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."

ByMeredith Deliso, Ivan Pereira, Tal Axelrod, Chris Boccia, and Alexandra Hutzler
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, 8:04 PM EDT

Afghanistan veteran Sam Brown grips RNC with story of his combat injury

Nevada Senate candidate Sam Brown shared the story of the explosion that nearly killed him in Afghanistan. His recovery, he said, is a story of hope.

U.S. Senate Candidate for Nevada Sam Brown speaks on Day 2 of the Republican National Convention (RNC), in Milwaukee, Wis., July 16, 2024.
Mike Segar/Reuters

"America, I served you a soldier, and I want to serve you again. As a U.S. senator, I will strongly stand alongside Donald Trump to make America affordable, safe and strong again," Brown said. "We have a tough road ahead, but it won't be my first."

Brown urged the audience to look at his face.

"This is the cost of war," Brown said. "If Joe Biden stays in office, more service members will pay this price."

Nevada Senate candidate Sam Brown shared the story of the explosion that nearly killed him in Afghanistan while he was serving.
2:00
Afghanistan veteran Sam Brown grips RNC with story of his combat injuryNevada Senate candidate Sam Brown shared the story of the explosion that nearly killed him in Afghanistan while he was serving.
ABCNews.com

Hope, he said, has been restored through Trump.

Attendees with cowboy hats and Trump hats alike removed their caps for Brown as he finished his speech, in honor of his service, with a small chant of "USA" breaking out in the arena.

-ABC News' Allie Pecorin and Alexandra Hutzler

Jul 16, 2024, 7:51 PM EDT

Rupert Murdoch arrives in Milwaukee to attend RNC: Source

Rupert Murdoch arrived in Milwaukee today to attend the RNC, a source familiar with his trip told ABC News.

This could mark the first face-to-face reunion with the former Fox boss and Donald Trump in some time.

Murdoch and Trump had a much-publicized rift in the wake of the 2020 election, and Trump has bashed Fox News as recently as last month.

-ABC News' Olivia Rubin

Jul 16, 2024, 7:47 PM EDT

Justice addresses RNC with trusty Babydog

West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice took the stage with his dog, Babydog, who trotted out and took a cushioned seat to the governor's right.

West Virginia Governor Jim Justice speaks alongside his bulldog "Babydog" during the second day of the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wis., July 16, 2024.
Pedro Ugarte/AFP via Getty Images

Justice, who's running as a Republican for the Senate seat that Democrat Joe Manchin will vacate, said, "We'd become totally unhinged if Donald Trump is not elected."

"He genuinely cares. He cares about all of us," he said of Trump. "He loves this nation beyond good sense."

West Virginia Governor Jim Justice took the stage with his dog, “Babydog,” who trotted out and took a cushioned seat to the governor’s right.
2:29
Gov. Jim Justice addresses RNC with trusty 'Babydog'West Virginia Governor Jim Justice took the stage with his dog, “Babydog,” who trotted out and took a cushioned seat to the governor’s right.
ABCNews.com

Justice also said Donald Trump Jr. is a "treasured friend" and that Eric Trump once replaced his tire.

He also said Babydog has predicted that Republicans will win back the White House and Senate and keep control of the House.

Jul 16, 2024, 7:40 PM EDT

Pennsylvania Senate hopeful on witnessing rally shooting

Pennsylvania Senate hopeful Dave McCormick, who witnessed the assassination attempt on Trump, addressed the "terrifying" moment at the start of his remarks.

Businessman and politician Dave McCormick speaks during Day 2 of the Republican National Convention (RNC) in Milwaukee, Wis., July 16, 2024.
Mike Segar/Reuters

"I want to first acknowledge what transpired a few days ago in my home state where I witnessed firsthand from a front-row seat in Butler President Trump's remarkable strength and resolve in a terrifying and unpredictable moment," he said. "The president rose brilliantly to the challenge."

He acknowledged the victims of the incident before saying, "We all thank God President Trump is OK."

On the election, he posited it as a choice between "strength and weakness," between "America's greatness or its sad, disgraceful decline."

Dave McCormick, who witnessed the assassination attempt on Trump, addressed the "terrifying" moment at the start of his remarks at the Republican National Convention.
0:50
Pennsylvania Senate hopeful on witnessing Trump rally shootingDave McCormick, who witnessed the assassination attempt on Trump, addressed the "terrifying" moment at the start of his remarks at the Republican National Convention.
ABCNews.com

Sponsored Content by Taboola