WATCH LIVE: 2024 Republican National Convention Day 3 | NBC News

BIGGEST MOMENT OF SENATO VANCE'S ENTIRE POLITICAL CAREER. WHAT WERE YOUR KEY TAKE AWAY FROM SENATOR VANCE >> THAT'S RIGHT. HE WAS PRIMING THE GROUP OF RN DONORS, KIND OF AN INTIMAT LUNCH WITH ABOUT 200 PEOPLE. THAT DOESN'T SOUND SO INTIMATE WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT BUT HE WILL BE SPEAKING TO A MUCH LARGER CROWD TONIGHT HE DIDN'T WANT TO GIVE THE SPEECH AWAY BUT HE WAS PREPARING TO MAKE THE EASY CASE FO REELECTING FORMER PRESIDEN TRUMP, JOKING THAT HE HOPES THEY DON'T MESS IT UP BUT IF THEY DO, IT IS TOO LATE BECAUSE HE IS OFFICIALLY THE RUNNING MATE NOW. I OVERHEARD SOME CONVERSATIONS AND PEOPLE SAID HE HEARD AUTHENTIC AND SOMEONE WHO CA SPEAK TO REAL PEOPLE, CALLIN HIM DOWN TO EARTH. YOU PLAYED A LITTLE SOUND THER OF HIM TALKING ABOUT TONING DOWN THE RHETORIC, RIGHT? HE TALKED ABOUT HOW THE FORMER PRESIDENT SIGNALLED THAT IN TH WAKE OF THIS HORRIFIC ATTACK O SATURDAY AND THAT HE FEELS THAT I SHOWING TRUE LEADERSHIP. IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE IF IN HIS OWN SPEECH, HE REFLECTS THAT >> AND LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT A LITTLE BIT FOR A LOT OF AMERICANS, THEY ARE JUST GETTING TO KNOW SENATOR VANCE, MAYBE SOME OF THEM READ HILLBILLY ELEGY. BUT THIS IS EXPECTED TO BE A HEAVILY BIOGRAPHICAL SPEECH. HE IS INTRODUCING HIMSELF TO THE AMERICAN PUBLIC AND HE WILL BE TALKING ABOUT THE FACT THAT HE IS A VETERAN THIS IS THE FIRST POST 9/1 VETERAN TO BE ON THE TICKET AN THE FIRST SINCE 2008 WHEN JOHN McCAIN RAN FOR PRESIDENT >> YES, HE REALLY DOES THAT HA A BIO THAT HAS NOT BEEN SEEN O A TICKET IN A LONG TIME. SO MAYBE SOME PEOPLE READ TH BOOK OR WATCHED THE MOVIE , READ THE SPARK NOTES, HE IS FAMILIA TO PEOPLE. SO THIS IS NOT NECESSARILY A INTRODUCTION BUT A REINTRODUCTION IN A NEW CONTEXT. HE IS SO YOUNG, SO MUCH YOUNGE THAN THE FORMER PRESIDENT, HIS RUNNING MATE SO HE IS GOING TO BE DELIVERIN HIS BIO AND DELIVERING THE CAS FOR THIS TICKET TO OF COURSE A FRIENDLY AUDIENCE. BUT HE IS A MEDIA SAVVY GUY. HE KNOWS THAT A LOT OF PEOPL ARE WATCHING FROM AFAR AND LOOKING TO SEE, IS THE GUY WHOSE BOOK WE READ, IS THE GUY WHO W HEARD ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL IS THIS THE SAME GUY AND WHAT WIL HE BE LIKE AS A VICE PRESIDENT >> ALL RIGHT, DASHA BURNS, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR GREAT REPORTING. JOINING MOW NOW ON SET IS ERIC TRUMP, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDEN OF THE TRUMP ORGANIZATION AND OF COURSE SON OF FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP. ERIC, IT IS SO GOOD TO HAVE YO HERE I WANT TO START BY SAYING WE ARE SO SORRY FOR WHAT HAPPENED T YOUR FATHER. >> THANK YOU >> I WANT TO ASK HOW HE IS DOING. >> HE IS DOING WELL. HE WAS DOWN THERE ON THE STAGE AS WE STARTED THE INTERVIEW BU HE IS EXCITED. AND I'M EXCITED. WE WILL HAVE A BIG NIGHT THE LOVE AT THIS CONFERENCE IS AMAZING. I HAVE DONE THREE OF THEM AN IT'S AMAZING THE KINDNESS, OFTENTIMES I G INTO HOSTILE TERRITORY WHERE PEOPLE LIKE TO TAKE SHOTS AN THE KINDNESS IS OFF THE CHARTS AND IT IS NICE TOSEE HE TOOK A BULLET AND IT TOOK ALMOST KILLING HIM TO BRING TH COUNTRY BACK TOGETHER. AFTER 9/11, WE HAD ONE OF THOS MOMENTS WHERE PEOPLE WER PATRIOTIC AGAIN. SOMETIMES IN THE WORST DAYS, THAT'S WHEN COUNTRIES COME TOGETHER I'M FEELING THAT RIGHT NOW AND THE TONE OF THE ENTIRE CONVENTION HAS BEEN BEAUTIFUL, THE LOVE IN THE ROOM, TH SUPPORT OF THE PRESIDENT REALLY, REALLY JUST THE LOVE O EVERYTHING USA, RED, WHITE BLUE, OUR CONSTITUTION, IT HAS BEEN NICE TO SEE >> IT IS NO DOUBT THAT EVERYTHING CHANGED THIS WEEKEND. I DO WANT TO ASK YOU A LITTL BIT ABOUT WHAT WE ARE LEARNING AS IT RELATES TO THE SECRE SERVICE AND AS IT RELATES TO THIS NEW DEVELOPMENT THAT TH SECRET SERVICE APPARENTLY MADE YOUR FATHER'S CAMPAIGN AWARE THAT THERE HAD BEEN INCREASE RISKS. THIS HAPPENED ABOUT TWO WEEK AGO. WE ARE TOLD THAT U.S AUTHORITIES KNEW THERE WAS A IRANIAN PLOT TO ASSASSINATE YOUR FATHER I'M TOLD THAT YOUR FATHER' CAMPAIGN WAS TOLD IN PASSING ABOUT IT, WASN'T GIVEN A LOT O DETAIL AND WASN'T TOLD THAT TH THREAT WAS COMING FROM IRAN. CAN YOU GIVE ME SOME SPECIFICS WHAT EXACTLY DID THE CAMPAIG KNOW AND WAS YOUR FATHER BRIEFED ON THIS THREAT AGAINST HIM >> WELL, IRAN HAS NEVER LIKED MY FATHER MY FATHER BANKRUPTED THE COUNTRY. HE WAS A PAWN THAT OBAMA GAV $150 BILLION TO. HE DIDN'T LIKE IT. ONE OF HIS FIRST DAYS IN OFFICE, HE SAID ANYONE THAT WORKS WITH IRAN OR SUPPLIES IRANIAN OIL AMERICA WILL NOT DO BUSINESS WITH THEM. HE TOOK OUT SOLEIMANI. WHAT HAPPENED THIS WEEKEND I BUTLER, PENNSYLVANIA I UNACCEPTABLE IT HURTS ME TO SAY THIS. THE AGENTS ON THE STAGE ARE TH GREATEST PEOPLE IN THE WORLD AND I WILL PROTECT THEM BUT ALLOWING A MAN MAN ON A ROOF 150 YARD AWAY FROM A FORMER PRESIDENT I UNACCEPTABLE THEN THE SECRET SERVICE DIRECTOR COMES OUT AND SAYS THE ROOF HA TOO MUCH SLOPE ON IT AND IT WA SUPPOSED TO BE LOCAL PD COVERING THE ROOF EVEN THOUGH THE LOCAL PD HAD INSTRUCTIONS THEY WER JUST DOING TRAFFIC AND THEN BIDEN SAID I SPOKE TO HIM, TALKING ABOUT THE SECRE SERVICE DIRECTOR, NO UNDERSTANDING THAT THE DIRECTO IS NOT A HIM, IT'S A HER AND YOU LOOK AT THE INCOMPETENCE ACROSS THE BOARD, MY FATHE COULD HAVE LOST HIS LIFE MY FATHER HAD A BULLET G THROUGH HIS EAR AND THIS IS WHAT WE ARE DEALING WITH. THERE SHOULD BE OUTRAGE. IF THIS WAS THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE TICKET, HAD GOD FORBID SOMEONE DONE THIS TO OBAMA, THEY WOULD BE CALLING FOR THE RESIGNATION OF THE SECRE SERVICE DIRECTOR BUT FOR THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES TO STAND DOWN AND IT BETTE HAPPEN THERE BETTER BE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THIS BECAUSE MY DAD ALMOST DIED >> PEOPLE ARE CALLING FO RESIGNATION OF THE SECRE SERVICE DIRECTOR AND YOU SAY SHE SHOULD RESIGN? >> NO QUESTION ABOUT IT. HOW CAN THIS HAPPEN? WHAT WOULD THAT DO ON THE WORL STAGE IF OUR LEADER, YOU GUY WERE COVERING IT, FOX WA COVERING IT, EVERYONE, GOT ASSASSINATED ON LIVE TV WHIL THE ENTIRE NATION WATCHED, W WOULD LOOK LIKE A THIRD WORL COUNTRY. YOU CAN'T JUST SWEEP THAT UNDE THE RUG. >> I WANT TO BE CLEAR, WHA HAPPENED THIS WEEKEND, RIGHT NOW AUTHORITIES DO NOT HAVE AN INDICATION THAT THERE IS A CONNECTION BETWEEN THI POTENTIAL IRANIAN PLOT THAT THEY WERE TRACKING BUT WAS YOUR FATHER BRIEFED ON THE FACT THA THERE WAS AN INCREASED THREAT, THAT SECRET SERVICE U.S. OFFICIALS WERE TRACKING AN IRANIAN PLOT TO ASSASSINATE HIM? >> WE HAVE KNOWN THE IRANIAN THREAT FOR A LONG TIME BACK IN THE DAY, THEY WERE RELEASING VEDIOS WITH MY FATHER'S HEAD AND THEN A SIMULATION DRIVING AROUND. THIS IS NOTHING KNEW WITH IRAN THEY WERE PUT OUT OF BUSINES BECAUSE OF DONALD TRUMP. THE COUNTRY ALMOST FOLDED. HE WAS AGAINST THE $150 BILLION. HE WAS AGAINST THE PRISONER SWAP AND TRADE WHICH GAVE THE ANOTHER $50 MILLION. >> THOSE FUNDS WERE FROZEN BUT TO BE CLEAR, HAS YOUR FATHER LOST CONFIDENCE IN THE SECRE SERVICE? DOES HE BELIEVE THAT THE DIRECTOR SHOULD RESIGN >> MY FATHER LOVES THE PEOPL AROUND HIM >> DOES HE THINK THE DIRECTO SHOULD RESIGN? >> I WILL LET HIM RESPOND. HE LOVES THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO TRAVEL WITH HIM EVERY DAY ON THE STAGE. THE FEMALE ON THE STAGE IS THE GREATEST PERSON YOU WILL MEE AND IT PAINS ME WHEN I SEE CRITICISM. I WILL DEFEND 'TIL THE END O TIME THE FACT THAT THE PERIMETER, NOT THE BODY PEOPLE, NOT THOSE WHO TRAVEL WITH HIM AND GOT THERE 10 MINUTES BEFORE THE EVENT, NO THOSE PEOPLE THE FACT THAT THERE WAS BREAKDOWN IN THE PERIMETER O THE SECURITY AND SOMEONE LAUNCHED ROUNDS AND THERE IS A MAN DEAD AND TWO OTHERS HURT AND A BULLET WENT THROUGH A FORMER PRESIDENT'S EAR AND ALMOST KILLED HIM ON LIVE TV, THE FAC THAT HAT HAPPENED, THERE BETTE BE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR IT WHEN YOU HEAR THE DIRECTOR, I' SORRY THE ROOF, IT HAD A 3 DEGREE PITCH, THAT THE ROOF WA TOO STEEP? WE COULDN'T GET SNIPERS ON I IT STOP THE NONSENSE. STOP THE GAMES IF THIS WAS PRIVATE INDUSTRY SOMEONE WOULD HAVE BEEN WALKED OUT THE DOOR THAT AFTERNOON. BECAUSE IT'S GOVERNMENT, THE GET A FREE PASS. >> LET ME ASK YOU ABOUT THE BI MOMENT TONIGHT, THE SPEECH TONIGHT, SENATOR JD VANCE WILL BE ADDRESSING NOT JUST THI AUDIENCE BUT THE WORLD IT COMES OBVIOUSLY AFTER YOU FATHER MADE A DECISION HE WAS ONE OF YOUR FATHER' FEAREST CRITICS. I KNOW THIS HAS BEEN WIDEL DISCUSSED BUT HE SAID THAT TRUMP IS CULTURAL HEROIN, HE MAKES PEOPLE FEEL BETTER FOR A BIT BUT HE CANNOT FIX WHAT AILS THEM DOES HE TRUST THAT SENATOR J VANCE WILL BE LOYAL TO HIM FOR HOWEVER -- IF HE WERE TO B REELECTED? >> KAMALA HARRIS CALLED BIDEN RACIST DOZENS OF TIMES >> LOYALTY FOR YOUR FATHER I TOP -- >> KRISTEN, KAMALA HARRIS WENT OUT AND SAID THAT JOE BIDEN IS A DISGRACE FOR HIS SUPER PRE PREDATOR COMMENTS. THE REASON THAT I'M GIVING YOU THIS ANALYSIS IS POLITICS. YOU GET AMOTIONAL. YOU ATTACK THEM AND THEY ATTAC YOU AND IT GETS WORSE AND WORSE. I'M NOT SAYING IT'S NICE BUT I IS THE REALITY OF THE POLITICS THE REALITY IS OVER THE LAST 8 YEARS, VANCE HAS BECOME MY FATHER'S TOP ALLY. THE CHEMISTRY BETWEEN THEM I INCREDIBLE THE WAY THEY THINK IS AMAZING. HE WOULD NOT PICK HIM IF I WASN'T THE CASE. HE IS LIKE MY FATHER, PRIVAT RANKS, RISING TO POLITIC QUICKLY, IT MIRRORS JD VANCE WHEN YOU SEE THEM TOGETHER AND SEE THE CHEMISTRY BETWEEN THEM IT IS STRONG THIS IS GOING TO BE AN AMAZING THING. THERE IS NO ONE STRONGER IN TH RUST BELT THAN JD VANCE. I THINK HE WILL SPEND TIME THERE. THAT CHEMISTRY IS TOP NOTCH. THEY HAVE BEEN STRONG ALLIES FOR A LONG TIME. LET'S TALK ABOUT YOUR FATHER WHO SAID HE OVERHAULED HIS SPEECH IN THE WAKE OF THE HORRIFIC EVENT THIS PAST WEEKEND. HE IS A SELF DESCRIBED COUNTERPUNCHER THIS IS PART OF HIS BRAND. WHAT DO YOU SAY TO PEOPLE WH ARE SKEPTICAL ABOUT HIS ABILIT TO DELIVER A MESSAGE OF UNITY TO THE WORLD? >> I THINK WHEN YOU ALMOST HAV A BULLET IN YOUR HEAD, I CHANGES PERSPECTIVE. SO I WAS OBVIOUSLY THE DELEGAT THAT MADE HIM THE REPUBLICAN NOMINEE OF THE UNITED STATES AND THERE IS A HUMILITY THERE. YOUR LIFE FLASHES BEFORE YOU LIFE IA REALIZE THAT HISTORY COUL HAVE BEEN REWRITTEN IN A NEGATIVE WAY I THINK THAT FORMS A LEVEL O HUMILITY MY FATHER IS A GREAT COUNTERPUNCHER YOU CAN'T TAKE THE FIGHTER OUT I HAVE SEEN THE SPEECH AND IT IS BEAUTIFUL. ALL OF THE SPEECHES HAVE BEE BEAUTIFUL. RIGHT NOW THIS COUNTRY NEEDS A FIGHTER. NOTHING IS WORKING WELL. THIS COUNTRY HAS A LOT O SYSTEMIC PROBLEMS, PURCHAS ORDERER, ECONOMY, FENTANYL, WARS OVER THE WORLD NOTHING IS GOING RIGHT NO ONE FEELS LIKE THE CURREN GOVERNMENT IS FIGHTING FOR THE NATION WE NEED A FIGHTER AND A PUNCHE OR WE WILL NOT HAVE A COUNTRY. >> I KNOW YOU NEED TO GO I WILL LET YOU GO. LAST QUESTION, I'M NOT GOING T RELITIGATE ALL OF THE THINGS YOUR FATHER HAS SAID BUT HE HA USED RHETORIC THAT HAS BEE TIMES VIOLENT, VERY TOUGH. DO YOU THINK HE REGRETS SOME O THE RHETORIC DO YOU THINK HE FEELS HE CONTRIBUTED TO THE CLIMATE THA EXISTS RIGHT NOW >> KRISTEN, I DON'T KNOW WHA THAT MEANS FOUR DAYS AGO BEFORE MY FATHER ALMOST GOT ASSASSINATED, BIDEN PUT OUT A TWEET AND SAID WE NEED TO PUT TRUMP IN THE BULL'S-EYE >> HE SAID THAT WAS A MISTAKE. >> OKAY, FAIR ENOUGH RHETORIC IS YOU FIND I POLITICS IS EVERY WORD THAT EVERYONE EVER SAID IN EVERY SPEECH OVER TE YEARS PERFECT? I'M SURE EVERY PERSON HA SCREWED UP EVERYONE WHO WEARS THIS 24 HOURS A DAY PROBABLY MESSED UP INCLUDING OUR COLLEAGUE RIGH THERE. >> CHUCK TODD WHO WE WILL BRIN IN >> CHUCK, YOU HAVE NEVER MESSE UP, HAVE YOU MOY FRIEND? YOU ARE SO PERFECT LISTEN, HE IS IN A GREAT SPOT, HIS SPEECH IS BEAUTIFUL. I'M SO PROUD OF HIM. I JUST WANT TO THANK AMERICA WE LOVE THIS COUNTRY DEARLY. THIS COUNTRY CAN BE SO MUC BETTER THAN IT IS NOW AND HE I THE ONE TO DO IT >> SO HEADLINE THERE, THE SPEECH IS DONE? >> THE SPEECH IS DONE. >> ERIC TRUMP, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH >> WE APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU FOR THE CONVERSATION AND WITH THAT I AM GOING TO MY COLLEAGUE, CHUCK TODD. CHIEF POLITICAL ANALYST FOR NB NEWS CHUCK, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. >> OF COURSE >> LET'S START ON ONE OF THE THINGS I WAS TALKING ABOUT WIT ERIC --. >> I NOTICED HE GOT THE MUSIC, THAT'S THE POWER I SAW WHAT YOU DID THERE ANYWAY, GO AHEAD >> WE WILL TRY TO TALK LOUDL OVER IT. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT YOU HAV BEEN INTERESTED IN IS HO UNIFIED THE PARTY HAS BEEN A COMPARED TO 2016 >> THERE IS NO COMPARISON FOR ME THIS IS LIKE THE 2004 REPUBLICAN CONVENTION IN NEW YORK WHICH WAS THE FIRST REPUBLICAN CONVENTIO AFTER 9/11 AND THE PARTY WAS VERY UNIFIED THERE WAS THE SAME VIBE HERE I THAT SENSE BUT WHAT IS INTERESTING, JUS LIKE IN 2004, IT'S SURFACE UNITY. BENEATH, THERE IS SOME FRE MARKET REPUBLICANS, A LITTLE UNCOMFORTABLE WITH THE VANCE PICK, THINKING THEY ARE GOIN THAT DIRECTION AND THEY AR GOING THIS DIRECTION BUT IT DOESN'T MATTER. THERE IS AN ENTHUSIASM HERE. THERE IS A CONFIDENCE IS WHAT WOULD CALL IT. SOME MIGHT SAY IT IS COCKY BUT THIS IS A BUNCH OF FOLKS WHO FEEL THAT THE PARTY IS ABOUT T WIN AND WIN BIG. THAT'S WHY IT IS SUCH A UNIFIE MINDSET. >> THIS IS A FASCINATING POINT BECAUSE SOME OF THE BIGGES DIVISIONS IN THE PARTY NOW ARE OVER THE ECONOMY, TARIFFS, UKRAINE. THESE ARE BIG ISSUES AND YET WHEN YOU HEAR SOME O THE LAWMAKERS AND DELEGATE TALKING ABOUT THE DIFFERENCES, THEY ARE LIKE, WE WILL WORK IT OUT. TFRMTHS IS A PARTY UNIFIED O CULTURE BUT NOT THE SPECIFICS. THEY ARE REALLY NOT UNIFIED ON ANY POLICY BUT THEY ARE YO KNOWIFIED AS CULTURAL AN DIRECTIONAL THINGS ON SPECIFICS, LOOK THESE TARIFFS, THIS IS SOMETHING H HAS ALWAYS BELIEVED IN AND THERE IS A LOT OF SKEPTICISM INSIDE OF THE PARTY. IRONICALLY THIS PARTY HAS MORE SUPPORTS FOR THE TARIFFS THAN IN THE DEMOCRAT PARTY >> LET'S TALK ABOUT THE DEMOCRAT PARTY. HUGE DEVELOPMENTS TODAY. DPRESMAN ADAM SCHIFF, RUNNIN FOR DIANE FEINSTEIN'S SEAT I CALIFORNIA CAME OUT TODAY, THE BIGGEST NAME, HIGHEST RANKIN DEMOCRAT TO COME OUT AND CAL FOR PRESIDENT BIDEN TO STE DOWN HOW SIGNIFICANT? WE ALSO KNOW HE IS CLOSE TO HIM. >> THAT'S WHY THIS I SIGNIFICANT. THERE ARE TWO POTENTIAL MOTIVES. ONE, THERE WAS LEAKED AUDIO THAT HE ALREADY SAID THAT SO IT IS THE EXPRESSION, YOU CAN'T BE A LITTLE BIT PREGNANT IT IS YES OR NO. SO HE HAD TO OWN IT. SO IT IS POSSIBLE THAT HE IS JUST OWNING SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN REPORTED. BUT THE WAY HE DID IT, HE WA VERY CAREFUL BEFORE HE CALLE FOR DIANE FEINSTEIN TO RESIGN. IT WAS ALWAYS DONE I CONJUNCTION WITH THE PELOSIS, OF COURSE THE FORMER SPEAKER. THIS IS A VERYTECTOMY POLITICA RELATIONSHIP IT GETS TO WHAT THE REAL ISSUE IS FOR JOE BIDEN INSIDE TH PARTY. IT'S THE HOUSE DEMOCRATS THEY ARE MORE PANICKED THE SENATE DEMOCRATS ALREADY KNEW THEY WERE GOING TO LOSE BECAUSE JOE MANCHIN LEFT THERE IS CONCERN BUT IT IS HIG LEVEL PANIC BECAUSE THE TWO MOST IMPORTANT STATE FOR THE HOUSE TO WIN FOR DEMOCRATS ARE CALIFORNIA AND NEW YORK IT ISN'T PENNSYLVANIA, WISCONSIN AND MICHIGAN IF BIDEN IS AT THE TOP OF TH TICKET, TURNOUT SINKS AN SUDDENLY THE WINNABLE BIDE DISTRICTS IN CALIFORNIA AND NE YORK ARE NOT SO WINNABLE ANYMORE. IRONICALLY THERE ARE A BUNCH O HOUSE DEMOCRATS THAT WOULD PREFER TO LOSE WITH HARRIS THA LOSE WITH BIDEN BECAUSE THEY FEEL IT WILL GET THE BASE OF THE PARTY TO SHOW UP IN NEW YORK AND CALIFORNIA AND THEREFORE DELIVER THE HOUSE. >> AS WE ARE HAVING TH CONVERSATION, THEY HAVE DELAYE THE ROLL CALL FOR BIDEN. >> THAT IS STEP ONE OF BIDEN NOT BEING IN CHARGE OF THE PARTY BIDEN IS NOT IN CHARGE OF TH PARTY. >> HOW DOES THIS END DO YO THINK? >> I'M GOING TO HAVE T ACQUIESCE BUT THIS IS STEP ONE HE IS NOT IN CHARGE. THEY DELAYED IT EVEN THOUGH HE DIDN'T WANT IT DELAYED YESTERDAY, JAMIE HARRIS S, THE DNC CHAIR WAS IN A TWITTER WEIRD DEBATE WITH NATE SILVERS, TH 538 GUY. THERE IS A HEATED DEBATE OVE THE ROLL CALL. AND HARRIS IS DEFENDING AN DEFENDING IT YESTERDAY AND TODAY THEY DELAY IT. AND IT JUST SORT OF SCREAMS JO BIDEN IS NOT IN CHARGE THERE IS RARELY SEPARATION BETWEEN THE PARTY AN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE AND NOW THIS IS STEP ONE THIS COULD BE THE END OF THE BEGINNING. AND NOW WE ARE AT THE NEXT PHASE OF WHERE THIS STORY GOES >> TWO EXTRAORDINARY DEVELOPMENTS ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE >> THE UNITY OF THIS CONVENTIO IS PUTTING MORE PRESSURE ON TH DEMOCRATS. >> CHUCK TODD, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND TAKING ON THE SHOW WITH US WE APPRECIATE IT >>> WE HAVE MORE NEWS TO GET T INCLUDING THE MOUNTING PRESSUR ON THE SECRET SERVICE THAT W JUST DISCUSSED WITH ERIC TRUMP AS THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAN SECURITY OPENS AN INVESTIGATIO INTO HOW A SHOOTER WAS ABLE TO COME WITHIN INCHES KILLING A PRESIDENT. BUT KATE REED IS JOINING US NEXT ON THE SET >>> AND OUR SPECIAL PROGRAMMIN CONTINUES ALL NIGHT LONG WIT LESTER HOLT, SAVANNAH GUTHRIE, TOM LLAMAS AND HALLIE JACKSO AND SPECIAL COVERAGE AT 9:00 P.M. EASTERN WHEN SENATOR J VANCE ADDRESSES THE NATION YOU'RE WATCHING LIVE FRO MILWAUKEE, STAY WITH US. >>> GOOD TO HAVE YOU WITH US I'M JOE FRYER. >> I'M SAVANNAH SELLERS. DEVELOPING NOW ON MORNING NEWS NOW. >> GROWING FRUSTRATIONS OVER THE MIGRANT CRISIS >> REPORTS OF NEW DRONE ATTACK BY HOUTHI MILITANTS. >> THE STORM IS CREATING DANGEROUS CONDITIONS ACROSS TH REGION >> NOW LET'S GET TO FINANCIA HEADLINES. NEW RULES ARE COMING TO CA CREDIT CARD LATE FEES. >> TALKING TUITION, AS A NEW CLASS OF FRESHMEN GET READY TO GO TO COLLEGE. >> THIS IS A BIG DECISION FO FAMILIES >> DO YOU THINK THIS COULD IMPACT HOW PEOPLE VOTE >> 100%. >> MORNING NEWS NOW, STREAMING WEEKDAYS AT 7:00 >>> WELCOME BACK TO MEET THE PRESS NOW, LIVE FROM THE REPUBLICAN CONVENTION. LET'S GET RIGHT TO MY NEXT GUEST, REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR O MISSISSIPPI, TATE REAVES THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE >> IT IS AN HONOR TO BE HERE >> THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME FOR THE CONVERSATION I WANT YOUR REACTION FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP'S DECISION T TAP SENATOR JD VANCE OF OHIO FOR HIS RUNNING MATE HE IS SOMEONE WHO IS THE FUTUR POTENTIALLY OF THE MAG MOVEMENT HE IS ALSO SOMEONE WHO HAS SOM ISOLATIONIST VIEWS AS IT RELATES TO UKRAINE WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THE PICK >> ANY TIME YOU ARE THINKING O SELECTING THE VICE PRESIDENT ONE OF THE THINGS AT THE FOREFRONT OF YOUR HEAD IS WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN AND WHO I GOING TO BE MOST LIKELY TO GOVERN LIKE ME YOU LOOK AT VANCE'S VIEWS, WHE COMPARED TO ALL OF THE OTHER CANDIDATES, ALL OF WHOM I THIN HAD VALUE TO ADD TO THE TICKET BUT CLEARLY SENATOR VANCE HA VIEWS VERY SIMILAR TO TRUMP. I ALSO THINK HE WILL BRING SOMETHING TO THE TICKET BECAUS WHEN YOU THINK OF THE SENATE RACE A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO AND HOW WELL HE DID IN RURAL OHIO, THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE IN RURAL OHIO WHO ARE LIKE RURA WISCONSIN, RURAL MICHIGAN, AND RURAL MISSISSIPPI. HE IS GOING TO ADD POLITICAL VALUE WITH RESPECT TO GOVERNIN AS WELL. >> LET ME READ YOU SOMETHING THAT THE WROTE VNS HAS BEEN A LEADER OF A MOVEMENT AIMED AS WRESTLING AWAY THE REPUBLICAN PARTY FROM TH ORTHODOX OF FREE MARKETS INSTEAD, HIS VISION IS FOR A REPUBLICAN PARTY THAT EMBRACES LARGE GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS, MOR OPEN TO TAXING CORMERATIONS, MORE FOREIGN POLICY RESTRAINT. IG GOVERNMENT AND TA CORPORATIONS DOESN'T SOUND LIK YOUR FATHER'S REPUBLICAN PARTY >> THE REPUBLICAN PARTY BELIEVES IN THE POWER OF THE INDIVIDUAL WHAT I WOULD TELL YOU WHEN THE COMES TO VARIOUS POLICY VIEWS, WE HAVE A LOT DIFFERENT VIEWS ON THESE ISSUES. WE BELIEVE IN THE INDIVIDUAL THE DEMOCRAT PARTY BELIEVES IF THE BEST DECISIONS ARE MADE IN WASHINGTON D.C. AND WE BELIEVE THE BEST ARE MADE IN THE STATES. I THINK WE WILL SEE A GOVERNIN COALITION THAT WE WILL FIGHT FOR THE VIEWS WE BELIEVE IN. I THINK SENATOR VANCE IS A EXCELLENT PICK >> DOES ANY OF THIGIVE PAE ABTHE RE OER REPUAN PARTYHEAD MUOCUSBIG VERNNT AOO ENOUOCUS ON TOINTEE AND WHS HAIE CERLY D SUPPORT VERN THINK BIVERE P M BELIEFS. I THINK YOU WILL SO A LOT OF CONVERSATION AROUND THAT FOR MANY YEARS TO COME >> LET ME PLAY A LITTLE BIT OF WHAT WE HEARD, ONE OF MANY EXTRAORDINARY MOMENTS SO FAR THIS WEEK OF TEAMSTERS PRESIDENT SEAN O'BRIEN AND GET YOU REACTION ON THE OTHER SIDE >> WHEN WORKING PEOPLE JOI TOGETHER TO FORM UNIONS, FOR A CENTURY MAJOR EMPLOYERS HAVE WAGED A WAR AGAINST LABOR BY FORMING CORPORATE UNIONS O THEIR OWN. WE NEED TO CALL THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND THE BUSINESS ROUN TABLES WHAT THEY ARE ARE THEY ARE UNIONS FOR BI BUSINESS THE BIGGEST RECIPIENTS OF WEALTH IN THIS COUNTRY ARE CORPORATIONS AND THIS IS REAL CORRUPTION. WE MUST PUT WORKERS FIRST. WHAT DID YOU MAKE OF THE SPEECH? SOMEONE SAID IT WAS A SIGN THA THE CONSERVATIVE MOVEMENT IS N MORE >> I DON'T KNOW IF I WOULD G THAT FAR I GIVE HIM CREDIT FOR TH COURAGE TO COME INTO THIS CROW AND GIVE THAT SPEECH I DO THINK THAT BIG CORPORATIONS HAVE IN MANY WAYS COLLUDED WIT BIG GOVERNMENT WHEN YOU LOOK AT A STATE O MISSISSIPPI, THE VAST MAJORITY OF MISSISSIPPIANS ARE EMPLOYED BY SMALL BUSINESSES. AND WE HAVE MORE PEOPLE WORKIN NOW THAN ANY TIME IN OUR HISTORY. THAT IS NOT TRUE IN EVERY STAT BUT IT IS IN MISSISSIPPI AND I IS DRIVEN BY SMALL BUSINESSE ACROSS MISSISSIPPI >> I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT THE SPEECH WE WILL HEAR TOMORROW NIGHT FROM DONALD TRUMP, THE MAIN EVENT HE SAID HE TORE UP HIS SPEEC AND HE HAS REWRITTEN IT. HE WILL STRIKE A NOTE CALLIN FOR UNITY IN THE COUNTRY WHAT ARE YOU ANTICIPATING? I WAS DISCUSSING THIS WITH HIS SON. DONALD TRUMP IS KNOWN AS A COUNTERPUNCHER HE IS PROUD OF THE RHETORIC THAT GOT HIM INTO THE OFFICE TH FIRST TIME HE IS KNOWN FOR ON THE CAMPAIG TRAIL. WHAT ARE YOU ANTICIPATING? WHAT DO YOU HOPE TOHEAR? >> I THINK THE CROWD IN THIS BUILDING TOMORROW WILL B ELECTRIC HAVING SPENT TIME ON THE FLOOR THE LAST TWO DAYS, THE ONE THING I CAN SAY ABOUT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IS WE ARE UNITED IN TH ATTEMPT TO TAKE BACK THE WHITE HOUSE. IT IS AN A TIME IN AMERICA HISTORY UNLIKE VERY FEW. WHAT