RNC 2024 Day 2 updates: Trump rivals take center stage along with divine intervention

The theme of Tuesday's session is "Make America Safe Again."

Last Updated: July 16, 2024, 11:35 PM EDT

The second day of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee ended Tuesday with appearances from some of former President Donald Trump's former rivals: former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy -- all calling for Republican Party unity.

They were joined by some of Trump's longest allies including Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Ben Carson in bashing the Democrats over what they claimed were harmful and failed policies.

The program focused on law and order with a theme of making the country "safe again."

Trump, with a bandage on his ear, made an appearance again Tuesday evening -- just days after he was wounded in an assassination attempt at one of his rallies in Pennsylvania over the weekend. Several speakers touched on that God spared Trump in the shooting, saving him for a divine plan for the presidency.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing:
Jul 16, 2024, 3:03 PM EDT

Trump meets with Boris Johnson

Trump posted an image on his social media platform on Tuesday posing with former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

"Nice meeting with Former Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, a very fine guy!" Trump posted.

Former President Donald Trump meets with Former British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson in Milwaukee, July 16, 2024.
@realDonaldTrump/Truth Social

It's not clear if Johnson will be attending RNC events on Tuesday.

Jul 16, 2024, 2:42 PM EDT

Trump senior adviser doubles down on Trump's support for Second Amendment

Former President Donald Trump campaign's senior adviser Chris LaCivita spoke at a panel hosted by pro-Second Amendment group USCCA on Tuesday morning updating the crowd about Trump's recovery and message of unity.

LaCivita said both Trump and himself are supporters of the Second Amendment and reiterated the former president's messaging has always been to allow law-abiding citizens the ability to carry firearms to protect themselves and their families.

"It's also really important in this election, because Biden has made it clear he wants to ban them," LaCivita said. "There are so many things that you can do to curb the problem of individuals as opposed to trying to ban what is clearly… a right."

-ABC News' Kelsey Walsh, Lalee Ibssa and Soorin Kim

Jul 16, 2024, 2:07 PM EDT

Trump, Vance to hold campaign rally in Michigan

Trump's campaign announced that he and JD Vance will be holding a rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on Saturday.

This will mark their first rally together and the first one after Trump's assassination attempt. The rally will take place in an indoor venue.

-ABC News' Lalee Ibssa and Soorin Kim

Jul 16, 2024, 1:07 PM EDT

There's Trump merchandise galore at RNC

People look at political merchandise for sale on the first day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum, July 15, 2024, in Milwaukee.
Leon Neal/Getty Images

A person looks at political merchandise for sale on the first day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum, July 15, 2024, in Milwaukee.
Leon Neal/Getty Images

Merchandise abounds outside of the convention center, with official RNC-branded souvenirs sold inside the Fiserv Forum. The signature red "MAGA" hat is sold at all of them, but all of the vendors have slightly different stock.

A vendor outside of the main security line was selling shirts with the now-iconic photo after the assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump, while another inside of the security perimeter sold T-shirts that declared "I'm voting for the felon."

A vendor sells t-shirts honoring former President Donald Trump outside the Republican National Convention on July 16, 2024.
Diana Paulsen/ABC News

The official RNC store features T-shirts with Trump's mugshot along with more niche merchandise such as Christmas ornaments.

People buy merchandise supporting former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump during the first day of the 2024 Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum, July 15, 2024, in Milwaukee.
Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images

-ABC News' Diana Paulsen

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