for the event. The GOP and former President Trump's campaign argued that the protesters were going to pose a security concern if they were allowed to be too close to the RNC site.
Protesters claimed it was a First Amendment violation to prevent them from being within sight and earshot of the RNC.
After the attempted assassination of Trump on Saturday in Butler, Pennsylvania, the conflict over security was spotlighted again as concerns for safety were elevated.
However, Secret Service said it was confident in its plan for the event, adding that there aren't plans for additional security aside from what was already being provided for.
Donald Trump Jr. speaks before his father Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally at Trump National Doral Miami, Tuesday, July 9, 2024, in Doral, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
While no official schedule of the Republican National Convention’s speakers has been released as of press time, several of former President Trump’s family members are expected to attend.
Donald Trump Jr., the nominee’s eldest son and executive vice president of the Trump Organization, reportedly will speak and introduce the yet-unannounced vice presidential nominee.
However, former first lady Melania Trump will attend, along with family members who themselves are also state RNC delegates.
While youngest son Barron Trump was selected but declined to stand as a delegate from Florida, Trump Jr.'s fiancée, Kimberly Guilfoyle, as well as Tiffany Trump – the former president's only child with ex-wife Marla Maples – will serve. Michael Boulos, Tiffany Trump's husband, will represent Florida.
The Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee
The 2024 Republican National Convention, to be held the week of July 15, will be hosted in Milwaukee, Wis.
While there are few specifics on the thought process that went into the choice of venue, it is notable that Milwaukee was previously named the convention site in 2020.
However, the coronavirus pandemic rendered most of former President Trump's renomination convention remote that year.
Milwaukee will join the list of cities that have hosted both the Republican and Democratic National Conventions.
The core of the festivities will take place at Fiserv Forum, where Fox News also moderated a 2023 Republican presidential primary debate.
First lady Melania Trump speaks during a campaign rally at Magnolia Woods on Monday, Nov. 2, 2020, in Huntersville, N.C. (AP Photo)
During her remarks at the 2020 Republican National Convention, then-first lady Melania Trump recalled how thankful her family was that voters in 2016 “were willing to take a chance on the businessman who has never worked in politics” when they chose then-President Donald Trump.
Melania telegraphed confidence in her husband in taking on COVID-19, which was posing a serious problem for people, businesses, and ways of life across the country, assuring listeners that he would tirelessly work to develop treatments and vaccines. She further reflected on her life as an immigrant and growing up in Slovenia under communist rule, noting the wonderful things she heard as a child about America.
“As I grew older, it became my goal to move to the United States and follow my dream of working in the fashion industry,” she said, thanking her parents for their work to get their family to America.
The first lady called becoming an American citizen, “one of the proudest moments in my life.” Melania promised, “Just as you are fighting for your families, my husband, our family, and the people in this administration are here fighting for you.”
A Florida judge dismissed the case against former President Trump for the handling of classified documents, and some legal experts are calling it a "strongly reasoned" opinion that eliminates the "greatest legal threat" to the presumptive 2024 GOP just ahead of the Republican National Convention.
On Monday, Florida District Judge Aileen Cannon issued a 93-page opinion dismissing the case on the grounds that the appointment of Special Counsel Jack Smith to oversee the case was unconstitutional.
"Upon careful study of the foundational challenges raised in the motion, the Court is convinced that Special Counsel’s Smith’s prosecution of this action breaches two structural cornerstones of our constitutional scheme – the role of Congress in the appointment of constitutional officers, and the role of Congress in authorizing expenditures by law," Cannon wrote.
Jonathan Turley, a defense attorney and law professor at George Washington University, told Fox News Monday that "of all of the cases that could be dismissed, this would be at the top of the list. This was the greatest threat. And for now, at least, it's gone."
Former President Trump reflected on the now world-famous photo of him holding his fist in the air after an assassination attempt during an interview published on Monday, quipping you "usually have to die" for it to become iconic.
"A lot of people say it’s the most iconic photo they’ve ever seen," Trump told the New York Post.
"They’re right and I didn’t die. Usually you have to die to have an iconic picture."Trump was shot in the ear on Saturday in an assassination attempt at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
The photo of Trump has been re-posted across social media following the shooting and was on front pages across the country and world Sunday. After shots were fired at the president, Secret Service agents surrounded him, and the former president was seen pumping his fist in the air and telling the crowd to "fight."
Trump told the Post that he "wasn't supposed to be here" in the interview following the assassination attempt. Experts have said Trump was extraordinarily lucky to survive, as just a few centimeters and a coincidental head turn were the difference between life and death.
RNC Chair Whatley
Recently installed Republican National Committee chairman Michael Whatley is far from a household name.