WE SAW IN PENNSYLVANI REALLY SHOOK ME, PERSONALLY. HIGH DAUGHTERS WERE THER WATCHING IT WITH ME. THE PRESIDENT, IT WAS CLEAR AN OBVIOUS TO ME WHEN HE WALKED INTO THE FACILITY ON MONDA NIGHT, IT LITERALLY CHANGES TH DYNAMIC IN MANY WAYS LOOK, WE ARE A GREAT COUNTRY WE NEED TO RECOGNIZE THAT. WE GOT CHALLENGES. MANY OF THE CHALLENGES THA AMERICANS ARE DEALING WITH ARE POCKET BOOK ISSUES THEY AR TALKING ABOUT. I EXPECT THE PRESIDENT TO COME IN AND UNIFY THE PARTY AND COUNTRY. >> AND TO BE CLEAR, DO YOU WAN TO SEE TRUMP TURN DOWN HIS RHETORIC AND IS HE CAPABLE O THAT GIVEN HIS BACKGROUND? >> DONALD TRUMP IS GOING TO BE DONALD TRUMP, WE KNOW THAT >> THAT'S NOT A YES. >> HE AND I HAVE CAMPAIGNE TOGETHER MANY TIMES OVER THE LAST FIVE OR SIX YEARS BUT I DO THINK THAT THE MOMENT THAT OCCURRED SATURDAY NIGHT CHANGES LOT OF THINGS. IT REALLY DOES >> IT CHANGED EVERYTHING IN THIS COUNTRY. >> IT WAS AN UNBELIEVABL MOMENT >> GOVERNOR, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOUGHTS WE APPRECIATE IT >> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME ON. >> ABSOLUTELY, GOOD TO SEE YOU >>> COMING UP NEXT, FACING RENEWED CALLS TO WITHDRAW FROM THE RACE , PRESIDENT BIDEN PITCHES TO LATINO VOTERS, CRITICAL BLOCK IN TH BATTLEGROUND STATE OF NEVADA YOU'RE WATCHING SPECIAL COVERAGE OF THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION >>> DEMOCRACY IS HAPPENING NOW >> WELCOME TO A BIG NIGHT THAT COULD HELP SHAPE REPUBLICA POLITICS FOR YEARS TO COME >> NOW NEVER STOPS >> IT COMES DOWN TO TURNOUT, WHO SHOWS UP, IS IT GOING TO B THAT BIG BLOCK OF INDEPENDENTS >> NOW IS WHERE IT COUNTS. >> WHAT ARE THE ISSUES THA MATTER MOST TO YOU GUYS? >> WHAT DID THIS DEBATE CHANGE FOR YOU? >> THE NUMBER ONE ISSUE IS THE ECONOMY. >> 2024, WHO IS YOUR CANDIDATE >> THE RACE IS ON NOW. >> THE COUNTDOWN HAS BEGUN >> NEWS FOR THE GENERATION O NOW IS NBC NEWS NOW. >>> WELCOME BACK PRESIDENT BIDEN IS SET TO SPEA AT A LATINO CIVIL RIGHTS ORGANIZATION AT AN ANNUA CONFERENCE ANY MINUTE AFTE COURTING BLACK VOTERS AT A SPEECH AT THE NAACP'S CONFERENCE YESTERDAY. IT COMES AS WE HAVE REPORTIN THAT THE PRESIDENT HAS BECOM INCREASINGLY DEFIANT ABOUT CALLS TO BOW OUT OF THE 2024 RACE NB NEWS REPORTING THAT HE I DETERMINED TO PUSH FORWARD TIGHTENING HIS INNER CIRCLE AN GROWING COMBATTIVE WITH FELLOW DEMOCRATS THAT HAVE QUESTIONED HIS MENTAL ACUITY. CONGRESSMAN ADAM SCHIFF BECAME THE LATEST DEMOCRAT TO CALL FO THE PRESIDENT TO EXIT THE RACE ACCORDING TO A NEW ASSOCIATE PRESS POLL, 65% OF DEMOCRATS NOW AGREE THAT PRESIDENT BIDEN SHOULD WITHDRAW. WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT MIKE MEMOLI IS JOINING US LIVE FROM LAS VEGAS. BRING US UP TO SPEED HERE. THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT MOMENT I WAS JUST DISCUSSING IT WIT CHUCK. THE FACT THAT ADAM SCHIFF HA JOINED THE RANKS OF THOS CALLING FOR PRESIDENT BIDEN TO STEP DOWN. HE IS CLOSE WITH THE FORME HOUSE SPEAKER, NANCY PELOSI. HOW IS THE BIDEN CAMPAIG RESPONDING TO THIS >> YOU'RE RIGHT. THIS IS SIGNIFICANT AND I THIN OF THE CONVERSATION YOU HAD WITH ADAM SCHIFF ON MEET THE PRES JUST TWO WEEKS AGO WHERE HE WA MORE DELICATELY POSING THE SITUATION THAT DEMOCRATS ARE TALK ABOUT PRIVATELY THAT THIS RACE IN THEIR VIEW SHOULD BE MUCH MORE WIN BIBLE, DEMOCRATS SHOULD BE FURTHER AHEAD THAN THEY ARE AT THIS MOMENT AN PERHAPS THE PRESIDENT NEEDS TO THINK ABOUT HIS CONTINUE CANDIDACY. CLEARLY, THE PRESIDENT IS NO GETTING THE MESSAGE FROM THE LIKES OF SCHIFF WHEN IT IS PUT MORE DELICATELY SO THEY AR BECOMING MORE BLUNT AND EXPLICIT IN CALLING FOR THE PRESIDENT T STEP ASIDE THE BIDEN CAMPAIGN IS POINTING TO THE LETTER THAT WAS SENT WEEK AGO WHEN HE SAID ALL OF THE TALK ABOUT WHO IS THE NOMINEE IS OVER AND ONLY FURTHER DIVISION ONLY HELPS DONALD TRUMP. THE BIDEN CAMPAIGN POINTED T THE SHOW OF SUPPORT TH PRESIDENT HAS RECEIVED FRO OTHER KEY MEMBERS OF CONGRESS AS HE TRAVELLED IN LAS VEGAS, NOT JUST THE MEMBERS IN NOVEMBER BUT THE LIKES OF JIM CLIBURN AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HISPANIC CAUCU WHO WAS WITH THE PRESIDENT A FEW MOMENTS AGO. REPORTERS TRIED TO ASK THE PRESIDENT ABOUT THIS NEW CAL FROM CONGRESSMAN SCHIFF. HE DID NOT RESPOND TO TH QUESTIONS. CLORELY AS THE REPUBLICANS TRYING TO SHOW UNITY THAT TH PARTY HAS SHOWN AND CONTINUES TO SHOW IN THE CONVENTION DEMOCRATS ARE ONLY FURTHER APPEARING TO BE DIVIDED AT THI POINT. >> I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT YOU GREAT REPORTING WITH THE TEAM, MONICA ALBA, AND EVERYONE, I TERMS OF THE PRESIDENT ROL REALLY NARROWING HIS INNER CIRCLE, TALK ABOUT THI APPROACH IS THERE CONCERN WITH THE ALLIES THAT BEING IN A TIGHTER BUBBLE COULD ONLY SHIELD HIM FROM THE REALITY OF WHAT IS PLAYING OUT >> AS YOU WELL KNOW, THE PRESIDENT HAS RELIED ON A TEAM OF ADVISORS FOR NOT ONLY HIS TIME IN THE WHITE HOUSE BUT TH TIME BEFORE IT IT IS A SLIGHTLY LARGER GROU THAN WHAT WAS AROUND HIM WHEN HE WAS VOICE PRESIDENT AND DECADE BEFORE THAT. HE HAS NARROWED THE CIRCLE T THE ORIGINAL CORE GROUP. PEOPLE LIKE STEVE MACHETE AN MIKE DONILON WHO WAS WITH HIM, DECADES BEFORE THAT. AND IT SPEAKS TO THE CONCERN THAT DEMOCRATS HAVE ABOU WHETHER THERE ARE VOICES BEING BLUNT WITH HIM IN HIS INNE CIRCLE, SOME OF THOSE WHO AR CUT OUT LIKE ANITA DUNN, AMONG THOSE TRYING TO BE CLEAR MINDE ABOUT THE CHALLENGES AHEAD WE UNDERSTAND SHE HAS BEEN WORKING WITH A LONGTIME ADVISO TO PLAN SOME OF THE FIRST 10 DAY AGENDA ITEMS FOR A SECON BIDEN TERM BUT IT IS NOT GETTING TO THAT. THE CALLS THE PRESIDENT HAS BEEN HAVING WITH DIFFERENT CAUCUSES WITHIN THE DEMOCRAT HOUS MEMBERSHIP WERE MORE CONCILIATORY AT FIRST AND THEN GROWING MORE BLUNT AND MOR ANGRY IN THE DAYS PRECEDING TH ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT ON DONAL TRUMP'S LIFE >> ALL RIGHT MIKE MEMOLI REPORTING FROM LAS VEGAS, ALWAYS GOOD TO SEE YOU. WE APPRECIATE YOUR REPORTING THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE >>> WE ARE GETTING DETAILS ABOUT WHO KNEW WHAT AND WHEN ABOUT THE SHOOTER AT THE TRUMP RALLY IT COMES AS THE FBI AND SECRET SERVICE ARE BRIEFING MEMBERS O CONGRESS TODAY ON TH ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT. AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY SAYS THE INSPECTO GENERAL WILL INVESTIGATE THE SECURITY OPERATION AT SATURDAY'S RALLY. NBC NEWS'S HOMELAN CORRESPONDENT JULIA AINSLEY IS JOINING ME I KNOW YOU HAVE BEEN WORKING THIS STORY WHAT'S THE LATEST ON THE INVESTIGATION? >> THE LATEST IS WE ARE GETTIN NEW DETAILS ON WHAT EXACTLY TH SECRET SERVICE KNEW LEADING UP TO THE MOMENTS ON SATURDAY THE SECRET SERVICE DIRECTO MISSPOKE WHEN SHE SAID THERE WERE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENTS, A SNIPER TEAM FROM LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT INSIDE THE BUILDIN WHERE THE SHOOTER WAS ON TOP O THE ROOF TURNS OUT, THEY WERE IN A NEARBY BUILDING THAT WAS A PART OF THAT COMPLEX. DOES THAT RAISE QUESTIONS ON WHETHER THERE WAS A FIRM SECURITY PLAIF THEY WERE UNSURE ABOUT WHO WAS WHERE AND THE OTHER THING WE ARE LEARNING IS THAT THE SECRE SERVICE HAD A RANGE FINDER, THAT LOOKS LIKE A PAIR OF BEE OCULARS THAT CAN BE USED WHE THEY DETERMINE HOW FAR TO SHOOT. HE WAS SEEN WITH A RANGE FINDER. A PICTURE WAS TAKEN OF HIM BEFORE HE GOT ON THE ROOF, BEFORE TRUMP TOOK THE STAGE BY LOCAL POLICE AND THAT WAS SHARED WITH THE SECRET SERVICE AND THEY STILL LET TRUMP MOVE FORWARD SO SOME QUESTIONS ON WHETHER O NOT THEY COULD HAVE BROKEN PROTOCOL SOME I SPOKE TO SAID THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT HE WAS ARME AND THERE ARE SUSPICIOUS PEOPL IN THE CROWDS ALL THE TIME THA TURN OUT TO BE HARMLESS. WE ARE EXPECTING TO GET MORE DETAILS FROM THE BRIEFING. WE KNOW THAT THE FBI AND SECRE SERVICE HAVE BEEN BRIEFING BOT SIDES OF THE HILL TODA VIRTUALLY AND MORE DETAILS WIL BE COMING OUT OF THAT SHOON. WE WANT A CLEAR PICTURE OF THE TIMELINE AND THE BIGGEST QUESTION OF ALL, WHY WASN'T TH ROOF IN THE SECURITY PERIMETER OF THE SECRET SERVICE? >> SO MANY QUESTIONS AND EXTRAORDINARY DEVELOPMENTS THE FACT THAT THERE WERE N AUTHORITIES INSIDE, THE FACT THAT THEY WERE ABLE TO GET A PICTURE OF THIS GUY AND STIL LET TRUMP MOVE FORWARD, WHAT D WE KNOW ABOUT THE DHS INSPECTO GENERAL'S INVESTIGATION? EVERYTHING YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT WILL BE OF INTEREST TO THEM. HOW LONG DO THE INVESTIGATIONS TYPICALLY LAST >> DHS INSPECTOR GENERAL INVESTIGATIONS CAN TAKE MONTHS IF NOT A YEAR IN SOME CASES. OTHER INVESTIGATIONS MAY MOV MORE QUICKLY WE UNDERSTAND THAT THE HOUSE OVERSIGHT MEET HAS SUBPOENAE TESTIMONY FROM THE SECRE SERVICE DIRECTOR THERE IS AN INDEPENDENT REVIEW BEING LAUNCHED TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED THE DHS INSPECTOR GENERAL WILL INTERVIEW WHOEVER THEY WANT TO AS LONG AS PEOPLE ARE EMPLOYED THEY CAN COMPEL THE TESTIMON AND FIND OUT WHY THE DECISIONS WERE MADE LEADING UP TO TH EVENT, WHY THEY COME UP WITH THE SUPREME COURT PLAN, WHY THEY WERE SHORT STAFFED, WHY THEY WERE LEFT TO LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OUTSIDE OF WHAT THEY DETERMINED TO BE THE SECURIT PERIMETER. I WILL SAY AS A JOURNALIST REPORTING THIS, SOMETIMES WE DON'T GET ANSWERS BECAUSE TH SECRET SERVICE CAN COME TO U AND SAY I CAN'T ANSWER THE SIMPLE QUESTION FOR YOU, IT IS PART OF AN INVESTIGATION AND THOSE INVESTIGATIONS CAN TAKE MONTHS. >> WE KNOW YOU WILL BE ON TOP OF IT REGARDLESS, JULIA AINSLEY THANK YOU. >>> ANOTHER BIG STORY WE ARE FOLLOWING AT THIS HOUR, TH JUSTICE DEPARTMENT CONFIRMED I WILL APPEAL A FLORIDA JUDGE' DECISION TO DISMISS THE CRIMINAL CASE AGAINST DONALD TRUMP TIED TO HIS MISHANDLING OF CLASSIFIED DOCUMENTS. SPECIAL COUNSEL JACK SMITH FILED A FORMAL NOTICE OF APPEAL TODA WITH JUDGE AILEEN CANNON IT COMES AFTER THE TRUMP APPOINTED JUDGE DISMISSED TH CASE RULING THAT SMITH'S APPOINTMENT WAS UNCONSTITUTIONAL BECAUSE HE WAS NOT APPOINTED B THE PRESIDENT OR CONFIRMED B CONGRESS, A CONTROVERSIA RULING SOME APPEAL WILL HEAD TO THE 11th CIRCUIT COURT APPEAL WHIC HAS PREVIOUSLY OVERTURNED SOME OF THE DECISIONS THAT JUDG CANNON MADE EARLIER IN THI CASE >>> WE HAVE MORE COVERAGE OF THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION LIVE FROM MILWAUKEE STRAIGHT AHEAD. KEEP IT HERE ON NBC NEWS NOW >>> ARE YOU COMFORTABLE WITH THE ROLE THE SUPREME COURT I PLAYING IN THE 2024 ELECTION >> IS THERE NOT MORE THA ISRAEL CAN DO TO HELP TH HUMANITARIAN CRISIS? >> SHOULD ABORTION BE TH NUMBER ONE ISSUE IN 2024 >> IF IT'S SUNDAY, IT'S MEET THE PRESS. >>> THE BIG CELL WILL ABSORB THE ACID >> THAT'S CRAZY. >> GREEN TEA TO CALM ACNE. >> THIS IS MY FAVORITE TIP O THE DAY. >> BRILLIANT, BRILLIANT, BRILLIANT. >> YOU JUST SAVED ME $40 >>> I JOKE WITH THE PRESIDEN THAT I'M VERY EXCITED ABOUT THIS EVENING AND I DON'T PLAN T SCREW IT UP BUT IF I DO, IT' TOO LATE HE MADE THE PICK, RIGHT? IT'S OFFICIAL NOW. >> A LITTLE BIT OF HUMOR AHEAD OF A BIG NIGHT THAT WAS JD VANCE THIS AFTERNOON SPEAKING AT A FUNDRAISER RIGHT HERE IN MILWAUKEE. AS WE SAID, THE SENATOR WILL B MAKING HIS PRIMETIME SPEAKIN DEBUT AS THE GOP VIC PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE TONIGHT IT COMES IN AN ELECTION CYCL WHERE AGE HAS BEEN TOP OF MIND FOR MANY VOTERS. PRESIDENT BIDEN IS 81 AND FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP IS ONLY THRE YEARS YOUNGER AT 78. IN STARK CONTRAST, VANCE IS 39 YEARS OLD, MAKING HIM THE FIRS MILLENNIAL TO APPEAR ON A MAJO PARTY'S PRESIDENTIAL TICKET AN THE YOUNGEST PRESIDENTIA NOMINEE IN DECADES JOINING ME NOW IS LANCE TROVER REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST AND FORMER SPOKESPERSON FOR DOUG BURGUM'S CAMPAIGN AND LONNIE CHEN FRO STANFORD UNIVERSITY AND FORMER POLICY ADVISOR TO THE ROMNEY PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN. THANKS TO BOTH OF YOU FOR BOGU HERE LET'S START WITH THE STAKES OF TONIGHT. THEY COULD NOT BE HIGHER FOR J VANCE. LANCE, WHAT WILL YOU BE WATCHING FOR TONIGHT? AND WHAT DOES VANCE NEED TO DO TONIGHT? >> I LIKE SEEING THE HUMOR I HIM. IT SHOWS THE REALISM AND THE PERSON HE IS YOU GO BACK TO ILBILLY ELEGY AND HIS HISTORY AND THAT WIL RESONATE WITH AMERICANS. A LOT OF AMERICANS DON'T KNO WHO HE IS AND TONIGHT IS THE NOIT TO INTRODUCE HIMSELF. I'M WAITING FOR THAT STORY T COME OUT AND IT WILL HAVE A BI IMPACT ON THE COUNTRY. >> LONNIE, WE KNOW IT WILL B HIGHLY BIOGRAPHICAL. HOW DOES HE INTRODUCE HIMSELF IN A WAY THAT REALLY STICKS >> I THINK THE NOTION THAT H HAS GROWN UP WITH A LOT OF ADVERSITY, I THINK HIS STORY WILL BE A STORY THAT A LOT O AMERICANS WILL RELATE TO HE HAS HAD TO OVERCOME A LOT O ADVERSITY AND HE HAS RISEN T REMARKABLE HEIGHTS IN A SHOR PERIOD OF TIME HE HAS A GOOD EDUCATION. HE HAS A UNIQUE ABILITY TO DEFINE P WHAT THIS MAKE AMERIC GREAT AGAIN AGENDA IS. HE HAS BEEN ON THE VANGUARD OF THE POPULOUS MOVEMENT AN TALKING ABOUT WHAT IT MEANS TO HAVE A PRO WORKER POLICY HE WILL TOUCH ON THIS AND NO GET INTO THE DETAILS BUT HE CA DO THAT UNIQUELY >> WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE FACT THAT HE IS 39 YEARS OLD? SEEING HIM AND THE FORME PRESIDENT SIT NEXT TO EACH OTHER, THE CONTRAST COULDN'T B MORE STARK TO SOME EXTENT, THIS PICK WA ABOUT DONALD TRUMP SAYING THIS IS WHO I'M PASSING THE TORCH TO. >> YOU LOOK AT WHAT IS HAPPENING ON THE OTHER SIDE AND WE HAD ADAM SCHIFF SAY HE NEEDS TO STEP ASIDE BECAUSE OF THE AGE ISSUE THAT IS DRIVING PEOPLE ON TH OTHER SIDE THIS WAS A STRATEGIC DECISIO MADE BY DONALD TRUMP AND THE CAMPAIGN TO SAY THAT AGE IS FACTOR IN THE CASE AND WOE NEE SOMEONE OF A YOUTHFUL NATURE T STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND I'M SURE THAT IS PART OF THE REASO HE WAS CHOSEN. >> I WAS TALKING TO PEOPLE WHO SAID THIS IS THE DEATH OF TH CONSERVATIVE MOVEMENT IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IS THAT OVER STATED? IS IT A SIGN THAT IT IS HEADED IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION >> IT IS MOVING IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION. I DON'T KNOW P THAT IT IS TH DEATH OF IT. LET'S CALL IT THE DEATH OF REAGANISM POLICY OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL YEARS IF TRUMP IS SUCCESSFUL, JD VANC WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE SURE THAT IS NOT ONLY DIRECTION BUT A DESTINATION. WE HAVE TO SEE I THINK IT IS TOO EARLY. BECAUSE YOU HAVE A LOT O REPUBLICANS WHO AR UNCOMFORTABLE WITH THE NEW POPULOUS ECONOMIC POLICY WE WILL SEE WHO WINS OUT BUT W ARE VERY MUCH ENGAGED IN THE CONVERSATION >> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT MADE LAST NIGHT SO INTERESTING WAS TEAM OF RIVALS THAT CAME OUT T TALK ABOUT FORMER PRESIDEN TRUMP. YOU OBVIOUSLY HAD MARCO RUBIO. YOU HAD RON DESANTIS AND THEN AT THE TOP OF THE LIST, NIKKI HALEY, THE ONLY REPUBLICAN WHO WON A STATE AGAINST P FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP IN THE PRIMARY HOW SIGNIFICANT WAS THAT MOMENT? AND DO YOU THINK HER SPEECH WA CONVINCING ENOUGH TO REALLY WI OVER SOME OF HER SUPPORTERS WH ARE SITTING AT HOME WONDERIN WHO THEY WILL VOTE FOR I NOVEMBER >> YOU SAW THE REACTION SHE GOT. SHE GOT A STANDING OVATION >> SHE DID GET A GOOD RESPONSE >> WE TALK ABOUT STARK CONTRAS AND ON THE OTHER SIDE AND THEY CAN'T FIGURE OUT IF THEY WAN JOE BIDEN TO BE THE NOMINEE. THERE IS 100% UNIFICATION LAST NIGHT FROM NIKKI HALEY TO RO DESANTIS AND THAT IS A STARK CONTRAST TO THE DEMOCRAT PARTY RIGHT NOW. >> LET ME READ YOU SOMETHING THAT CHRIS CHRISTIE, STILL A TRUMP RIVAL, HAD TO SAY IN A OP-ED. VANCE'S FIRST REACTION TO TH ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT AGAINS TRUMP WAS TO TURN TO A MRAUE PLAYBOOK, DEMONIZE THE OTHER SIDE AND LAY THE BLAME AT TH FEET OF THE DEMOCRATS AS IF THEY HAD PULLED THE TRIGGER THEMSELVES THIS IS NOT A MESSAGE OF UNITY IN THE FACE OF WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN A TRAGEDY TRUMP CAN DEMONSTRATE THE WILL TO CHANGE HOW WE SPEAK TO ON ANOTHER AND ALSO HOW WE ACT. WE KNOW THAT DONALD TRUMP HA REWRITTEN HIS SPEECH ERIC TRUMP SAYS THE SPEECH I FINISHED WHAT DO YOU ANTICIPATE WE WILL SEE TOMORROW NIGHT >> WELL, LOOK, I THINK THERE WILL BE THEMES OF NATIONAL UNITY IN THERE BUT DONALD TRUMP IS ALWAYS GOING TO BE THE FIGHTER >> YEAH. >> THAT IS -- IF YOU THINK ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN AND WHAT MAKES HI STRONG, IT IS THE NOTION THAT HE IS ALWAYS WILLING TO FIGHT LOOK AT HIS REACTION TO BEIN SHOT WE CAN'T EXPECT TOO MUCH OF DEVIATION FROM THAT. NOW WHETHER THERE WILL B PERSONAL ATTACKS ON DEMOCRATS, PERSONAL ATTACK ON BIDEN, MAYB NOT, MAYBE HE TONES THAT DOWN. BUT IT WILL BE A FUSELAGIC SPEECH TO BE ANYTHING ELSE, IT WOULD NOT BE TRUE TO FORM. >> THAT IS THE CENTRAL QUESTION. TRUMP IS GOING TO BE TRUMP HE CAN'T COMMITTEELY, ONE WOUL THINK, AND HIS SON KIND OF CONFIRMED THIS, HE CAN'T COMPLETELY SHED WHO HE HAS BEE FOR ALL OF THESE 78 YEARS. AND YET, HE CLEARLY SEES THIS AS A NEW MOMENT >> YOU SEE THE TONE THROUGHOUT THE WEEK IS ONE -- I FEEL TH RHETORIC IS DIFFERENT OVER THE LAST SEVERAL DAYS. YOU STILL HAVE TO MAKE YOUR CASE TO VOTERS. IT DOESN'T MEAN YOU CAN'T ATTACK THE OTHER SIDE JOE BIDEN WAS LOBBYING ATTACKS WITH LESTER HOLT THE OTHER NIGHT LEFT AND RIGHT SO YOU HAVE TO MAKE A DECISION ON HOW IT WILL BE DONE AND WHA TONE WILL BE USED. IF THIS WEEK IS ANY INDICATION IT WILL BE A DIFFERENT DONAL TRUMP ON THURSDAY NIGHT. >> NO DOUBT. YOUR FORMER BOSS DOUG BURGUM MAKING TAKING THE PODIUM, WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM HIM HE IS GETTING BUZZ ON POTENTIAL CABINET MEMBER >> HE RAN A CAMPAIGN ON ENERGY NATIONAL SECURITY AND THERE IS A LOT OF TALK ON ENERGY. HE WILL TALK ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF ENERGY AND HOW I AFFECTS NATIONAL SECURITY AN ECONOMY. THAT IS A MESSAGE HE HAS TALKE ABOUT A YEAR AGO I WOULD NOT BE SURPRISED IF THAT IS HIS MESSAGE TONIGHT >> AND WHAT ELSE ARE YOU LOOKING FOR TONIGHT? >> I THINK IT IS A CONTINUATIO OF THEME BUT MORE FOCUS ON NATIONAL SECURITY ISSUES CONSISTENT WITH WHAT THE FOCUS SHOULD BE TONIGHT. AND ULTIMATELY, THE TRUM CAMPAIGN BELIEVES THIS IS STRONG POINT OF CONTRAST A WORLD IN RELATIVE DAOSAND THEY WILL SEE LOOK, WHEN DONALD TRUMP WAS PRESIDENT, THAT WASN'T THE CASE THEY WILL DRAW THAT LINE TO JO BIDEN TONIGHT. I EXPECT THE FIGHTING SPIRIT T COME OUT OF EVERY SPEAKE TONIGHT. >> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU BOTH S MUCH FOR BOGUE HERE. WE REALLY APPRECIATE IT. >>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, WE ARE COUNTING DOWN TONIGHT THREE OF THE RNC WITH GOLD STA FAMILIES, A D-DAY VETERAN, AND THE FAMILY MEMBERS OF A HAMA HOSTAGE, ALL SET TO TAKE THE STAGE TONIGHT ALONG WITH TRUMP'S RUNNING MATE, SENATOR JD VANCE THE BIG MOMENT OF TH EEVENENING YOU'RE WATCHING A SPECIA EDITION OF MEET THE PRESS NO LIVE FROM MILWAUKEE. WE'RE BACK AFTER A QUICK BREAK >>> HEY THERE, I'M HALLIE. AN WE ARE COMING ON THE AIR TONIGHT WITH NEW DEVELOPMENTS. >> LET'S TALK ABOUT TH IMPLICATIONS ON WOMEN'S HEALTH AND THE POLITCAL FALLOUT START WITH WHAT THIS LAW ACTUALLY WILL AND WON'T DO >> CREWS AND OFFICIALS WILL DO ALMOST ANYTHING THEY CAN TO GE IT BACK OPEN ASAP. HOW S IS THE P? IN OTHER WORDS HOW SOON WILL IT BE OPEN >> I CAN KEEP TALKING UNTIL TH EIFFEL TOWER STARTS SPARKLING. >> NOW YOU'VE LAID DOWN TH GAUNTLET, SO WE HAVE T CONTINUE TO SPEAK UNTIL IT STARTS TO SPARKLE. >> IT'S SPARKLING, IT' HAPPENING. >>> WELCOME BACK AS WE MENTIONED, THE THEME FOR NIGHT THREE OF THE REPUBLICA NATIONAL CONVENTION WILL FOCUS ON FOREIGN POLICY AND NATIONAL SECURITY THE FESTIVITIES KICK OFF SHORTLY. LET'S GO LIVE DOWN TO THE ACTION ON THE CONVENTION FLOOR TO OUR CORRESPONDENT JACOB SOBOROFF SET THE SCENE. HOW ARE WOE LOOKING FOR NIGH THREE? >> YOU CAN HEAR WE HAVE MUSICAL REHEARSAL TAKING PLACE NOW. ALL OF THIS LEADING TO THE BIG SPEECH TONIGHT FROM VICE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE JD VANCE. THERE ARE A COUPLE OF OTHER PREP OPERATIONS UNDERWAY AND THEY HAVE SIGNS, THIS IS THE FIRS TIME WE HAVE BEEN SEEING THIS. FOR THE FIRST TIME WE HAVE TRUMP WILL END THE UKRAINE WAR, THAT'S A NEW ONE. HERE'S ANOTHER ONE, MAKE AMERICA STRONG AGAIN AND WE HAVE THE GOOD OLD MAGA, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN ON EVERY ONE OF THESE SEATS THEY HAVE THE SIGNS FOR EVERYONE TO HOLD UP TONIGHT. AND TONIGHT WILL BE ABOUT TH SPEECHES AND THE THEME OF MAKE AMERICA STRONG AGAIN WHEN IT COMES TO SPEAKERS, THERE WILL KNOW MANY FAMILIAR NAME INCLUDING RICK RENEL WHEN I LAST SAW HIM WHEN HE WAS DENYING TH RESULTS IN NOVEMBER IN 2020, AND ONE OF THE DIRECTORS WHO PUSHE THE FAMILY SEPARATION POLICY ALL LEADING UP TO THE JD VANCE KEY NOTE SPEAKER EVERY PEOPLE ARE EXCITING, THE BAND IS REHEARSING, I CAN BARELY HERE MYSELF. >> I CAN BARELY HEAR YOU BUT I'M LISTENING CLOSELY. WE SAW FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP DO HIS TECHNICAL WALK THROUGH HOW DID HE DO? HOW DID IT LOOK? >> WHEN I WAS WATCHING WITH OU COLLEAGUE IN REALTIME, IT WA INTERESTING TO SEE IT WAS SLOW, DELIBERATE. OBVIOUSLY, HE IS PREPARING FOR HIS BIG NIGHT TOMORROW NIGHT HE WAS SURROUNDED BY MANY AIDE INCLUDING WALT NADA. HE WAS SUROUBDED BY STEVEN MILLER AND HE IS ONE OF THE MOST PREEMINENT ADVISORS FOR TRUM DURING THE FIRST TERM, A CONTROVERSIAL FIGURE IN TH FIRST ADMINISTRATION BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS A SIGNAL TO G OUT WITH STEVEN MILLER AT A TIME WHEN HE IS TALKING ABOUT TRUMP TONING DOWN THE RHETORIC BECAUSE THAT IS ONE OF HIS MOS OUTSPOKEN ADVISORS TO BE SURE. >> THERE IS NO DOUBT ABOUT THAT. WE KNOW THE FORMER PRESIDENT I ALSO A FORMER REALITY TV STAR, SO HE TAKES THE WALK THROUGH SERIOUSLY. HE IS LOOKING AT THE ANGLES, LIGHTS, TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHIN IS JUST RIGHT. JACOB, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BRINGING US ALL OF THE ACTIO FROM THE CONVENTION FLOOR. WE APPRECIATE IT I WILL BE BACK TOMORROW WITH MORE MEET THE PRESS NOW ON THE FINAL DAY OF THE CONVENTION. MY COLLEAGUE HALLIE JACKSON WILL PICK UP THE COVERAGE HERE. NIGHT THREE OF THE RNC IN MILWAUKEE . >>> WE HAVE JUST SEEN FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP. YOU HEARD THEM TALKING ABOUT IT. TAKING THE STAGE FOR THE RUN THROUGH AHEAD OF THE SPEECH TOMORROW, AT THE CLOSE OF THE CONVENTION 24-HOURS FROM NOW. WE ARE OFFICIALLY PASSED OUR HALFWAY MARK. SEE HIS EAR? STILL BANDAGED. THE