President Donald Trump accepted the Republican nomination for president on Thursday night, slamming Joe Biden, promising to bring law and order back to American cities and saying that Republicans will “welcome millions of Democrats, Independents and anyone who believes in the greatness of America” into their tent.
Trump spoke to the party faithful at the White House and to a greater audience on television and online, and, despite being the incumbent, cast himself as the outsider who had “done nothing but fight” for them and would continue to do it.
“I did what our political establishment never expected and could never forgive. Breaking the cardinal rule of Washington politics: I kept my promise,” he said.
He did not shy away from criticism of Biden or the Democrats, pointing out that Americans have never had a more obvious choice between two candidates in a presidential election.
“At no time before have voters faced a clearer choice between two parties, two visions, two philosophies or two agendas,” Trump said. “We have spent the last four years reversing the damage Joe Biden inflicted over the last 47 years.”
The optics of Trump’s speech were in sharp contrast to Biden’s acceptance speech as nearly 1,500 people on the South Lawn of the White House — most apparently not wearing masks — cheered Trump as he took swipes at Democrats in general and Biden in particular.
Biden’s speech was presented to a nearly empty room in a convention center near his home in Delaware.
As the speech ended, a fireworks display erupted behind the Washington Memorial, across from the White House, at one time spelling out “Trump 2020.”
Below is a livestream of the event and live updates from the evening.
Livestream
Live updates
Democrats see the U.S as ’wicked nation’
11:10 p.m. ET Aug. 27, 2020: Trump: “At the Democrat National Convention, Joe Biden and his party repeatedly assailed America as a land of racial, economic and social injustice. So tonight I ask you a simple question: How can the Democrat Party ask to lead our country when it spends so much time tearing down our country?
“In the Left’s backward view, they do not see America as the most free, just and exceptional nation on earth. Instead, they see a wicked nation that must be punished for its sins.
“Our opponents say that redemption for you can only come from giving power to them. This is a tired anthem spoken by every repressive movement throughout history. But in this country, we don’t look to career politicians for salvation. In America, we don’t turn to the government to restore our souls; we put our faith in almighty God.”
A promise to cut taxes
Trump says he will cut taxes -- substantially -- if he is re-elected.
“Joe Biden’s agenda is made in China. My agenda is made in America.”
Turning to the coronavirus
10:55 p.m. ET Aug. 27, 2020: Trump talks about the “China virus.”
“In recent months, our nation, and the entire planet, has been struck by a new and powerful invisible enemy. Like those brave Americans before us, we are meeting this challenge,” he said.
“They (China) could have stopped it, but allowed it to come out,” he said. He says he will hold China fully responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said he has lost someone to the virus.
The fatality rate has been reduced by 80% since April, Trump says. And “we will have a safe and effective vaccine this year,” he said.
He said the Paycheck Protection Program has saved or protected 50 million jobs.
Trump talks about his accomplishments
10:45 p.m. ET Aug. 27, 2020: Trump is talking about his accomplishments over the past three and a half years.
On immigration, Trump said, “The wall will soon be complete and it’s working beyond our wildest expectations.”
On African Americans: “Modestly, I say that I have done more for Blacks in America than maybe Abraham Lincoln.”
He talks about recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and killing Isis leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and terrorist Qasem Soleimani.
Nomination accepted
10:30 p.m. ET Aug. 27, 2020: Trump begins his speech by wishing those who have been affected by Hurricane Laura warm thoughts and a promise to help them.
“Our thoughts are with the wonderful people who have just come through the wrath of Hurricane Laura,” the president said.
Trump said his administration was working closely with local officials to help those impacted by the storm, and he announced he would go to the Gulf region to inspect the damage this weekend.
Then, he accepts the nomination of the Republican Party.
“My fellow Americans, tonight, with a heart full of gratitude and boundless optimism, I profoundly accept this nomination for president of the United States,” Trump said.
Trump begins his remarks
10:22 p.m. ET Aug. 27, 2020: To the strains of “God Bless the USA,” Trump and first lady Melania Trump make their way to the stage.
Between 1,000 and 1,500 people are on the South Lawn of the White House, cheering.
Ivanka introduces her father
10 p.m. ET Aug. 27, 2020: First daughter Ivanka Trump is introducing her father and touting his accomplishments.
She says she prays for those who have lost loved ones and for the ones who are fighting COVID-19.
She said she saw her father close down the most robust economy in to save lives, and she addresses the style that sometimes rubs others the wrong way.
“I recognize that my dad’s communication style is not to everyone’s taste,” she said. “And I know his tweets can feel a bit unfiltered. But the results—the results speak for themselves.”
“To my father,: Trump says, “you are the elite.”
Muellers tell a heartbreaking story of Kayla
9:50 p.m. ET Aug. 27, 2020: Carl and Marsha Mueller, the parents of Kayla Mueller tell the story of her capture and murder at the hands of Isis.
Alice Johnson on Trump and her commutation
9:40 p.m. ET Aug. 27, 2020: Alice Johnson, whose life sentence in prison was commuted by Trump in 2018, thanked the president for helping her and praises him for his First Step Act that reviews sentences of non-violent offenders.
