Recap: DeSantis, Haley, Rubio address RNC in front of Trump

Day 2 of the 2024 Republican National Convention has wrapped.

Check back to TheHill.com for full coverage and we’ll be back tomorrow with more live updates.

RNC co-chair and Trump’s daughter-in-law Lara Trump jokingly imitated the Republican nominee while giving her speech at the convention.

“When I was given an opportunity to join a television network as a commentator, it was the push and support of my father-in-law that gave me the confidence to take that job,” she told the crowd.

“Always the first one to call or text me after a TV hit and tell me, ‘Great job. Keep going,’” she continued, doing an impression of the way Trump talked with his hand movement. “It’s not bad, right?”

During the first day of the RNC, a pastor also imitated Trump, jokingly saying “You’re going to be so blessed.”

– Caroline Vakil

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) says he thinks it’s time for Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) to resign after a New York jury convicted him on 16 counts of bribery, extortion and honest services wire fraud.

“I’ve stayed quiet on this case up until this point, but now that the jury has returned a verdict, a jury of his peers, have found him guilty of late blatant bribery,” Cruz told reporters in the concourse of the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee. “The facts are appalling and I think that Chuck Schumer is right that it’s time for him to resign.”

Earlier Tuesday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) called on Menendez to step down.

Menendez is expected to appeal the verdict, according to legal experts, ahead of his Oct. 29 sentencing.

— Cate Martel

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) argued that nothing is “dangerous” or “divisive” about prioritizing America first before other countries.

Rubio embraced Trump’s repeated principle of “America first,” saying that Trump supporters only want the country’s leaders to care more about our own problems than those of countries “far away,” which was received with notable applause.

Trump has often raised this issue in relation to international alliances that the U.S. has that he says are not putting the country in the best position and continued U.S. financial support for Ukraine.

Rubio argued that Trump supporters’ views are not “hateful” or “extreme” but just want good jobs and a secure border.

“There is absolutely nothing dangerous or anything divisive about putting Americans first,” Rubio said, which was followed by “USA” chants.

— Jared Gans

At least two convention attendees were spotted on the floor with bandages over their right ears.

Trump has had his right ear bandaged since it was grazed by a bullet in what law enforcement has called an attempted assassination on Saturday.

— Mychael Schnell

Donalds told reporters Trump is in a “good mood” despite Saturday’s shooting, adding “he’s really taking in the entire moment.”

“I mean, it makes anybody have to really appreciate everything. Yesterday when he came out, you could can see the emotion on his face of coming out to this crowd.”

“Everybody’s excited to see him. So, his spirits are high. His resolve is strong. His focus is unlike anything I’ve seen. Like he’s really locked in and laser focused.”

— Aris Folley

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders took a swipe at first lady Jill Biden, a rare target for GOP attacks during this week’s convention.

Sanders recounted how she had taken her son, Huck, to work at the White House while she was serving as Trump’s press secretary.

“Much like Jill now drags Joe to bring your husband to work day,” Sanders said, drawing loud applause.

Some conservatives have attacked Jill Biden and claimed she wants to hang onto power amid discussions about whether Joe Biden should remain atop the Democratic ticket.

— Brett Samuels

Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) brushed off the recent viral moment in which Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) (R-Calif.) on the RNC floor.

“As a man, you’re gonna have stuff happening all the time. I’m not really concerned about that.”

“The big thing that I’m concerned about whether it’s Matt or Kevin, they’re both unified behind Donald Trump, and the mission in front of us is make sure making sure he’s the next president.”

“They’ll figure that out. They’re both big boys. We’ll move on.”

— Aris Folley

Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.), a close Trump ally, praised speeches from former United National Ambassador Nikki Haley and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), arguing that they show the GOP “is completely unified.”

It was very, very important,” Donalds said of their speeches. “What it demonstrated is our party is completely unified. I don’t think we’ve been this way probably in a couple decades, to be honest with you. We’re united behind President Trump.”

“In campaigns we have our differences, it happens. We compete, it happens. But at the end of the day we got to be united and we are tonight, and we’re gonna be that way going into November.”

— Mychael Schnell

Rep. Mike Lawler, a moderate New York Republican, said he thought Nikki Haley’s message would resonate with voters, including those in purple districts.

“Ed Koch famously said if you agree with me on nine out of 12 things, vote for me. If you agree with me on 12 out of 12 things, go have your head examined. The reality is in America, we’re not going to agree on everything. And you can disagree with your spouse or you can disagree with your parents, what the hell makes you think you’re going to agree with the politician 100% of the time? You’re not,” he said.

“So you know, to me, it’s always it’s always a false narrative. The reality is, we are a big tent, we do have disagreements. We’re not all going to agree on every little thing that is said or done or proposed, but we have an opportunity here to address the challenges facing the American people and that’s what this election is about.”