SPOT LESS IS ON HIM, TO A DEGREE, AND MORE ON HIS RUNNINGMATE, J.D. VANCE THAT WILL TAKE PLACE IN A HIGHLY ANTICIPATED PRIME TIME SPEECH IN WHAT IS THE BIGGEST NIGHT IN TRUMP'S POLITICAL LIFE. THERE IS HIS FORMAL EVENT. REPUBLICAN FUNDRAISER. HE JOKED ABOUT TONIGHT'S SPEECH. HOPE HE DID NOT MAKE THE FORMER PRESIDENT REGRET HIS PICK BUT IT IS TOO LATE NOW. WHAT IS HE GOING TO SAY? SOURCES SAY THAT VANCE WILL REALLY HONE IN ON HIS OWN UPBRINGING, RAISED IN POVERTY IN RURAL OHIO, CAMPAIGN SEES IT AS A POWERFUL STORY. TELLING US THAT OVERALL THE CAMPAIGN IS EDGING THE FINAL SPEECHES TO TONE DOWN THE RHETORIC AND FOCUS ON POLICY. THERE WILL BE POLICY TONIGHT. LOOK AT THIS. HERE WE ARE ON WEDNESDAY, BIG THEME, FOREIGN POLICY. MEANING WE WILL HEAR THE WAR IN UKRAINE, RUSSIAN'S WAR IN UKRAINE COMING UP THERE IS A PLACE THAT REPUBLICAN IS NOT UNITED. ADVANCES ADVOCATING GIVING AID TO UKRAINE. THERE IS A LOT OF ATTENTION AND CRITICISM COMING FROM SENATOR VANCE. IT USED TO BE HIMSELF A CRITIC TO THE FORMER PRESIDENT. COMING FROM DEMOCRATS ON THAT, BACK IN 2016. SUGGESTING THAT TRUMP IS, IN HIS WORDS, AMERICA'S HITLER. A NEVER TRUMPER PUBLICLY, ALLEGING THE FORMER PRESIDENT WAS UNFIT FOR OFFICE. HE HAS EVOLVED SINCE THEN TO NOW BECOME, OF COURSE, THE FORMER PRESIDENT'S RUNNINGMATE. ALONGSIDE HIM THERE IN THE VIP BOX BOTH NIGHTS AND NOW THE HEIR TO THE MAGA MANTLE. HOW WILL HE USE THAT AND WHAT DOES THE BRAND MEAN FOR THE NEXT GENE TRYINGS COME. ALL QUESTIONS WE COULD GET ANSWERS TO TONIGHT. THEY ARE FANNED OUT IN THE CONVENTION CENTER FOLLOWING EVERY UPDATE. KRISTEN WELKER IS WITH ME IN THE BOOTH AND OUR CHIEF FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT RICHARD ENGEL IS HERE. IT IS NIGHT NUMBER 3. THE BAND PICKS UP. J.D. ADVANCES NEW TO POLITICS, REPUBLICAN POLITICS HE NEVER ATTENDED THE CONVENTION BEFORE LET ALONE SPEAK AT IT OR DELIVER THE SPEECH FOR THE NOMINATION HERE. TALK US THROUGH WHAT WE KNOW HE IS GOING TO SAY. I KNOW YOU ARE FRESH OFF OF THAT FUNDRAISER WITH HIM WHERE YOU GOT TO SEE HIM FIRSTHAND AT HIS FIRST FORMAL CAMPAIGN EVENT. >> Reporter: HALLIE, FULL TRANSPARENCE WE ARE HAVING A LITTLE BIT OF AUDIO PROBLEMS HERE BUT LET ME TELL YOU WHAT WE SAW FROM J.D. VANCE THE SENATOR FROM OHIO A FEW HOURS AGO HE SPOKE TO A GROUP OF RNC DONORS HERE JUST OUTSIDE OF THE PREMISES OF THE CONVENTION, HE SAID HE WAS GOING TO GIVE NOT TOO MUCH OF A PREVIEW, JUST A LITTLE PREVIEW OF WHAT HE WAS GOING TO SAY TONIGHT. HE IS GOING TO MAKE A VERY EASY CASE FOR RE-ELECTING FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP. OF COURSE, HE IS ONLY BEEN IN THE SENATE FOR A COUPLE YEARS. THIS IS A BIT OF A REINTRODUCTION OF WHO HE IS NOW AS A RUNNINGMATE FOR FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP. A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW HIM FROM HIS BOOK. HILLBILLY ELEGY. THERE WILL BE QUESTIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE, FROM THE MAGA BASE ABOUT WHO IS J.D. VANCE TODAY. IS HE THE GUY THAT CRITICIZED FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP IN 2016. THE GUY THAT AUTHORED THE BOOK? IS HE THE GUY THAT WAS ENDORSED BY THE FORMER PRESIDENT IN HIS RACE IN THE IDTERMS? AND WHAT IS HE GOING TO BRING TO THE TICKET. THE PEOPLE THAT ADVOCATED FOR HIM BRINGS YOUTH, HAILS FROM THE BLUE WALL. HE CAN HELP TRUMP WIN THE CRITICAL MIDWESTERN STATES, STATES LIKE MICHIGAN, WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA WHERE, OF COURSE, IT IS THE RUST BELT PART OF THE COUNTRY THAT HE HAS THAT DEEP CONNECTION TO. GOING TO BE A MIX OF BIO, A MIX OF MAKING THE CASE FOR THE FORMER PRESIDENT, AND, REALLY, STEPPING INTO THIS NEW ROLE AS SOMEONE THAT DOES HAVE QUITE A DIFFERENT BIOGRAPHY THAN WE HAVE SEEN IN A RUNNINGMATE IN RECENT YEARS, IN RECENT ELECTIONS AND SOMEONE THAT IS YOUNG. IT IS INTERESTING HALLIE TO LOOK AT THE STAGE AND SEE THE FACE OF SOMEONE THAT IS SO YOUNG, SO FRESH FACED IN COMPARISON TO WHAT WE TYPICALLY HAVE SEEN ON THESE TICKETS. AND, FRANKLY ON THAT STAGE, TOO, HALLIE. >> JUST THIS YEAR . >> LIVE FOR US, THANK YOU VERY MUCH, APPRECIATE THAT. >>> I AM JOINED NOW BY REPUBLICAN SENATOR FROM WYOMING. SENATOR, THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US ON THIS SHOW. >> THANK YOU, THANK YOU. HOPING YOU CAN HEAR OKAY. I KNOW IT IS LOUD. LISTEN WE WERE JUST TALKING ABOUT WITH MY COLLEAGUES THERE, OBVIOUSLY THIS IS JD VANCE'S NIGHT R. HE IS QUOTED DESCRIBING YOU AS ONE OF HIS MENTORS AND HELPED GUIDE HIM THROUGH THE POLITICAL LANDSCAPE. TELL US ABOUT THAT RELATIONSHIP AND WHAT YOU ARE EXPECTING FROM THE SENATOR TONIGHT? >> HE WILL BE FORCEFUL, HE WILL BE EFFECTIVE IN A CLEARLY CONSERVATIVE BUT APPEALS TO SO MANY PEOPLE IN THE SENATE. HE IS NOW ACROSS THE COUNTRY. HE CAN REALLY TALK TO THOSE LUNCH BUCKET DEMOCRATS THAT HAVE BEEN LOST BY THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY BECAUSE THE PARTY HAS GONE SO FAR TO THE LEFT, IT LEFT THEM BEHIND. HE GREW UP IN A HARDWORKING FAMILY, HE LEARNED THE LESSONS, HE WAS A MARINE. WHEN YOU READ THE STORY OF HIS LIFE, YOU KNOW A MAN THAT IS EXPERIENCED LIFE AND THE PAIN THAT SO MANY AMERICANS HAVE BEEN FEELING AFTER 3-1/2 YEARS OF THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION. HIGH PRICES AND OPEN BORDERS ALL OF THOSE PROBLEMS THAT WE ARE FACING, SO I AM LOOKING TO HIM TO BE A GREAT UNIFIER FOR OUR PARTY AND REALLY HELP THE PRESIDENT, PRESIDENT TRUMP GET ELECTED IN STATES LIKE PENNSYLVANIA, NOT JUST OHIO, MICHIGAN, WISCONSIN, BATTLEGROUND STATES AND HELP OUR SENATE CANDIDATES THERE AS WELL. >> TALK ABOUT THIS IDEA AS THE SO-CALLED RUST BELT BOOST IF YOU WILL, AS SOME OF THE REPORTING WE HAVE AT NBC NEWS INDICATES HAS WE GET INTO THE POLITICAL NUTS AND BOLTS OF IT. PEOPLE IN THE CAMPAIGN, PEOPLE ON THE FLOOR ARE SUGGESTING HE CAN HELP SUPER CHARGED TURNOUT IN THE BATTLEGROUND STATES, HOW DO YOU SEE HIS POLITICAL IMPACT COME NOVEMBER ON THE TICKET? >> I THINK HE HELPS, PRESIDENT TRUMP WAS AHEAD IN SO MANY OF THE BATTLEGROUND STATES, EVEN BEFORE THE DEBATE WITH PRESIDENT BIDEN WHERE HE SHOWED MANY, MANY PROBLEMS WITH PRESIDENT BIDEN TODAY. J.D. NOW JUST, I THINK, HE WILL ADD TO THAT ADVANTAGE IF TRUMP IN THE SPECIFIC STATES AND ELEVATE OUR SENATE CANDIDATES IN THOSE STATES. >> YOU ARE TALKING MICHIGAN, WISCONSIN, PENNSYLVANIA? >> YES. ALL OF THOSE ARE STATES THAT ARE PICK UP OPPORTUNITIES AND 97 HIS HOME STATE OF OHIO. TURN OUT WILL BE HIGHER THERE. TRUMP WAS GOING TO WIN ANY WAY. IT HELPS. >> HAVE YOU HAD A CHANCE TO CATCH UP WITH SENATOR VANCE? >> TALKED TO HIM LAST NIGHT BY PHONE, DOING WELL. WE WILL HAVE A LUNCH FOR HIM TOMORROW HERE WITH JUST THE SENATE COLLEAGUES, 52 EMTHAT WORKED WITH HIM IN THE SENATE AND SOME THAT ARE RUNNING IN THE SENATE TO CONGRATULATE HIM AND SEND HIM OFF ON THE TRAIL KNOWING HE HAS THE SUPPORT OF EACH AND EVERY ONE OF NEWS YOU HAVE TAKEN CARE OF A LOT OF BUSINESS IN THE SENATE. BIG ISSUE, THE BIG THEME ON NIGHT THREE OF THE REPUBLICAN CONVENTION, WE KNOW THAT THE SENATOR HAS BEEN A VOCAL OPPONENT IN CONGRESS AGAINST FUNDING FOR UKRAINE. ARE YOU OMFORTABLE IN YOUR POSITION THAT A TRUMP/VANCE WILL PULL AWAY >> I THINK WHAT WILL HAPPEN IS MORE PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH. FIRST OF ALL I THINK THAT IF DONALD TRUMP HAD BEEN IN THE WHITE HOUSE UKRAINE NEVER WOULD HAVE BEEN ATTACKED BY PUTIN. I THINK THAT WOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED AT ALL. YOU KNOW, WHEN I TALK TO J.D., HE TALKS IN THE CONFERENCE, HIS CONCERN IS WITH CHINA AND US HAVING ENOUGH WEAPON AND THE CAPACITY TO MAKE THE WEAPON THAT ARE NEEDED AT A TIME WHEN WE ARE GIVING WEAPONS TO UKRAINE AND ISRAEL AND CHINA BEING THE LONG TERM THREAT TO THE UNITED STATES WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE THE MILITARY WHEREWITHAL AND THE FORCE THAT WE WOULD NEED TO MAINTAIN PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH AND NOT JUST TO INVITE AGGRESSION AGAINST US. AFTER THE WAY THAT PRESIDENT BIDEN PULLED OUT OF WYOMING, WE LOST A WYOMING SOLDIER AS PART OF THAT. I THINK IT SET US UP FOR AGGRESSION BY CHINA, BY RUSSIA, BY IRAN, BY NORTH KOREA, ALL OF THEM GOT MORE AGGRESSIVE AS A RESULT OF WHAT WAS VIEWED AS A WEAK AMERICA AND A WEAK AMERICAN PRESIDENT. >> LET ME ASK YOU ABOUT SOMETHING ELSE THAT HAS COME UP AS IT RELATES TO VANCE. HE MADE COMMENTS INCLUDING IT HAD PROBLEMS, HE SIGNIFICANT GUEST HE WOULD NOT HAVE IMMEDIATELY IF HE WAS VICE PRESIDENT CERTIFIED THE ELECTION RESULTS AS YOU YOURSELF DID, HOW DO YOU RECONCILE THAT ELECTION DENIAL. >> YOU ARE RIGHT, I CERTIFIED EACH OF THE STATES. THERE WERE IRREGULARITIES . >> AS YOU KNOW, THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF WIDESPREAD FRAUD. >> THERE IS DIFFERENCE OF WIDESPREAD FRAUD AND IRREGULARITIES >> IF HE WAS VICE PRESIDENT HE WOULD NOT HAVE DONE WHAT MIKE PENCE DID. YOU BACKED PENCE. >> I HAVE GREAT CONFIDENCE AS VICE PRESIDENT I HAVE GREAT CONFIDENCE OF HIM DOING THE RIGHT THING IF HE IS THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. >> AN ISSUE OF A DEBATE. WE KNOW BASED ON OUR REPORTING, KAMALA HARRIS SPOKEN WITH THE NEWEST VICE PRESIDENT NOMINEE IN SENATOR VANCE. TB ON IF THEY WILL AGREE TO A DEBATE. HOW WOULD YOU COUNCIL HIM TO DO THAT? >> TALK ABOUT YOUR LIFE, YOUR FAITH,ING WHAT THIS COUNTRY MEANS TO YOU AND THE FUTURE OF AMERICA. DON'T HOLD BACK. YOU MIGHT HAVE SEEN HIM ON THE SUNDAY SHOWS AND HE IS VERY AGGRESSIVE IN DEFENDING THE POSITIONS. HE DOES A GOOD JOB OF TALKING ABOUT AN AMERICA OF THE FUTURE WHAT HE HAS COME FROM. WHAT EVERY AMERICAN -- WHAT THEY ARE COMING FROM AND WHAT THEY CAN BE IN THE FUTURE AND THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARE AVAILABLE IN THIS COUNTRY AND IT IS A GREAT STORY OF SOMEONE WHO HAS COME FROM VERY, VERY POOR UPBRINGINGS, JOINED THE MARINES, DISCIPLINED HIMSELF, WORKED HARD, NOW A FATHER, YOUNG CHILDREN, HIS LIFE EXPERIENCE I THINK PREPARES HIM VERY MUCH FOR THIS JOB THAT HE IS ABOUT TO UNDERTAKE. >> 39 YEARS OF LIFE EXPERIENCE. IT IS NOT NOTHING BUT IT IS RELATIVE DEGREE OF POLITICAL INEXPERIENCE GIVEN HE IS IN THE FIRST TERM HERE, DOES IT CONCERN YOU IN ANY WAY THAT HE CAN BE A HEARTBEAT AWAY WITH THAT AGE AND EXPERIENCE? >> DONALD TRUMP GOT ELECTED WITH NO POLITICAL EXPERIENCE AND IT DID NOT SEEM TO HARM HIM IN HIS ABILITY TO GET THE JOB DONE. I AM READY TO SUPPORT HIM, HAPPY HE IS NOMINATED. A STRONG TEAM. WE NEED, IT IS MORE THAN THE PRECEDENCY WE NEED A FULL SENATE, A LOT OF REPUBLICANS IN THE SENATE, A SENATE WITH STRONG MAJORITY IN THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE ALONG WITH THE PRESIDENT TO GET A SHARED AGENDA FOR GROWTH FOR AMERICA, GROWING THE ECONOMY, NOT GROWING THE GOVERNMENT WHICH IS WHAT THE DEMOCRATS TEND TO WANT TO DO. >> OBVIOUSLY THE ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT ON THE PRESIDENT ON SATURDAY NIGHT LOOMING OVER THIS CONVENTION, I KNOW YOU UNDERSTAND AND I HAVE SEEN IT ON THE FLOOR A CELEBRATION MOOD BUT THERE IS STILL A SHADOW HERE. WE SEE IT WITH THE BANDAGE ON THE FORMER PRESIDENT'S EAR. AS IT RELATES TO CONCERNS ABOUT THE SECRET RESPONSE, DHS BRIEFING DID YOU PARTICIPATE? WHAT CAN YOUER IS A WITH US IF ANYTHING OF THE UNCLASSIFIED PORTION. >> TO ME IT WAS A COVER YOUR AS BRIEFING BY THE SECRET SERVICE, DIRECTOR OF THE SECRES SERVICE NEEDS TO GO. THAT SHOOTER WAS IDENTIFIED AS A SUSPECT, SUSPICIOUS CHARACTER ARE A FULL ONE HOUR BEFORE THE SHOOTING OCCURRED. HAD A RANGE FINDER, A BACKPACK, THEN THEY LOST SIGHT OF HIM AND NEVER REALLY FOLLOWED UP ON THAT. THIS WAS AN HOUR BEFORE >> THAT IS WHAT YOU HEARD TODAY. 60 FULL MINUTES FROM THE TIME HE WAS IDENTIFIED AS A CHARACTER TO BE LOOKED AT AND THEN THEY LOST TRACK OF HIM. THERE DID NOT SEEM TO BE ANY BIT AT ALL IN THE BRIEFING OF ANYONE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. I WANTED TO ASK QUESTIONS, WE WERE CUT OFF FROM DOING SO AND WE HAD QUESTIONS THAT WE ARE SAYING WAIT A SECOND, WHAT HAPPENED THERE? WHO IS HELD ACCOUNTABLE. WHY WAS THE ROOF NOT SCRUTINIZED HOW DID ALL OF THIS HAPPEN. THEY DID NOT ANSWER ANY OF THE QUESTIONS FOR US. A MAN WAS KILLED PROTECTING HIS FAMILY, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES WAS ALMOST KILLED. IT WAS UNSATISFYING AS A BRIEFING. I THINK IT WAS, THEY JUST DID IT BECAUSE THEY FELT LIKE THEY HAD TO CHECK THE BOX INSTEAD OF PROVIDING THE INFORMATION THAT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW. THE FBI GAVE HALF OF THE BRIEFING AND THEY DID NOT GET CALLED UNTIL 20 MINUTES OR SO AFTER THE SHOOTING OCCURRED IN TERMS OF WAS THIS PART OF SOME OTHER PLOT. WE NEEDED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENED, HOW COULD IT HAVE OCCURRED. THIS CLOSE TO THE DEATH OF A FORMER PRESIDENT, WE DID NOT GET ANY SATISFACTION, TIME OF THE HEAD OF THE SECRET SERVICE TO GO >> ANY OTHER ASPECTS THAT CONCERNED YOU BE SIDES THE TIME LINE, WE HAVE BEEN REPORTING WHAT HAPPENED HERE WHAT THE TICK TOCK OF WHAT IT WAS. THEY SAID WHAT HE WENT ON LINE >> DID THEY SAY WHO WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR MONITORING THE WEBSITE? >> NO, THEY TALKED ABOUT A FEDERAL AND A STATE AND A LOCAL AUTHORITY WORKING TOGETHER AS A TEAM AND AS I SAY IT DID NOT SATISFY THOSE OF US THAT WERE THERE. NEVER TALKED ABOUT THE SEVERAL MINUTES AROUND THE SHOOTING. NEVER GOT TO THAT. WHAT HAPPENED BEFORE AND HOW THE PRESIDENT WAS TAKEN OFF AND HOW MUCH TIME HE SPENT AT THE HOSPITAL AND WHAT THEY DID FOR HIS TREATMENT AS OPPOSED TO WHAT HAPPENED TO RIGHT THEN, HOW WAS IT MISSED. WHY DON'T THE REPUBLICAN PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED RIGHT THERE. AND HOW DID THAT SHOOTER GET THAT CLOSE, 130 YARDS IS NOT, FOR PEOPLE THAT HUNT THAT IS NOT THAT FAR AWAY. HOW CAN THAT PERSON GET TO THAT LOCATION WITH A PERFECT SHOT OF THE PRESIDENT? >>> AHEAD OF A BIG NIGHT FOR SOMEONE YOU KNOW WELL IN SENATOR JD VANCE. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. WE WILL LET YOU GO. I WILL TURN OVER HERE TO OUR COLLEAGUES WHO IS JOINING ME HERE ONSET. FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT RICHARD ENGLE IS STANDING BY. I WOULD LOVE YOUR REACTION ON A POSE OF DISCUSSION IN AN AREA THAT YOU KNOW WELL, UKRAINE. INTERESTING TO HEAR FROM THE SENATOR THERE, THE BRIEFING ON THE ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT AGAINST FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP. >> LET'S JUST PAUSE. THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT NEWS JUST MADE HERE BY SENATOR, THE AUTHORITIES HAD CAUGHT SIGHT OF HIM A FULL HOUR BEFORE THIS INCIDENT? THAT I THINK UNDERSCORES THE FACT THAT THERE ARE STILL SO MANY QUESTIONS NOT ANSWERED. AND, I THINK A LOT OF THE CONCERN ABOUT THE FACT THAT THERE WAS A BREAK DOWN SOMEWHERE IN COMMUNICATION. PEOPLE WILL WANT TO KNOW AS THE SENATOR JUST CONVEYED HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE THAT, THAT THE AUTHORITIES HAD HIM IN THEIR SIGHTS A FULL HOUR BEFORE THIS HORROR UNFOLDED AT THAT RALLY IN PENNSYLVANIA. AND THE CALLS FOR THE SECRET SERVICE DIRECTOR TO RESIGN CLEARLY GROWING LOUDER. THE SENATOR JOINING THOSE CALLS, ERIC TRUMP, EARLIER SPEAKING TO HIM SAID THE SECRET SERVICE DIRECTOR NEEDS TO RESIGN. I WOULD NOT BE SURPRISED IN THE WAKE OF THE RES RESOLUTION. LISTEN, WE TALK AWE LOT OVER THE COURSE OF THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS HOW THEY ARE WORKING TO SHOW A UNIFIED PARTY HERE. AND THE NEXT GENERATION OF THE MAGA MOVEMENT THERE SAY DIVISION IN THE REPUBLICAN SIDE OF UKRAINE. AND THE J.D. VANCE IS THE LOUDEST FRONT. TALK US THROUGH HOW THAT IS BEING RESOLVED AROUND THE WORLD. >> Reporter: PEOPLE THAT I SPEAK TO IN UKRAINE N EUROPE DON'T REALLY THINK THAT J.D. VANCE MATTERS MUCH. HIS OPINION WHICH IS HAVE CHANGED OVER TIME AND COME TO CONFORM AND ALIGN WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP THAT HE IS JUST GOING TO FOLLOW PRESIDENT TRUMP. THAT WHEN YOU HAVE LEADERS LIKE THIS WHO RUN A ONE-MAN SHOW LIKE HE RAN HIS BUSINESS AND TV SHOW AND HIS LAST ADMINISTRATION AND PROBABLY WILL IF HE WINS RUN HIS NEXT ADMINISTRATION THAT THE PEOPLE AROUND HIM ARE THERE TO CARRY OUT HIS WILL. WHAT WE ARE HEARING NOW FROM J.D. VANCE ABOUT UKRAINE LINES UP WITH WHAT PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS BEEN SAYING, UKRAINE IS A DRAG ON AMERICAN RESOURCES, THAT IT IS A WASTE OF TIME, THAT IT IS SOMETHING THAT THE UNITED STATES SHOULD NOT HAVE GOTTEN SO DEEPLY INVOLVED WITH. AND, THERE IS, THERE IS REAL CONCERN THAT UKRAINE COULD GET ABANDONED QUICKLY, BY PRESIDENT TRUMP, NOT BY HIS VICE PRESIDENT, THAT EVEN THOUGH HE IS VERY OPPOSED TO CHINA AND MADE CHINA AND SORT OF THIS NEW GOLD WAR DYNAMIC A CENTERPIECE OF A FUTURE FOREIGN POLICY, THEIR CONCERNS WOULD HE STAND UP AND DEFEND TAIWAN? THERE IS INCREASING CONCERN THAT HE MIGHT NOT DO THAT. AND, WHAT ABOUT THE PALESTINIANS? ALREADY, THIS ADMINISTRATION, THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION HAS BEEN CRITICIZED INTERNATIONALLY FOR ABANDONING THE PEOPLE OF GAZA, GIVING ISRAEL BLIND SUPPORT AND THAT THERE IS A CONCERN THAT THAT WOULD CONTINUE IF NOT ESCALATE UNDER PRESIDENT TRUMP. I WOULD SAY THOSE ARE THE THREE MAIN AREAS THAT UKRAINE COULD GET ABANDONED. TAIWAN MIGHT NOT BE DEFENDED OR DEFENDED AS ROBUSTLY AND IT WILL BE DIFFICULT TIMES FOR THE PALESTINIANS, PARTICULARLY THE PEOPLE OF GAZA. >> PULL BACK, RICHARD. YOU HAVE COVERED OBVIOUSLY INTERNATIONAL INCIDENTS, DEVELOPMENTS, POLITICS IS A PART OF THAT FOR MANY YEARS HERE. WE ARE SITTING HERE IN MILWAUKEE LITERALLY IN THE THICK OF IT, THE CONVENTION FLOOR JUST BEHIND US. GIVE US SOME PERSPECTIVE BEYOND THESE POLICY ISSUES AND BEYOND WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT HERE, OBVIOUSLY, INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT WARS AND CONFLICTS. I WOULD LOVE SOME OF YOUR REPORTED ANALYSIS IF YOU ARE COMFORTABLE WESTBOUND THAT ON HOW YOU SEE EVERYTHING HAPPENING IN MILWAUKEE. >> BASED ON WHAT I TALKED TO PEOPLE ABOUT AND NOT JUST CITIZENS ON THE STREET BUT WORLD LEADERS IN EUROPE, MANY DIFFERENT CONTINENTS THEY ARE LOOKING AT THE UNITED STATES WITH GREAT CONCERN. HOW CAN THIS HAPPEN? HOW CAN A COUNTRY OF THE UNITED STATES SIZE AND WEALTH AND POWER ONLY BE ABLE TO PRODUCE THESE TWO CANDIDATES? PRESIDENT BIDEN WHO NOW FACES QUESTIONS WITHIN HIS OWN PARTY IF HE IS FIT TO RULE AND PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD WATCHED THE DEBATE AND MANY PEOPLE WATCHED WITH GREAT CONCERN AND THEY THURSDAY IS THE BEST WE CAN DO? WE HAVE SOMEONE WHO IS PERHAPS UNFIT FOR OFFICE AND ANOTHER PERSON WHO IS SUCH A STRONG PERSONALITY, SUCH A ONE-MAN SHOW THAT THEY DON'T KNOW WHERE HE IS GOING TO TAKE THE UNITED STATES. AND THAT IS TEMPTING GOVERNMENTS TO SAY, WELL, MAYBE WE CAN NOT RELY ON THE UNITED STATES. MAYBE WE NEED TO CLEAN UP OUR OWN HOUSE, MAYBE WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO DEFEND OURSELVES, LOOK FOR NEW ALLIANCES, MAYBE THE UNITED STATES IS NOT GOING TO BE OUR RELIABLE PARTNER. THERE IS A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF CONCERN RIGHT NOW. AND I AM NOT ONE OF THESE PEOPLE WHO SAYS THE U.S. IS AT THE CENTER OF THE WORLD AND OH, WORLD POLITICS REVOLVES AROUND THE U.S. BUT THIS TIME, IT DOES SEEM TO BE TRUE. THAT, THAT THE FUTURE OF UKRAINE, THE FUTURE OF ISRAEL, THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE, TAIWAN, MANY OTHER REGIONS SEEM TO BE IN A HOLDING PATTERN AS THEY SEE WHAT IS GOING TO BE THE RESULT OF THE NOVEMBER ELECTIONS. >> RICHARD T IS GREAT TO HAVE YOU ON. