Summary
Five days after surviving an assassination attempt, Donald Trump has addressed the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
In a speech lasting an hour and a half, he described feeling the assassin's bullet hit his ear and being smothered by Secret Service agents
"I'm not supposed to be here," he told the crowd, adding: "I had God on my side"
Melania Trump made a rare public appearance, joining her husband on stage, along with other family members
Before the speech, wrestling legend Hulk Hogan ripped off his shirt and told Americans to embrace "Trumpamania"
While Republicans celebrate, US President Joe Biden faces new questions over his candidacy for re-election
Trump only mentioned Biden's name once in his speech, focusing instead on deporting migrants en masse, the economy and inflation
Live Reporting
Edited by James FitzGerald
Stay up-to-date with our coveragepublished at 11:53 British Summer Time 19 July
11:53 BST 19 July
We're ending our live coverage of the Republican National Convention now, but there's plenty more content on offer on the BBC website.
Don't worry if you don't have time to listen back to Trump's 90-minute speech - we've done it for you. Check out our five big takeaways from it or watch 90 seconds of the best bits. And remember to read BBC Verify's fact-check piece.
First Lady Melania Trump appeared alongside other family members at the RNC. It's the first time she's been seen in public since the attempt to kill her husband last week.
Find out the latest on President Biden with our US correspondents' latest analysis of the challenges he is facing. You can also read more about the Democrats who are calling for Biden to go.
Thanks for joining us.
Trump’s 90-minute speech in seven quotespublished at 11:22 British Summer Time 19 July
11:22 BST 19 July
Earlier, we heard Donald Trump give the longest televised speech bya presidential hopeful accepting the nomination. His address lasted 90 minutes and wasa mix of script and ad-lib.
The former president told supporters about his attemptedassassination and his plans for the country - and directly mentioned his opponent only once. Let's remind ourselves of some of the lines:
On the assassinationattempt:
“I stand before you in this arena only by the graceof almighty God. Many people say it was a providential moment.”
On US President Joe Biden:
"If you took the ten worst presidents in the history of theUnited States… (and) added them up they will not have done the damage that Biden hasdone.”
On immigration:
“To keep our families safe, the Republican Party promisesto launch the largest deportation operation in the history of our country.”
On international policy:
“I will endevery single international crisis that the current administration has created.Including the horrible war with Russia and Ukraine, which would have neverhappened if I was president. And the war caused by the attack on Israel, which wouldhave never happened if I was president.”
On economics:
“I will end the devastation inflation crisis immediately,bring down interest rates and lower the costs of energy. We will drill, baby, drill.”
And what he ended on:
“To all of theforgotten men and women who have been neglected, abandoned, and left behind,you will be forgotten no longer,” he says.
LISTEN: Global Story podcast on the week that changed the presidential racepublished at 10:56 British Summer Time 19 July
10:56 BST 19 July
The latest episode of The Global Story podcast looks atDonald Trump’s speech, which brought the Republican National Convention and atumultuous few days in US politics to a close.
Kayla Epstein speaks to hostCaitríona Perry from the convention in Milwaukee, and looks at whether aunified display from the Republicans will encourage the Democrats to resolveoutstanding questions over President Joe Biden’s own political future.
You can listen here.
Crime, immigration and tax cuts - Trump's speech fact-checkedpublished at 10:34 British Summer Time 19 July
10:34 BST 19 July
Image source, Getty ImagesTrump's speech last night - which lasted an hour and a half - contained plenty of claims about his record as president versus Joe Biden's.
BBC Verify has been checking some of them.
See AlsoTrump’s free speech faces court-ordered limits, like any other defendant’s – 2 law professors explain why, and how Trump’s lawyers need to watch themselves tooFact-checks from Trump 2024 RNC speechLet’s Talk About Trump’s GibberishTrump: Lima pertanyaan ke Dinas Rahasia usai penembakan Trump saat kampanye Pilpres AS - BBC News Indonesia- Is inflation now ‘the worst we’ve ever had’?
- Do Democrats want to ban gas (petrol) vehicles?
- Have all new jobs gone to ‘illegal aliens’ under Biden?
- Did Trump make the biggest tax cuts?
Read our fact-check here.
What happened on Trump's big nightpublished at 10:03 British Summer Time 19 July
10:03 BST 19 July
If you're just joining us, here are the main headlines from the final day of the Republican National Convention.