But those watching the Republican National Convention this week may become quite familiar with Michael Whatley, who will receive plenty of screen time during the four-day confab in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Whatley succeeded longtime RNC chair Ronna McDaniel, who stepped down at a national party committee meeting in Houston, Texas in March as former President Trump clinched the 2024 GOP presidential nomination.
Then-President-elect Trump picked McDaniel to run the RNC after he won the White House in the 2016 election. But earlier this year, Trump repeatedly urged changes at the committee – following lackluster fundraising last year and his opposition to the RNC's presidential primary debates. His criticism of the RNC essentially pushed McDaniel out the door.
Whatley, who had served as the North Carolina GOP chair since 2019, and also as the general counsel for the RNC, was partially handpicked by Trump to succeed McDaniel because of Trump's repeated unproven claims that his 2020 election loss to President Biden was due to massive voter fraud.
Prior to his work with the Republican Party, Whatley served as a federal law clerk, a senior official in the administration of former President George W. Bush and as the chief of staff for former Sen. Elizabeth Dole of North Carolina. He also served as a senior adviser to the 2000 Bush-Cheney campaign, Florida Recount and Transition Teams, as well as the Trump-Pence campaign and transition teams.
Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, reportedly departed on Monday before noon from his home in Ohio with a motorcade as speculation continues about his potential status as former President Trump's running mate.
Footage showed the Ohio senator leaving his house in a motorcade, presumably on his way to the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, reported Forbes.
The motorcade is not Secret Service detail, a source familiar told Fox News. The security are Capitol Police officers as well as Ohio state police. Gov. Mike DeWine, R-Ohio, approved the added security out of an abundance of caution after the assassination attempt on Trump.
DeWine's office confirmed the approval to Fox News.
Vance is considered a frontrunner for Trump's vice presidential nominee, alongside Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and Gov. Doug Burgum, R-N.D.
The Republican is one of the lawmakers who has been supportive of Trump for the longest, even during the early stages of the GOP primary race.
After the attempted assassination of Trump on Saturday during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, Vance slammed President Biden for his rhetoric. "The central premise of the Biden campaign is that President Donald Trump is an authoritarian fascist who must be stopped at all costs," he wrote on X.
"That rhetoric led directly to President Trump's attempted assassination," the senator continued.
Fox News' Alexas McAdams contributed to this report.
"Fox & Friends" co-host Ainsley Earhardt recounted receiving the news of the assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump.
Earhardt said she received a phone call from a FOX employee to turn on the television as the president had just been shot.
"To see that happen to someone who wants to give so much to our country is just very emotional and something I'd never experienced before," Earhardt said. "When Reagan was shot I was 5 or 6 years old."
She went on to express condolences to the family of Corey Comperatore , the volunteer firefighter, husband and father who lost his life at the rally, "I'm so sorry for the family that did lose their loved one."
Comperatore died shielding his family from bullets. Two others, David Dutch, 57, and James Copenhaver, 74, are fighting for their lives.
"I wish them all the best, lots of prayers going up," she added.
Earhardt concluded, "Stop the vitriol and just move forward as a country the red white and blue is more important than these politics."
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and former President Donald Trump (Getty Images)
Former President Donald Trump is demanding independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. "immediately" get Secret Service protection.
"In light of what is going on in the world today, I believe it is imperative that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. receive Secret Service protection — immediately. Given the history of the Kennedy Family, this is the obvious right thing to do!" Trump wrote in a Truth Social post Monday.
RFK Jr. previously said that the Biden administration denied his request for Secret Service protection, but more lawmakers are calling for him to receive the same service as other presidential candidates after Trump survived an assassination attempt.
Gov. Jared Polis, D-Colo., called on President Biden to change his administration's previous decision to deny Kennedy Secret Service protection just hours after the Trump rally shooting."I encourage [Biden] to immediately provide secret service protection for [Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.]," Polis wrote on X.
Local law enforcement had responsibility for the building where Thomas Matthew Crooks fired several shots at former President Trump on Saturday, Fox News has learned.
The building Crooks fired from was a "rally point" for one of the local counter sniper teams, according to a federal law enforcement official familiar with the security plans.
The source also said that a team was actually stationed in, or near, the building. There were four counter sniper teams at the Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, including two from the Secret Service and two from local law enforcement.
Fox News' Jake Gibson, David Spunt, Stephen Sorace contributed to this report.
Clint Eastwood at RNC
Hollywood legend Clint Eastwood made a surprise appearance at the 2012 Republican National Convention, where now-Sen. Mitt Romney was nominated as the GOP nominee to challenge then-incumbent President Barack Obama.