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR JOINING US HERE ON NIGHT THREE OF THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION, OUR THANKS TO KRISTEN WELKER AS WELL WHO WILL JOIN US IN A BIT. ANY MINUTE, OF COURSE, AS WE TALK ABOUT REPUBLICANS HERE, THERE IS A DEMOCRATIC RESPONSE THAT IS INEVITABLE. YOU ARE LOOKING AT A STAGE IN VEGAS WHERE PRESIDENT BIDEN IS SET TO SPEAK NOT TOO LONG FROM NOW, TRYING TO PUSH PASSED A PARTY REVAULT. THEY WILL FORMALLY NOMINATE HIM IN EARLY AUGUST EVEN THOUGH SOME OF THE PARTY WANT MORE TIME TO CONSIDER OTHER NOMINEES, ADAM SCHIFF BECAME THE MOST PROMINENT DEMOCRAT TO WITHDRAWAL FROM THE RACE. THE PRESIDENT, TUNING OUT REPORTS WHO ASKED HIM ABOUT THAT IN THE LAST HOUR, LISTEN. >> ANY RESPONSE TO ADAM? >> HE JOINS 19 OTHER DEMOCRATS WHO ARE PUBLICLY ASKING THE PRESIDENT TO DROP OUT WITH THE CALLS SEEMINGLY TO BE ECHOED BY VOTERS IN POLLING HERE. ONE FROM AP SHOWING 65% OF DEMOCRATS THINK PRESIDENT BIDEN SHOULD STEP OUT. SQUARES WITH OUR OWN POLLING SHOWING A THIRD WANTS TO KEEP HIM AS THE NOMINEES. WE ARE WITH THE PRESIDENT IN VEGAS SO, HERE YOU HAVE THIS FIRST DEFECTION IN NEARLY A WEEK WITH THE HIGHEST RANKING, CHUCK SCHUMER IN THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE PUSHING TO DELAY THE NOMINATION. ANY HOPES THAT THE SAGA WAS OVER SEEM TO BE DASHEDDA THE THIS POINT, WHAT IS YOUR SENSE? -- DASHED AT THIS POINT, WHAT IS YOUR SNENS. >> THAT IS RIGHT. DUELING CONVENTION MODE. YOU IN MILWAUKEE AND ME WITH THE PRESIDENT. THE TEAM AROUND THE PRESIDENT IS TRYING TO POINT TO THE TEAM THAT IS AROUND HIM AS HE IS SO THIS TOUR. CHAIRWOMAN OF THE CONGRESSIONAL HISPANIC CAUCUS, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BLACK CAUCUS, OTHERS WHO ARE WITH HIM THAT HAVE BEEN AT EVENTS SAYING THAT THEY CONTINUE TO BELIEVE THAT THOSE MEMBERS SPEAK FOR THE BACKBONE OF THE DEMOCRAT BEING PARTY, THE MAJORITY OF THE VOTERS THAT STAND WITH THE PRESIDENT AND THAT WANT TO SEE HIM CONTINUE IN THIS RAY. A SENTIMENT WE -- THIS RACE. >> A SENTIMENT WE HAVE BEEN HEARING FROM THE ATTENDEES. WE HAVE THE NEW POLLING THAT SHOWS A MAJORITY OF AMERICANS INCLUDING MAJORITY OF DEMOCRATS THAT WOULD LIKE TO SEE A NEW NOMINEE. THE BIGGER CONCERN ON THE PART OF DEMOCRATS INCLUDING TOP DONORS WHO ARE PRESIDENT BID PEN THAT STICK WITH HIM. THIS IS A TIME WHEN THE REPUBLICANS ARE SHOWING A UNITED FRONT. DEMOCRATS CONTINUE TO PUSH THEIR OWN DIVISIONS INTO THE HEADLINES. I THOUGHT IT WAS NOTABLE AS WELL, HALLIE, TO SEE THIS DELAY IN THE VIRTUAL ROLL CALL, A ATTEMPT TO HEAD OFF REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS IN OHIO THAT WOULD OF MAYBE KEPT BIDEN OFF OF BALLOT THERE. IT IS ALMOST NOW A PROXY BATTLE IF YOU WANT BIDEN TO STAY ON THE TICKET OR NOT WHAT IS NOTABLE ABOUT THE IN FACT IT IS HAKEEN JEFFRIES WHO ARE LEADING THE DNC TO DELAY THE VIRTUAL ROLL CALL. USUALLY IT IS THE BIDEN TEAM THAT DICTATE DNC. THEY ARE AN ARM OF THE BIDEN CAMPAIGN AT THIS POINT. YOU HAVE A PROMINENT CALL FROM ADAM SCHIFF AND THE LEADERS IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE MOVING THE DNC TO TAKE SIGNIFICANT CHANGES HERE, DOES INDICATE A SHIFTING OF THE GROUND HERE THAT THE BIDEN TEAM IS FIGHTING AGAINST. HE IS HAVING A DIFFICULT TIME DOING SO. >> ON THE ONE HAND, MIKE, YOU AND OTHERS, YOU HAVE THE BIDEN CAMPAIGN DEALING WITH THE CALL FROM INSIDE OF THE HOUSE. THE SPLIT SCREEN THEY ARE LOOKING TO PUT UP A FRONT AGAINST WHAT IS HAPPENING BEHIND ME HERE. A PUSH BACK ON THE REPUBLICAN AGENDA AS IT IS LAID OUT HERE IN MILWAUKEE. TALK US THROUGH THAT PIECE OF IT, ESPECIALLY AS WE LOOK AHEAD FOR A DEBATE BETWEEN THE GUY ABOUT TO SPEAK HERE TONIGHT, J.D. EXPRANS HARRIS POTENTIALLY IN THE NEXT MONTH, TBD. >> Reporter: WELL, THE BIDEN CAMPAIGN WOULD OF PREFERRED US TO BE TALKING ABOUT OBVIOUS SPLIT SCREEN AN ATTEMPT THEY WERE TRYING TO PUT FORWARD. A NEW VIDEO FROM HARRIS TAKING AIM AT VANCE WHO SHE HOPES TO SEE IN A VICE PRESIDENT DEBATE SOON. AND THEN SHE GAVE REMARKS TODAY IN MICHIGAN AN IMPORTANT BATTLEGROUND STATE. IT WAS A MODERATED CONVERSATION WITH REPUBLICAN WOMEN INCLUDING A FORMER NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISORY TO MIKE PENCE AND A WOMAN WHO CALLS HERSELF A REGISTERED REPUBLICAN WHO HAS HER OWN STAR, SHARED HER STORIES IN DEALING WITH REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH THAT WOULD BE MORE TROUBLING FOR THE DOBBS. THEY WERE TRYING TO HIGHLIGHT AND INSTEAD IT IS FOR THE CALLS FOR BIDEN TO STEP ASIDE. >> MIKE, LIVE FOR US THERE IN VEGAS, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >>> AS IT RELATES TO WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING INSIDE OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY YOU GOT THIS. THE PRESSURE BUILDING ON A SITTING SENATOR TONIGHT, BOB MENENDEZ AFTER HIS FELONY CONVICTION WITH 44 DEMOCRATIC SENATORS SAYING HE HAS GOT TO RESIGN. THAT IS AFTER THAT CONVICTION ON 16 COUNTS INCLUDING BRIBERY AND ACTING AS A FOREIGN AID FOR EGYPT. WILL HE DO THAT? DOES NOT SEEM LIKE IT NOT FROM HIS PUBLIC POSTURING. HE IS FILING PAPERWORK TO RUN AS AN INDEPENDENT. HE WILL APPEAL. WE GO TO CAPITOL HILL NOW. WHAT WAS SO INTERESTING, RYAN, WE COVERED, OF COURSE, YOU AND I TALKED ABOUT THE TRIAL, HIS POLITICAL FUTURE PRIOR TO YESTERDAY'S BREAKING NEWS ON THAT CONVICTION. SEEMED LIKE THERE WERE SOME DEMOCRATS KEEPING THEIR POWDER DRY UNTIL THE JURY CAME BACK WITH A VERDICT. THAT DAM BUSTED OPEN IN A BIG WAY HERE. HOW CAN HE HANG ON? >> Reporter: WELL, HALLIE, IT WILL BE DIFFICULT FOR HIM TO HANG ON FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS, YOU ARE RIGHT, WE ARE UP TO 44 SENATORS THAT CALLED ON HIM TO RESIGN. THE LATEST FROM NEW MEXICO WHO MENENDEZ IS CLOSE WITH, BOTH MEMBERS OF THE HISPANIC CAUCUS, NOW SAYING IT IS TIME FOR HIM TO RESIGN. WHAT WE ARE SEEING IN THE MANY OF THE STATEMENTS, MANY OF THEM TAKING A STEP FURTHER MORE THAN JUST CALLING HIM TO RESIGN. WARNING MENENDEZ IF HE DOES NOT DO IT ON HIS OWN THEY ARE WILLING TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP VOTING TO EXPEL HIM. THAT WOULD BE A PLACE THAT MENENDEZ GIVEN ALL OF THE POLITICAL HEADACHES HE HAD TO DEAL WITH AND THE LEGAL HEADACHES HE HAD TO DEAL OVER THE LAST YEAR HE DOES NOT WANT TO ADD TO THE LIST THE FIRST SENATOR EXPELLED SINCE 1862. THAT IS JUST INCREASING THE PRESSURE. AS OF YET HE HAS NOT FORMALLY FILED THAT RESIGNATION. >> RYAN, I WILL LET YOU KEEP WORKING YOUR SOURCES ON THAT FRONT. A LOT TO WATCH IN THE WORLD OF POLITICS, COMING OFF OF THAT INTERVIEW WITH SENATOR WITH REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP WITH NEW INFORMATION ON THE ATTEMPTED ASSASSINATION OF TRUMP. WHAT DID THE SECRET SERVICE KNOW BEFORE THE GUNMAN GOT ON THE ROOF AND BEFORE TRUMP GOT ON THE STAGE. OUR COVERAGE OF NIGHT THREE OF THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION CONTINUES . >>> TODAY, THE FBI AND SECRET SERVICE BRIEFING LAWMAKERS ON THE ATTEMPTED ASSASSINATION OF FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP, LAYING OUT THE TIME LINE FROM THAT NIGHT. YOU HEARD IT IN JUST THE LAST 20 MINUTES, A THEY. HE WAS BRIEFED THAT AN HOUR PASSED FROM WHEN THE SHOOTER WAS SPOTTED AND RAISED CONCERNS TO THE MOMENT HE SHOT THE GUN. MORE QUESTIONS RAISED ABOUT WHO SAW WHAT AND WHEN. LOCAL POLICE SAW THE SHOOTER WITH A RANGE FINDER AND TOLD THE SECRET SERVICE THEY WERE LOOKING FOR HIM BEFORE TRUMP TOOK THE STAGE. THE DHS INSPECTOR GENERAL WILL LOOK AT HOW THEY HANDLED THE RALLY AND THE DIRECTOR OF SECRET SERVICE ORDERED TO QUESTION. CALLING ON HER TO RESIGN. I WANT TO GET TO SHAQ BREWSTER LIVE IN BUTLER. NOT JUST SPEAKER JOHNSON, SHAQ, SENATOR BARRASSO WANTS TO SEE THE SECRET SERVICE DIRECTOR RESIGN. HE SAYS IT WAS A COVER YOUR ASS MOMENT. TALK TO US ABOUT THE DETAILS HERE FROM THE REACTION WHERE YOU ARE IN BUTLER. >> Reporter: IT IS BECAUSE OF THAT BRIEFING THAT WE HAVE OUR CLEAREST UNDERSTANDING OR PICTURE YET OF THE TIME LINE AND WHAT HAPPENED BEFORE THOSE SHOTS WERE FIRED INCLUDING A DETAIL FROM THE BRIEFING ACCORDING TO THREE SOURCES WHO ARE FAMILIAR WITH THE BRIEFING THAT 20 MINUTES PASSED BETWEEN WHEN SECRET SERVICE SNIPER TEAM WERE ABLE TO PUT THEIR EYES ON THE SHOOTER AND WHEN THOSE FIRST SHOTS WERE FIRED. LET ME TICK THROUGH THAT TIME LINE AND PICTURE THAT WHERE WE ARE GETTING RIGHT NOW. AS WE DO THIS, WE HEARD SHOTS FIRED AROUND 6:11 P.M. ON SATURDAY. HERE IS WHAT THEY ARE PIECING TOGETHER. AN HOUR BEFORE TRUMP HIT THE STAGE THE SUSPECT WAS SPOTTED AND PHOTOGRAPHED AS A SUSPICIOUS PERSON. AT 5:51 P.M., THEY NOTIFIED STATE POLICE THAT A SUSPICIOUS PERSON HAD A RANGE FINDER. THAT IS IMPORTANT THAT IS SOMETHING YOU USE TO MEASURE THE DISTANCE TO A TARGET. IT WAS THEN AT 2 MINUTES LATER THAT SECRET SERVICE NOTIFIED THE SNIPERS AND 10 MINUTES LATER, HALLIE, THAT IS WHEN DONALD TRUMP HIT THE STAGE AND THEN ABOUT TWO MINUTES AFTER THAT, BEGAN TO SPEAK. AGAIN, THE SHOTS WERE FIRED AROUND 6:11 P.M. THE KEY POINT THERE IS ACCORDING TO THE BRIEFING, SECRET SERVICE KNEW THERE WAS AN ACTIVE THREAT WELL AHEAD OF THE POINT AT WHICH TRUMP HIT THAT STAGE. WE ARE GETTING A SENSE OF HOW MUCH PLANNING WENT INTO THIS. HOW MUCH PLANNING THIS 20-YEAR OLD SHOOTER WAS INVOLVED IN. SPECIFICALLY SOURCES ARE TELLING US WITH HIS BODY, AFTER THE SHOOTING, THEY FOUND NOT JUST A CELL PHONE BUT WHAT THEY ARE CALLING A TRANSMITTER WHICH WE KNOW WAS ESSENTIALLY A REMOTE CONTROL TO A FIREWORKS DETONATOR. WE KNOW THAT IN HIS CAR THE INVESTIGATORS FOUND TWO SUSPECTED IMPRO VISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICES. THEY DESCRIBED THEM AS RUDIMENTARY. THEY WERE ENOUGH TO DO DAMAGE TO LAW ENFORCEMENT WHO WERE RESPONDING TO IT AND POTENTIALLY COULD HAVE BEEN A DISTRACTION IF THE DETONATORS WENT OFF AND THAT MEASURE WAS SUCCESSFUL THERE. HALLIE, WE ARE LEARNING A LOT OF NEW DETAILS AND A LOT OF IT COMING FROM LAWMAKERS AND -- GOT THAT BRIEFING THIS AFTERNOON. >> YOU TALKED ABOUT THERE SORT OF LOCAL, FEDERAL, STATE PIECE OF THIS. TALK US THROUGH SORT OF THE STATUS OF THE SECRET SERVICE STAFFING AND HOW THEY MAKE DECISIONS ON WHO IS COVERING WHAT, WHEN. >> Reporter: I MEAN, YOU NOTED AT THE TOP, THERE ARE INCREASING CALLS FOR THE SECRET SERVICE DIRECTOR TO RESIGN OR TO BE FIRED. PART OF THAT IS BECAUSE A LOT OF THIS IS, A LOT OF THE BLAME IS SHIFTING TO THE SECRET SERVICE. YOU MENTIONED. ANY EVENT, ANY POLITICAL EVENT, RALLY, THAT THE SECRET SERVICE PROTECTING THERE IS A COLLABORATION BETWEEN LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT, STATE POLICE, AND THE SECRET SERVICE. WE KNOW IN THIS INCIDENCE THERE ARE MULTIPLE AGENCIES INVOLVED. A BUTLER TOWNSHIP POLICE THAT RESPONDED TO THE NATIONAL REPORTS OF A SUSPICIOUS PERSON ON THE ROOF. I KNOW YOU TALKED TO STEPHANIE A LITTLE BIT ABOUT HER INTERVIEW YESTERDAY WITH THAT. ALL OF THE COMMUNICATION OR WHAT SOME PEOPLE WOULD SAY THE LACK OF COMMUNICATION WITH THIS A DISPAK THIS ATTEMPTED ASSASSINATION THAT WILL ALL BE UNDER INVESTIGATION. THE NUMBER OF INVESTIGATIONS ARE GROWING. THE INSPECTOR GENERAL IS LAUNCHING TWO INTO THE PLANNING OF THE RALLY AND THE PLANNING OF THE SNIPER TEAM. THERE IS A STATE INVESTIGATION, THE FBI IS LOOKING INTO THIS AS WELL. AND THEN REVIEWS AND CONGRESSIONAL QUESTIONS, A LOT OF INVESTIGATORS ARE GOING TO BE LOOKING TO ANSWER THEM. >> SHAQ BREWSTER, THANK YOU. >>> WHEN WE COME BACK WE WILL COME BACK TO NIGHT THREE OF THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION, OUR CONTINUING COVERAGE WILL CONTINUE RIGHT AFTER THE BREAK ON NBC NEWS NOW . >>> WHAT IS HAPPENING AROUND THE WORLD AND WHAT MATTERS HERE AT HOME. >> NEW NUMBERS ARE OUT SHOWING MORE ENCOURAGING SIGNS FOR OUR ECONOMY. >> LET'S ZERO IN ON EXERCISE. WE KNOW WHAT WE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE DOING. >> WHAT NEEDS TO CHANGE FOR SOCIAL MEDIA TO BE A SAFER PLACE. >> WEEKDAYS FROM 12:00 TO 4:00 ON NBC NEWS NOW. >>> WE ARE BACK LIVE FROM MILWAUKEE FOR NIGHT THREE OF THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION. TURNING TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE FLOOR. IT IS FILLING UP. NOT AS EMPTY AS IT WAS A FEW HOURS AGO. FOLKS ARE PACKING THIS CONVENTION HALL AHEAD OF THE PRIME TIME SPEECH. THE MAIN EVENT TONIGHT FROM NEW REPUBLICAN VICE PRESIDENT NOMINEE J.D. VANCE. HE IS GOING TO BE INTRODUCED BY HIS WIFE, USHA. WE WILL TAKE A LOOK AT THE WOMAN HE SAID HE WILL TURN TO. HE BENEFITS FROM HAVING A POWERFUL VOICE ON HIS SHOULDER. WE HAVE MORE ON HOW SHE IS HANDLING THE NEW SPOTLIGHT ON HER FAMILY. >> Reporter: REPUBLICAN VICE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE J.D. ADVANCES TAUTED AS THE NEXT GENERATION. IT IS THE POTENTIAL SECOND LADY THAT HAS EVERYBODY TALKING. USHA IS FORMIDABLE ON HER OWN. MEETING HER HUSBAND AT YALE AFTER GETTING HER MASTER'S IN PHILOSOPHY FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE. IF THAT IS NOT ENOUGH SHE CLERKED FOR BRET KAVANAUGH AND ROBERTS. ALONGSIDE HER HUSBAND, SHE WAS ASKED IF SHE WAS READY FOR THE SCRUTINY OF BEING A SECOND LADY. >> THE FIRST CAMPAIGN THAT HE EMBARKED ON WAS A SHOCK. SO DIFFERENT FROM ANYTHING WE HAD EVER DONE BEFORE. BUT IT WAS AN ADVENTURE SO I GUESS THE WAY I PUT IT IS, I AM NOT RARING TO CHANGE ANYTHING ABOUT OUR LIFE, I BELIEVE IN J.D. AND I LOVE HIM AND WE WILL SORT OF JUST SEE WHAT HAPPENS. >> Reporter: LESS FORTH COMING ON WHERE SHE STANDS POLITICALLY. SHE VOTED IN DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY AS RECENTLY AS 2014, ACCORDING TO PUBLIC RECORDS. THEN VOTED IN THE 2022 REPUBLICAN PRIMARY WHEN HER HUSBAND WAS RUNNING FOR SENATE IN OHIO. SHE IS HINDU, RAISED BY INDIAN PARENTS IN CALIFORNIA. HER HUSBAND CREDITS HER WITH HELPING HIM RETURN TO HIS FAITH. >> I WAS RAISED CHRISTIAN, NEVERICIZED. I WAS BAPTIZED IN 2018. USHA WAS NOT RAISED CHRISTIAN. >> I REMEMBER WHEN I STARTED TO REENGAGE WITH MY OWN FAITH USHA WAS SUPPORTIVE. >> SHE RESIGNED FROM HER CORPORATE LAW POSITION SAYING IN A STATEMENT THIS. TO FOCUS ON CARING FOR OUR FAMILY. THE COUPLE HAVE THREE CHILDREN. WITH THE STAKES SO HIGH IN THIS PIVOTAL ELECTION USHA WILL SERVE AS A MOTHER BUT LIKELY COUNCIL TO HER HUSBAND, THE POSSIBLE NEXT VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. >> YAZ, WE ARE SO GLAD YOU ARE WITH US. WE MISS YOU HERE IN MILWAUKEE. TALK US THROUGH. HER HUSBAND SAID SHE CAN HELP HIM WHEN IT COMES TO DEBATE KAMALA HAIR NICE TALKS ABOUT HER A LOT. UC, YALE LAW SCHOOL WHEN IT COMES TO THAT DEBATE, THE DATE HAS NOT BEEN SET, HE LIVES WITH A LITIGATOR AT HOME. HE IS VERY PREPARED TO DEBATE SOMEONE LIKE KAMALA HAIR SIS WHO IS A GOOD DEBATER HERSELF BEING A LAWYER. SO, CERTAINLY I THINK, J.D. VANCE WILL BE LOOKING TO USHA FOR COUNSEL WHEN IT COMES TO THEIR RELATIONSHIP AND WHAT HE SAID, SHE HUMBLES HIM TO A CERTAIN EXTENT THROUGHOUT THIS ENTIRE PROCESS OF BEING CHOSEN AS THE CANDIDATE FOR VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES FOR THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, HAL? >> THE SPOTLIGHT IS ON HER HUSBAND BUT SHE WILL INTRODUCE HIM AND IN EVERY WAY IT IS HER INTRODUCTION TO THE AMERICAN VIEWING AUDIENCE. >> YOU THINK ABOUT SECOND GENTLEMAN AND SECOND LADIES BEFORE HER, RIGHT. DOUG ALONG WITH I'LL BIDEN, DR. JILL BIDEN NOW THE FIRST LADY, INCREDIBLY SIGNIFICANT. THEY TALK ABOUT J.D. VANCE AS YOU HAVE BEEN THERE, TALKING TO SO MANY FOLKS ON THE FLOOR AT THE CONVENTION, SEEING HIM AS THE FUTURE OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, CERTAINLY HIS SPOUSE, USHA VANCE A PART OF THAT SENTIMENT. HER INTRODUCTION TO THE WORLD BECAUSE MANY OF US KNEW NOTHING ABOUT HER WILL BE IMPORTANT FOR NOT ONLY J.D. VANCE BUT THE FORMER PRESIDENT AS WELL AS HE ACCEPTS AND MAKES HIS SPEECH TONIGHT, HAL. >> GREAT TO SEE YOU >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >>> WITH THE SPOTLIGHT ON SENATOR J.D. VANCE THERE IS A LOT OF DISCUSSION HOW HE IS THE HERI TO THE MAGA MANTLE. CLEARLY IT IS THE PARTY'S FUTURE IF TRUMP WINS THE WHITE HOUSE BUT NOT EVERY CONSERVATIVE AGREES WITH. EDITOR AND CEO OF THE DISPATCH AND NBC NEWS CONTRIBUTOR JOINING US NOW. OKAY. I WILL SAY THAT YOU HAVE NOT LEFT MUCH GRAY AREA OF HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT THIS POSITION HERE. >> YES. NOT THE ONLY THING GRAY. >> YOUR PODCAST RECENTLY YOU CALLED HIM QUOTE THE AVATAR OF THE INCEL, ALLOT-RIGHT, ANGRY, YOU KNOW, POPULIST OF MALES. >> HE COMES FROM THE NEW RIGHT. NOT JUST MAGA, BUT MAGA PLUS. HE HAS SAID IN INTERVIEWS HE HAS GIVEN ON THE RIGHT. HE HAS TALKED ABOUT THE NEED TO SORT OF GO FURTHER AND THE FACT THAT THE SORT OF PROCESSES THAT WE USED, RULES THAT CONSERVATIVES TRIED TO PLAY IN THE PAST HAVE NOT WORKED T. IS TIME TO GET WILD AND GO BEYOND THE RULES, FOR THOSE OF US WHO ARE BELIEVERS IN THE RULES BASED TOWARD IS CAUSE FOR CONCERN. I THINK HE IS LIKELY TO GO FAR. THE PEOPLE HE LISTENS TO IS DONALD TRUMP JUNIOR, CLOSE TO TUCKER CARLSON. A COMMUNITY IN THE ALT RIGHT WORLD THAT I THINK WILL DRIVE A LOT OF THE POLICY DECISIONS HE IS MAKING. >> STEPHEN, I GOT TO STOP YOU FOR A SECOND BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO WAIT TO GET TO THE NEWS WE ARE WORKING TO GET BREAKING NEWS HERE ON NBC NEWS NOW. NOT ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE BUT THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE RELATED TO SENATOR BOB MENENDEZ, ACCORDING TO TWO SOURCES DIRECTLY FAMILIAR WITH THE CONVERSATIONS HE IS HAVING HE IS CALLING ALLIES AND TELLING HIM IT IS HIS INTENTION TO RESIGN FROM HIS SENATE SEAT. THIS HAS BEEN AN OPEN QUESTION FOR THE PAST 24 HOURS AFTER HIS FELONY CONVICTION ON THE 16 BRIBERY CHARGES INCLUDING BRIBERY AND OTHER CHARGES AS WELL. YOU HEARD FROM MORE THAN 40 SENATE DEMOCRATS NOW AT THIS POINT, WHO URGED MENENDEZ TO DO THAT. HIS POSTURE HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN DEFIANT AND FILED FOR PAPERWORK TO RUN AS AN INDEPENDENT. NOW A DEVELOPMENT THAT NBC NEWS IS BREAKING THANKS TO OUR CAPITOL HILL TEAM. WE ARE WORKING TO GET SOMEONE TO A CAMERA ASAP. STEVE, WHILE I HAVE YOU HERE. LISTEN, UNDERSTANDING SORT OF WHERE YOU COME FROM ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE HERE, TALK US THROUGH WHAT IT MEANS POTENTIALLY FOR NEW JERSEY, TALK US THROUGH HOW YOU SEE IT FROM POLITICAL POSITION >> IT IS SURPRISING. >> IS IT? >> BUT NOT ON THE OTHER. DEMOCRATS 40 AS YOU SAID, YOU SAW CORY BOOKER COME OUT AND SAY IF HE DOES NOT RESIGN I WILL PUSH TO HAVE HIM RESIGN. LITTLE STANDING. IF YOU LOOK AT THE EVIDENCE IN THE CASE IT WAS OVERWHELMING THAT IS WHY PEOPLE WERE READY TO JUMP WHEN THE CONVICTIONS CAME THROUGH. IN TERMS OF THE POLITICS OF NEW JERSEY, LOOK, WHERE IT IS A VOLATILE MOMENT. IT IS A BLUE STATE YOU WOULD THINK THAT WOULD MEAN CLEARLY THAT THIS IS GOING TO BE SOMETHING THAT THE SEE THE DEMOCRATS RETAIN. WHO KNOWS, A CRAZY TIME. >> STEPHEN, I WILL ASK YOU TO STAND BY. NOT THE CONVERSATION THAT WE WERE GOING TO HAVE BUT THAT WE NEED TO HAVE NOW. RYAN IS JOINING US NOW FROM CAPITOL HILL. RYAN, IT WAS NOT 30 MINUTES AGO THAT YOU AND I WERE ON THE AIR HERE TALKING ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY THAT SOMETHING LIKE THIS COULD HAPPEN. NOW HE IS, WELL YOU TELL US, REPORTING SEEMS TO SUGGEST HE IS CALLING FOLKS AND TELLING THEM, HAS HE FILED ANYTHING FORMALLY ON THIS? >> AS FAR AS WE CAN TELL HE HAS NOT FILED ANYTHING FORMALLY YET. THAT IS IMPORTANT PART OF THE DISCUSSION, MY COLLEAGUES HERE WE HAVE BEEN BURNING UP THE PHONES THROUGHOUT NEW JERSEY AND WASHINGTON TO TRY TO GET THIS INFORMATION. WE HAVE NOW CONCLUDED THROUGH VARIOUS SOURCES THAT SENATOR BOB MENENDEZ IS REACHING OUT TO ALLIES AND LETTING THEM KNOW HE DOES INTEND TO RESIGN IN THE NEAR FUTURE WHRVMENT IT HAPPENS, DOES HE SUBMIT IT . >> FUTURE. WHEN IT HAPPENS DOES HE SUBMIT IT TODAY, TOMORROW, INCOME SPHWHEEK THAT REMAINS A QUESTION. BUT HE IS TELLING PEOPLE CLOSE TO HIM THAT IS HIS INTENTION. THIS DOES NOT COME AS A SURPRISE. 44 DEMOCRATIC SENATORS CALLED ON HIM TO RESIGN. A WIDER, WITHIN THAT GROUP OF 44 SENATORS THERE HAVE BEEN A NUMBER INCLUDING HIS SEATMATE IN NEW JERSEY, SENATOR CORY BOOKER THEY WOULD MOVE TO EXPEL HIM AS SOON AS NEXT WEEK IF HE DOES NOT SUBMIT THE LETTER. WHEN WE SAY 44 DEMOCRATIC SENATORS, HALLIE, IT IS IMPORTANT TO KEEP THAT IN MIND. THEY CONTROL THE SENATE BY ONE VOTE. THEY HAVE A COUPLE INDEPENDENTS THAT CAUCUS WITH THEM AND THREE SENATORS THAT SIT ON THE ETHIC'S COMMITTEE. SENATORS THAT SIT ON THE COMMITTEE ARE NOT ALLOWED TO VOICE THEIR OPINION PUBLICLY ABOUT A MATTER LIKE THIS BECAUSE MENENDEZ IS INVESTIGATED BY THE ETHIC'S COMMITTEE. YOU TAKE OUT THE INDEPENDENTS, THE SENATORS NAMED MENENDEZ AND THE ETHIC'S PEOPLE THAT ARE SITTING IN THE COMMITTEE, VIRTUALLY EVERY SENATOR HAS CALLED ON HIM TO RESIGN. NOT A SURPRISE THAT HE WOULD TAKE THIS STEP AND DO THIS ON HIS OWN. NOW, THE WAY WE UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS THAT THE LETTER OF RESIGNATION WOULD FIRST GO TO NEW JERSEY'S GOVERNOR, GOVERNOR MURPHY. HE WOULD GET THAT LETTER AND THEN THAT LETTER WOULD BE TRANSMITTED TO THE SENATE THAT WOULD BEGIN THE RESIGNATION PROCESS. GOVERNOR MURPHY WOULD APPOINT A TEMPORARY REPLACEMENT FOR MENENDEZ THAT WOULD SERVE OUT THE END OF HIS TERM. IT ENDS AT THE END OF 2024 AND THERE IS AN ACTIVE CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE HIM UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES AND WE KNOW ANDY KIM, NEW JERSEY CONGRESSMAN IS THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE. HE WON THE PRIMARY. NOW, THERE ARE STILL A NUMBER OF WRINKLES THAT NEED TO BE IRONED OUT HERE, HALLIE. YES HE IS TELLING HIS ALLIES HE PLANS TO RESIGN. HE IS STILL TECHNICALLY ON THE BALLOT AS AN INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE IN THE FALL ELECTION. MOW SIGNALS AS WHAT THAT -- NO SIGNALS TO WHAT IT MEANS FOR HIS POLITICAL CAMPAIGN. YOU WOULD ASSUME THAT HE WOULD NOT INTEND TO CONTINUE TO RUN FOR RE-ELECTION. THAT IS A LIVE BALL WE DON'T HAVE REPORTING ON YET. WE ARE TRYING TO DRILL DOWN. THE BIG NEWS RIGHT NOW, SENATOR BOB MENENDEZ TELLING HIS ALLIES HE TENDS TO RESIGN FROM THE UNITED STATES SENATE ENDING A PRO LIVIC CAREER. MEMBER OF THE HOUSE AND MEMBER OF THE SENATE, RISING ALL OF THE WAY TO THE LEVEL OF THE POWERFUL CHAIRMAN OF THE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE IT WAS AT THAT POST WHERE THEY LAID OUT A CASE THAT HE WAS USING HIS INFLUENCE ON THAT COMMITTEE TO THREE DIFFERENT BUSINESSMAN FOR EGYPT AND QATAR AND RECEIVED $500,000 IN CASH, GOLD BAR, MERCEDES-BENZ FOR HIS WIFE. MANY GIFTS FOR PART OF THAT RELATIONSHIP THAT PROSECUTORS WERE ABLE TO CONVINCE A JURY HE WAS CONVICTED OF. IT IS WORTH POINTING OUT, HALLIE, AS WE BREAK DOWN THE FALLOUT FROM THIS CASE. IT IS NOW THE SECOND TIME THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE HAS WON A CONVICTION OF A PROMINENT DEMOCRAT IN JUST THE PAST COUPLE OF MONTHS. THE FIRST BEING HUNTER BIDEN, THAT WAS THROUGH A SPECIAL COUNSEL INVESTIGATION BUT IT WAS THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. FOUND GUILTY ON THAT GUN CHARGE FROM JUST A COUPLE WEEKS AGO AND NOW YOU HAVE BOB MENENDEZ, A SITTING SENATOR FOUND GUILTY THROUGH THIS DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE AND NOW FACING THE PROSPECT OF DECADES IN PRISON. THAT IS A COUNTERPOINT TO THE POSITION YOU SEE PLAYING OUT WITH THE FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP WHO HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH A LONG LIST OF FEDERAL CRIMES BUT AT THIS POINT HIS TRIALS CAN NOT BE SCHEDULED BECAUSE OF ISSUES AND RULINGS THAT WERE MADE AT THE SUPPORT SYSTEM. THEY TALK ABOUT THE 2 TIER DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE IF THAT EXISTS IT IS THE DEMOCRATS THAT ARE BEING PENALIZED HERE. >> THAT IS AN INTERESTING POINT, WE ARE GOING TO PICK UP ON THAT IN JUST A SECOND. I AM LOOKING AT MY PHONE HERE, ANY WORD FROM CHUCK SCHUMER FROM THE LEADER YET OR NO? >> Reporter: NO, UNLESS YOU SAW SOMETHING THAT I HAVE NOT SEEN. >> NO, NO. >> I WILL TELL YOU THIS, WE REACHED OUT TO SENATOR SCHUMER'S OFFICE TO GET A RESPOND TO OUR REPORTING AND THEY HAVE NOT COMMENTED ON THAT. THEY ALSO HAVE NOT SAID IF SENATOR SCHUMER HIMSELF HAS BEEN IN DIRECT CONTACT WITH BOB MENENDEZ ONCE THE VERDICT WAS READ. WE DON'T KNOW OF THE INTERACTION BETWEEN SCHUMER AND SENATOR MENENDEZ. WE KNOW THAT SENATOR SCHUMER PUT OUT A STATEMENT SAYING IT WAS TIME FOR SENATOR MENENDEZ TO RESIGN. NO OFFICIAL REACTION FROM THE SENATE MAJORITY LEADER ON OUR REPORTING THAT MENENDEZ DOES INTEND TO RESIGN. >> RYAN, GLAD TO HAVE YOU. I KNOW YOU HAVE 10,000 OTHER THINGS TO DO. I WILL LET YOU GO. THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US. I WANT TO BRING IN OUR POLITICAL EDITOR CHUCK TODD, THIS IS THE MOMENT THAT PEOPLE HAVE BEEN ASKING ABOUT EVER SINCE WE GOT THAT DEVELOPING NEWS 24 HOURS AGO ON THAT FELONY CONSNRIEKS AND SOME PEOPLE THAT THOUGHT HE SHOULD OF RESIGNED A LONG TIME BEFORE THE INDICTMENT CAME DOWN. >> AND I MIGHT OF LOST THE THREAD OF THE TIME LINE. >> TIME IS A CIRCLE. EITHER WAY, THIS WEEK. >> EVERY DAY IS A WEEK AND EVERY WEEK IS A YEAR. THIS SAVES THE DEMOCRATS FROM A WRENCHING VOTE OF HAVING TO EXPEL HIM, RIGHT? THE EMBARRASSMENT, HE