Live: Trump at RNC in first public appearance since assassination attempt
MILWAUKEE - The Republican National Convention 2024 kicked off Monday, but much attention was centered around former President Donald Trump’s survival of an assassination attempt.
The convention is continuing as planned, with the political party highlighting a theme each day. Monday’s focus is set to be "Make America Wealthy Again."
Monday's topic was on how "President Trump’s America First economic policies slashed cumbersome regulations, cut tax rates, and reworked trade deals to create a fairer playing field for American industry and workers."
Here are the latest developments regarding the Republican National Convention (all estimated times are in EST):
10 p.m.
Trump makes his first public appearance at the RNC since an assassination attempt at a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday.
With a bandage covering the bullet graze on his ear, Trump enters the stadium as musician Lee Greenwood sings his signature song, "God Bless the USA."
5 p.m.
Ohio Senator J.D. Vance is formally designated as the Republicans' vice presidential nominee.
3:30 p.m.
According to FOX News, Trump has officially won enough delegates at the Republican National Convention to make him the Republican 2024 presidential nomination.
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) speaks on the first day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum on July 15, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
3:05 p.m.
Trump has declared Senator J.D. Vance of Ohio as his pick for vice president.
RELATED: J.D. Vance will be Donald Trump's running mate in 2024
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.
2:30 p.m.
North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum has been told he will not be chosen as Trump's running mate, AP sources say.
2:15 p.m.
Florida Sen. Marco Rubio has been told he will not be chosen as Trump's running mate, an AP source says.
2:00 p.m
The Republican National Convention was called to order on Monday.
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.
RELATED: Donald Trump says he was shot at rally; thanks law enforcement for "rapid response"
Trump has repeatedly said he wants to end inflation but has laid out few inflation-reducing policies so far.
What are Trump's economic policies?
Tax cuts
The Republican former president maintains that keeping taxes low for the wealthy will supercharge investment and lead to more jobs, while tax hikes would crush an economy still recovering from inflation that hit a four-decade peak in 2022.
"Biden wants to give the IRS even more cash by proposing the largest tax hike on the American people in history when they are already being robbed by his record-high inflation crisis," said Karoline Leavitt, press secretary for the Trump campaign.
Milwaukee expects economic boom thanks to RNC
The 2024 Republican National Convention will be hosted in the heart of Milwaukee, Wisconsin from July 15 to July 18. The city anticipates a $200 million economic impact over the course of the 4-day event. CEO of Visit Milwaukee, Peggy Williams-Smith, joins LiveNOW from FOX.
However, most economists say Trump’s tax cuts could not generate enough growth to pay down the national debt. An analysis released by Oxford Economics found that a "full-blown Trump" policy with tax cuts, higher tariffs and blocking immigration would slow growth and increase inflation.
RELATED: More than 1 in 3 US households have financial insecurity, survey says
Trade
Trump says he will institute a system of tariffs of perhaps 10% on most foreign goods. Penalties would increase if trade partners manipulate their currencies or engage in other unfair trading practices.
He will urge that Congress pass a "Trump Reciprocal Trade Act," giving the president authority to impose a reciprocal tariff on any country that imposes one on the U.S.
Biden admin announces new tariffs on Chinese goods
President Joe Biden slapped major new tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, advanced batteries, solar cells, steel, aluminum and medical equipment on Tuesday, taking potshots at Donald Trump along the way as he embraced a strategy that’s increasing friction between the world’s two largest economies.
Much of the agenda focuses on China. Trump has proposed a four-year plan to phase out Chinese imports of essential goods, including electronics, steel and pharmaceuticals. He wants to ban Chinese companies from owning vital U.S. infrastructure in sectors such as energy, technology and agriculture, and says he will force Chinese owners to sell any holdings "that jeopardize America’s national security."
Other economic policies
On his campaign website, Trump has briefly outlined other economic measures such as making sure the U.S. dollar stays the world’s reserve currency.
He also wants to institute large tax cuts for workers as well as end outsourcing and grow the manufacturing industry in America.
When is the RNC?
The Republican National Convention will be held from July 15 to July 18 at the Fiserv Forum, an arena that is the home of the Milwaukee Bucks professional basketball team.
More than 50,000 people, including hundreds of journalists from around the world, are expected to attend.
What are the other themes?
Tuesday's theme will be "Make America Safe Once Again" where the focus will be on crime that has caused some cities to become what the campaign calls "hollowed out, dystopian nightmares thanks to Joe Biden and Democrats’ woke soft-on-crime and open border policies."
"Make America Strong Once Again" will highlight Trump's foreign policy accomplishments and agenda as the theme for Wednesday.
On Thursday, the final day, the theme will be, "Make America Great Once Again."
"President Donald J. Trump will usher in a new golden age for America. At home and abroad, America’s standing will be restored," the campaign says.
"American families will once again experience prosperity, safety, and strength. Our decaying and decrepit cities and communities will experience a resurgence. Americans will once again have reason to harbor hope and optimism for the future of our country. President Trump will Make America Great Once Again!"
FOX News and the Associated Press contributed to this report. This story was reported from Los Angeles.