Eastwood opened his speech with the line, "I know what you're thinking", referencing the number of .44 Magnum rounds his "Dirty Harry" Callahan character fired in the 1971 film. Eastwood improvised much of his speech, addressing an empty chair, which was supposed to represent Obama. The speech lasted 12 minutes, despite being scheduled to last just five.
After directing the beginning of the speech to the empty chair, Eastwood spoke directly to delegates and the audience, saying:
“We own this country…it's not politicians owning it; politicians are employees of ours ... And whether you're Democrat or whether you're a Republican or whether you're Libertarian or whatever, you're the best. And we should not ever forget that. And when somebody does not do the job, we got to let 'em go."
The speech ended with another reference to “Dirty Harry.”
Eastwood's speech was seen by more than 30 million people.
Former President Trump is now breaking his silence on the assassination attempt against him during a rally on Saturday in Butler, Pennsylvania.
"I’m not supposed to be here, I’m supposed to be dead," Trump told the New York Post. "I’m supposed to be dead."
"The doctor at the hospital said he never saw anything like this, he called it a miracle," Trump also told the newspaper onboard his private plane while heading to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for this week’s Republican National Convention. "By luck or by God, many people are saying it’s by God I’m still here."
Rep. Wesley Hunt, R-Texas, retired Army captain and West Point graduate, joined Brian Kilmeade on "Fox & Friends" this morning to discuss Secret Service planning to brief lawmakers over concerns with rally safety preparedness following Trump’s assassination attempt.
"The biggest question is, is how does an assailant get on a rooftop that close to the former and future president of the United States?," Hunt asked.
He added that being within 150 yards of anything is an "easy shot."
"With my AR, I could absolutely make that shot," Hunt said.
When Kilmeade asked if he were in Trump's situation, would he return to rally events, Hunt said, "If I know President Trump, of course he's going to."
"God had his hands on him in that moment and I know what it feels like to get shot at," Hunt said. He revealed that after he was fired at during missions, he felt a "reinvigorated spirit" for life and that he expects to see the same from Trump this week at the 2024 RNC.
While Republicans in Wisconsin and New Hampshire have long traded fire over which state is the birthplace of the GOP - which stands for Grand Old Party - there is no dispute over where the party's first national convention took place.
The party, which was founded in the mid-19th Century, held its first national nominating convention at Musical Fund Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from June 17 to 19, 1856.
The party - formed just two years earlier - nominated then-Sen. John C. Fremont of California for president. Fremont was an explorer who had also served as a military officer in the Mexican-American War. Former Sen. William L. Dayton of New Jersey was nominated for vice president.
Democrat James Buchanan, who defeated then-President Franklin Pierce at the Democratic convention, went on to defeat Fremont in the general election, in a three-way contest that also included American (Know Nothing) Party nominee Millard Fillmore.
The Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on July 14, 2024, on the eve of the start of the Republican National Convention (Fox News Digital)
What is a delegate?
During the Republican and Democratic National Conventions, delegates from all over the country gather in one location and elect their respective nominee for president. Delegates are traditionally elected by their state party, mostly including local officials and party members, and they are sent to the convention on behalf of their state. Each party has a set number of delegates available — 4,672 Democrats and 2,429 Republicans — a certain percentage of whom are referred to as “superdelegates.”
What is a superdelegate?
Both parties use superdelegates slightly differently, but the key concept is that a superdelegate is one who is not bound to vote for their assigned candidate. While a Democrat delegate from Texas is bound to vote for the Democrat who won the state of Texas, a superdelegate from Texas can vote for whoever they wish, but only in a contested convention, as established in 2018. Additionally, while Democrat delegates are local party leaders and officials, superdelegates make up members of the Democratic elite. They are senators, representatives, party leaders, prominent officials, etc.
Republican superdelegates are more hamstrung. Each state automatically gets three, assigned by the RNC, and they are bound to vote for the candidate who won their state. They are also not allowed to vote in the first round of voting, limiting any power they have to a contested convention, as established in 2016.
A new national poll conducted in the wake of the Biden-Trump presidential debate has found that nearly 80% of voters are concerned about Biden "not having the necessary mental and physical health to be a president for a second term."
The NBC News survey of 800 registered voters, which was conducted over July 7-9 and before the assassination attempt against former President Trump during a rally in Pennsylvania this past weekend, has Trump leading Biden by 45% to 43% in a head-to-head race.
While the matchup remains close, the poll found that 62% of Democratic voters wish someone else was at the top of their party's ticket instead of Biden and that 79% of all voters are worried about the 81-year-old Biden’s mental and physical capabilities.