DECIDED TO DO IT >> IT WOULD BE HISTORIC. >> HE HAS A SON IN CONGRESS THAT JUST WON A PRIMARY, SHARES HIS NAME, HIS NAMESAKE. AND I GOT TO THINK HE WANTS HIS SON AND DAUGHTER TO HAVE A PROFESSIONAL, WHAT IS IN THEIR BEST INTEREST BECAUSE HE WAS GOING TO GET EXPELLED AND THAT WOULD HAVE COST HIS SON A CHANCE HERE. SO, WHAT THIS DOES DO IS -- THERE WAS ALWAYS A LITTLE BIT OF CONCERN THAT SOMEHOW MENENDEZ WOULD STAY ON THE BALLOT AS A INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE, A LITTLE BIT OF BACKLASH HERE OR THERE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN COULD BE BACK IN THE SENATE SEAT IN PLAY >> NOW IT WILL NOT BE. I ASSUME, I WOULD BE SHOCKED IF THE GOVERNOR DID NOT APPOINT ANDY KIM RIGHT AWAY. HE IS ALREADY THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE. IT IS IN NEW JERSEY BEST INTEREST TO GIVE YOUR SENATOR EXTRA SENIORITY, MIGHT AS WELL DO THAT IF YOU THINK THIS PERSON IS GOING TO BE THERE I THINK WE ARE DAYS AWAY FROM THAT >> POLITICALLY YOU LAID OUT THE LANDSCAPE IN NEW JERSEY, AS YOU TALK TO PEOPLE HOW THEY SEE THIS? >> HE WAS A MACHINE POLITICIAN, YOU KNOW, HE RAN A MACHINE HIMSELF. AND SOME WAYS WITH A BENEFICIARY. THIS IS THE WAY NEW JERSEY POLITICS HAS BEEN RUN. IT IS SUCH A WEIRD STATE WHERE A MACHINE DECIDES YOUR BALLOT PLACEMENT, YOU KNOW, IT IS UNUSUAL COMPARED TO OTHER STATES AND MENENDEZ SORT OF FIGURED IT OUT, RAN WITH IT WELL. I THINK THIS IS AN END OF A LARGER ERA IN NEW JERSEY. MAYBE MACHINE STOP POLITICS CREATES CORRUPTIBLE MOMENTS, CORRUPTIBLE OPPORTUNITIES HERE. WHILE THIS IS NOT DIRECTLY RELATED TO IT, SOME OF HIS OTHER TRANSGRESSIONS WHICH HE WAS FOUND A HUNG JURY ON, YOU KNOW, COULD HAVE TIED BACK TO SORT OF HOW MUCH POLITICAL POWER HE HAD IN NEW JERSEY BECAUSE OF NEW JERSEY'S UNIQUE SYSTEM OF POLITICS. PART OF METHINKS THIS COULD BE SORT OF A BIGGER MOMENT IN NEW JERSEY POLITICS OR THIS CORRUPTAL MACHINE ASPECTS OF THE STATES. BOTH -- CORRUPTIBLE MACHINE ASPECTS OF THE STATES >> WE HAVE TO SNEAK IN A QUICK BREAK. WE WILL HAVE MORE ON THIS BREAKING NEWS WITH OUR REPORTING HERE AT NBC NEWS THAT BOB MENENDEZ IS TELLING ALLIES HE TENDS TO RESIGN AFTER HIS FELONY CONDITION. >>> WE REPORT LIVE FROM TEL AVIV. >> TOP STORY REPORTING FROM BALTIMORE. EVERY WEEKNIGHT, IT IS YOUR NEWS PLAYLIST. TOP STORY WITH TOM LLAMAS, STREAMING WEEKNIGHTS AT 7:00 ON NBC NEWS NOW. >>> WE ARE BACK NOW, AND WE ARE FOLLOWING BREAKING NEWS LIVE FROM MILWAUKEE. NBC NEWS HAS BEEN DISCUSSING, AND WE HAVE BROKEN NOW THAT SENATOR BOB MENENDEZ, ACCORDING TO TWO SOURCES, IS TELLING ALLIES HE INTENDS TO RESIGN FROM HIS SENATE SEAT AFTER A FELONY CONVICTION. JACOB SOBOROFF IS ON THE CONVENTION FLOOR AT THE RNC. YOU MADE YOUR WAY OVER TO THE NEW JERSEY DELEGATION BEEN ANY REACTION? >> Reporter: THE WORD IS JUST STARTING TO TRICKLE IN. I WAS JUST TALKING TO THIS GENTLEMAN ABOUT THIS LATE BREAKING NEWS, THAT ACCORDING TO SOURCES, NBC NEWS IS REPORTING THAT SENATOR BOB MENENDEZ MAY INDEED STEP DOWN. TELL ME YOUR NAME, WHERE YOU'RE FROM. >> JOSEPH FRANKEN, CHAIRMAN OF THE HOBOKEN PARTY. >> Reporter: WHEN I TOLD YOU WHAT WAS BEING REPORTED AT NBC NEWS, YOU TOLD ME THAT WAS NOT NECESSARILY GOOD NEWS IN YOUR OPINION FROM THE REPUBLICAN PARTY. WHY? >> I THINK THAT IF HE DOES NOT RUN AS AN INDEPENDENT, HE WILL BE TAKING AWAY VOTES FROM ANDY KIM, THEREFORE TAKING AWAY VOTES FROM OUR CANDIDATE. >> Reporter: YOUR CONCERN IS IF THERE IS A REPLACEMENT DEMOCRAT, THAT PERSON MAY ALSO BE IN THE RACE? >> WHAT WE ARE SAYING IS THAT IF THE GOVERNOR APPOINTS SOMEBODY AS A REPLACEMENT FOR MENENDEZ, IS HE GOING TO BE ELIGIBLE TO RUN? >> Reporter: HALLIE, THESE ARE QUESTIONS I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU AND CHECK ON THIS. YOU ARE RUNNING FOR CONGRESS. YOU SAID THAT THIS WAS NEWS, OBVIOUSLY. IT SOUNDS LIKE IT WAS WHAT YOU WANTED TO HEAR. >> LOOK, THE DEMOCRATS HAVE BEEN IN TROUBLE FOR THE PAST YEAR. WE HAVE SEEN A LOT OF DEMOCRATS, A LOT OF THEIR -- LET'S JUST SAY THE THINGS THEY'RE DOING ARE NOT GOOD FOR THE PUBLIC. YOU ARE SELLING YOUR SOUL FOR VOTES. YOU ARE TAKING AWAY PEOPLE'S MONEY. AND, YOU ARE NOT DOING IT HONESTLY. WHEN YOU GET BRIBES -- >> Reporter: I'M GOING TO STOP YOU FOR A SECOND. WILL NEW JERSEY POLITICS BE DIFFERENT WITHOUT SENATOR MENENDEZ, A LEGENDARY FIGURE IN NEW JERSEY POLITICS, AS ONE OF YOUR TWO SENATORS? >> ABSOLUTELY. 100%. >> Reporter: AS I SAID, THE NEWS IS JUST TRICKLING IN, AND WE DON'T HAVE A FULL CROWD AT THE NEW JERSEY DELEGATION. THANK YOU, GENTLEMEN, VERY MUCH. HOW IT IS GOING TO IMPACT THE RACE NOW, IF INDEED, SENATOR MENENDEZ IS GOING TO BE STEPPING DOWN. >> JACOB SOBOROFF, GLAD TO HAVE YOU. CHUCK TODD, THE ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION IS? >> THAT IS THE THING. IF YOU POINT TO ANDY KIM, ANDY KIM RUNS, AND IF YOU POINT AT SOMEBODY ELSE, THEY ARE PLACEHOLDER AND THEY WOULD NOT BE ELIGIBLE TO RUN. DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR, PHIL MURPHY, HE IS GOING TO APPOINT ANDY KIM TO SENATOR. IT WOULD BE, FRANKLY, POLITICAL MALPRACTICE. >> YOU KNOW THAT OUR TEAMS ARE SPEED DIALING THE DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR AND HAVE BEEN FOR THE LAST HOUR. CHUCK TODD, THANK YOU SO MUCH. OUR THANKS TO JACOB SOBOROFF, AS WE HAVE BEEN IN ROLLING COVERAGE. WE HAVE MORE SPECIAL COVERAGE LIVE FROM THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION AND MICK -- IN MILWAUKEE, PICKING UP RIGHT NOW. >>> OUR SPECIAL COVERAGE OF THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION IS CONTINUING RIGHT NOW. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING WITH US. I AM HALLIE JACKSON IN MILWAUKEE. >> I AM TOM LLAMAS. THIS IS GOING TO BE A BIG NIGHT. AMERICA IS GOING TO MEET SENATOR J.D. VANCE AND HIS WIFE AND I, AND IT MAY BE ONE OF THE FIRST AND ONLY TIMES THAT SENATOR J.D. VANCE GETS AN AUDIENCE THIS BIG. SENATOR VANCE, DECIDING NOT TO DO A VICE PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE RIGHT AWAY WITH VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS. IT WAS SLATED TO BE AUGUST 13th, BUT THE REPUBLICANS ARE SAYING, WE DON'T KNOW WHO THE NOMINEE IS GOING TO BE ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE, SO WE ARE GOING TO WAIT UNTIL AFTER THE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION. A BOLD MOVE BY REPUBLICANS, BUT IT SHOWS WHERE THE BALL IS AND IF IT IS IN THEIR COURT OR NOT. >> J.D. VANCE IS SET TO TAKE THE STAGE. HE IS, OF COURSE, HAVING THE BIGGEST MOMENT OF HIS POLITICAL CAREER, BUT HE WAS A HOUSEHOLD NAME TO A LOT OF FOLKS BECAUSE OF HILLBILLY ELEGY, HIS BEST SELLING BOOK, THAT REALLY PUSHED HIM TO PROMINENCE BEFORE THE 2016 ELECTION, TURNED INTO A NETFLIX MOVIE, ALL ABOUT HIS CHILDHOOD, HIS UPBRINGING RAISED IN POVERTY, HIS ARK, ESSENTIALLY, THEN GOING ON TO THE MARINES, SERVING OVERSEAS IN IRAQ, YALE LAW SCHOOL, AND HIS RISE TO THE SENATE IN 2022. SOURCES TELL ME AND KRISTEN WELKER, THAT HE WILL LEAN HEAVILY INTO THAT BIOGRAPHY, INTRODUCING HIMSELF, BUT ALSO LINKING HIS LIFE EXPERIENCE TO SOME ISSUES THAT THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN SEES AS CRITICAL, INFLATION, TRADE, AND THE FENTANYL PRICES. >> WE ARE GOING TO BE WATCHING WHAT HE SAYS IN THAT SPEECH, AND HOW HE INTERPRETS OR TELEGRAPHS THE MAGA AGENDA TO THE GREATER AMERICAN AUDIENCE, AND IF HE STICKS WITH THE MAGA AGENDA, TRIED AND TRUE, OR IF HE INTERPRETS IT AND RUNS IN A DIFFERENT WAY. >> WE HAVE SEEN MULTIPLE TIMES AT THIS CONVENTION, ALREADY, ALONGSIDE FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP -- NOT TECHNICALLY THE FLOOR, THEY CLOSED THE FLOOR. THEY EVENTUALLY TURN THE LIGHTS ON, WHICH WAS HELPFUL TO SEE, BUT YOU CAN SEE HIM THERE, THE BANDAGE ON HIS EAR. THIS IS HIS WALK-THROUGH. HE IS GETTING THE SENSE OF THE LAYOUT FOR HIS OWN CONVENTION SPEECH SET FOR TOMORROW NIGHT. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME WE HAVE SEEN BEFORE MARK PRESIDENT IN THE CONVENTION HALL SINCE THE ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT ON SATURDAY NIGHT. >> HE IS LOOKING AT THE CAMERA ANGLES. HE IS SPEAKING TO THE PRODUCERS OF THE CONVENTION BUT THESE ARE NOT PEOPLE THAT WORK IN AMERICAN MEDIA. THESE ARE PEOPLE THAT WORK FOR THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE. THIS IS THE WAY THE SPEECH WILL LOOK, THIS IS WHERE THE VIDEOS WILL RUN, THESE ARE YOUR ANGLES, AND HERE ARE THE TELEPROMPTERS. HE HAS DONE THIS BEFORE, BUT IT'S IMPORTANT TO HIM. >> I SAW SOMEBODY DOING ONE OF THESE. >> YOU HAVE TO KNOW THE PRODUCERS OF THE CONVENTION. THEIR HEARTS STOP AT THAT MOMENT, BECAUSE IF THE BALLOONS DON'T COME DOWN, THAT'S A BAD TIME. ANOTHER MAJOR HEADLINE WE ARE FOLLOWING, DESPITE PRESIDENT BIDEN'S DEFIANCE, HE IS STAYING IN THE RACE. CALIFORNIA REPRESENTATIVE ADAM SCHIFF, PUBLICLY URGING THE PRESIDENT TO DROP OUT. THAT STUNNING ANNOUNCEMENT AS HE TRIES TO SECURE A SENATE SEAT IN THIS HIGH-STAKES ELECTION. WE WILL BE WATCHING ALL OF THIS THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT. IT'S A HUGE DEVELOPMENT. I ALMOST WANT TO MAKE THE ARGUMENT THAT THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE THE WEEK FOR REPUBLICANS, AND THEY HAVE DOMINATED THE NEWS COVERAGE, BUT THIS MOVE BY ADAM SCHIFF STEALS THE NARRATIVE FROM REPUBLICANS. I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S A FIGHT THAT DEMOCRATS WANT TO HAVE IN THE MEDIA RIGHT NOW, BUT THE NEWS IS AS BIG AS SENATOR J.D. VANCE'S SPEECH. >> HERE TO TALK ABOUT IT WITH US IS OUR TEAM OF CORRESPONDENTS, INCLUDING CHUCK TODD. CHUCK, TO TOM'S POINT, THIS IS A CRITICAL MOMENT FOR PRESIDENT BIDEN. WE TALKED ABOUT WHAT THIS MEANS FOR DEMOCRATS ON THE BREAKING MENENDEZ NEWS, AND AS WE SEE, OF COURSE, THE RESIDENT CONTINUES TO REMAIN DEFIANT. HE IGNORED REPORTER QUESTIONS IN VEGAS A LITTLE BIT AGO. >> THE REASON WE ARE COVERING THE ADAM SCHIFF NEWS AS AN EARTHQUAKE IS NOT BECAUSE IT'S ADAM SCHIFF. HE IS JUST ANOTHER, IN SOME WAYS, YOU COULD ARGUE HE IS ANOTHER FEATURE SENATOR EXPRESSING HIS OPINION, BUT YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND, GEOGRAPHICALLY. >> WE ARE BREAKING NEWS. >> IT TURNS OUT THAT PRESIDENT BIDEN JUST TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID, ACCORDING TO OUR WHITE HOUSE TEAM. HE IS IN LAS VEGAS. HE IS ATTENDING AN EVENT, WAS SAID TO. WE SAW MIKE MEMOLI AT THE EVENT IN LAS VEGAS. WE ARE WORKING TO GET HIM UP RIGHT NOW TO TALK US THROUGH THIS. HE, AND I AM LOOKING TO SEE WHERE THIS IS COMING FROM, THAT HE SHARED HIS DEEP DISAPPOINTMENT AT NOT BEING ABLE TO JOIN THIS AFTERNOON, THESE ARE THE ORGANIZERS. >> THIS IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT. PRESIDENT BIDEN HAS PUT OUT THERE HOW MANY EVENTS HE IS DOING, AND HE HAS BEEN OUT THERE WITH THE PUBLIC SHAKING HANDS, TRYING TO REGAIN THE TRUST OF AMERICAN VOTERS, AND SAT DOWN WITH A LOT OF INTERVIEWS, INCLUDING LESTER HOLT ON MONDAY. HE JUST DID ED GORDON. THE INTERVIEW IS RUNNING TODAY. I DON'T KNOW IF HE DID IT TODAY, BUT IT'S RUNNING TODAY. HIS AGE, 81 YEARS OLD, IT'S OBVIOUSLY SOMETHING THEY'RE GOING TO WORRY ABOUT, AT A TIME WHERE YOU NEED TO SIGNAL STRENGTH. HE IS GOING TO HAVE TO TAKE A COUPLE DAYS OFF THE TRAIL. >> I KNOW THAT MANY PEOPLE LIVE THEIR LIVES AND DON'T TESTED THESE DAYS. THE WHITE HOUSE TESTS. HE TESTS A LOT. IT'S DIFFERENT. >> IT HAS BEEN GOING AROUND THE SUMMER, I CAN TELL YOU. >> EXACTLY. I THINK IT'S AT MY HOUSE. I HAVE BEEN INFORMED I'VE GOT ONE IN MY HOUSE IT APPEARS TO BE SHOWING SIGNS, SO YOU ARE RIGHT, WE ARE IN THE SUMMER SURGE ON THIS, BUT THIS IS THE TIMING OF IT, THE TIMING OF IT, HE NEEDS TO BE OUT THERE AND NOW HE CAN BE, WHETHER IT IS FOUR DAYS, FIVE DAYS, SIX DAYS, EVERY DAY IS SO CRITICAL FOR HIM. LOOK, I KIND OF THINK HE IS BORDERING ON SIXTH SENSE BRUCE WILLIS TERRITORY, WHERE EVERY DEMOCRAT KNOWS THIS CANDIDACY IS OVER EXCEPT FOR THE CANDIDATE, AND IT'S WHAT THIS STARTS TO FEEL LIKE. ADAM SCHIFF DOES NOT DO THIS WITHOUT A BLESSING -- IF HE KNEW THAT NANCY PELOSI -- IT SORT OF THAT FEELING, DOES HE KNOW? IS HE AWARE THAT, BASICALLY, THE ENTIRE PARTY HAS GIVEN UP ON HIM? >> NOT ONLY THAT -- >> -- THERE IS PULLING OUT THERE SHOWING THIS. I THINK WE ARE ABOUT 10 DAYS AWAY FROM HIM GETTING TO ACCEPTANCE, BUT THIS DEVELOPMENT , THIS COULD NOT HAVE BEEN WORSE TIMING FOR HIM, BECAUSE HE NEEDS TO BE OUT THERE. >> I WANT TO BRING VIEWERS UP TO SPEED BECAUSE WE CRASHED INTO THIS BREAKING NEWS. FORGIVE ME, I AM LOOKING FOR MY PHONE HERE. HERE'S THE DEAL. WE ARE WORKING TO GET ONE OF OUR CORRESPONDENTS IN LAS VEGAS UP TO A CAMERA ASAP, BECAUSE THERE ON THE GROUND. THEY WILL BE ABLE TO GIVE US THAT REPORTING IMMEDIATELY, SO PRESIDENT BIDEN IS IN NEVADA, OBVIOUSLY, A CRITICAL WING STATE, CRITICAL BATTLEGROUND FOR THE 2024 ELECTION. HE WAS SAID TO SPEAK AT A NEWS CONFERENCE AT 4:30 EASTERN TIME. THE EVENT HAD BEEN DELAYED SINCE THEN, ACCORDING TO THE POOL, WHO IS WITH THE PRESIDENT, TRAVELING WITH THE PRESIDENT, AND THEN, MOMENTS AGO, IT WAS SHARED, APPARENTLY, ACCORDING TO THE POOL NOTE, THAT ONE OF THE ORGANIZERS WAS ON THE PHONE RIGHT NOW, HE SHARED HIS DISAPPOINTMENT AT NOT BEING ABLE TO JOIN US BECAUSE HE JUST TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID. I DON'T SEE IN MY EMAIL THAT HE RESPONDED OFFICIALLY FROM THE WHITE HOUSE, WHAT THE PLAN IS, WHEN HE IS, PRESUMABLY, TRAVELING BACK TO THE WHITE HOUSE, IF THERE IS ANYBODY ELSE INSIDE OF HIS BUBBLE, WHO WOULD NEED TO BE QUARANTINED AT THIS MOMENT. I JUST WANTED TO GO THROUGH THE TIMELINE TO UNDERSTAND HOW WE GOT TO THIS POINT, TO THE POINT THAT TOM AND CHUCK IS MAKING, IF HE DOES END UP QUARANTINING, THAT WILL BE SIGNIFICANT FOR HIM. >> THE GUIDANCE HAS CHANGED WITH THE CDC. HE DOES NOT NEED TO STAY QUARANTINED FOR AS MANY DAYS AS YOU DID A COUPLE YEARS AGO, BUT THAT BEING SAID, HE HAS PACKED HIS SCHEDULE. I DO BELIEVE HE HAD OTHER INTERVIEWS LINED UP, AND HE IS ON THE OFFENSE RIGHT NOW. TODAY WAS ONE OF THE WORST NEWS DAYS FOR HIM, POSTDEBATE, BECAUSE YOU HAVE ADAM SCHIFF, A HIGH PROFILE DEMOCRAT SAYING, YOU NEED TO GO. I WAS GOING TO ASK YOU THIS BEFORE THE NEWS BROKE, WE TALK ABOUT REPRESENTATIVE ADAM SCHIFF AND PEOPLE, LIKE US, WHO LOVE POLITICS. HE IS A HOUSEHOLD NAME. HE WENT AFTER FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP, HIGH-RANKING MEMBER, RUNNING FOR THE SENATE IN CALIFORNIA. MY QUESTION IS, IS THIS ADAM SCHIFF OR A PROXY, FOR HIS MENTOR, NANCY PELOSI, THE FORMER SPEAKER? >> LET ME ADD A THIRD GROUP OF PEOPLE, MAJOR HOLLYWOOD DONORS. >> GAVIN NEWSOM. THERE IS A WHOLE CALIFORNIA CONNECTION. >> THE REASON I BRING UP THE DONORS IN CALIFORNIA, SPECIFICALLY, THE REASON HOUSE DEMOCRATIC LEADERS OF THE ONES THAT ARE THE MOST NERVOUS ABOUT BIDEN AT THE TOP OF THE TICKET, THE PATH FOR DEMOCRATS TO GET CONTROL OF THE HOUSE DOES NOT GO THROUGH WISCONSIN, PENNSYLVANIA, MICHIGAN. IT GOES THROUGH THE STATE THAT ADAM SCHIFF IS TRYING TO REPRESENT IN THE SENATE, CALIFORNIA, AND ON THE OTHER COAST, NEW YORK. THE FEAR OF A WEAK DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE IN BIDEN IS THAT YOU WILL GET DOWNTURN OUT IN THE BLUE STATES. PEOPLE IN THE BATTLEGROUND STATES, DEMOCRATS WILL HOLD THEIR NOSE AND GET OUT THERE. THE FEAR IS THAT IN THE BLUE STATES, THEY WILL BE LIKE, HE CAN'T WIN. I DON'T REALLY LOVE IT. I'M NOT GOING TO BOTHER, AND THEN IT HAS A TRICKLE-DOWN EFFECT. >> JUST EXPLAINED TO OUR VIEWERS. DOES THIS HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH HIS PERSONAL SENATE RACE? >> IT'S NOT ABOUT HIM, IT'S ABOUT WHO HE REPRESENTS. HE WOULD NOT HAVE DONE THIS IF HE DIDN'T THINK, IF HE THOUGHT PELOSI WAS GOING TO GO THE OTHER WAY, OKAY? BY THE WAY, IT'S IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT SHE -- ADAM SCHIFF GAVE THE BIDEN CAMPAIGN A HEADS UP BEFORE HE DID THIS. GRANTED, THAT FUNDRAISER LEAGUE, BUT WE SHOULDN'T RULE OUT THE POSSIBILITY THAT HE'S LIKE, IT'S OUT THERE, I MIGHT AS WELL OWN IT. BUT, I DO THINK THE TWO CONSTITUENCIES SEE THAT HE IS TALKING WITH A LOT, MAJOR DONORS, IF THEY CAN'T GET TO BIDEN, THEY ARE CALLING UP ADAM SCHIFF, THEY ARE CALLING UP NANCY PELOSI. I THINK THAT IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THIS CONVERSATION. >> WE ARE TALKING DEMOCRATS BECAUSE OF THE BANNER YOU SEE, THE BREAKING NEWS, RESIDENT BIDEN HAS JUST TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID. HUGE NEWS BECAUSE OF HIS AGE, BUT ALSO BECAUSE THE SPOTLIGHT IS ON HIS HEALTH AND AGE. >> MIKE MEMOLI IS TEXTING ME FROM LAS VEGAS, WHERE HE IS GETTING READY TO STAND BY AND WILL JOIN US IN A SECOND. TOM, IMPORTANT TO NOTE, AS YOU DID, AND LET'S TALK FACTS HERE, THE GUIDANCE AROUND COVID POLICIES AND POSTURES FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS OBVIOUSLY EVOLVED OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS SINCE THE PANDEMIC BEGAN. WE ARE WORKING TO GET OUR MEDICAL TEAM UP AS WE TALK ABOUT THE POLITICAL IMPACT. YOU THINK ABOUT PRESIDENT BIDEN, WHO HE HAS BEEN AROUND, WHAT HE HAS BEEN UP TO THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS, INCREDIBLY DEADLY DURING THE PANDEMIC, BUT LESS SO THESE DAYS WITH THE VACCINATION. >> YOU HAD HAKEEM JEFFRIES AND CHUCK SCHUMER COME OUT AND SAY THEY WERE GOING TO ADJUST THE TECHNICAL ROLL CALL. CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHY THAT IS IMPORTANT FOR THE TIMING? >> THE DEMOCRATS HAVE MOVED UP THEIR ROLL CALL WHEN THEY THOUGHT OHIO WASN'T GOING TO -- THE OHIO REPUBLICANS -- RIGHT NOW, HE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ELIGIBLE ON THE OHIO BALLOT HAD THEY GONE THROUGH THE CONVENTION. OHIO REPUBLICANS CHANGED THEIR LAW, BUT DEMOCRATS DID NOT WANT TO GIVE UP THIS VIRTUAL THING, AND THERE HAS BEEN A TON OF CONSPIRACY THEORIES THAT THIS WAS BIDEN'S WAY TO TRY TO JAM THE CONVENTION BUT THE FACT THAT JEFFRIES AND SCHUMER HAVE GONE PUBLIC TO SAY, YOU ARE ON JAMMING THIS. THAT SAYS THAT JOE BIDEN IS NOT RUNNING THE DNC ANYMORE. >> WE ARE GOING TO SAY GOODBYE TO HALLIE JACKSON. >> WE ARE GOING TO GO TO AARON GILCHRIST, THE WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT. HE IS BACK HOME IN WASHINGTON ON THE LAWN. I WILL DISAPPEAR AFTER THAT. LET ME BRING YOU INTO THE CONVERSATION AND YOU CAN KEEP IT UP WITH TOM AND CHECK ON THIS BREAKING PIECE OF NEWS, WITH PRESIDENT BIDEN TESTING POSITIVE FOR COVID WHILE HE IS IN NEVADA. >> Reporter: I THINK THE PRODUCER WAS TALKING WHILE YOU WERE TALKING, HALLIE. WE ARE JUST WORKING THROUGH THIS INFORMATION WE ARE GETTING ABOUT PRESIDENT BIDEN HAVING TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID. OUR PRODUCING TEAM THAT IS TRAVELING IN LAS VEGAS, WHERE THE PRESIDENT HAS BEEN FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS, SENDING A NOTE THAT THEY HEARD AT THE EVENT WHERE HE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE SPEAKING, REGRETTABLY, I WAS JUST ON THE PHONE WITH PRESIDENT BIDEN AND HE SHARED HIS DEEP, DEEP DISAPPOINTMENT AT NOT BEING ABLE TO JOIN US THIS AFTERNOON. THE PRESIDENT HAS BEEN AT MANY EVENTS, AS WE KNOW, AND HE JUST TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID. WE KNOW THAT TODAY, PRESIDENT BIDEN MADE A FIRST STOP TO DO A SITDOWN INTERVIEW WITH UNIVISION, A RADIO INTERVIEW. HE STOPPED AT A RESTAURANT WHERE HE WAS DOING AN INTERVIEW, AND THIS IS WHERE HE HAS BEEN, FOR AT LEAST, THE LAST HOUR OR SO. IT SEEMS THAT AT SOME POINT TODAY, HE TOOK A TEST, AND OBVIOUSLY, TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID. JUST YESTERDAY HE WAS AT THE NAACP CONFERENCE IN LAS VEGAS. HE MADE, AT LEAST, ONE OTHER STOP, AN OFF THE RECORD STOP IN LAS VEGAS YESTERDAY. THIS ALL COMES, OF COURSE, AT A TIME WHEN THE PRESIDENT HAS BEEN WRAPPING UP HIS TRAVEL AROUND THE COUNTRY. WE KNOW HE HAD BEEN IN MICHIGAN, THE DETROIT AREA LAST WEEK, BEFORE HE SPENT SOME TIME IN REHOBETH BEACH AT HIS HOME IN REHOBETH BEACH OVER THE WEEKEND, BEFORE COMING BACK TO WASHINGTON, AND LEAVING FOR NEVADA. THIS WAS AFTER SEVERAL OTHER EVENTS THE PRESIDENT HAD ENGAGED IN OVER THE LAST SEVERAL WEEKS, PARTICULARLY, SINCE THAT DEBATE ALMOST THREE WEEKS AGO NOW. IN ATLANTA. PRESIDENT BIDEN, I CAN TELL YOU, JUST FROM HAVING TRAVELED WITH THEM IN THIS TIME PERIOD, SPENDS A LOT OF TIME IN VERY CLOSE PROXIMITY TO A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE. I WAS WITH HIM IN HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, A COUPLE OF SUNDAYS AGO, AND THE PRESIDENT SPENT ALMOST AN HOUR FACE-TO FACE, SHAKING HANDS, TAKING SELFIES. I SAW HIM HUG A FEW PEOPLE THERE WHILE HE WAS TALKING TO FOLKS, SO HE SPENDS A LOT OF TIME IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO A LOT OF PEOPLE AND WE KNOW THAT THIS IS A WAY THAT COVID CAN AND DOES SPREAD. WE HAVE SEEN SPIKES OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE COUNTRY, AND EVEN THOUGH MANY OF US HAVE GOTTEN BACK TO OUR NORMAL ROUTINES, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE ARE STILL GETTING. WE HAVE BEEN DIGGING THROUGH SOME OF OUR RECORDS, TRYING TO FIGURE OUT, WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME THE PRESIDENT HAD COVID OR HAD BEEN GIVEN A COVID VACCINE, A BOOSTER SHOT. WE BELIEVE IT WAS IN JULY OF 2022, WAS THE LAST TIME THAT THE PRESIDENT TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID. LIKE I SAID, WE ARE DIGGING THROUGH THE RECORDS TO SEE, AND TRY TO GET SOME REACTION, DIRECT RESPONSE FROM THE WHITE HOUSE. ACTUALLY, YOU KNOW WHAT? IT JUST POPPED UP IN MY EMAIL AS I'M TALKING TO YOU, SO I WILL READ THE STATEMENT FROM THE PRESS SECRETARY. "EARLIER TODAY, FOLLOWING HIS FIRST EVENT IN LAS VEGAS, RESIDENT BIDEN TESTED POSITIVE FOR PRESIDENT 19. HE IS VACCINATED AND BOOSTED AND IS EXPERIENCING MILD SYMPTOMS. HE WILL BE RETURNING TO DELAWARE TO SELF ISOLATE AND WILL CONTINUE TO CARRY OUT ALL OF HIS DUTIES FULLY DURING THAT TIME. THE WHITE HOUSE WILL PROVIDE REGULAR UPDATES ON THE PRESENT STATUS AS HE CONTINUES TO CARRY OUT THE FULL DUTIES OF THE OFFICE WHILE IN ISOLATION. THIS GOES ON TO PRESENT -- >> WHAT DOES HE HAVE ANY SCHEDULE LINED UP FOR THIS WEEK? WHAT OTHER EVENTS WILL HE NOW HAVE TO RESCHEDULE OR CANCEL? >> Reporter: TO THE BEST OF OUR KNOWLEDGE, THE CONFERENCE WAS THE LAST THING ON HIS SCHEDULED THIS WEEK. WE BELIEVE HE WAS SET TO LEAVE LAS VEGAS TONIGHT AND RETURN HERE TO THE EAST COAST, I BELIEVE TO DELAWARE. THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE ON HIS SCHEDULE THAT HAD