Donald Trump's running mate JD Vance has given his first major speech since being picked as the Republican vice-presidential candidate
Speaking to the Republican convention in Milwaukee, he described himself as a "working-class boy" and says that Donald Trump's policies will help left-behind voters
Vance took a hard line on immigration, saying America welcomes newcomers but "on our terms"
His mother, a former drug addict whose troubles he described in his best-selling memoir Hillbilly Elegy, received a standing ovation in the hall
He was introduced by his wife Usha Vance, the daughter of Indian immigrants, who acknowledged their different backgrounds
The speech is the first time many Americans are hearing from the 39-year-old from Ohio, the first millennial to join a presidential ticket
Trump's son Donald Trump Jr spoke before Vance, and was joined by his daughter Kai, 17, who praised her grandfather
President Joe Biden has meanwhile paused campaigning after testing positive for Covid, but the White House says he only has mild symptoms
Watch: Moments from JD Vance's first speech as VP candidate
Trump's granddaughter Kai is clearly a hit with this crowd. She is getting plenty of laughs and rousing cheers at her jokes.
Kai is telling personal stories about her grandfather, and how they both play golf.
The crowd quietens when she talks about finding out her grandfather was shot.
When Kai says he was still standing, it's another massive cheer.
Image source, Reuters
Image source, ReutersDonald Trump’s 17-year-old granddaughter, Kai Trump, is a late addition to the line-up here.
She has just walked on the stage to huge cheers.
Kai is the eldest daughter of Donald Trump Jr and his ex-wife Vanessa Trump.
She gets a big laugh immediately when saying Trump gives her candy and soda when her parents are not looking.
Image source, ReutersWe've got Donald Trump Jr on stage now. He's about to give the microphone to his daughter, Kai.
Stick with us.
Anthony Zurcher
North America correspondent at the convention
Donald Trump Jr was widely cited as one of the primary drivers behind the push for his father to name JD Vance as his vice-presidential running mate.
Now he has a prized primetime address to the Republican National Convention.
An avid hunter and sportsman, Trump Jr has shown a natural connection to the rural white male voters who have been a core part of the former president’s political base.
Unlike his sister Ivanka, Trump Jr held no official position in Trump’s White House. But he has positioned himself as one of the former president’s most vocal advocates and protectors.
And while Ivanka has receded from public view, Trump Jr's power and influence within the Republican Party has been on the rise.
Brandon Livesay
Reporting from the convention
Image source, Getty ImagesJD Vance's rapid rise up the Republican ranks means many people at the convention are eager to find out more about him.
I've been asking people what they think of Vance, ahead of his big speech tonight.
(And just a reminder, you can watch the Republican convention live at the top of this page).
Quote MessageHe has a tremendous story, clearly a very compelling story. Chemistry is everything in this. The list of vice presidential candidates and the rigorous vetting they go through is difficult. And clearly he has the right credentials and the right chemistry, and he’s going to be an asset. Can’t wait to hear him."
Michele Merrell of Florida
Quote MessageI think he’s the future of the Republican party. He’s young, he’s got a beautiful wife, he’s got lovely children, he’s an Army veteran, he’s a businessman and he went to Yale... I mean, he’s a brilliant man.”
Linda Stoch of Florida
Kayla Epstein
Reporting from the convention
Image source, EPAParents of Omer Neurta, a hostage held in Gaza since the 7 October attack by Hamas on Israel, just addressed the crowd.
“He spent his birthday as a hostage of Hamas terrorists. We love you, we won’t stop fighting,” his mother says.
Here on the floor, however, I can hear a low mumble of conversations among RNC attendees.
It’s a bit of a contrast from the rapt stillness and silence that accompanied the speech from Gold Star families earlier this evening.
Some delegations could be seen standing, but not all. The people in the stands mostly remained seated. More rose to their feet when a chant of “Bring them home” started.
Kayla Epstein
Reporting from the convention
Image source, ReutersCrowd members hold up a flag of both the US and Israel
Harvard student Shabbos Kestenbaum just took to the stage while delegates held up Israeli flags.
A handful of signs that say “Trump” in Hebrew lettering also popped up among the crowd. Kestenbaum is suing Harvard University, alleging it has condoned anti-Semitism on campus during protests against Israel’s war in Gaza.
Kayla Epstein
Reporting from the convention
Fraternity brothers from the University of North Carolina just walked on to the arena floor, each one carrying an American flag.
They get some of the biggest applause of the night and a standing ovation.
According to some US media reports, the group of students helped protect a prominent American flag on campus, during a pro-Palestinian protest against Israel's military campaign in Gaza following the 7 October attack.
Jonathan Csapo
Reporting from the convention
Farage: "I thought it was the right thing to do"
Earlier at the Republican convention, we spotted UK Reform Party leader Nigel Farage.
"Well, I’m coming to support my friend, who's had a near-death experience in the last few days," he said, in a reference to the assassination attempt on Trump. "I thought it was the right thing to do."
The Clacton MP said he had been offered a speaking slot at the RNC on Wednesday, but declined because he was attending the King’s Speech, which marks the start of the parliamentary year at Westminster.
Farage isn’t the only British politician to show up at the Republican convention in Milwaukee. Two former British PMs, Liz Truss and Boris Johnson, were spotted here earlier this week.
