RNC 2024: Republican VP nominee JD Vance introduces himself to world

Vice Presidential nominee JD Vance speaks at RNC

Vice Presidential nominee JD Vance spoke to supporters at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.

MILWAUKEE - Day 3 of the Republican National Convention (RNC) kicked off inside Fiserv Forum in downtown Milwaukee on Wednesday, July 17.

Everyone heard from Ohio Sen. JD Vance, the Republican nominee for vice president and keynote speaker of the evening. He formally accepted the vice presidential nomination during his address.

Tommy Thompson at RNC Day 3

Former Gov. Tommy Thompson's response to GOP vice presidential nominee JD Vance's address during Day 3 of the Republican National Convention.

39-year-old Vance, who wrote the best-selling book "Hillbilly Elegy," has been a senator for only a couple of years.

Nominee to be Vice President Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, addresses the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee on Wednesday, July 17, 2024. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

"Mr. President, I will never take for granted the trust you have put in me," he said. "And what an honor it is to help achieve the extraordinary vision you have for our country."

Wednesday's theme was Make America Strong Once Again. That means talking about world crises, including the U.S. pullout of Afghanistan as well as the Israel-Hamas war.

RNC theme for Day 3, "Make American Strong Once Again"

The third day of the RNC features a primetime speech by Donald Trump's running mate, JD Vance. The night will be focused on making the country strong again.

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"I'd love to just talk with people and, answer some questions and take some photos, but, you know, I, I keep on thinking to myself, what's the best way? And this is part of what I've been going through as I think about what I'm going to say tonight, what is the best way to articulate why it is that reelecting President Trump is so important and there are all these different sort of spins that you could take on it," Vance said.

JD Vance speaks at the 2024 Republican National Convention (RNC)

Speakers on Wednesday night included North Dakota Gov. Doug Bergum, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, Donald Trump Jr. and Usha Vance, the vice presidential nominee's wife.

Usha Vance introduces her husband, JD, at the RNC

Usha Vance introduced her husband to cheering supporters at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.

Watch party reactions

RNC Day 3 watch party, response

There were a few watch parties within the RNC’s security perimeter, including the Drink Wisconsinbly Pub in the Deer District.

Some Trump supporters brought up his past criticisms of the former president, but they said they're willing to overlook that.

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Wednesday night was the chance for people to get a proper introduction to Trump's vice presidential nominee.

Trump in attendance

Former President Donald Trump did not speak Wednesday night. But he did do a walk-through of the stage earlier in the day. He got to see where he will stand – and where he will speak to the nation just days after surviving an assassination attempt.

Former President Trump does walk-through at Fiserv Forum

Trump's right ear remained bandaged.