BEEN PUBLICIZED AS OF YET. OBVIOUSLY, WITH THIS NEWS, HE WILL BE RETURNING TO HIS HOME IN DELAWARE WHERE HE WILL HAVE TO SELF ISOLATE UNTIL HE IS WELL AGAIN. >> ALL RIGHT, AARON GILCHRIST, IF YOU GET MORE INFORMATION, I KNOW YOU WILL BRING IT TO US LIVE AS YOU GET TO IT. I SAW CHUCK TODD, FOLLOWING ALL OF THESE BREAKING DEVELOPMENTS. IN ONE WAY, IT'S KIND OF STRANGE. HE WAS FACING A REALLY BAD HEADLINE, BUT I DON'T KNOW WHICH HEADLINE IS WORSE, THAT HE HAS COVID, OR THAT A TOP DEMOCRAT IS ASKING HIM TO STEP ASIDE. >> IT GOES TO WHAT HE NEEDS TO DO RIGHT NOW TO CONVINCE PEOPLE WHAT HE NEEDS TO DO TO STEP ASIDE, AND HE CAN'T. THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IS SITTING IN PURGATORY A LITTLE BIT, AND THOSE THAT THINK THAT BIDEN NEEDS TO STAY ON THE BALLOT BLAMED THE ANGER AT -- THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT ARE VERY ANGRY AT ADAM SCHIFF AND OTHERS, WHO SAY, NOW, IT IS SELF-FULFILLING. THE MORE DIVIDED THE DEMOCRATS LOOK, THE MORE DIVIDED THE DEMOCRATS BECOME. AT SOME POINT, IT'S PRETTY CLEAR WHERE THE MOMENTUM IS IN THE PARTY, WHAT THE RANK-AND-FILE WANT. HE KEEPS SAYING, ALL OF THESE PEOPLE VOTED FOR HIM. THE THIRD ITEM THAT CAME OUT TODAY WAS A REALLY DEVASTATING AP POLL THAT CAME OUT THAT SHOWED A LARGE MAJORITY, EVERY DEMOGRAPHIC GROUP, OLDER DEMOCRATS, YOUNGER DEMOCRATS, DEMOCRATS OF COLOR, WHITE DEMOCRATS, ACROSS THE BOARD. THEY THINK HE NEEDS TO STEP ASIDE. >> I DO WANT TO ASK YOU, WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT THE REPUBLICAN PLAY THAT SENATOR J.D. VANCE IS GOING TO DELAY THE DEBATE WITH VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS? >> YES, IN FACT, IF YOU ARE KAMALA HARRIS, IT WAS WEIRD, THE TIMING OF IT. IT WAS SORT OF ODD ANYWAY, A LITTLE BIT BEFORE THE CONVENTION. THE TIMING OF THIS WAS ALWAYS WEIRD TO ME, HOW THEY WERE GOING TO DO IT. THE FIRST DATE NEVER MADE SENSE, BUT YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE A DEBATE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE OLYMPICS, EVEN THOUGH IT WAS ON ANOTHER NETWORK. EVERYBODY'S ATTENTION IS GOING TO BE ON THE OLYMPICS. I THOUGHT THAT FROM'S CAMPAIGN RESPONSE WAS CLEVER, AND FRANKLY, QUITE ACCURATE. >> I WANT TO BRING IN ZACH FROM KANSAS, A FORMER SENIOR ADVISER TO HILLARY CLINTON. HOW DO YOU TAKE ALL OF THIS IN COMING IF YOU ARE PRESIDENT BIDEN RIGHT NOW? YOU HAVE THAT MAJOR HEADLINE THAT REPRESENTATIVE ADAM SCHIFF HAS ASKED HIM TO STEP ASIDE FROM THE TICKET, AND NOW HE HAS TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID. >> LIKE MANY AMERICANS THAT TEST POSITIVE FOR COVID, HE IS GOING TO HAVE TO TAKE A LITTLE BIT OF A BREAK AND RELY ON SURROGATES AND PEOPLE LIKE ME, WHO ARE GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE VERY CLEAR CONTRAST THAT DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS HAVE IN THIS RACE BETWEEN JOE BIDEN'S RECORD OF CREATING 15 MILLION JOBS, AND PUTTING A CAP ON PRESCRIPTION DRUG COSTS AT $35 FOR INSULIN FOR SENIORS, AND DONALD TRUMP, WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR OVERTURNING ROE V. WADE AND ALLOWING STATES TO CRIMINALIZE ABORTION EVEN IN THE CASE OF RAPE. WE HAVE A REALLY GOOD STORY TO TELL, A STRONG CONTRAST BETWEEN PRESIDENT BIDEN AND DONALD TRUMP AND WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO DO THAT, AND WHEN HE CAN'T BE ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL -- >> -- ZACH, WHAT ABOUT THE OTHER STORY BEING TOLD? THAT IS BY YOUR OWN PARTY, THAT ONE, THEY DON'T WANT PRESIDENT BIDEN TO BE THE NOMINEE, AND NUMBER TWO, THE DEVASTATING POLLING THAT CAME OUT TODAY FROM THE AP, THAT SHOWS AS CHUCK WAS DESCRIBING, EVERY DEMOGRAPHIC, THEY WOULD RATHER SOMEONE ELSE RUN. >> I'VE ALSO SEEN POLLING THAT THE MAJORITY OF AMERICANS WOULD LIKE DONALD TRUMP TO GET OUT OF THE RACE. THE POLLS ARE NOT GOING TO DECIDE WHO IS IN AND OUT OF THE RACE. BUT, JOE BIDEN IS OUR NOMINEE. HE IS GOING TO BE OUR NOMINEE, AND EVENTUALLY, WE ARE GOING TO UNIFY AROUND HIM, SO THAT WE CAN GET BACK TO THE JOB OF MAKING THE CLEAR CONTRAST BETWEEN HIS RECORD AND DONALD TRUMP, AND IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE EDUCATE VOTERS AROUND DONALD TRUMP BECAUSE THE PROJECT 2025 AGENDA THAT THEY ARE PUSHING THROUGH WOULD BE DEVASTATING FOR MIDDLE-CLASS FAMILIES. DEFUNDING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, CUTS TO SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE. >> ZACH, I WANT TO PAUSE HERE FOR A SECOND. WE ARE WATCHING LIVE PICTURES A PRESIDENT BIDEN RIGHT NOW. HE IS BOARDING AIR FORCE ONE, I AM TOLD. THIS IS A BIT ODD BECAUSE HE HAS TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID, BUT HE IS NOT WEARING A MASK. IT'S UNCLEAR WHY THAT IS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW, BUT I'M BEING TOLD THESE ARE LIVE PICTURES. WE DO HAVE A STATEMENT FROM THE WHITE HOUSE. I WANT TO GET YOU UP TO SPEED. THEY ARE SAYING HE PRESENTED SYMPTOMS THIS AFTERNOON. HE WAS NOT FEELING WELL. HE HAD A COUGH, GENERAL MALAISE, HE FELT OKAY BUT THEY DECIDED TO GIVE THEM A TEST AND THAT'S WHEN THE RESULTS WERE POSITIVE. HE HAS RECEIVED HIS FIRST DOSE OF PAXLOVID. HE WILL BE SELF ISOLATING AT HIS HOME IN DELAWARE ONCE HE GETS THERE. THE WHITE HOUSE IS SAYING HE WILL MAKE HIS WAY FROM LAS VEGAS ALL THE WAY BACK TO DELAWARE, AND OF COURSE, WE WISH THE PRESIDENT WELL. WE HOPE HE HAS A SPEEDY RECOVERY AND IS OKAY. COVID, IT CAN BE REALLY ROUGH. WE DO THINK HE WAS GIVEN THE VACCINE. I WANT TO READ THIS TO MAKE SURE THAT IS, INDEED, CORRECT. I READ EARLIER THAT HE HAD TAKEN A VACCINE, SO HE WAS VACCINATED EARLIER FOR THIS TIME AROUND. WE WILL WAIT AND SEE HOW THE CONDITIONS ARE AS WE GET MORE INFORMATION, BUT IF YOU ARE JUST TUNING INTO COVERAGE, PRESIDENT BIDEN TESTING POSITIVE FOR COVID WHILE HE WAS CAMPAIGNING IN LAS VEGAS. AGAIN, TRYING TO REASSURE VOTERS THAT HE IS UP TO THE JOB, DOING SEVERAL HIGH PROFILE INTERVIEWS AND BOOSTING CAMPAIGN RALLIES, SHAKING HANDS WITH VOTERS. HE HAS BEEN OUT THERE A LOT SINCE THE DEBATE, AND MORE THAN 20 DIFFERENT EVENTS. SOME OF THAT INCLUDES RADIO AND TV INTERVIEWS, BUT HE HAS MET A LOT OF AMERICANS, AND LIKELY BEEN EXPOSED. THERE IS ABOUT OF COVID GOING AROUND THIS SUMMER. IT'S ALL OVER THE COUNTRY RIGHT NOW. IT'S SOMETHING WE HAVE TO LIVE WITH. IT SHOULD BE TOTALLY SURPRISING, BUT IT HAPPENED AT A BAD TIME FOR PRESIDENT BIDEN, ALSO ON THE SAME DAY THAT DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE OF CALIFORNIA, ADAM SCHIFF, HAS PUBLICLY CALLED FOR HIM TO STEP ASIDE. JOINING US NOW ARE TWO REPUBLICAN STRATEGISTS. BRIAN LANSING, A FORMER TRUMP CAMPAIGN SPOKESPERSON. TRICIA McLAUGHLIN AS WELL, SHE WORKED FOR VIVEK RAMASWAMY. A TOUGH DAY FOR DEMOCRATS, RIGHT? YOU HAVE THE NEWS I JUST MENTIONED, PLUS TESTING POSITIVE FOR COVID. I WANT TO FOCUS ON NEWS FROM THE REPUBLICAN SIDE. WE ARE GOING TO SEE SENATOR J.D. VANCE TONIGHT. BRIAN, I KNOW YOU WORKED ON CONVENTIONS AND HELPED CANDIDATES GET READY. WHAT WOULD YOUR ADVICE BE TO SEND IT -- SENATOR VANCE? >> TELL HIS STORY. HIS STORY IS APPEALING TO THE BROAD BASE OF THE AMERICAN ELECTRIC, IT'S A BOOTSTRAPS STORY. JD IS A CLIENT OF MINE, I HELPED HIM WITH THE SENATE RACE, SO TELL YOUR STORY, IT'S A COMPELLING STORY AND AN AMERICAN STORY. YOU COME UP WITH A HARD UPBRINGING, A MOTHER ADDICTED TO DRUGS, A GRANDMOTHER THAT BROUGHT YOU UP, HE DID THE G.I. BILL AS A VETERAN, WENT TO THE BEST SCHOOL. THAT IS THE AMERICAN EXPERIENCE. WE ARE TELLING, JD, TELL YOUR STORY, BECAUSE THAT IS COMPELLING TO THE ELECTORATE, AND HIS STORY IS BRINGING MORE WORKING-CLASS PEOPLE TO THE PARTY. >> THIS IS GOING TO BE THE BIGGEST STAGE OF HIS POLITICAL CAREER, RIGHT? WILL HE MEET THE MOMENT? IS HE SOMEONE THAT MEETS THE MOMENT? >> HE IS. HIS LEVEL OF PREPARATION TO MEET THE MOMENT IS UNREAL, AND SO HE IS READY TO MEET THE MOMENT. I THINK HE WILL HIT THEM OUT OF THE PARK. I THINK THAT'S WHY TRUMP PICKED HIM AS HIS VP. HE RISES TO THE OCCASION AND IS EXCEPTIONAL AT DELIVERING A MESSAGE. THIS IS A NEW REPUBLICAN PARTY. IT'S NO LONGER THE FORMER REPUBLICAN PARTY. IT'S THE PARTY OF THE MIDDLE CLASS AND WORKING-CLASS, AND THERE IS NO BETTER PERSON TO DELIVER THAT MESSAGE. >> REPUBLICANS HAVE SOLD SENATOR VANCE AS TRUMP 2.0, MAGA JR., BUT HOW DO YOU WIN OVER INDEPENDENT VOTERS THAT WILL DECIDE THIS ELECTION? >> YOU HAVE TO KEEP IN MIND, TOM, THIS IS THE SLIMMEST AMOUNT OF INDEPENDENT VOTERS OR PEOPLE THAT HAVE NOT MADE UP THEIR MIND HIT IN MODERN AMERICAN HISTORY, SO A LOT OF THIS ELECTION WILL BE ABOUT ENERGIZING THOSE BASES. ONE OF THE REASONS THAT TRUMP CHOSE J.D. VANCE IS BECAUSE HE CAN RUN UP THE SCORE IN THE RUST BELT STATES. J.D. VANCE HAS A VERY COMPELLING STORY. HE CAN SPEAK TO THE PLIGHT OF PEOPLE IN APPALACHIA AND OHIO, MICHIGAN, WISCONSIN, REALLY, ACROSS THE BOARD. A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE FACING MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES WITH THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS, WITH THEMSELVES. J.D. VANCE HAS SPOKEN A LOT ABOUT THAT. >> THIS IS GOING TO BE AN INTRODUCTION, RIGHT? HOW DO YOU SELL YOURSELF TO AMERICA, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, GIVE THE RED MEAT TO ALL OF THE REPUBLICANS, LIKE DON GYM, THAT WERE BACKING YOU UP? >> I THINK HE DOES HAVE TO INTRODUCE HIMSELF TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. THIS IS THE BIGGEST STAGE. MOST PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THAT HE IS A VETERAN. HE IS THE FIRST POST 9/11 VETERAN IN PRESIDENTIAL TICKET HISTORY, SO YOU CAN SPEAK TO THAT. HE CAN SPEAK TO THE FOREVER WARS THAT WE ARE ACTIVELY TRYING TO AVOID, AND I THINK THAT JOE BIDEN IS INCHING US CLOSER AND CLOSER TO -- HE BRINGS A REAL INTELLECTUALISM TO AMERICA FIRST. >> BRIAN, A LOT HAS BEEN TALKED ABOUT THE TEMPERATURE, THE TOWN, THE VOLUME OF THE POLITICAL RHETORIC AFTER THE ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT ON THE FORMER PRESIDENT. WHAT TYPE OF TOWN DO YOU THINK SENATOR VANCE STRIKES TONIGHT? >> THE TOWN WE HAVE SEEN IS A TONE OF UNITY. IT DOESN'T MEAN WE ALL AGREE ON THE SAME THING, BUT UNITY MEANS WE HAVE THE SAME VISION FOR AMERICA. YOU WILL HEAR DONALD TRUMP'S VISION AND JB'S VISION, WHICH IS A POSITIVE VISION FOR AMERICA. IT RESTORES AMERICA'S STRENGTH ABROAD, AND THAT'S WHAT YOU WILL HEAR FROM JB. HE IS PROBABLY THE BEST TO DELIVER THAT. >> I DON'T WANT TO SAY EVER, BUT UNLESS YOU HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING THE OHIO RACE -- YOU WORKED WITH SENATOR J.D. VANCE ON THE OHIO RACE, WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT HIS WIFE? >> SUPREMELY SUPPORTIVE AND SHE IS A GREAT MOTHER TO THE KIDS. SHE IS SUPREMELY INTELLIGENT. SHE HAS THE ABILITY TO LOOK AT A PROBLEM AND FIX IT FAST. THAT IS WHAT COMPLEMENTS JD. YOU SEE THEM INTERACT WITH THEIR KIDS, AND IT'S REALLY WHAT WE WANT OUT OF AMERICA. WE WANT A YOUNG VICE PRESIDENT, A YOUNG FAMILY. THE DIVERSITY, THERE ARE PEOPLE ATTACKING DIVERSITY, AND THEY SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES. THE FAMILY IS A DIVERSE IMAGE, BUT IT'S THE REAL IMAGE OF AMERICA. >> SOME HAVE SAID THAT SHE SHIES AWAY FROM THE LIMELIGHT AND DOES NOT LIKE POLITICS, VERY SIMILAR TO MELANIA TRUMP. HOW DO YOU STILL USE SOMEONE LIKE THAT ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL? YOU KIND OF HAVE TO HAVE THE WHOLE VANCE FAMILY OUT THERE SUPPORTING THE CAUSE. >> I THINK SHE IS A VERY ARTICULATE, SMART WOMAN. I HEARD HER SPEAK BEFORE IN CINCINNATI. SHE'S GOT IT, SHE HAS THE IT FACTOR, IT WILL JUST TAKE HER GETTING THE REPS IN. WE HAVE PROS OUT THERE. THIS 2024 CAMPAIGN FOR DONALD TRUMP IS INCREDIBLY DISCIPLINED AND THEY WILL USE HER AS THEIR SECRET WEAPON. >> IF YOU'RE WATCHING US ON NBC NEWS, WE ARE FOLLOWING TWO BREAKING NEWS STORIES. WE ARE GETTING READY TO HEAR SENATOR J.D. VANCE AT THE REPUBLICAN CONVENTION, AND WE ARE ALSO FOLLOWING ANOTHER STORY, AND THAT IS, PRESIDENT BIDEN HAS TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID. I WANT TO BRING IN NBC NEWS WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT, AARON GILCHRIST. BEFORE WE START WITH YOU, I WANT TO PLAY A PIECE OF VIDEO. THE PRESIDENT SPOKE IN LAS VEGAS , AND HERE'S WHAT HE HAD TO SAY. LET'S ROLL THAT VIDEO. OKAY, I MISUNDERSTOOD. APPARENTLY, HE SAYS, I FEEL GOOD. GOOD, I FEEL GOOD. I'M NOT AN EXPERT LIP READER, BUT I'M BEING TOLD THAT'S WHAT PEOPLE THAT READ A LOT OF LIPS SAY. GET US UP TO SPEED. THE WHITE HOUSE HAS PUT UP A STATEMENT. WHAT MORE DO WE KNOW? >> Reporter: THIS IS A VIDEO OF THE PRESENT BOARDING AIR FORCE ONE. HE WAS NOT SLATED TO LEAVE LAS VEGAS FOR ANOTHER SEVERAL HOURS. THERE WERE THREE EVENTS ON HIS SCHEDULE FOR TODAY. WE UNDERSTAND HE WAS ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE FIRST EVENT TO SOME DEGREE, AND THE OTHER TWO EVENTS, OBVIOUSLY, HE IS NOT GOING TO BE PARTICIPATING IN AS HE IS NOW ON AIR FORCE ONE, MAKING HIS WAY BACK TO DELAWARE, HEADED TO HIS HOME IN REHOBETH BEACH, WHERE HE WAS ALREADY SCHEDULED TO GO AFTER TODAY'S EVENTS, BUT HE WILL BE GOING THERE OBVIOUSLY, EARLY, TO TAKE CARE OF HIMSELF. THE INFORMATION WE GOT FROM THE WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY WAS THAT THE PRESIDENT WAS NOT FEELING GREAT AT SOME POINT TODAY, AND ULTIMATELY, IT WAS DECIDED THAT HE WOULD BE GIVEN A COVID TEST, AND THAT TEST CAME BACK POSITIVE. I DO WANT TO READ YOU SOME OF THE STATEMENT WE GOT FROM THE PRESIDENTS DOCTOR. WE SHOULD POINT OUT THAT AS PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, THERE IS A MEDICAL TEAM THAT TRAVELS WITH THEM AT ALL TIMES, REGARDLESS OF WHERE HE GOES. THE DOCTORS STATEMENT SAID, THE PRESIDENT PRESENTED WITH UPPER RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMS TO INCLUDE A RUNNY NOSE AND NONPRODUCTIVE COUGH WITH A GENERAL MALAISE. HE FELT OKAY FOR HIS FIRST EVENT OF THE DAY, BUT GIVEN THAT HE WAS NOT FEELING BETTER, POINT-OF-CARE TESTING FOR COVID- 19 WERE USED, AND HE TESTED POSITIVE FOR THE COVID-19 VIRUS. HE WENT ON TO LIST THE VITALS, EVERYTHING NORMAL. THE PRESIDENT IS NOW HEADED BACK TO REHOBETH. JUST AS WE ARE TALKING, NO, THAT'S IT. THAT'S WHERE WE ARE AT THIS POINT. I AS YOU SAW THE TRAVELING PRESS CORPS WITH HIM, THUMBS UP, HE WAS FEELING GOOD, AS HE VERY SLOWLY GOT OUT OF HIS VEHICLE AND SLOWLY WALKED UP THE STEPS TO AIR FORCE ONE. >> AARON GILCHRIST, WE APPRECIATE IT IF YOU ARE JUST WATCHING OUR NBC NEWS COVERAGE, BREAKING NEWS CAME IN ABOUT 30 MINUTES AGO, THE PRESIDENT HAS TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID. HE WAS CAMPAIGNING IN LAS VEGAS, WOKE UP, DID THE EVENT, THOUGHT HE COULD GET THROUGH, BUT WHEN THEY TESTED HIM LATER IN THE DAY, THEY REALIZED THAT HE WAS POSITIVE FOR COVID. THIS WAS MOMENTS AGO. THE PRESIDENT, FOR SOME REASON, NOT WEARING A MASK, EVEN THOUGH HE TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID. HE IS SAYING, I FEEL GOOD, IF YOU CAN READ HIS LIPS. HE WILL FLY BACK OVER TO THE WHITE HOUSE. HE MAY SPEND THE WEEKEND IN DELAWARE, THOSE OF THE PLANS RIGHT NOW, THAT I'M SURE THEY WILL MONITOR HIM HOUR BY HOUR AND DAY BY DAY. HE IS IN HIS 80s AND THEY HAVE TO WATCH THEM CLOSELY. THIS ALSO COMES AT A TERRIBLE TIME BECAUSE AMERICA IS WATCHING RIGHT NOW TO SEE HOW HE'S DOING, HOW HE IS FEELING, HOW HIS STRENGTH IS, YET, HE WANTS TO PROTECT STRENGTH AFTER THAT DEBATE, AND POLL NUMBERS, THE AP POLL, THE NBC NEWS POLL HAD SIMILAR FINDINGS, ABOUT VOTERS AND THEIR CONCERNS ABOUT HIS HEALTH, AND WHETHER HE SHOULD REMAIN ON THE TICKET. ALL OF THIS HAPPENING AT THE SAME TIME THAT CONGRESSMAN ADAM SCHIFF, A HIGH-PROFILE DEMOCRAT, HAS PUBLICLY CALLED FOR PRESIDENT BIDEN TO STEP ASIDE. PRESIDENT BIDEN HAS RESPONDED THAT HE IS NOT GOING ANYWHERE, BUT WE HAVE ALSO LEARNED THAT VICE PRESIDENT, HARRIS HAD WANTED TO CHALLENGE J.D. VANCE TO A VICE PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE ON AUGUST 13th OR AUGUST 12th. SHE CALLED HIM AND LEFT HIM A VOICEMAIL. THE TWO CANDIDATES SPOKE, BUT IT SEEMS LIKE THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN DOES NOT WANT A DEBATE RIGHT NOW. I HAVE BRIAN LANSING AND TRICIA McLAUGHLIN, TWO REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST. IS THIS SMART, NOT TO DEBATE HER RIGHT AWAY? >> HE WILL DEBATE HER EVENTUALLY, BUT RIGHT NOW, THEIR SHIP IS SINKING. WHY CHASE THE NARRATIVE? IT JUST HIGHLIGHTS THE FACT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH HAVING A PRESIDENT AT SUCH AN ADVANCED AGE, ESPECIALLY ONE GOING THROUGH NEUROLOGICAL DECLINE. THIS IS A PROBLEM FOR THEM, AND WE WILL DEBATE KAMALA HARRIS WHEN IT'S APPROPRIATE AND WE ARE EAGER TO DEBATE, BUT IT'S GOING TO BE ON OUR TERMS, NOT THEIR TERMS. >> I THINK YOU PUNTED BACK TO THE DEMOCRATS AND SAY, GET IT TOGETHER, AND THEN WE WILL TALK ABOUT A DEBATE, IF SHE IS THE VP. >> REPUBLICANS HAVE THE ARGUMENT THAT THEY ARE NOT SURE WHETHER THIS TICKET STAYS TOGETHER, WHY WASTE THE TIME OR RESOURCES TO SIT DOWN AND PREPARE FOR THAT DEBATE? POTENTIALLY, KAMALA HARRIS ENDS UP DEBATING FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP AT SOME POINT. DO YOU THINK THIS TICKET, IF IT'S NOT PRESIDENT BIDEN, IT WILL BE KAMALA HARRIS? >> I DON'T. TRULY, FOR PRESIDENT BIDEN TO STEP OUT OF THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE, HE HAS TO STEP DOWN FROM THE WHITE HOUSE. YOU CAN'T BE MENTALLY DECLINED AND NOT RUN FOR PRESIDENT AND REMAIN PRESENT. I DON'T SEE PRESIDENT BIDEN RESIGNING IN HUMILIATION AND DISGRACE. I HAVE NEVER GOTTEN THE SENSE THAT HE WOULD DROP OUT OF THE TICKET OR DROP THE PRESIDENCY. >> WE THANK YOU SO MUCH. I KNOW WE WILL SEE YOU AGAIN. OUR SPECIAL COVERAGE OF NIGHT THREE OF THE RNC CONTINUES. WE ARE LIVE FROM MILWAUKEE AS WE STAY ON TOP OF A NUMBER BREAKING HEADLINES, INCLUDING NEW DETAILS ON THE ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT OF FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP, AND BREAKING NEWS ABOUT PRESIDENT BIDEN TESTING POSITIVE FOR COVID. RIGHT AFTER THIS BREAK, OHIO GOVERNOR DeWINE, STAY WITH US. >>> THE BIG TOWEL WILL ABSORB THE ASSET. >> GREEN TEA TO CALM ACNE. >> THIS IS MY FAVORITE TIP OF THE DAY. >> YOU JUST SAVED ME $40. >>> WELCOME BACK TO OUR SPECIAL COVERAGE OF NIGHT THREE AT THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION. WE ARE ALSO FOLLOWING BREAKING NEWS AT THIS HOUR, PRESIDENT BIDEN TESTING POSITIVE FOR COVID. WE WILL UPDATE YOU ON THAT STORY AS SOON AS WE KNOW MORE. THE PRESENT IS VACCINATED, BOOSTED, AND ON HIS WAY BACK TO THE WHITE HOUSE. HE HAS BEEN TREATED. WE HAVE ALREADY SEEN VIDEO OF THE PRESIDENT. HE SAYS HE IS DOING OKAY. WE WILL TALK ABOUT THAT MORE LATER THIS HOUR, BUT JOINING US LIVE FROM THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION IS OHIO GOVERNOR, MIKE DeWINE, A MEMBER OF HIS STATE'S DELEGATION. GOVERNOR DeWINE, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. I LOOK OUT OVER THIS CONVENTION, YOU GUYS WEREN'T ABLE TO DO THIS IN 2020. 2016 WAS THE LAST TIME. ARE YOU HAPPY TO BE HERE? >> IT'S GREAT. FOR OHIO, THIS HAS BEEN EXTRA SPECIAL. FOR EVERYBODY ELSE, WE ARE UNIFIED PARTY. WE SAW NIKKI HALEY LAST NIGHT'S BECOME A GREAT SPEECH. WE HAVE SEEN OTHER PEOPLE THAT RAN AGAINST TRUMP, SO IT'S ALL GOOD. >> TALK TO ME ABOUT SENATOR J.D. VANCE, THE JUNIOR SENATOR FROM YOUR GREAT STATE. DO YOU KNOW HIM? HAVE YOU GOTTEN TO KNOW HIM? WHY IS HE GOOD FOR FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP? >> I KNEW HIM VERY WELL. AS SOON AS HIS BOOK CAME OUT I CALLED HIM AND SAID, THIS IS FASCINATING. FRAN AND I GOT TO KNOW HE AND HIS WIFE, AND YEAH, I THINK THIS IS A BIG NIGHT. HE WILL INTRODUCE HIMSELF TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. >> WHAT DOES HE ADD TO THE TICKET? >> FIRST OF ALL, HE IS VERY ARTICULATE, VERY BRIGHT. I THINK IF YOU HAVE WATCHED HIM THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS, HE HAS REALLY ARTICULATED DONALD TRUMP'S MESSAGE EXCEEDINGLY WELL. THAT HAD TO BE ONE OF THE REASONS THE PRESIDENT WANTED HIM ON THE TICKET. SECOND, I THINK HIS LIFE STORY IS AN AMAZING STORY. ANYBODY, WHO HAS A PROBLEM IN THEIR FAMILY, WHO AS HAD ADDICTION IN THEIR FAMILY, HE CAN RELATE TO THAT. HE HAS HAD THAT TRAUMA. FRANKLY, MY EXPERIENCE IN LIFE IS THAT PEOPLE THAT EXPERIENCE TRAUMA THEMSELVES ARE BETTER PEOPLE. AND, THEY ARE BETTER OFFICEHOLDERS. >> IT AFFECTS ALL FAMILIES ACROSS AMERICA. SOME PEOPLE DON'T CONSIDER OHIO A BATTLEGROUND STATE ANYMORE, BUT YOU NEIGHBOR A LOT OF BATTLEGROUND STATES. YOU'RE IN THE MIDWEST. YOU HAVE THE BLUE WALL THERE. SOME PEOPLE ARGUE THAT SENATOR J.D. VANCE GIVE SOMETHING TO FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP TRYING TO GET THOSE BLUE-COLLAR VOTERS. DO YOU THINK THAT'S TRUE? >> YES, I DO. THERE'S SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFERENT ABOUT THE MIDWEST THAN THE REST OF THE COUNTRY. HE GREW UP HERE. HE'S ONE OF US, AND I THINK PEOPLE WILL RELATE TO THAT. THIS IS AN INTRODUCTION TO MOST PEOPLE, SO IT'S GOING TO BE A PROCESS FOR THEM TO GET TO KNOW HIM. BUT, WHAT THEY SEE, I THINK THEY WILL LIKE A LOT. >> I'M GOING TO SHOW YOU A POLL. THIS WAS RIGHT AFTER YOUR BIG ELECTION VICTORY IN 2022. YOU WON YOUR RE-ELECTION. YOU WON BIG. YOU WON BY 25 POINTS. SENATOR J.D. VANCE ONLY WON BY SIX POINTS, SO HOW DO REPUBLICANS MAKE THE ARGUMENT THAT HE CAN APPEAL TO THE BLUE-COLLAR VOTERS, HE CAN GET MORE VOTES IN THE MIDWESTERN STATES? I KNOW YOU ARE HOUSEHOLD NAME IN OHIO, BUT THAT'S A BIG SPREAD. >> THAT WAS HIS FIRST INTRODUCTION TO THE PEOPLE OF OHIO. FRANKLY, DONALD TRUMP ENDORSING HIM IN THAT RACE MADE A HUGE DIFFERENCE, AND WE KNOW THAT. LOOK, HE DID WELL. HE GOT ELECTED TO THE UNITED STATES SENATE. I HAVE RUN 15 TIMES. I'M NOT SURE IT'S A GREAT COMPARISON, BUT I UNDERSTAND. >> I WANT TO ASK YOU, YOU HAVE NOT ALWAYS BEEN ON THE SAME PAGE WITH FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP. WE WERE TALKING ABOUT PRESIDENT BIDEN, COVID, YOU HAD A DIFFERENT VIEW OF COVID AND HOW TO RUN YOUR STATE, AND YOU HAD DIFFERENT VIEWS ON CANDIDATES FOR OFFICE. ARE YOU HAPPY HE IS THE PARTY'S NOMINEE? >> YES. WE WERE DELIGHTED. IT'S THE FIRST TIME WE HAVE HAD AN OHIOAN ON THE TICKET SINCE 80 YEARS AGO. I WASN'T ALIVE THEN EITHER. >> I ASKED YOU ABOUT FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP. ARE YOU HAPPY HE IS THE NOMINEE? >> CLEARLY, HE IS THE CONSENSUS. HE IS WHO THE PARTY IS