Only 50% of respondents had the same mental and physical fitness concerns about Trump, who is 78.
Fox News' Greg Norman contributed to this report.
Former President Trump told Fox News that he will be announcing his choice for his running mate on Monday during the Republican National Convention.
"He did confirm that he's going to make a VP choice today," Fox News' Bret Baier said, noting Trump said so on the phone.
The frontrunners for Trump's running mate are considered to be Sens. JD Vance, R-Ohio, and Marco Rubio, R-Fla., as well as Gov. Doug Burgum, R-N.D.
The former president has held out and did not announce his running mate prior to the RNC, which is beginning on Monday in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
There were initial concerns that the RNC may need to be postponed after there was an assassination attempt against Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on Saturday. However, Trump refused to push back the event.
Trump's choice of running mate will come after months and months of speculation that began during the Republican presidential primary race before he became the presumptive GOP nominee.
Democrats have pressed pause on their efforts to replace President Biden as the 2024 Democratic nominee in the aftermath of the assassination attempt against former President Trump, with one lawmaker saying they've all resigned themselves "to a second Trump presidency," according to one report.
The concern among many Democratic lawmakers surrounding Biden's cognitive decline and his ability to defeat Trump in the election has taken a "back seat" as they focus on their own security and unifying language for a country reeling from the attempt on Trump's life over the weekend, Axios reported Sunday.
A growing number of House Democrats and one Democratic senator have called on Biden to withdraw from the race since his debate debacle last month. However, Trump's attempted assassination may have dwindled their momentum, the report suggests.
Fox News' Yael Halon contributed to this report.
Sen. JD Vance (R-OH) speaks to reporters in the spin room following the CNN Presidential Debate between U.S. President Joe Biden and Republican presidential candidate, former U.S. President Donald Trump at the McCamish Pavilion on the Georgia Institute of Technology campus on June 27, 2024 in Atlanta, Ga. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
A prominent security presence outside the residence of Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, over the weekend heightened speculation around former President Trump's pick for vice president.
Trump survived an assassination attempt at a campaign rally on Saturday, reportedly suffering a gunshot wound to his right ear in the shooting that took the life of one rally goer and injured several others.
After the incident, several black trucks and police vehicles were reportedly seen outside of Vance's residence as he remains on of the top three candidates on Trump's shortlist for vice president.
A spokesperson for Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, however, told an NBC reporter that he approved the security presence at Vance's residence on Saturday, with sources saying that it was not Secret Service, but state state law enforcement.
Vance, along with Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and Gov. Doug Burgum, R-S.D., remain on the top of list for Trump's potential vice president.
Fox News’ Bret Baier reports that senior GOP officials indicate Trump could announce his running mate as soon as 1p.m. ET Monday after the Republican National Convention (RNC) commences.
(Photo by Bonnie Cash/Getty Images)
Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., a candidate being floated as a potential vice president for Trump, delivered a heart-felt speech at the 2020 Republican National Convention (RNC). Scott talked about his upbringing and eventually being elected to serve in the Senate, which he described as an "American journey."
"Regardless of the challenges presented to us…every four years…Americans come together to vote…To share stories of what makes our nation strong, and the lessons we have learned that can strengthen it further for our children and grandchildren," Scott said, adding that "while this election is between Donald Trump and Joe Biden…it is not solely about Donald Trump and Joe Biden."
Scott also took aim at President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris — the then-Democratic ticket.
"Make no mistake: Joe Biden and Kamala Harris want a cultural revolution. A fundamentally different America.”
“If we let them…they will turn our country into a socialist utopia…and history has taught us that path only leads to pain and misery, especially for hard-working people hoping to rise."
Special Counsel Jack Smith
Federal criminal charges against former President Trump for mishandling classified documents were dismissed on Monday by a Florida judge.
U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon granted a motion to dismiss the superseding indictment against him, based on a violation of the Appointments Clause of the Constitution.
Trump's defense team had filed the motion, making the argument that Special Counsel Jack Smith was unlawfully appointed.
Justice Clarence Thomas notably mentioned the issue of Smith's appointment to the Trump investigations in his concurrence to the Supreme Court immunity ruling earlier this month.
Cannon's decision to grant the motion agreed that the critical Appointments Clause gives Congress a considered role in determining the propriety of vesting appointment power for inferior officers.
It was argued that the special counsel’s position effectively usurped that important legislative authority, transferring it to a head of department, and in the process threatened the structural liberty inherent in the separation of powers.
Cannon explained that there is a legal route by which to appoint Smith to the role, writing that he could be appointed and confirmed through the default method prescribed in the Appointments Clause. This, she notes, is what Congress has directed for United States attorneys throughout American history. Congress could also authorize his appointment through enactment of positive statutory law consistent with the Appointments Clause, she said.
