Kayla Epstein
Reporting from the arena floor

Image source, Reuters

There's one question Americans need to ask themselves, says Hogan.

"What are you gonna do when Donald Trump and all the Trumpamaniacs run wild on you, brother?"

Trump has long blended his eye for entertainment with his brand of politics.

Tonight’s appearance by Hulk Hogan might be the purest expression of that approach to politics we’ll see during this convention.

Hogan says Trump is "the biggest patriot".

"He's always told you exactly what he thought, and he still is, brother. And no matter what, he finds a way to win.

"And when he's back in the White House America's gonna start winning again!"

The showman compares Trump's political enemies - lawyers and lawmakers - with the wrestlers Hogan used to face in the ring.

"He's still standing and kicking their butts."

The crowd clearly loves every moment of this speech.

Image source, Reuters

Hogan gets so riled up talking about the attempted assassination from Saturday that he channels his trademark Hulkamania move, and rips off his T-shirt.

He reveals a Trump-Vance vest underneath and rippling biceps.

Hogan calls on America to embrace "Trumpamania" and refers to the crowd as "Trumpites".

Image source, Getty Images

For the first time this week, we have seen Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner.

The couple have arrived at the VIP box and are sitting with Trump while Hulk Hogan speaks.

Ivanka and Jared had high-profile roles during Trump's presidency, but have stepped away from politics since then.

Lately it's been Don Jr, Eric and Lara Trump who have acted as surrogates for their father.

Image source, Getty Images

Wrestler Hulk Hogan has just taken the stage to his classic walk-out song Real American.

"I am a real American, fight for the rights of every man," the song thunders.

The WWE legend is an ally of the billionaire co-founder of Paypal, Peter Thiel, who funded Hogan's successful lawsuit against online news site Gawker.

Thiel is also one of Trump's largest donors and spoke at his convention in 2016.

The band has been playing back-to-back songs, which seemed like they were filling time.

And this might be why.

Donald Trump is back in the arena, arriving to the strains of Sam & Dave's hit Soul Man.

Kayla Epstein
Reporting from the arena floor

The band is now playing What I Like About You, by the Romantics, and the delegates are dancing along.

One of them is Alabama's Debbie Parks, who is at her first convention.

She is hoping to hear Trump’s "specific plan" to handle immigration and the economy.

We've had a slight pause in programming, with several songs back-to-back, so we're slightly behind the speaking schedule here.

Kayla Epstein
Reporting from the arena floor

As is tradition, the delegates from the state of Wisconsin are wearing cheese hats. I remember seeing them out in force at the 2016 convention, too.

“We’re cheeseheads,” said delegate Maripat Krueger when I asked her to explain the bright yellow hats. “Wisconsin’s all about the cheese.”

Indeed, the state is famed for its dairy industry.

Some have decorated their wedges with “Make America Great Again”, slogans while another has decorated his with the words “JD Vance”.

Image source, Getty Images

On the final night of the Republican convention, we have some high-profile speakers before the headliner - Donald Trump:

Hulk Hogan - the handlebar-moustached, platinum blond, former world wrestling champion.

Longtime Trump ally and Ultimate Fighting Championship president Dana White.

Eric Trump, the third of the former president's children.

Image source, EPA

Tucker Carlson began by talking about the attempt on the former president’s life last weekend.

“I watched the video of what happened in Butler, Pennsylvania, about 15 times, and the more I watched it the more I realised that everything was different after that moment," he said.

“Donald Trump is different, the nation is different,” he continued - framing the attempt on Trump’s life as a turning point in the presidential campaign, as so many others have done over the past four days.

Carlson has long been one of the most powerful voices in US conservative media, so it’s not surprising that he’s been given one of the most coveted speaking RNC speaking slots - shortly before Trump’s keynote address.

Kayla Epstein
Reporting from the arena floor

The Hawaii delegation sits right in front of Trump’s box, and delegate Shirlene Ostrov has found herself turning around to see him.

"It’s fun to see his reactions," she said.

Tonight Ostrov says she wants to hear Trump’s plan to "make America strong again".

Image source, EPA

Tucker Carlson has arrived on stage to be greeted by the loudest cheers of the night so far.

The former top-rated Fox News host has emerged as a key ally of Trump and sat with him in the VIP box on the opening night.

Mike Wendling
Reporting from the arena

Image source, EPA

Alina Habba is one of Trump's lawyers, but that somewhat understates her role - in news conferences outside of the former president's various legal trials, she also acts as one of his most forceful defenders.

Describing herself as a devoutly Catholic Arab American, Habba says Trump's "unwavering support" has shaped her career.

She tells a story about Trump seeking her advice on a new song to play at one of his rallies. And in something of a pattern tonight, she mentions his golf swing.

"To me, he is my friend."

Trump has just left the arena - the next time we see him, within an hour or so, he’ll be delivering his keynote speech.

In the address he will formally accept his third consecutive nomination as the Republican party's White House candidate.

Those remarks will close the four-day convention and he is expected to be joined on stage by family members for the traditional balloon drop.

Image source, EPA

Trump’s friend of over 30 years, Steve Witkoff, just took the stage.

His speech struck a more personal tone - talking about Trump’s taste in music, his character, and his connection to family.

“Many Americans have only witnessed his leadership on TV, but I have witnessed his humanity outside of the spotlight,” he told the crowd.

“When times are really tough… Donald Trump shows up and he’s there for you,” he added.

Throughout the convention we’ve seen speakers seek to portray the candidate's warmth, behind the combative political persona.

Kayla Epstein
Reporting from the arena floor

Image source, EPA

Trump is joined in his VIP box by Senator Steve Daines and congressman Richard Hudson, chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee.

Sitting a row behind him is Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, a onetime rival.

Trump just rose to his feet to applaud the speech of his close friend Steve Witkoff, a real estate developer.

Mike Wendling
Reporting from the arena

There are important issues facing the United States, but for a few minutes we're hearing about golf.

John Nieporte is head golf professional at Trump's club. He tells of the former president hitting a 4-iron shot from 210 yards away, landing it within 10ft of the pin.

Trump, he says, drained the ensuing putt to win the club championship, his 21st victory.

It's a short speech that calls to mind the odd tussle that Trump and Biden had during their debate last month, when they argued over who was the better golfer.

Image source, EPA

Kayla Epstein
Reporting from the arena floor

Image source, Reuters

Trump has arrived for the final night of the Republican National Convention - hours before he’s due to deliver his highly anticipated keynote speech formally accepting the party's nomination.

He walks in to AC/DC's rock anthem Back in Black.

He’s walked straight over to the VIP box. We’ve heard he’s here to watch his long-time friend and fellow real estate developer Steve Witkoff take the podium.

The crowd goes wild - but it’s not quite as explosive as other nights he’s appeared on the floor.

Perhaps it's because they know that they’ll be getting plenty of Trump tonight, as he’s finally set to address the convention.