BEHIND. >> ARE YOU HAPPY ABOUT THAT? >> SURE. DO WE HAVE DIFFERENCES? YES. WE ARE BIG PARTY AND WE HAVE PEOPLE WITH DIFFERENCES. I DISAGREE, FOR EXAMPLE, WITH J.D. VANCE, IN REGARD TO UKRAINE. I'M A STRONG BELIEVER THAT WE MUST BACK UKRAINE EDITS IN OUR NATIONAL INTEREST TO DO IT. >> HE SAID HE IS NOT INTERESTED IN UKRAINE, HE WOULD RATHER FOCUS THE MONEY ON THE BORDER. THAT IS A BIG DIFFERENCE WITH YOU. >> SURE, SIGNIFICANTLY. WE ONLY HAVE TWO PARTIES IN THIS COUNTRY. WE EXPECT TO SEE DIFFERENCES WITHIN THESE PARTIES. THAT IS NOT UNUSUAL TO SEE DIFFERENCES. >> GOVERNOR DeWINE, YOU ARE A MAN THAT IS WISE. YOU BEEN AROUND FOR A LONG TIME. AGE IS AN ISSUE FOR PRESIDENT BIDEN. DO YOU THINK THOSE CONVERSATIONS ARE FAIR? DO YOU THINK THAT THE ARGUMENT THAT DEMOCRATS ARE MAKING WITHIN THEIR OWN PARTY THAT HE IS TOO OLD TO RUN OUR FAIR? AS SOMEBODY WHO IS STILL IN HIS PRIME AND RAN FOR RE-ELECTION IN OHIO AND WON? >> I THINK WHAT I HAVE GAINED OVER THE YEARS IS WISDOM. I HAVE LOST SOME OTHER THINGS. I DON'T HEAR QUITE AS WELL. IN MY CASE, I THINK I HAVE A LOT TO GIVE. I HAVE 2.5 MORE YEARS AS GOVERNOR, AND I'M EXCITED ABOUT THAT. PEOPLE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE THEIR OWN JUDGMENT ABOUT PRESIDENT BIDEN. I'M NOT SURE I HAVE ANY BETTER INSIGHT THAN ANYBODY ELSE DOES. >> YOU THINK IT'S A FAIR ARGUMENT TO HAVE, AND POSTDEBATE, DO YOU THINK THAT DEMOCRATS ARE RIGHT TO BE CONCERNED AFTER THE DEBATE? >> LOOK, WE ALL SAW THE DEBATE. MY WIFE AND I, ACTUALLY, SAW HIM AT THE WHITE HOUSE, PROBABLY, ABOUT A MONTH AGO. HE WAS LEAVING. WE WERE TAKING SOME FAMILY MEMBERS THERE FOR A TOUR, AND HE HAPPENED TO STOP THE MOTORCADE. I KNEW HIM FROM THE UNITED STATES SENATE MANY YEARS AGO. LOOK, THE CONVERSATION WE HAD WITH HIM THAT DAY WAS FINE. HE WAS FINE. I'M NOT ONE TO SAY, BUT WE ALL WATCHED THE DEBATE. >> I APPRECIATE YOUR HONESTY ON THAT POINT. LET ME ASK YOU ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS IN OHIO IF YOUR PARTY IS SUCCESSFUL. YOU WILL HAVE A VACANT SENATE SEAT. YOU HAVE THE POWER TO APPOINT THE NEXT SENATOR OF OHIO. WE HAD VIVEK RAMASWAMY RIGHT HERE WHERE YOU WERE SITTING, AND HALLIE JACKSON ASKED HIM ABOUT IT, AND HE SIGNALED THAT HE WOULD BE VERY INTERESTED TO SERVE. WOULD HE BE A GOOD SENATOR? >> FIRST OFF, HE IS EXTREMELY ARTICULATE. MY WIFE AND I BOTH WATCHED THAT SPEECH LAST NIGHT AND THOUGHT HE WAS PHENOMENAL. A GREAT PRESENTATION TO THE PEOPLE IN THE AUDIENCE AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY. I'M NOT GOING TO GET INTO NAMES AT THIS POINT. WHAT I HAVE SAID IS, WE HAVE TO WIN THIS CAMPAIGN. I WANT BERNIE MARINO TO BE ELECTED TO THE UNITED STATES SENATE. THAT IS WHAT OUR FOCUS IS, AS WELL IS GETTING PRESIDENT TRUMP AND J.D. VANCE. >> YOU KNOW POLITICS INSIDE AND OUT. WHAT WOULD MAKE A GOOD SENATOR FOR OHIO? >> I SERVED 12 YEARS, SO I WANT SOMEONE, WHO WILL BE A WORKHORSE, SOMEONE TO ROLL UP THEIR SLEEVES, GET THINGS DONE, REPRESENT THE STATE, REPRESENT THE COUNTRY. NUMBER TWO, THEY HAVE TO BE ABLE TO WIN A PRIMARY, A GENERAL ELECTION. I WANT SOMEONE WHO IS GOING TO STAY THERE, BECAUSE MORE SENIORITY, SENIORITY STILL MATTERS IN THE UNITED STATES SENATE, ABOUT HOW EFFECTIVE YOU CAN BE. IF YOU CAN BE EFFECTIVE ON DAY ONE, YOU WILL CONTINUE TO BE EFFECTIVE THE LONGER YOU WERE THERE. I WANT SOMEONE, WHO CAN STAY THERE A LONG PERIOD OF TIME. >> YOU'VE DONE LOCAL GOVERNMENT, FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, AND NOW YOU ARE THE GOVERNOR OF YOUR STATE. HOW MUCH HAS POLITICS CHANGED, AND THE LAWS, AND EVERYTHING ELSE, WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT WHEN YOU STARTED IN POLITICS, AND HOW IMPORTANT IT IS BEING A GOVERNMENT -- GOVERNOR IN THIS COUNTRY WHEN IT COMES TO ISSUES LIKE ABORTION AND THE SUPREME COURT? >> AS REPUBLICANS, WE ALWAYS SAID, WE WANT THE POWER BACK TO THE STATES. WE ARE GETTING THAT IN SOME INSTANCES. BUT, THE GOVERNORS HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB AND WE THINK THAT WE CAN HANDLE MOST OF THESE PROBLEMS BETTER THAN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CAN. LOOK, IT'S A PARTNERSHIP. MEDICAID IS A PARTNERSHIP AND THAT'S THE WAY IT'S GOING TO STAY. THERE HAS TO BE THAT WORKING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE GOVERNORS, AND BETWEEN WHOEVER THE PRESIDENT IS. NO MATTER WHAT PARTY THEY BELONG TO. >> IF YOU HAD A CHANCE TO WHISPER IN SENATOR J.D. VANCE IS HERE, WHAT WOULD YOU TELL HIM? >> BE YOURSELF. PEOPLE ARE GOING TO LOVE YOU. THAT'S ALL I WOULD SAY. BE YOURSELF. >> GOVERNOR MIKE DeWINE, ALWAYS A PLEASURE. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. OUR COVERAGE OF NIGHT THREE FROM THE RNC WILL CONTINUE. WE ARE LIVE FROM MILWAUKEE AS WE STAY ON TOP OF A NUMBER OF HEADLINES, INCLUDING THIS JUST IN, PRESIDENT BIDEN TESTING POSITIVE FOR COVID. STAY WITH US >>> THE BIG TOWEL WILL ABSORB THE ACID. >> GREEN TEA TO CALM ACNE. >> THIS IS MY FAVORITE TIP OF THE DAY. >> YOU JUST SAVED ME 40 BUCKS. >>> THE FIRE HAS GROWN LEAPS AND BOUNDS. >> HOW ARE YOU DOING? >> PRETTY, PRETTY BAD. >>> MORE AMERICANS TURN TO NBC NEWS THAN ANY OTHER NEWS ORGANIZATION >>> WELCOME BACK. WE ARE LIVE FROM MILWAUKEE ONCE AGAIN. NIGHT THREE OF THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION IS UNDERWAY. HERE IS A LIVE LOOK AT THE CONVENTION FLOOR JUST BEHIND ME, WHERE ALL THE ACTION WILL HAPPEN TONIGHT, AND WHERE IN A COUPLE OF HOURS, SENATOR J.D. VANCE WILL INTRODUCE HIMSELF TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. HALLIE JACKSON, MY COLLEAGUE, IS OWN ON THE FLOOR. WE HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING THAT BREAKING NEWS, PRESIDENT BIDEN TESTING POSITIVE FOR COVID. IS IT SOMETHING DELEGATES ARE TALKING ABOUT? >> Reporter: I JUST ASKED A COUPLE OF THEM HERE IN THE ALASKA DELEGATION. I HAVEN'T ASK YOUR PERMISSION. YOU MIGHT IF I ASK YOU AGAIN? WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT THAT NEWS? >> WE WERE SAD TO HEAR IT, OF COURSE. WE KNEW HE WAS FULLY VACCINATED. WE DID NOT EXPECT TO HAVE THAT NEWS, BUT HE IS IN OUR PRAYERS. WE DEFINITELY WISH THE BEST FOR HIM. >> Reporter: THANK YOU. >> I WAS SORRY TO HEAR THAT, AND I HOPE HE IS A VERY SPEEDY RECOVERY. >> Reporter: THANK YOU BOTH SO MUCH, HERE IN THE ALASKA DELEGATION. LET ME WALK YOU OVER THIS WAY, TOM. AS YOU KNOW FROM YOUR TIME DOWN HERE ON THE FLOOR, AND FORGIVE ME, IT IS JUST SO LOUD. I WILL WALK WITH YOU BECAUSE THEY ARE PLAYING A VIDEO. THAT'S WHY IT'S ALSO DARK. I WILL TRY TO FIND A BETTER SPOT. PEOPLE ARE ON THEIR PHONES. THAT'S HOW THEY FIND OUT THE NEWS. WE WERE JUST TALKING ABOUT HOW FOLKS ARE ON THEIR PHONES FINDING OUT THE NEWS, AND IT'S ABOUT PRESIDENT BIDEN HAVING BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH COVID. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HEARD THAT NEWS YET. THE PRESIDENT IS IN LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, AND THE WHITE HOUSE HAS JUST CONFIRMED HE TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID, MILD SYMPTOMS, AT THIS POINT, AND THEY WILL CONTINUE THE COURSE OF TREATMENT. ANY THOUGHTS ON THAT? >> WELL, ANYBODY WHO HAS ACQUIRED COVID-19, I ALWAYS PRAY FOR THEIR GOOD HEALTH. MY MOM HAD DEMENTIA AND WE WERE ALWAYS CHECKING HER AND PROTECTING HER FROM COVID-19, BECAUSE WE KNOW HOW DEVASTATING IT CAN BE TO THEIR HEALTH. >> I HATE TO SEE ANYBODY COME DOWN WITH COVID, ESPECIALLY A SENIOR CITIZEN LIKE THAT. I HOPE THAT HE DOES GET BETTER. IT'S HARD ON A PERSON. WE DON'T WANT ANY HARM TO COME TO HIM IN THAT FASHION. WE WILL SEND OUR PRAYERS OUT TO HIM AS WELL. >> THANK YOU BOTH. >> Reporter: IT'S ONE OF THOSE MOMENTS, WHERE YOU WERE TELLING THE PEOPLE THE NEWS LIVE. WHAT AN AVALANCHE OF DEVELOPMENTS IN BREAKING NEWS WE HAVE HAD IN THE LAST HOUR. I WILL TOSS IT BACK TO YOU. >> HALLIE, WE APPRECIATE IT. THERE HAVE BEEN SO MANY HEADLINES ON BOTH SIDES. I WANT TO BRING IN OUR NEXT GUEST HERE AT THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION. HE COMES FROM MIAMI, FLORIDA. JOINING ME NOW IS MIAMI MAYOR, FRANCIS SUAREZ. HE WAS AT 2024 PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE THAT WENT ON TO ENDORSE FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP AFTER HE DROPPED OUT OF THE RACE. >> IT'S GREAT TO BE WITH YOU, TOM. >> YOU ARE ONE OF THE YOUNGER FACES OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY. WHAT DO YOU THINK? >> I THINK IT'S INTERESTING THAT TONIGHT'S VP CHOICE WILL BE SOMEONE FROM MY GENERATION, A 39-YEAR-OLD WITH A TECH AND FINANCE BACKGROUND. AS YOU KNOW, I MADE MY CLAIM TO FAME BEING A TECH MAYOR, AND SOMEONE WHO CAME FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS, WHICH IS IMPORTANT. THIS ELECTION IS GOING TO BE ABOUT CONNECTING WITH EVERYDAY PEOPLE ON POCKETBOOK ISSUES. I THINK THE DEMOCRATS HAVE SORT OF LOST THAT, I BELIEVE, AND PRESIDENT TRUMP IS TRYING TO MAINTAIN THAT FOCUS BY CHOOSING J.D. VANCE. >> WERE YOU UPSET THAT SENATOR RUBIO DID NOT WIDEN OUT THE TICKET? >> AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, AS A MIAMI GUY, I AM VERY CLOSE TO THE SENATOR. IT WOULD HAVE BEEN GREAT TO HAVE HIM. LISTEN, HE HAS RALLIED BEHIND J.D. VANCE. WE ALL HAVE. THIS IS ABOUT BEING A TEAM. WE ARE TEAM PLAYERS AND WE KNOW THAT THE PRESIDENT HAS CHOSEN A VERY QUALIFIED PERSON, WHO HAS A GREAT NARRATIVE, A GREAT STORY, AND HE IS VERY CAPABLE AND HAS BEEN A MAGNIFICENT SENATOR IN THE SHORT TIME HE HAS BEEN THERE. HE IS GOING TO DO A GREAT JOB TONIGHT AND I THINK HE WILL ARTICULATE A VISION FOR AMERICA. >> SOME PEOPLE THINK THAT FLORIDA IS NO LONGER A RED STATE, IT'S A BATTLEGROUND STATE, BUT SOUTH FLORIDA, MIAMI, THAT IS DEFINITELY STILL A BATTLEGROUND. REPUBLICANS HAVE MADE GAINS WITH HISPANICS THERE. IT'S A UNIQUE COUNTY IN THIS COUNTRY AND THAT IT IS MAJORITY LATINO. WHAT ARE HISPANICS IN THE CITY OF MIAMI TELLING YOU? >> I THINK THEY WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY AREN'T TREATED AS A MONOLITH. THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY DID, AT SOME LEVELS, BY CALLING THEM LATINX. CUBANS HAVE DIFFERENT VIEWS, VENEZUELANS, NICARAGUANS, SO PART OF THE REASON WHY THE REPUBLICAN PARTY HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL, AND YOU SAW GAINS IN 2016, DEMOCRATS, SPECIFICALLY, WON DADE COUNTY BY 30 POINTS. IN THE MIDTERM IN 2022, DeSANTIS AND MARCO RUBIO WON BY 10 AND 20 POINTS, RESPECTIVELY. THE POLICIES IMPLEMENTED BY THE REPUBLICAN PARTY HAVE RESONATED WITH THE SPECIFIC CATEGORIES OF HISPANICS IN DADE COUNTY. >> YOU THINK THE BRANDING OF SOCIALISM AND CONNECTING THAT WITH THE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES IN 2020, IS THAT STILL A PROBLEM FOR DEMOCRATS IN 2024? >> IT IS ABSOLUTELY A PROBLEM, TOM. FOR SOME REASON THEY HAVE A HARD TIME SHEDDING THAT LABEL. LOOK, WE ARE NOT ABOUT SOCIALISM. >> I WANT TO BE CLEAR, PRESIDENT BIDEN IS IN NO WAY A SOCIALIST. IT CAME FROM BERNIE SANDERS THAT HE WAS A DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST. >> I WOULD AGREE ON SOME LEVEL THAT THE PRESIDENT HAS TRIED TO SHED THE LABEL. I DON'T THINK THE PARTY HAS DONE IT EFFECTIVELY, FOR SOME REASON. THERE ARE PEOPLE SYMPATHETIC TO SOCIALISTIC IDEAS WITHIN THE PARTY AND THAT'S PART OF THE PROBLEM, BUT I DON'T THINK THE PRESIDENT FALLS INTO THAT CATEGORY. REPUBLICANS, CERTAINLY, WE HAVE NO PROBLEM CONDEMNING SOCIALISM, PARTICULARLY, PEOPLE THAT CAME FROM SOCIALIST COUNTRIES, LIKE MY PARENTS DID, AND SAW IT DESTROYED HER COUNTRY OF BIRTH. WE FEEL BLESSED TO BE HERE. WE THINK THE AMERICAN WAY IS THE BEST WAY, THE BEST ROAD TO PROSPERITY, AND WE SEE IT IN MIAMI. WE HAVE LOWER TAXES, REDUCED CRIME, AND WE HAVE THE HIGHEST WAGE GROWTH IN AMERICA AND THE HIGHEST UNEMPLOYMENT. THESE AMERICAN PRINCIPLES HAVE CREATED PROSPERITY IN A CITY THAT USED TO BE BLUE. >> SPEAKING OF CRIME, THE HEADLINES WERE SEEN ALL OVER THE WORLD, THE VIDEOS. WHAT HAPPENED AT THAT GAME IN MIAMI WHERE PEOPLE STAMPEDED THE STADIUM? IT WAS DANGEROUS, CRIMINAL, AND OUT-OF-CONTROL. HOW DID THAT HAPPEN IN A CITY IN AMERICA? >> IT DID NOT HAPPEN IN MY CITY. IT HAPPEN IN MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, AND IT WAS UNFORTUNATE. I THINK THERE WERE, OBVIOUSLY, NOT SUFFICIENT SECURITY. IT WAS NOT HANDLED THE WAY A SUPER BOWL SHOULD BE HANDLED. AS WE EMBARK ON THE WORLD CUP, WHICH IS COMING IN 2026, I'M SURE THAT NOT ONLY HARD ROCK, FIFA, AND WE ARE HERE TO HELP, EVEN THOUGH IT'S NOT OUR JURISDICTION OR RESPONSIBILITY, WE WERE ASKED LATE SUNDAY NIGHT TO PROVIDE AID, AND WE DID. WE ARE HERE TO HELP. WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO HELP THEM AS WELL. >> LAST QUESTION, WHAT YOU WANT TO DO POLITICALLY? WHAT ELSE DO YOU THINK YOU CAN DO FOR FLORIDIANS IF YOU DECIDE TO RUN AGAIN? >> FIRST OF ALL, I'M VERY BLESSED. I'VE HAD A GOOD TRACK RECORD IN THE CITY OF MIAMI. WE HAVE LOWER TAXES TO THE LOWEST LEVEL AREA -- EVER. WE HAD A BANKRUPT CITY AND WE TURNED IT AROUND. FOR ME, FROM A RESIDENT PERSPECTIVE, ONE THING THAT WOULD BE INTERESTING WOULD BE LOOKING AT AN ECOSYSTEM LIKE THE STATE OF FLORIDA, DOING SOMETHING IN THE ADMINISTRATION. >> DO YOU WANT TO RUN FOR GOVERNOR? >> IT IS SOMETHING I WOULD CONSIDER. >> WE ARE BACK NOW LIVE, STILL AT THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION. WE ARE FOLLOWING THE BREAKING NEWS OF PRESIDENT BIDEN TESTING POSITIVE FOR COVID-19. THE REACTION FROM DEMOCRATS ON THE HILL, WHAT ARE THEY TELLING YOU? >> Reporter: WE ARE SEEING A SLOW TRICKLE OF REACTION TO PRESIDENT BIDEN'S COVER DIAGNOSIS FROM DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKERS. A COUPLE OF THEM THAT I CAN READ OUT, IT SAYS, "WISHING PRESIDENT BIDEN A SPEEDY RECOVERY " HE GOES ON TO SAY THAT WHILE THE PANDEMIC IS OVER IT, COVID IS STILL A RISK. HE CALLED ON EVERYONE TO GET THEIR UPDATED BOOSTERS AND STAY HOME IF THEY ARE FEELING SICK. IT ALSO SAYS, WISHING PRESIDENT BIDEN A SWIFT AND SPEEDY RECOVERY, IN A BRIEF TWEET. THE WHITE HOUSE HAS SAID THE PRESIDENT IS VACCINATED, BOOSTED. HE IS EXPERIENCING MILD SYMPTOMS FOLLOWING A POSITIVE COVID TEST AND HE WILL SELF ISOLATE AND CONTINUE TO CARRY OUT HIS DUTIES AT HIS HOME IN REHOBETH. WHILE ALL THE SPECULATION IS HAPPENING, THE WHITE HOUSE IS NOTING THE PRESIDENT IS FINE. >> I ALSO WANT TO ASK YOU, THE NEWS THAT HAS COME OUT ABOUT REPRESENTATIVE SCHIFFF. ANYMORE NEW REPORTING ON THAT? >> Reporter: CONGRESSMAN SHIFT BECOMES ONE OF THE MOST PROMINENT DEMOCRATS TO CALL ON PRESIDENT BIDEN TO STEP ASIDE FROM THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE TO WITHDRAW AND HAVE DEMOCRATS PUT ANOTHER NOMINEE IN HIS PLACE. SCHIFFF HAD WALKED UP TO THE LINE OF SAYING THIS A FEW DAYS AGO ON MEET THE PRESS, BUT DID NOT QUITE CALL ON HIM TO GO. NOW, HE IS CALLING ON HIM TO GO. HE HAD BEEN ONE OF THE DOZENS OF DEMOCRATS THAT WE HAVE SPOKEN TO, WHO ARE SKEPTICAL OR DO NOT BELIEVE THAT PRESIDENT BIDEN TO STAY IN THE RACE. IN HIS STATEMENT, SCHIFFF SAYS HE HAS SERIOUS CONCERNS ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT THE PRESIDENT CAN BEAT PRESIDENT TRUMP, AND CALLED IT THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT ONE. HE SAID IT'S TIME FOR HIM TO PASS THE TORCH, AND IN DOING SO, HE WILL SECURE HIS LEGACY. THE BIDEN CAMPAIGN HAS RESPONDED, POINTING TO THE PRESIDENT'S LETTER TO CONGRESS, SAYING EMPHATICALLY, THAT HE IS NOT LEAVING THE RACE, THAT HE HAS MORE WORK TO DO IN THE PRESIDENCY AND HE BELIEVES THAT HE IS THE BEST CANDIDATE TO BEAT DONALD TRUMP. A LOT OF DEMOCRATS DON'T BELIEVE THAT AT ALL. THIS IS NOT A UNIVERSAL OPINION, BUT A GROWING OPINION. DEMOCRATS WORRY THAT HE IS DOWN RIGHT NOW IN THE POLLS AND THINGS WILL GET WORSE FROM HERE ON OUT. THE BIDEN CAMPAIGN, HOWEVER, IS DEFIANT, REFUSING TO STEP DOWN, AND THEY HAVE MANY PASSIONATE SUPPORTERS WITHIN THE DEMOCRATIC BASE THAT ARE BACKING HIS DECISION TO STAY IN THE RACE AND CONTINUE FIGHTING. >> I'M SORRY BECAUSE IT'S SO LOUD HERE AT THE CONVENTION HALL. WHAT IS THE TOTAL NUMBER OF DEMOCRATS, PUBLICLY ELECTED DEMOCRATS THAT HAVE COME OUT ON CAPITOL HILL AGAINST FORMER -- PRESIDENT BIDEN, ASKING HIM TO STEP DOWN? >> >> Reporter: IT'S ABOUT A DOZEN. IN TERMS OF MEMBERS WHO HAVE EXPLICITLY SAID HE SHOULD GO, LAST I CHECKED, IT'S SOMEWHERE AROUND 25 OR SO. WHEN YOU CONSIDER THE FACT THERE ARE WELL OVER 200 DEMOCRATIC MEMBERS OF CONGRESS HERE, THAT IS NOT A HUGE NUMBER, BUT IT IS STILL A GROWING NUMBER, AND THE PRESIDENT INSISTENCE, REPEATEDLY, THAT HE WILL STAY IN THE RACE, HAS NOT QUIETED THEM. IT HAS NOT BROKEN THE DAM. IN LARGE PART, BECAUSE DEMOCRATIC LEADERS LIKE CHUCK SCHUMER AND HAKEEM JEFFRIES HAVE SAID THEY WOULD CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE PRESIDENT IF HE STAYS IN THE RACE. IT'S ALSO RAISING EYEBROWS THAT THOSE TWO MEN COULD EASILY CUT THE KIBOSH ON THIS TALK ABOUT REPLACING THE PRESIDENT. THEY COULD COME OUT AND SAY, HE IS THE BEST CANDIDATE, STOP TALKING ABOUT IT. THEY HAVEN'T DONE THAT, WHICH IS CONTINUING TO CREATE THIS SENSE OF UNEASE, THIS FEELING OF PURGATORY, AS TO WHETHER HE IS REALLY GOING TO STAY. WHETHER IT'S GOING TO CONTINUE TO BE A TRICKLE OF MEMBERS THAT CALL ON PRESIDENT BIDEN TO LEAVE, AND THE OTHER FEAR, TOM, IS THAT IF THE PRESIDENT'S NUMBERS DON'T IMPROVE, THERE ARE DEMOCRATS THAT FEAR HE WILL DRAG DOWN THE TICKET, BUT HE WILL BRING DOWN DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES THAT ARE OVER PERFORMING HIM IN BATTLEGROUND STATES ANYWHERE BETWEEN FIVE POINTS AND 17 POINTS. IT'S A MASSIVE, STARK GAP THE WAY THE PRESIDENT IS PERFORMING AGAINST FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP AND THE WAY THAT DEMOCRATS ARE SOUNDLY BEATING THEIR REPUBLICAN RIVALS. IT WOULD BE HARD TO MAINTAIN THIS BETWEEN NOW AND ELECTION DAY, BUT THAT IS THE FEAR, THAT THEY MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO DO IT. >> WE THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US. FOR MORE ANALYSIS, I AM JOINED BY SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT FOR THE WALL STREET JOURNAL, MOLLY BALL. I WANTED TO HAVE YOU ON BECAUSE I KNOW YOU WROTE THAT PROFILE ON SENATOR VANCE. WHAT YOU EXPECT TO HEAR FROM HIM TONIGHT? >> WE HAVE BEEN TOLD FROM THE CAMPAIGN THAT HE WILL HEAVILY EMPHASIZE HIS LIFE STORY, THE INSPIRING STORY HE TOLD IN HIS MEMOIR, OF COURSE, THAT WAS A BEST SELLER AND BECAME A HOLLYWOOD MOVIE, TALKING ABOUT HIS HARDSCRABBLE BEGINNINGS. THE CAMPAIGN FEELS THAT NOT ONLY IS HE WELL-POSITIONED TO SPEAK TO WHITE WORKING-CLASS VOTERS IN THE RUST BELT, THAT WERE SO CRUCIAL IN THE SWING STATES OF MICHIGAN, OHIO, AND PENNSYLVANIANS, AND REALLY, ALL AMERICANS THAT KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE TO STRUGGLE. ANYONE WHO HAS DEALT WITH ADDICTION, ANYONE WHO HAS BEEN ABLE TO ACHIEVE SUCCESS DESPITE BEING BORN INTO DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES. WHAT WE EXPECT HIM TO TALK LESS ABOUT OUR SOME OF HIS MORE DIVISIVE POLICY POSITIONS, DIVISIVE EVEN WITHIN THIS ROOM, POLICIES ON FOREIGN POLICY AND ECONOMICS THAT ARE QUITE A DIVERSION FROM THE REPUBLICAN PARTY. >> I KNOW HIS POSITION HAS EVOLVED LIKE A LOT OF REPUBLICANS HAVE EVOLVED ON ABORTION, INCLUDING FROM FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP, AND YOU MAY CALL IT WHIPLASH. HE HAS GOT A LOT OF DIFFERENT WAYS. WHERE IS SENATOR J.D. VANCE RIGHT NOW BUT IT COMES TO ABORTION? >> THE LATEST THING HE HAS SAID IS THAT HE REMAINS PRO-LIFE, AND HE IS IN LINE WITH DONALD TRUMP. THE PARTY IS NOT NECESSARILY IN LOCKSTEP, BUT THEY ARE ALL TAKING THE POSITION THAT TRUMP HAS TAKEN, WHICH IS THAT HE WON'T MOVE TO RESTRICT ABORTION ANY FURTHER THAN IT ALREADY IS, BUT WILL LET THE STATES DECIDE. THAT, POTENTIALLY, LETS THE STATES RESTRICT ABORTION QUITE SEVERELY WIFE AND WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM HER? >> SHE IS A YALE LAW SCHOOL CLASSMATE WHO HE MET THROUGH YALE LAW SCHOOL, A VERY ACCOMPLISHED LAWYER, CLERKED FOR CONSERVATIVE JUSTICES, JOHN ROBERTS, BRETT KAVANAUGH, HE HAS CREDITED HER WITH A LOT OF SUCCESS AND THEY HAVE THREE YOUNG CHILDREN, THEY LIVE IN CINCINNATI, SHE'S GOING TO SPEAK RIGHT BEFORE JD VANCE AND I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF CURIOSITY ABOUT HER AS WELL. >> MOLLY, THANK YOU SO MUCH, THAT WILL DO IT FOR THIS HALF HOUR OF OUR COVERAGE OF THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION. I'M TOM LLAMAS. STAY WITH US. MORE ON THIS HISTORIC NATIONAL CONVENTION AHEAD. >> THIS IS NBC NEWS SPECIAL COVERAGE OF THE NATIONAL CONVENTION LIVE FROM MILWAUKEE. HERE IS TOM LLAMAS. >> WE ARE LIVE TONIGHT FROM MILWAUKEE HAS NIGHT THREE OF THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION GETS UNDERWAY AND WE ARE FOLLOWING SEVERAL BREAKING STORIES AT THIS HOUR. >>> PRESIDENT BIDEN TESTING POSITIVE FOR COVID. THE PRESIDENT SEEN WITHOUT A MASK BOARDING AIR FORCE ONE SAYING HE FEELS GREAT. WE ARE TOLD HE WILL BE SELF ISOLATING IN DELAWARE THIS WEEKEND. >>> THE SPOTLIGHT AT THE RNC IS ON FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP'S'S RUNNING MATE, OHIO SENATOR JD VANCE SLATED TO GIVE THE MOST IMPORTANT POLITICAL SPEECH OF HIS CAREER. TO INTRODUCE HIMSELF TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ON THE NATIONAL STAGE. TONIGHT'S THEME, MAKE AMERICA STRONG ONCE AGAIN, FOCUSING ON FOREIGN POLICY AS THE COUNTRY CONFRONTS TWO MAJOR WARS. IN JUST A MOMENT WE SPEAK WITH THE PARENTS OF A U.S. IS REALLY HOSTAGE FIGHTING FOR THEIR SON'S SAFE RETURN. THIS EVENING'S REMARKS CENTERING AROUND THE U.S. IS POSITION ON THE WORLD STAGE AS WE ENTER PRIME TIME, SOME OF THE MOST ANTICIPATED SPEAKERS MAKING THEIR WAY TO THE PODIUM. WE WILL HEAR FROM BIG NAMES INCLUDING GOVERNOR GREG ABBOTT, FORMER TRUMP'S ADVISER PETER NAVARRO WHO WAS JUST RELEASED FROM PRISON THIS MORNING, NORTH DAKOTA GOVERNOR DOUG BURGUM AND THE PRESIDENT'S SON, DONALD TRUMP'S JR. MAC AND THIS AFTERNOON, FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP'S WITH A BANDAGE ON HIS EAR TOURING THE CONVENTION STAGE AS HE PREPARED FOR HIS BIG SPEECH. THE FORMER PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS EXPECTED TO DRAMATICALLY SHIFT IN TONE AFTER THE ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT ON HIS LIFE. ONE OF THE MOST PERMANENT DEMOCRATS, REPRESENTATIVE SHIFT CALLING ON PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN TO DROP OUT OF THIS RACE. REPORTERS ARE SPREAD OUT ACROSS THE CONVENTION