Image source, ReutersLet's break from the convention coverage for a moment to see some images from a candlelight vigil being held for the volunteer firefighter who was shot by a man trying to assassinate Donald Trump on Saturday.
Mourners have gathered to pay respects to Corey Comperatore at the Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pennsylvania, on Wednesday evening.
Trump's supporters at the convention in Milwaukee have also been paying tributes to Comperatore.
Image source, Reuters
Image source, ReutersKayla Epstein
Reporting from the convention
Each night of the convention features a new set of signs that match the theme the Trump campaign is trying to convey. Tonight I’ve seen “Trump: More Respected America”, “Make America Strong Again” and “Peace Through Strength”. I also spotted one, discarded on the floor that said “Trump will end the Ukraine war.”
Kayla Epstein
Reporting from the convention
We just watched a video featuring people whose family members died during military service and the US withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Many of them criticise Joe Biden.
When a photo shows Joe Biden and Jill Biden at an Air Force base for the arrival of servicemember’s caskets, the crowd boos loudly. The photo shows Biden looking at his watch.
Some of the Gold Star family members are now on stage. They get an immediate standing ovation from the crowd, who begin to chant "U-S-A, U-S-A". Some delegates look emotional as they take the stage.
The crowd begins chanting “Never forget” as one of the family members speak.
For context, the Biden administration blamed its chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan on decisions taken under Trump.
A report into the pull-out said they were "severely constrained" by Trump's decisions, including a 2020 deal with the Taliban to end the war.
But the report also acknowledged that the government should have begun the evacuation of civilians earlier. You can read more about it here.
Kayla Epstein
Reporting from the convention
Samuel Yates, an 18-year-old delegate from Texas, was thrilled when Trump arrived earlier.
His presence every night is unusual - normally a nominee would wait until the last couple of nights of the convention to appear. But Trump has been here every day.
“It shows he’s a man of the people,” Yates says.
Kayla Epstein
Reporting from the convention
Tonight Donald Trump’s VIPs include Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, Texas Governor Greg Abbott, and Florida Senator Marco Rubio.
Congresswoman Lauren Boebert of Colorado and Donald Trump Jr are also in there.
Image source, Reuters
Image source, Getty ImagesIt's a real family affair here at the convention. The partner of Donald Trump Jr, Kimberly Guilfoyle, is on stage and is the first speaker after the former president's arrival.
Her husband is due to speak later tonight.
Guilfoyle hits out at the Democrats' "vision for America" and says Republicans have a vision that is a "love for freedom".
Kayla Epstein
Reporting from the convention
Image source, Getty ImagesDown on the convention floor, the crowd erupted when a voice announced he had arrived. He walked in through a side door and climbed the stairs slowly to the VIP box.
He paused at the top of the stairs, as the crowd roared. He pumped his fist three times in the air - a gesture that’s becoming a theme here.
He then pointed at the members of the crowd around the arena.
He was more energetic than he was when he made his first appearance here on Monday night.
Image source, Reuters
Image source, Getty ImagesThe song It's A Man's Man's Man's World by James Brown is playing, and Donald Trump walks in to the arena.
There's huge cheers in the stadium.
He walks to the VIP box and shakes hands with his allies and some people in the crowd.
Kayla Epstein
Reporting from the convention
'A solid person' - what Republicans think of JD Vance
The speed of JD Vance’s ascent is evidenced by the fact that some convention-goers are still learning about his biography.
Cindy Dore and Jackie Canon, two Louisiana delegates wearing Mardi Gras themed outfits, told us they were excited by Trump’s pick.
“He’s young, vibrant,” Dore said.
Canon said she appreciated his biography, coming from poverty as described in his book Hillbilly Elegy to rise to a US Senator. She didn’t know a lot about him however, she added.
Maria Rodriguez, from Georgia, told me that she had to Google Vance when Trump picked him. She wanted to learn more about Vance’s positions on abortion and border security and hoped to learn more from his speech later tonight.
Mike Wendling
Reporting from the convention
Image source, ReutersJD Vance, a once-harsh critic of Trump who transformed into a MAGA stalwart, is expected to talk tonight about his personal story of growing up in poverty.
But will it pull voters to the Republican side?
Chris Devine is an associate professor of politics at the University of Dayton and co-author of Do Running Mates Matter?: The Influence of Vice Presidential Candidates in Presidential Elections.
He says that VP picks have quite a small overall effect on presidential contests – and in a different way than many people might think.
Devine says that vice presidents don’t generally boost a ticket, nor do they help that much with specific demographic groups.
Instead, a more significant effect of the VP pick is how it reflects on the presidential candidate’s judgement, Devine says. And Vance’s lack of political experience – less than two years as a senator – makes him a “conspicuous choice”.
“If it’s the case that people look at JD Vance and see him as insufficiently experienced, they will think less of Donald Trump and his judgement,” he says.
Image source, ReutersWe just just heard from Kellyanne Conway, who was a White House adviser under Donald Trump, but the reception for her was more muted than previous speakers tonight.
"We need him to do this," she said of the former president's bid to return to the White House.
"My relationship with Mr Trump was forged under fire in a foxhole in 2016 after he asked me to be his campaign manager. We had no idea that he was making history," she added.
She then praised Melania Trump - who she described as the "elegant" next first lady.