Fox News' David Spunt and Jake Gibson contributed to this report.
Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman joins 'Fox & Friends' to discuss security preparations for the Republican National Convention (RNC) following the assassination attempt on former President Trump.
"We plan as much as we can plan in regards to that there is always going to be something that can throw a little screwball, but then we have to have the resources to be able to respond," the chief said.
Norman added that security is "continuing to work with our partners" and "continuing to communicate in regards to that this is a respected event in regards to that we need to be able to work with each other and have that communication. But also, resources are here. We're making sure we have the ability to respond the way that we need to based on behaviors and based on the intelligence we are receiving."
The RNC will commence Monday, just days after former President Trump survived an assassination attempt.
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump giving a talk at a rally in Racine, Wisconsin. Scott Olson/Getty Images
MILWAUKEE, WI - The Republican National Committee kicks off in a couple of hours, just two days after former President Donald Trump, the GOP's standard-bearer, survived an assassination attempt.
And the Saturday shooting at Trump's rally in western Pennsylvania - where one spectator was killed and two more critically injured, and the former president visibly bloodied after a bullet grazed his ear - has altered the tone and raised the stakes of the convention.
At the four-day confab which is being held in swing state Wisconsin’s largest city, Trump will formally become the Republican Party's presidential nominee, and the official roll call will take place during the opening session Monday.
But as the convention gets underway, all eyes are on the former president as Trump's expected to announce his choice for running mate, which would bring to a conclusion weeks of vetting and intense media speculation.
Fox News’ Bret Baier reports that senior GOP officials indicate a running mate announcement could occur soon after the convention is gaveled into order at 1pm ET. "It will be part of the hooplah today kicking things off".
Considered the front-runners for the Republican vice presidential nomination are Sens. JD Vance of Ohio, Marco Rubio of Florida, and Gov. Doug Burgum of North Dakota.
Others thought to be in contention are Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, and Reps. Elise Stefanik of New York and Byron Donalds of Florida.
MILWAUKEE – The Republican National Convention kicks off on Monday, just two days after former President Donald Trump, the GOP's standard-bearer, survived an assassination attempt.
And the Saturday shooting at Trump's rally in western Pennsylvania - where one spectator was killed and two more critically injured, and the former president visibly bloodied after a bullet grazed his ear - has altered the tone and raised the stakes of the convention.
U.S. Secret Service and other officials announced on the eve of the convention that there are no plans to expand the security perimeter and that there are no known threats.
"The arena's set, the security is here and we feel very comfortable that we're working with the Secret Service," Republican National Committee chair Michael Whatley said in an interview on "Fox News Sunday."
Confetti and balloons fall during celebrations after Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's acceptance speech on the final day of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on this July 21, 2016. (The Associated Press)
The last Republican National Convention was held in Charlotte, N.C.,, but was far from a traditional one, taking place during the height of the coronavirus pandemic in late August 2020.
The RNC and the Trump campaign canceled the originally planned gathering due to the COVID pandemic, which had been set for Jacksonville, Florida, in July.
The convention’s overall theme was “Honoring the Great American Story” with different nights focusing on America as the “Land of Promise,” the “Land of Opportunity,” the “Land of Heroes,” and the “Land of Greatness.” Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., Trump family members, and law enforcement officials were among the featured speakers.
The Trump campaign raked in $76 million during the lightly attended, largely virtual convention.
The 2016 GOP convention took place in Cleveland, Ohio. Many feared a contested convention, amid concerns within the party over Trump, but his nomination was ultimately not challenged from the floor.
On July 19, 2016, the convention formally nominated Donald Trump for president and then-Indiana Gov. Mike Pence for vice president. They went on to win the general election, defeating the Democratic ticket of Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine.
Fox News
The Republican National Convention’s high-profile attendees will include former 2024 GOP presidential candidates who have since become some of former President Trump’s strongest allies.
That reportedly includes North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott – both of whom have generated buzz as possible Trump running mates.
Vivek Ramaswamy, among the first Republicans to drop out and endorse Trump, is also reportedly expected to be there.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, with whom Trump had a bitter feud, is also expected to attend and even speak at the convention.A notable exclusion, however, is former United Nations ambassador Nikki Haley. The ex-Trump administration official is the only woman who challenged Trump for the 2024 nomination and the final major challenger to drop out.
A Haley spokesperson told Politico that she “was not invited, and she’s fine with that. Trump deserves the convention he wants. She’s made it clear she’s voting for him and wishes him the best.”
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