- Donald Trump has given a marathon 90-minute speech at the RNC in Milkwaukee, in which he spoke about the recent attempt on his life
- "God was on my side", he said of his lucky escape, and he vowed to unify the nation as he accepted the Republican Party's presidential nomination for the third time
- Despite his conciliatory tone, he attacked the Biden administration and focussed on plans to deport migrants en masse, as well as on the economy and inflation
- The former president wasn't the only highlight of the final day of the RNC. Before his speech, wrestling legend Hulk Hogan performed some trademark T-shirt ripping and told people to support "Trumpamania"
- While Trump has had a rapturous reception from his supporters, President Joe Biden appears increasingly isolated, facing further pressure from top Democrats while forced off the campaign trail by his Covid diagnosis
Biden campaign bats away reported concerns of top Democratspublished at 09:40 British Summer Time 19 July
09:40 BST 19 July
Image source, ReutersIn that last post, we gave a flavour of the mood on the Democratic side of the political debate while the Republican convention unfolded. Here's some more on that.
President Joe Biden's campaign has faced further pressure amid reported concerns about the presidential election from Barack Obama, who is reported by the Washington Post to have privately stated that Biden's chances are greatly diminished. Spokespeople for the former president have declined to comment.
It follows reports that former house speaker Nancy Pelosi and the two most senior Democrats in Congress, Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer, have advised Biden to consider his candidacy for the good of the party. All have rejected the reports.
Polling on Thursday by the BBC's US partner, CBS News, showed Biden five points behind Trump - the widest margin recorded this campaign.
Biden's campaign has continued to bat away reports of high-level Democratic concern as "baseless", insisting he will remain the nominee.
Biden would need 'positive' exit, says Democratic strategistpublished at 09:12 British Summer Time 19 July
09:12 BST 19 July
As the close of the Republican National Convention played out last night in Milwaukee, President Joe Biden was at home, self-isolating with a bout of Covid-19, as top Democrats continue their calls for him to reconsider his candidacy for the November election.
One Democratic strategist and former adviser to Bill and Hillary Clinton speculates that it's only a matter of time before Biden steps aside.
"I think the reporting that we're hearing of the past few hours seems to substantiate that," Richard Goodstein tells the BBC World Service's Newsday programme. The key question, says Goodstein, is "what exactly is his message, what is he saying in the process of getting out".
He suggests that if Biden does exit, he can't be seen to say "I succumb to the pressure". Instead, "he has to do it in a way that's positive and uplifting."
'From the heart' - Republicans react to Trump speechpublished at 08:47 British Summer Time 19 July
08:47 BST 19 July
Donald Trump gave the headline speech at the Republican National Convention on Thursday night in his first address since surviving an assassination attempt.
The ex-president called for unity, and briefly recounted what he experienced when a bullet hit his ear at a campaign rally on Saturday.
His supporters cheered him on, and later called the speech "heartfelt".
The Trump family: A guide to an American dynastypublished at 08:32 British Summer Time 19 July
08:32 BST 19 July
Image source, EPAWe've been reporting on Melania Trump's appearance at the convention last night - and we've got more for you to read about others in the ex-president's family.
Before politics, Donald Trump built a dynasty with a multimillion-dollar inheritance, a brand name and a lot of expensive real estate.
Now that brand - and that name - is synonymous with the Republican Party, with various Trumps now wielding influence.
Head here to read more about the most prominent members of the Trump family you might have seen appearing or discussed at the convention.
90 seconds of Trump - and other moments - in 90 secondspublished at 08:00 British Summer Time 19 July
08:00 BST 19 July
Donald Trump spoke for an hour and a half at the Republican National Convention on Thursday, setting out a message of unity.
He talked about ending foreign wars and quipped about how presenting a chart had saved his life on stage when a gunman fired at him.
Here are the highlights of the night in 90 seconds.
The night's must-have accessory...published at 07:50 British Summer Time 19 July
07:50 BST 19 July
Image source, ReutersThere's been hats, shoes and now... ear bandages.
A new accessory could be seen at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee last night, as attendees wore bandages over their right ears in tribute to the former president, who was shot in the ear on Saturday.
Some emulated the Republican nominee's white bandage - while others went the extra mile and sported the American flag.
Image source, EPAA change in tone - but Trump sounded 'like a car salesman'published at 07:40 British Summer Time 19 July
07:40 BST 19 July
Richard Painter, a former chief White House ethics lawyer under George W Bush, says there was a noticeable change of tone in Trump's speech..
He tells our colleagues on the BBC News channel that Trump spent "less time attacking his enemies and political opponents", and more time making "grand" - but "vague" - promises.
"He sometimes sounded like an older car salesman trying to sell you a car that doesn't exist," says Painter.
'Let Trumpamania run wild, brother'published at 07:24 British Summer Time 19 July
07:24 BST 19 July
Although Donald Trump was the star turn, the warm-up acts in Milwaukee were wildly received, too.
There was UFC president Dana White, musician Kid Rock, and TV evangelist Franklin Graham, among others.
But perhaps most memorable was pro-wrestler Hulk Hogan - who took part in a bit of trademark T-shirt ripping...