“When President Trump heard about me -- about the injustice of my story -- he saw me as a person,” Johnson said. “He had compassion. And he acted.”
“I knew that God knew my name, but never imagined a president would.”
‘Biden won’t stand up for America’
9:35 p.m.ET Aug. 27, 2020: Republican Senator Tom Cotton goes after Biden and his nearly 50-year record in the Senate.
“Joe Biden aided and abetted China’s rise for fifty years with terrible trade deals that closed our factories and laid off our workers,” Cotton said. “President Trump stands up to China’s cheating, and stealing, and lying.”
“Joe Biden won’t stand up for America,” Cotton continued. “Donald Trump will. So this November, let’s stand with the president and vote to keep America great.”
Rudy Giuliani addresses the convention
‘He’s one of us’
9:29 p.m. ET Aug. 27, 2020: Dr. Ben Carson defended Trump’s record on race saying those who think he is a racist “could not be more wrong.”
He goes on to say that Trump stands for those who cannot even speak – the unborn.
“He is one of us,” Dr. Carson said. “He makes promises and he keeps them. He is transparent, and we certainly know what he’s thinking.”
‘This isn’t a video game’
9:24 p.m. ET Aug. 27, 2020: Ann Dorn tells a heartbreaking story about the death of her husband, retired St. Louis police captain David Dorn.
“I re-live that horror in my mind every single day,” Dorn said. “My hope is that having you re-live it with me now will help shake this country from the nightmare we are witnessing in our cities and bring about positive, peaceful change.”
Here is her story:
A resurgence in her business
9:10 p.m. ET Aug. 27, 2020: Debbie Flood is the president and second-generation owner of Melron Corporation in Wisconsin, which focuses on manufacturing and steel production.
She says Joe Biden hurt business, but Trump helped her bring her business back.
‘Unstoppable energy’
9:05 p.m. ET Aug. 27, 2020: Dana White, the President of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, talks about his friendship with Trump.
Prior to his speech, White took heat for his support of Trump.
“Listen, this is America. Everybody has their own opinions and their own choices. I know that sometimes people go after you because of whatever, but everybody knows me. Everybody knows what I’m about, and you know.
“I don’t know. Talk to me after the speech.”
During his speech, White says ’it blows my mind how quickly some of the leadership in this country has forgotten the critical role first responders play in our society.”
“Come on America, defunding these vital positions is not the answer,” he says.
He touted Trump’s “unstoppable energy” and urges everyone to vote.
Mitch McConnell is looking out for middle America
Scavino speaks about his boss
9 p.m. ET Aug. 27, 2020: Trump aide Dan Scavino recalls meeting Trump at a golf course when he, scavino, was a young man. He has been working with Trump for 30 years, he said.
Scavino served on President Trump’s 2016 election campaign as the Social Media Director.
“President Trump is a kind and decent man,” Scavino said. “I wish you could be at his side with me to see his endless kindness to everyone he meets.”
Stacia Brightmon tells her story
Van Drew, the former Democratic representative
8:50 p.m. ET Aug. 27, 2020: Congressman Jeff Van Drew, who began his career in Congress as a Democrat but switched his party affiliation during the impeachment inquiry, addressed the convention.
He say he felt betrayed by the Democrats and did not like Nancy Pelosi, so once the impeachment began, he switched parties.
He will vote for Trump because he does not like open borders, he says.
He sees Trump in a different way
8:40 p.m. ET Aug. 27, 2020: Ja’Ron Smith is a native of Cleveland, Ohio, and is an assistant to Trump.
Smith said he has seen Trump’s heart in the wake of the deaths of George Floyd and wishes others could see Trump as he does working for him.
He never imagined he would be a Republican he said.
McCarthy is speaking first
8:36 p.m. ET Aug. 27, 2020: House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy is the first speaker.
He says this election is “about you, not us.”
“Everyone is equal under God, the Constitution and the law,” he says.
McCarthy is a representative of California’s 23rd district. He was first elected to Congress in 2006, and in 2014, he was elected Republican Leader in the House.
It has begun
8:31 p.m. ET Aug. 27, 2020: The last night of the Republican National Convention has begun.
The Rev. Franklin Graham is giving the invocation.
A major announcement
8:30 p.m. ET Aug. 27, 2020: President Trump is expected to announce tonight that his administration has made a $750 million deal for the purchase and production of 150 million rapid tests that will be distributed across the country.
Abbott will be producing the tests.
A big crowd
8:25 p.m. ET Aug. 27, 2020: The White House is expecting between 1,000 and 1,500 people to attend Trump’s acceptance speech tonight at the White House.
Ivanka will introduce her father.
8:15 p.m. ET Aug. 27, 2020: Trump is expected to begin his speech around 10 p.m. ET.
His daughter Ivanka; his personal attorney Rudy Giuliani; and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, will offer speeches leading up to Trump’s acceptance speech.
He will deliver his remarks from the South Lawn of the White House.
Welcome back
8 p.m. ET Aug. 27, 2020: Live updates have begun for the last night of the Republican National Convention. Tonight, President Donald Trump will accept the nomination of his party.
He faces Democrat Joe Biden in the November election.