— Mychael Schnell

Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton (R) drew a contrast between immigration during the presidencies of Trump and Biden.

The second-term senator, who was at one point considered a possible Trump running mate, mentioned an Arkansas house painter and recent citizen from Mexico whose family cast their first votes for president for Trump in 2020. He said they cited their car and their brother and sister having full-time jobs as reasons for them supporting Trump.

Cotton said the painter became a citizen last year and is planning to vote for Trump this year.

Cotton said he traveled to the border after Biden came into office and asked migrants near there why they came.

“None said persecution. Most said for a job. A few admitted because they could get in. Another answered with one simple word, ‘Biden,'” he said.

— Jared Gans

A slew of Tuesday’s speakers put an increased focus on Vice President Harris in their remarks, a sign the party is preparing for the possibility she could replace President Biden atop the ticket.

Nikki Haley repeatedly claimed during her own 2024 campaign that a vote for Biden was really a vote for Harris, and she reiterated that belief on Tuesday.

“After seeing the debate, everyone knows it’s true,” she said, claiming the country would be worse off if Harris were president for “a single day.”

House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) focused more on Harris than Biden, arguing she “encouraged and enabled the rioters” following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis in 2020.

“She even promoted a fund to release them from jail,” emmer said.

Randy Sutton, a retired police officer, claimed Biden and Harris “stand with criminals”

Some Democrats have in recent weeks publicly questioned whether Biden can beat Trump and suggested he should step aside. Harris would be the most likely replacement for Biden in the event he drops out, though he has given no indication he plans to do so.

— Brett Samuels

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis dashed the idea that his state is in play for Democrats this fall.

“For decades, my home state saw elections determined by razor thin margins. Today, due to bold leadership, the Democratic Party lies in ruins. The left is in retreat,” DeSantis said.

“Florida is a solid Republican state.”

President Biden and his campaign team have said they’ll target flipping Trump’s home state in November.

— Julia Mueller

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, once seen as the top Republican alternative to beat Trump in 2024, knocked President Biden amid concerns about his age and mental fitness, calling the administration a “Weekend at Bernie’s presidency.”

“Our enemies do not confine their designs to between 10 am and 4 pm. We need – we need a commander in chief who can lead 24 hours a day and 7 days a week,” DeSantis said.

“America cannot afford four more years of a ‘Weekend at Bernie’s’ presidency.”

— Julia Mueller

Nikki Haley knocked Vice President Harris over the border, alluding to chatter that Harris could replace Biden at the top of the Democratic ticket.

“Let me remind you: Kamala had one job. One job. And that was to fix the border. Now imagine her in charge of the entire country,” Haley said, prompting boos.

— Julia Mueller

Nikki Haley made a push for unity from the RNC stage, urging the party to acknowledge those that don’t agree with former President Trump.

“We should acknowledge that there are some Americans who don’t agree with Donald Trump 100% of the time,” Haley said.

“Take it from me. I haven’t always agreed with President Trump. But we agree more often than we disagree.”

— Julia Mueller

Nikki Haley took the RNC stage to cheers and some boos from the floor, with her ex-rival former President Trump in the audience.

“President Trump asked me to speak at this convention in the name of unity. It was a gracious invitation and I was happy to accept,” Haley said.

“I’ll start by making one thing perfectly clear. Donald Trump has my strong endorsement,” she added, prompting cheers.

— Julia Mueller

Nikki Haley walked onto the RNC stage to mostly cheers, but a smattering of boos from the floor.

Those turned to full-fledged cheers after she told the crowd Trump asked her to speak, and offered her full endorsement for Trump.

— Al Weaver

The RNC chanted “Back the Blue” as Randy Sutton, a former law enforcement officer, took the stage.

“I’ve dedicated my life to law enforcement. And I’m here to tell you one thing, America: Donald Trump is the best friend we will ever have,” Sutton said.

Many in the crowd held up signs with the “Back the Blue” slogan alongside Trump-Vance posters.

— Julia Mueller

A different batch of GOP officials joined Trump in his VIP box for night two of the convention.

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio), Rep. Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), Rep. Elise Stefanik and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene joined the former president.

His son, Eric Trump, was there, as was former Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y.).

There was still no sign of former first lady Melania Trump.

— Brett Samuels

Vance, in his Newsmax interview, said the campaign wanted to debate Harris, after the Biden campaign said on Monday that the vice president was prepared to go head-to-head with him.

“…obviously we want to debate Vice President Harris because it’s important for the American people to see the contrast,” Vance said.