'You could hear a pin drop,' says reporter - but interest waned laterpublished at 07:07 British Summer Time 19 July
07:07 BST 19 July
Image source, ReutersOur colleagues at BBC 5 Live have just spoken to Jacob Rubashkin, an editor with non-partisan newsletter Inside Elections, who was in the room during Trump's speech.
For the first 20 minutes, he says, "you could hear a pin drop" as Trump spoke of the attempt on his life.
"It was one of the rare moments this wholeweek where all of the delegates, all of the guests and assembled people in thatarena, were absolutely quiet," he says.
But Rubashkin says Trump was "less energetic than he has been in the past".
"As the speech dragged on into its secondhour approaching the 90-minute mark, delegates on the floor were gettingrestless, checking their phones. Some headed for the exits," he says.
As Trump basks in Republican rapture, Biden is isolatedpublished at 06:47 British Summer Time 19 July
06:47 BST 19 July
David Willis
Reporting from Los AngelesImage source, ReutersAs Donald Trump was rounding off one of the most extraordinary weeks of his political career, his rival was recuperating at his home in Delaware, isolated and still suffering from the respiratory symptoms that prompted his abrupt departure from the campaign trail.
Joe Biden's political health is also in jeopardy, and it's been reported that senior members of his party - among them the former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi - have met the president in recent days, armed with polling data that suggests Donald Trump could be on track for a landslide victory in November's election.
Even Biden's former boss, Barack Obama, is said to have expressed reservations about the viability of the Biden candidacy.
The 81-year-old president has shown no sign of a willingness to make way for someone younger. But isolated physically as well as politically, the next few days could prove the toughest of Joe Biden's career.
Watch: Trump and Melania kiss as balloons droppublished at 06:39 British Summer Time 19 July
06:39 BST 19 July
The Republican National Convention in Milwaukee ended with a kiss - eventually...
Trump rides a wave of momentum in Milwaukeepublished at 06:21 British Summer Time 19 July
06:21 BST 19 July
Brandon Livesay
Reporting from the arenaImage source, Getty ImagesDonald Trump spoke for an hour and a half in his first speech since a would-be assassin's bullet hit his ear at a rally on Saturday.
He re-lived that raw moment to start his speech, using a hushed tone to walk the crowd through what happened.
"(I) moved my right hand to myear, brought it down, and my hand was covered with blood. I immediately knew itwas very serious," he said.
"If I had not moved my head at the verylast instant, the assassin’s bullet would have perfectly hit its mark, and I wouldnot be with you tonight."
It caused the crowd to scream "yes you would", one of the many chants that echoed through the Milwaukee arena throughout his acceptance of the Republican presidential nomination.
It was the one sedate moment from a rowdy night that was otherwise marked by things that might make any other political party blush.
Professional wrestler Hulk Hogan ripped his clothes in half and hollered for "Trumpamania". Kid Rock belted out tunes and led the crowd in cries of "fight, fight, fight".
Trump is riding a wave of momentum at the end of this convention. And his rival Joe Biden is under intense pressure from some Democrats who want him to drop out of the race.
There are just over 100 days until the election, and as we've seen in just the past few days - anything could happen. But this week, the Republicans seem very confident in their chances.
I'm leaving the arena soon - the page will now be edited by my colleagues in London, Owen Amos and Barbara Tasch. Thanks for reading so far.
Image source, Getty ImagesHow to clean up thousands of balloons?published at 06:02 British Summer Time 19 July
06:02 BST 19 July
Brandon Livesay
Reporting from the arenaImage source, ReutersAn avalanche of balloons is a great visual moment.
But you have to feel for the cleaners.
Right now I'm watching officials walk row-by-row on the arena floor with long sticks they are using to burst every balloon.
It sounds fun, but maybe not after your 100th pop.
There's a couple of delegates still hanging around but most people have emptied out of the arena and are probably heading to the many bars outside the stadium.
Trump's speech was longest of its kindpublished at 05:45 British Summer Time 19 July
05:45 BST 19 July
Christal Hayes
US reporterDonald Trump's speech - clocked at more than an hour and a half - is the longest televised speech given by a presidential hopeful accepting the nomination.
Trump's speech broke records he'd already made while accepting the Republican Party's nomination for president in the 2016 and 2020 elections, according to data from the American Presidency Project, external.
In 2016, Trump spoke for about an hour and 15 minutes at the Republican convention in Cleveland, Ohio. He spoke for an hour and 10 minutes in his 2020 speech.
By comparison, President Joe Biden's speech in 2020 was about 24 minutes.
A sea of balloonspublished at 05:39 British Summer Time 19 July
05:39 BST 19 July
Kayla Epstein
Reporting from the arena floorThe balloon drop is an iconic part of any convention. The delegates are revelling in the experience.
One woman lies down in them like it’s a ball pit, smiling with glee as she takes a selfie.