“And by the way, President Trump’s, I think, roundhouse kick in the first debate is part of the reason why you have Democrats in total disarray right now,” he added. “It is really the contrast between Republicans and Democrats. Democrats are actively trying to throw their nominee under the bus.”

CBS News invited both campaigns for a vice-presidential debate, and the Biden team has confirmed that Harris could participate in a debate either July 23 or Aug. 13.

— Caroline Vakil

Donald Trump entered the convention hall shortly before his onetime rivals Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis are expected to address the RNC audience.

Trump entered to the song “What I Like About You,” minutes after his running mate Sen. JD Vance (Ohio) appeared.

— Brandon Conradis

Sen. JD Vance (Ohio) received a rapturous reception as he entered the convention floor on Tuesday, a day after being designated Donald Trump’s running mate.

Vance could be seen hugging Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R) and Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) as he joined the audience ahead of high-profile speakers including Nikki Haley and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R).

— Brandon Conradis

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) pitched a message of unity during his RNC speech, urging Americans at home to come together.

Johnson tied the idea to this weekend’s assassination attempt on former President Trump.

“We’re not just uniting as Republicans. We’re uniting today as Americans in the wake of the assassination attempt on the life of President Trump.”

“We reach out tonight, everyone watching at home, we invite all Americans who believe in the promise of our great nation to join us in this fateful battle,” he later added. “We can and we will reverse this current decline. We can restore our founding principles. And we can preserve this exceptional nation that God has entrusted to us. And what Abraham Lincoln referred to as the last best hope of man on the Earth.”

— Mychael Schnell

Rep. Dan Meuser (R-Pa.) says he’d abstain from saying “anything negative about Gaetz,” but that the Florida lawmaker has a “way of drawing the spotlight to himself when it’s not on him.”

“And that’s not helpful,” he said on the convention floor, adding that lawmakers “need to win elections in order to enact the policies that we want.”

“So, you know, the old saying you get more bees with honey than vinegar.”

— Aris Folley

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) vowed that Republicans will make the Trump tax cuts permanent if they win the White House and win majorities in both chambers come November.

Trump — with majorities in the House and Senate — enacted sweeping tax cuts in 2017, which are set to expire next year. Republicans have vowed to extend the cuts if they control all levers of power next year, eyeing the budget reconciliation process to bypass the Senate filibuster.

“In our first 100 days, President Trump and a Republican majority will make the Trump tax cuts permanent,” Scalise said.

— Mychael Schnell

Former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy received some of the loudest applause of the night of any speaker so far, outlining a message to various groups to which Republicans have previously struggled to appeal.

He said media outlets have lied to Black Americans, telling them Republicans don’t care about them. But he said Republicans want for them what the GOP wants for everyone: safe neighborhoods, good jobs and a justice system that treats everyone equally, “regardless of your skin color and regardless of your political beliefs,” an apparent reference to Republicans’ accusations of Trump being prosecuted for political reasons.

He said legal immigrants deserve a chance to have a better life in the country. He argued that millennials should not be cynical about America because it is still the world’s “last best hope.”

“We deserve a better class of politician, one who actually tells us the truth, even if it comes with some mean tweets from time to time,” Ramaswamy said, acknowledging the former president’s tendency to sharply chastise online those who criticize him.

— Jared Gans

Vance confirmed during his Newsmax interview that he had been in touch with Harris after being chosen as Trump’s running mate.

“We talked today, actually. She was very gracious … very cordial, and look, I appreciated the call,” the Ohio senator said.

“Obviously, we’re going to do everything that we can to persuade the American people to vote for the President Trump-Vice President Vance ticket, but I appreciated the call.”

— Caroline Vakil

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) recounted the support former President Trump offered him and his family after the 2017 shooting at the congressional baseball game practice, which left the Louisiana Republican seriously wounded.

“Many of you know, I was the survivor of a politically motivated shooting in 2017. Not many know that while I was fighting for my life, Donald Trump was one of the first to come console my family at the hospital,” Scalise said. “That’s the kind of leader he is. Courageous under fire, compassionate towards others.”

The remarks came days after Trump survived a shooting at his rally in Butler, Pa. A bullet grazed Trump’s ear, leaving him bloodied on the rally stage.

— Mychael Schnell

Vance, once a prominent critic of Trump, said in an interview with Newsmax on Tuesday that Trump had changed the Republican Party “for the better.”

“I think that fundamentally President Trump has changed the Republican Party, and I think he’s changed it for the better. You see a lot of new people coming into the party, a lot of blue collar folks, a lot of working class people,” he said.

He argued, too, that there’s Americans who feel left behind by the Democratic Party.

“I think a lot of people feel abandoned by the Democrats. They feel looked down on. They feel like Democrats don’t actually care about their priorities, and President Trump listened to people,” Vance said.

– Caroline Vakil