FLOOR. I FIRST WANT TO GET TO NBC WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT -- IN LAS VEGAS WITH THE PRESIDENT. THIS IS AN INCREDIBLE SORT OF SERIES OF EVENTS FOR THE PRESIDENT TODAY AND A LOT OF NEWS. WHAT ARE WE HEARING FROM THE WHITE HOUSE? WHAT DO YOU KNOW? >> THE PACE OF DEVELOPMENT DURING THIS CAMPAIGN, THIS WEEK AND THIS DAY HAS BEEN INCREDIBLE. IT WAS EXACTLY 1 HOUR AGO ON THIS STAGE BEHIND ME AS WE WERE WAITING, WONDERING WHY IT WAS RUNNING SO LATE FOR THIS SCHEDULED ADDRESS TO THE CONFERENCE HERE THAT THE HEAD OF THE ORGANIZATION CAME OUT TO ANNOUNCE TO THE CROWD THAT SHE HAD SPOKEN DIRECTLY WITH PRESIDENT BIDEN WHO HAD CALLED HER DIRECTLY TO EXPRESS HIS REGRET THAT HE WOULD NO LONGER BE ABLE TO ATTEND THIS SPEECH. THAT ANNOUNCEMENT ALONE WOULD HAVE BEEN SIGNIFICANT, A SOURCE OF ANY NUMBER OF SPECULATIVE DECISIONS ABOUT WHAT MAY BE LEADING TO THAT BUT THEN SHE DROPPED THE NEXT LINE WHICH WAS THAT HE HAD BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH COVID-19. ACCORDING TO THE PRESIDENTS DOCTOR, HE BEGAN THIS DAY FEELING A LITTLE BIT RUNDOWN THAT HE HAD AN UPPER RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMS, RUNNY NOSE, NONPRODUCTIVE COUGH, AND HE WAS FEELING GOOD ENOUGH TO GO AHEAD WITH HIS FIRST EVENT OF THE DAY. HE MADE A VISIT, YOU ARE SEEING THE PICTURES ON THE SCREEN NOW, TO A LOCAL RESTAURANT AND THEN SAT DOWN AND RECORDED AN INTERVIEW WITH A RADIO HOST BUT IT WAS THE FACT THAT HIS SYMPTOMS WERE CONTINUING THAT THE DOCTORS WHO TRAVEL WITH THE PRESIDENT MOTHER IS A FULL-TIME MEDICAL UNIT THAT TRAVELS WITH THE PRESIDENT, DECIDED TO GIVE HIM THAT POINT-OF-CARE TEST AND HE DID TEST POSITIVE SO AT THIS POINT, THE PRESIDENT IS NOW ON AIR FORCE ONE HEADING BACK TO DELAWARE WHERE WE ARE TOLD THAT HE WILL SELF ISOLATE FOR THE APPROPRIATE AMOUNT OF TIME. THE COVID GUIDELINES HAVE CHANGED AS YOU KNOW FROM THE CDC. WE ALSO HAVE JUST RECEIVED AN EMAIL THAT WAS SENT AROUND TO THE BIDEN CAMPAIGN STAFF WHO, FROM THE CAMPAIGN MANAGER, JULIE CHAVEZ RODRIGUEZ AS WELL AS THE CAMPAIGN CHAIRWOMAN, SHARING THIS NEWS WITH THE CAMPAIGN STAFF AND SAYING THE PRESIDENT WILL GET BACK OUT ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL AS SOON AS HE IS COVID FREE. SO, THAT IS THE CAMPAIGN PART OF IT AS IT RELATES TO THE PRESIDENT'S HEALTH, BUT AS FAR AS THE STATUS OF HIS CANDIDACY, VERY MUCH STILL IN THE MINDS OF SO MANY DEMOCRATS WITH ADAM SCHIFF COMING OUT, ONE OF THE MOST PROMINENT NAMES IN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY TO CALL IN THE PRESIDENT TO STEP ASIDE. THE BIDEN CAMPAIGN HAD BEEN DOWNPLAYING THIS POINTING TO THE NUMBER OF LAWMAKERS TRAVELING WITH THE PRESIDENT ON THIS TWO DAY SWING TO LAS VEGAS, THE SUPPORT HE STILL ENJOYS FROM WHAT THEY PUT IT IS THE BACKGROUND OF THE DEMOCRATIC ALREADY ESPECIALLY BLACK AND LATINO VOTERS, THE AUDIENCE HE WAS SPEAKING TO HERE. NOW THE PRESIDENT WILL HAVE PLENTY OF TIME IN ISOLATION TO CONTINUE THOSE CONVERSATIONS WITH HIS TEAM AND OTHER DEMOCRATS ABOUT WHETHER HE COULD AND WILL REMAIN IN THE RACE AS HE HAS INSISTED HE PLANS TO DO. >> MIKE MEDLEY, WE APPRECIATE YOU AND THAT REPORTING. WE WILL STAY WITH YOU AND GET ANY UPDATES AS THEY COME IN FROM THE WHITE HOUSE. I WANT TO TURN TO THE CAMPAIGN STAGE NOW, REPRESENTATIVE NANCY MACE IS SPEAKING NOW. LET'S LISTEN IN. >> THE GREAT STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA! AT THE AGE OF 17, I LEARNED THAT DROPPING OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL, MIGHT NOT HAVE BEEN THE BEST IDEA. SO I TOOK MY FIRST JOB AT A FINE DINING ESTABLISHMENT SOME OF YOU MAY KNOW AS THE WAFFLE HOUSE. DENNY'S WAS A LITTLE TOO HIGHBROW. WHILE WAFFLE HOUSE WAS AN IMPORTANT PART OF MY JOURNEY, IT WOULD NOT BE MY DESTINATION. I SOON WENT FROM MAKING WAFFLES TO MAKING HISTORY. 25 YEARS AGO, THIS HIGH SCHOOL DROPOUT BECAME THE FIRST WOMAN TO GRADUATE FROM THE CITADEL, THE MILITARY COLLEGE OF SOUTH CAROLINA. A COLLEGE CAMPUS WHERE WE DON'T BURN AMERICAN FLAGS, WE SALUTE THEM. I'M A SINGLE MOM AND A RAPE SURVIVOR. TO WOMEN TONIGHT WHO CAN RELATE, PLEASE KNOW, YOU HAVE A FRIEND AND A SISTER IN ME AND I WILL FIGHT FOR YOU. I'M THE DAUGHTER OF AN ARMY BRIGADIER GENERAL AND A SCHOOLTEACHER. I HAVE ADMIRED MY DAD'S DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS FROM VIETNAM. I'VE ENDURED THE RIGORS OF A CITADEL EDUCATION AND TODAY I REPRESENT A DISTRICT THAT INCLUDES PARRIS ISLAND WHERE WE MAKE MARINES. WHAT WE ARE WITNESSING TODAY IS PROOF THAT STRENGTH PRESERVES PEACE AND WEAKNESS INVITES WAR. WE CAN NEVER PROJECT STRENGTH AROUND THE WORLD WHEN WEAKNESS STANDS IN THE WHITE HOUSE. NATIONS LIKE CHINA SEE WEAKNESS AS OPPORTUNITY. CHINA'S FENTANYL INVADES OUR BORDERS. THEIR ARMS SUPPLY PUTIN'S REGIME. CHINA SUPPORTS ENEMY STATES LIKE IRAN. THEY OPPRESS THEIR OWN PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY THEIR WOMEN. THE WORLD IS WATCHING AMERICA AND WE MUST SHOW THEM WHAT WE ARE MADE OF. AND I KNOW A STRONG LEADER WHEN I SEE ONE. DONALD TRUMP'S STOOD UP TO CHINA BEFORE AND HE WILL DO IT AGAIN. ANYONE WHO THINKS THEY CAN TAKE ON DONALD TRUMP'S OR TAKE DOWN AMERICA IS NOW ON NOTICE. JUST AS TRUMP'S QUICKLY ROSE TO HIS FEET WITH A DEFIANT FIST IN THE AIR, IN BUTLER TOWN FISH -- TOWNSHIP, PENNSYLVANIA, WHEN WE RE-ELECT HIM AS PRESIDENT IN NOVEMBER, AMERICA WILL SOON BE BACK ON HER'S. WE WILL BE COURAGEOUS. WE WILL BE RESILIENT. WE WILL BE UNITED AND WE WILL BE PREPARED TO TAKE ON THE CHALLENGES OF THIS HISTORIC MOMENT. THANK YOU, GOD BLESS YOU, AND GOD BLESS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND GOD BLESS DONALD J TRUMP'S. THANK YOU. >> WE'VE JUST BEEN LISTENING TO REPRESENTATIVE NANCY MACE FROM SOUTH CAROLINA. THE NEXT SPEAKER QUITE INTERESTING. REPRESENTATIVE RONNY JACKSON OF TEXAS, INTERESTING BECAUSE HE ALSO SERVED AS WHITE HOUSE PHYSICIAN UNDER PRESIDENT OBAMA AND TRUMP'S AND HE TREATED FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP'S WHEN HE HAD COVID. HE IS ALSO SPOKEN AND TREATED THE PRESIDENT SINCE HIS ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT, TREATING AND LOOKING AT HIS EARS. WE WILL HAVE MUCH MORE OF THAT BUT LET'S LISTEN TO CONGRESSMAN JACKSON. >> ALL RIGHT, GOOD EVENING, EVERYBODY. GOOD EVENING, GOOD EVENING AND GOOD EVENING TO MY DELEGATION FROM TEXAS. MY NAME IS DR. RONNY JACKSON AND I'M THE CONGRESSMAN FROM THE 13th CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT OF THE GREAT STATE OF TEXAS. PRIOR TO BEING IN CONGRESS, I SERVED ON ACTIVE DUTY IN THE NAVY FOR 25 YEARS. I WAS A NAVY DEEP-SEA DIVER. AN EMERGENCY MEDICINE DOCTOR AND A COMBAT PHYSICIAN IN IRAQ. DURING THAT TIME I ALSO HAD THE DISTINCT PRIVILEGE OF SERVING FOR 14 YEARS AS WHITE HOUSE PHYSICIAN. BUT, MOST IMPORTANTLY, I SERVED AS THE APPOINTED PHYSICIAN TO THE GREATEST PRESIDENT THAT THIS COUNTRY HAS EVER HAD, DONALD J TRUMP'S . AND NOT ONLY THAT BUT NOW I CAN SAY I SERVED A PRESIDENT WHO LITERALLY TOOK A BULLET FOR OUR COUNTRY. PRESIDENT TRUMP'S AND I HAVE BEEN THROUGH A LOT TOGETHER OVER THE YEARS BUT I HAVE NEVER EVER BEEN PROUDER OF HIS LEADERSHIP THAN I WAS LAST SATURDAY. HIS WARRIOR SPIRIT AND HIS DISPLAY OF WILL TO KEEP FIGHTING FOR OUR COUNTRY EVEN AFTER GETTING SHOT DOWN AS AN ALL TIMER -- WILL GO DOWN AS AN ALL-TIME MOMENT IN AMERICAN HISTORY. I KNOW FIRSTHAND FROM MY TIME AT THE WHITE HOUSE THAT BEING A PRESIDENT IS AN UNRELENTING 24 7 JOB. TIME OFF TRULY JUST DOESN'T EXIST. OUR PRESIDENT NEEDS TO MAKE CLEAR AND DECISIVE DECISIONS AT A MOMENTS NOTICE. WHEN THE PHONE RINGS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, THE PRESIDENT MUST BE READY. UNFORTUNATELY, OUR CURRENT PRESIDENT IS NOT READY FOR THAT CALL. LET'S NOT KID OURSELVES. IF EITHER -- FATHER TIME HAS NOT BEEN KIND TO JOE BIDEN AND CHINA, RUSSIA, IRAN, AND NORTH KOREA, THEY DO NOT RESPECT BIDEN'S 10:00 A.M. TO 4:00 P.M. SCHEDULE AND WE WOULD NOT BE IN THIS SITUATION WERE IT NOT FOR JOE BIDEN'S STAFF AND HIS FAMILY. THEY SHOULD HAVE COMPASSION FOR HIM AND IRA TIES HIS HEALTH AND OUR COUNTRY'S SECURITY, BUT THEY HAVE PUT THEIR OWN INTERESTS ABOVE AMERICA'S INTERESTS. PERHAPS THE GREATEST BLAME LIES WITH HIS OWN VICE PRESIDENT, KAMALA HARRIS. SHE HAS NOT BEEN TRUTHFUL WITH US. SHE HAS LIED TO US. SHE HAS PUT PARTY ABOVE COUNTRY AND SHE IS AS UNFIT IN CHARACTER AS JOE BIDEN IS IN BODY AND MIND. BETWEEN THE WIDE-OPEN SOUTHERN BORDER, THE BOTCHED AFGHANISTAN WITHDRAWAL, RECORD HIGH INFLATION, AND THE DEVASTATING CRIME IN OUR STREETS, THIS ADMINISTRATION HAS NOW PRODUCED A LEGACY OF FAILURE, DISAPPOINTMENT, AND DANGER. THERE IS SIMPLY TOO MUCH AT STAKE TO HAVE SOMEONE WHO CAN BARELY SHUFFLE TO A PODIUM BE THE ONE THAT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SAFETY AND SECURITY OF OUR COUNTRY. EVERY SECOND THAT JOE BIDEN REMAINS IN THE WHITE HOUSE, THIS COUNTRY BECOMES LESS SAFE. HOWEVER, UNDER PRESIDENT TRUMP'S'S LEADERSHIP, WE WILL RESTORE OUR STANDING ON THE WORLD STAGE. WE WILL BRING BACK OUR GREAT ECONOMY WE HAD. WE WILL FINALLY SECURE OUR SOUTHERN BORDER. WE WILL REBUILD OUR GREAT MILITARY. WE WILL CLEAN UP CRIME IN OUR STREETS, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, MOST IMPORTANTLY, WE WILL HAVE A PRESIDENT WHO IS RESPECTED BY OUR ALLIES AND WHO IS FEARED BY OUR ENEMIES AND WHO LEADS WITH STRENGTH. LET ME CLOSE BY SAYING, THE PATH FORWARD IS SIMPLE. IT IS VERY SIMPLE AND STRAIGHTFORWARD. WE NEED TO MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN AND WE NEED TO DO EVERYTHING WE POSSIBLY CAN TO RE-ELECT DONALD J TRUMP'S AS OUR PRESIDENT. THANK YOU ALL, GOD BLESS YOU, GOD BLESS AMERICA AND GOD BLESS TEXAS. >> WE HAVE JUST BEEN LISTENING TO TEXAS REPRESENTATIVE RONNY JACKSON THERE, SOMEONE WHO HAS SERVED AS THE WHITE HOUSE DOCTRINE UNDER PRESIDENT OBAMA AND PRESIDENT TRUMP'S AND REALLY DELIVERING A TOUGH MESSAGE THERE ON PRESIDENT BIDEN SAYING FATHER TIME HAS NOT BEEN KIND WITH PRESIDENT BIDEN. I WANT TO BRING IN ONE OF OUR REPORTERS, GARRETT HAAKE, WHO HAS BEEN SPEAKING TO JACKSON. I KNOW YOU HAVE ASKED HIM ABOUT HOW THE PRESIDENT IS DOING AFTER THAT ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT. >> IT'S BEEN INTERESTING BECAUSE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT, RONNY JACKSON SPOKE TO A GROUP IN TOWN WHERE HE SAID I'VE BEEN TREATING THE PRESIDENT, I'VE TALKED TO HIM, I WORKED ON HIS EAR, IT'S GOING TO BE FINE, IT'S NOT GOING TO EVEN NEED STITCHES AND ESSENTIALLY IMPLIED THAT DONALD TRUMP'S IS UNDER HIS CARE AS A DOCTOR AND THE SEVERAL HOURS BETWEEN THAT CONVERSATION AND WHEN I FOUND HIM IT WAS CLEAR THE TRUMP'S CAMPAIGN HAD ASKED HIM TO SHUT UP BECAUSE ALL HE WOULD CONFIRM TO ME WAS THAT HE HAD EXAMINED THE PRESIDENTS YEAR AT SOME POINT. HE HAS SPENT A LOT OF TIME AROUND THE PRESIDENT SINCE SATURDAY PHYSICALLY ACTING AS SOME KIND OF PHYSICIAN TO FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP'S BUT IT HAS BEEN FRUSTRATING TO REPORTERS AND PEOPLE OUT THERE WHO SHOULD'VE BEEN EXACTLY WHAT THE PRESIDENTS INJURY AND CONDITION IS WHAT'S GOING ON UNDER THAT BANDAGE BECAUSE THE TRUMP'S CAMPAIGN HAS PROVIDED ABSOLUTELY NO INFORMATION. THEY SAID THEY WILL TELL US NOTHING THAT DOESN'T COME FROM THE MOUTH OF DONALD TRUMP'S HIMSELF AND RONNY JACKSON IS NO LONGER TALKING ABOUT WHATEVER CARE HE MAY BE PROVIDING. THE MAN WHO SERVED -- THE MAN HE TOOK CARE OF WHEN HE WAS WHITE HOUSE PHYSICIAN IN HIS PREVIOUS JOB. >> I THINK IT'S FAIR TO SAY ALSO THAT REPRESENTATIVE RONNY JACKSON MIGHT HAVE HAD THE TOUGHEST COMMENTS ON PRESIDENT BIDEN AND THE AGE ISSUES SO FAR AT THIS CONVENTION. >> IF YOU THOUGHT PERHAPS SOME OF THESE SPEAKERS MIGHT PULL THEIR PUNCHES BECAUSE OF PRESIDENT BIDEN'S COVID DIAGNOSIS TODAY, THINK AGAIN. YOU HEARD THAT FROM RONNY JACKSON SUGGESTING ALMOST CLINICALLY THAT JOE BIDEN ISN'T ABLE TO DO THE JOB ALTHOUGH I WILL SAY HE IS THE THIRD OR FOURTH PERSON I'VE HEARD IN SOME OF THESE UNDERCARD SPEECHES MAKE THAT 10:00 A.M. TO 4:00 P.M. JOKE. SPEAKERS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO START PUTTING A DOLLAR IN A JAR IF THEY WANT TO KEEP USING THAT MATERIAL THROUGHOUT THE COURSE OF THE WEEK BUT THIS IS THE ARGUMENT THAT THE TRUMP'S CAMPAIGN WANTS TO MAKE MORE BROADLY, THAT JOE BIDEN ISN'T JUST BAD AT THIS JOB, HE'S UNFIT FOR IT AND I WILL JUST ADD FROM MY CONVERSATION WITH SOME OF THE DELEGATES OUT HERE ABOUT THE PRESIDENT'S COVID DIAGNOSIS, THERE'S ALMOST A CONSPIRATORIAL TONE TO THEIR RESPONSES, SAYING OKAY, YEAH RIGHT, THIS IS JUST THE LATEST EXCUSE TO KEEP HIM OFF THE TRAIL. THE LATEST THING TO MAYBE GET HIM OUT OF THIS RACE. THERE'S ALMOST LIKE AN EYE ROLLING SHRUGGED TO THE DIAGNOSIS OF COVID FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES BECAUSE THEY DON'T EXPECT TO SEE A ROBUST JOE BIDEN OUT HERE CAMPAIGNING RIGHT NOW. >> YEAH, GARRETT, DO ME A FAVOR, CAN YOU PULL THE CURTAIN BACK FOR OUR VIEWERS? EXPLAIN WHERE YOU ARE ON THE CONVENTION FLOOR. YOU ARE NOT ON THE FLOOR BUT YOU ARE IN THE BALCONY WITH OTHER CORRESPONDENCE. >> I'M TRYING TO WORK THROUGH MY PHOTOGRAPHER HERE TO MAKE IT CLEAR EXACTLY WHERE WE ARE AND IF WE CAN PULL THE LONG LINES BACK I THINK YOU CAN GET AN IDEA. I BASICALLY JUST OFFSTAGE FOR PEOPLE WATCHING AT HOME. I WOULD BE ON STAGE RIGHT HERE, I BASICALLY HAVE A VIEW OF THE BACK OF EVERY SPEAKERS HEAD AND THE REACTION OF THE CROWD OUT HERE AND PERHAPS MOST INTERESTINGLY, I CAN READ THE TELEPROMPTER ALONG WITH SOME OF THESE SPEAKERS AND SEE WHEN THEY ARE READING THEIR REMARKS THAT THEY HAVE PREPARED AND IMPROVED BY THE TRUMP'S CAMPAIGN AND WHEN THEY ARE MAKING THINGS UP AS THEY GO LIKE WHEN RON DeSANTIS LAST NIGHT CHOSE NOT TO USE A CLOSING LINE ABOUT MAKING AMERICA GREAT OF DASHA DUGIN BUT PIVOTED AS IF TO AVOID USING PRESIDENT TRUMP'S'S SIGNATURE PHRASE. INTERESTING VIEW, I CAN GET DOWN AND CHAT WITH FOLKS ON THE FLOOR BUT I'M IN THIS SKYBOX OR OPERA BOX IF YOU WILL JUST OFF THE FLOOR HERE FOR THE DURATION TONIGHT. >> HOW IS THE COMPETITION THERE AMONG OTHER CORRESPONDENCE? I SEE SOME NOTABLES NEXT TO YOU. HANDSOME YOUNG CORRESPONDENCE. EVERYONE PLAYING AROUND OKAY? >> I DON'T RECOGNIZE COMPETITION, TOM. IT'S JUST FRIENDS HAVING A CHAT. THAT'S WHAT WE ARE DOING. >> GARRETT HAAKE, CORRESPONDENT FOR THE PEOPLE. WE APPRECIATE THAT. WE'VE BEEN FOLLOWING A LOT OF BREAKING HEADLINES HERE IF YOU ARE JUST JOINING OUR COVERAGE. THE BIG HEADLINE IN THE LAST HOUR, PRESIDENT BIDEN IN THE WHITE HOUSE ANNOUNCING HE HAS TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID. HE WOKE UP FEELING STRANGE BUT WENT ALONG WITH SOME EVENTS AND LATER IN THE DAY HE DID TAKE A COVID TEST AND TESTED POSITIVE. WE'VE BEEN TOLD HE HAS BEEN GIVEN SOME TREATMENT FOR COVID AND HE HAS BEEN BOOSTED AND VACCINATED THAT HE'S GOING TO SPEND THE WEEK AT HIS VACATION HOME IN DELAWARE. WE DID SEE SOME VIDEO OF HIM EARLIER IN LAS VEGAS, SPEAKING OF VOTERS, SHAKING HANDS. HE'S MET A LOT OF PEOPLE POST DEBATE -- YES, I UNDERSTAND. BECAUSE OF THAT -- OKAY. BECAUSE OF WHAT HAS HAPPENED POST DEBATE, HE'S LISTENED TO A LOT OF PEOPLE AND HAD TO SHAKE A LOT OF HANDS. THIS IS HIM LEAVING GETTING READY FOR AIR FORCE ONE. WHAT'S LISTEN IN. MATT GAETZ. >> MEANWHILE, JOE BIDEN HAS BEEN OUT OF IT. DEMOCRATS HAVE BEEN HIDING THE REAL BIDEN FOR YEARS. WE SAW PEOPLE IN THE WITNESS PROTECTION PROGRAM MORE OFTEN THAN WE SAW UNSCRIPTED BIDEN. UNDER BIDEN HARRIS, AMERICA HAS FALLEN SICKER, LONELIER, AND POORER. UNDER TRUMP'S, WE PROSPERED. WE WERE RICHER. INFLATION WAS LOW AND THERE WERE TWO GENDERS. UNDER BIDEN HARRIS, INFLATION HAS GOTTEN SO BAD YOU CAN NO LONGER BRIBE DEMOCRAT SENATORS WITH CASH ALONE. YOU HAVE TO USE GOLD BARS JUST SO THE BRIBES HOLD VALUE. OH, THE SWAMP DRAINING WILL RECOMMENCE SOON AND I WILL BE PRESIDENT TRUMP'S'S STRONGEST ALLY IN CONGRESS TO PASS TERM LIMITS. TO STOP TAXPAYER FUNDING FOR POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS. TO BAN MEMBERS OF CONGRESS FOR LIFE FROM BECOMING LOBBYISTS AND FOR THE SAME REASON YOU DON'T LET THE REFEREE BET ON THE GAME, BAN MEMBERS OF CONGRESS FROM TREATING INDIVIDUAL STOCKS. I AM PROUD TO STAND BEFORE YOU THE ONLY REPUBLICAN IN CONGRESS WHO TAKES NO LOBBYIST MONEY, NO PAC MONEY. IT'S NOT GOOD FOR ME, I WORK FOR YOU, NOT THEM. PRESIDENT TRUMP'S , HE WILL NEVER DEFUND OUR POLICE BUT HE WILL DEFUND FOREIGN AID TO COUNTRIES THAT HATE US. AND PRESIDENT TRUMP'S UNDERSTANDS THAT IF IT ISN'T RACIST TO CHECK I.D. FOR A HUNTING LICENSE OR WELFARE BENEFITS OR A FISHING LICENSE THEN IT IS OKAY TO DEMAND AN I.D. TO VOTE EVERYWHERE IN THIS COUNTRY IN EVERY ELECTION. IT DEMOCRAT CONGRESSMAN RECENTLY SAID THAT ANY CRITICISM OF JOE BIDEN IS ABLEIST. I DON'T THINK IT'S TOO MUCH TO ASK THAT THE AMERICAN PRESIDENT BE ABLE TO DO THE JOB. KAMALA HARRIS -- TO DO ANY JOB. APPOINTING KAMALA HARRIS TO OVERSEE THE BORDER IS LIKE APPOINTING BERNIE MADE OFF TO OVERSEE YOUR RETIREMENT PLAN. PRESIDENT TRUMP'S HAS SHOWN THE WORLD WHAT HE IS MADE OF AND NOW WE WILL SHOW THE WORLD WHAT AMERICA IS MADE OF BY HAVING HIS BACK. AND HOW ABOUT THE CHOICE PRESIDENT TRUMP'S MADE FOR RUNNING MATE? JD LOOKS LIKE A YOUNG ABRAHAM BLINKEN. BUT HE IS FROM OHIO, LIKE GENERAL GRANT AND LIKE GENERAL GRANT, JD VANCE KNOWS HOW TO FIGHT. SO THEY CAN RUN, FROM THE NURSING HOME, HARRIS, GEORGE CLOONEY, ROBERT DE NIRO, WHOEVER THEY WANT TO RUN. WE ARE ON A MISSION TO RESCUE AND SAVE THIS COUNTRY AND WE RIDE OR DIE WITH DONALD J TRUMP'S TO THE END. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH, THANK YOU FOR HAVING MY BACK. LET'S GO GET THEM. >> REPRESENTATIVE MATT GAETZ WE'VE JUST BEEN LISTENING TO FROM THE STATE OF FLORIDA RECEIVING A STANDING OVATION. I WANT TO GET RIGHT OVER TO VAUGHN HILLYARD TO TALK A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT REPRESENTATIVE GATES AND WHAT HE WAS TALKING ABOUT THERE. WHAT WAS THE REACTION LIKE WHERE YOU WERE? >> MATT GAETZ IS ONE OF THE SUPERSTARS OF THE MAGA MOVEMENT HERE AT THE RECEPTION WHEN HE TOOK THE STAGE WAS NOTABLE. HE IS ONE OF THOSE FIGURES WHO HAS BEEN AN UNABASHED ALLY OF DONALD TRUMP'S EVERY STEP OF THE WAY. ESPECIALLY IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE JANUARY 6th ATTACK WHEN MANY IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY STEPPED AWAY FROM DONALD TRUMP'S. THEY THOUGHT HE WAS GOING TO BE POLITICALLY FRAUGHT FOR THEM AND WHEN THERE WERE NOT MANY FOLKS MAKING TRIPS TO MAR-A- LAGO OR WILLING TO APPEAR AND SPEAK THE MAGA AGENDA, IT WAS HIM IN 2021 AND 2022 WHO WAS THERE ALONGSIDE DONALD TRUMP'S. THE PARTY ACTIVISTS REMEMBER THAT. DONALD TRUMP'S REMEMBERS THAT AND I KNOW YOU HAD A CONVERSATION WITH FORMER SPEAKER KEVIN McCARTHY YESTERDAY BECAUSE IT WAS MATT GAETZ WHO WAS ON THE FRONT LINES OF GIVING -- GETTING HIM BOOTED FROM THE SPEAKERSHIP LAST OCTOBER AND THERE HAS BEEN AN EFFORT TO TRY TO GO AND GET THESE MATT GAETZ ALLIES OUT OF CONGRESS. HE HAS LARGELY BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL ON THAT FRONT. RIGHT NOW MATT GAETZ, THE HOUSE ETHICS COMMITTEE SAID LAST MONTH THEY WERE STILL INVESTIGATING HIM FOR QUESTIONABLE BEHAVIOR THAT HE, MATT GAETZ, HAS ALL COMPLETELY DENIED AND THERE HAVE BEEN NO CHARGES HAVE BEEN FILED AGAINST HIM THAT HE IS A FIGURE THAT DONALD TRUMP'S HAS CONSISTENTLY RAISED UP AND I HAD A CONVERSATION WITH HIM YESTERDAY BECAUSE HE WAS TALKING ABOUT IN NEXT YEAR IF THERE IS A REPUBLICAN MAJORITY IN THE SENATE OR THE HOUSE HE WAS EXCITED ABOUT HAVING JD VANCE, SOMEBODY WHO COMES FROM THAT WING OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY UNLIKE BACK IN 2017 FOR DONALD TRUMP'S'S FIRST YEAR AFTER THE FIRST ADMINISTRATION WHEN IT WAS THE LIKES OF MITCH McCONNELL AND PAUL RYAN READING THE CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION FOR REPUBLICANS, MATT GAETZ IS CONFIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S WILL HAVE CLOSER ALLIES ON THE SECOND GO AROUND . >> WE WANT TO ROLL THAT MOMENT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT. IF WE COULD HAVE OUR DIRECTOR ROLLED OUT FOR US NOW. >> WHAT NIGHT ARE YOU SPEAKING? ARE YOU SPEAKING TONIGHT? HEY, YOU ARE NOT -- IF YOU TOOK THAT STAGE YOU WOULD GET BOOD OFF OF IT. >> I HAD A CHANCE TO ASK KEVIN ABOUT THAT AND HE TOLD ME HE DIDN'T REALLY WANT TO ANSWER, BUT IT IS IMPRESSIVE THE RECEPTION THAT MATT GAETZ GOT HERE TONIGHT. >> MATT GAETZ THERE SAID TO KEVIN McCARTHY THERE ON THE CONVENTION FLOOR THAT THE REASON HE'S NOT MAKING A SPEECH IS BECAUSE KEVIN McCARTHY WOULD GET BOOED AND I'VE BEEN AT A FEW CAMPAIGN RALLIES WHERE KEVIN McCARTHY'S NAME HAS COME UP OR A PICTURE OF HIM OR DONALD TRUMP'S HAS MENTIONED HIM AND HE HAS BEEN BOOED AND I THINK THAT IS WHERE YOU TALK ABOUT THE BASE OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, WHAT PROPELS DONALD TRUMP'S TO A THIRD NOMINATION WITHIN THE PARTY, IT'S THE SAME BACKBONE THAT HAS TURNED TO THE LIKES OF MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE. THEY ARE THE BACKBONE OF THE BASE OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AND FOR THIS ARENA IT'S FULL OF THE MOST DEDICATED PARTY ACTIVISTS AND ELECTED OFFICIALS AND THERE IS THE RECOGNITION OF WHO IS SO CLOSELY ALLIED WITH DONALD TRUMP'S AND WHO DONALD TRUMP'S HAS TURNED TO IN THESE CRITICAL MOMENTS AND FRANKLY THERE IS ONE INDIVIDUAL WHO IS IN THE U.S. HOUSE STILL AND THAT'S MATT GAETZ AND ONE WHO IS NOT AND THAT'S FORMER SPEAKER KEVIN McCARTHY. >> THAT IS A GOOD POINT. YVONNE, WE APPRECIATE ALL OF YOUR REPORTING. THE THEME OF TINNITUS FOCUSING ON FOREIGN-POLICY. IT'S BEEN NINE MONTHS SINCE HAMAS ATTACKED SOUTHERN ISRAEL WITH THAT TERROR ATTACK KILLING MORE THAN 1000 PEOPLE AND TAKING HUNDREDS HOSTAGE. AMONG THOSE WHO HAVE NOT BEEN RELEASED SO FAR IS 22-YEAR-OLD -- A DUAL AMERICAN CITIZEN WHO AMERICAN ISRAELI CITIZEN WHO GREW UP ON LONG ISLAND. SINCE THAT TRAGIC DAY IN OCTOBER, HIS MOTHER AND FATHER HAVE BEEN ADVOCATING NONSTOP, MEETING WITH ELECTED OFFICIALS, WORKING TO BRING THEIR SON AND ALL THE HOSTAGES HOME. TODAY THEY ARE HERE IN MILWAUKEE SET TO DELIVER THEIR MESSAGE. THEY WILL SPEAK TO THE RNC ON THE PODIUM TONIGHT WITH MILLIONS WATCHING AROUND THE COUNTRY. THANK YOU SO MUCH. I'M SO SORRY FOR WHAT YOU HAD TO LIVE THROUGH OVER THE PAST NINE MONTHS. IT IS A HORRIFIC CRIME. MY FIRST QUESTION TO YOU IS, HOW DO YOU GET UP EVERY MORNING AND HOPE THAT YOUR SON IS GOING TO COME BACK? >> IT'S TOUGH BUT WE HAVE TO GET UP EVERY MORNING AND PRAY THAT HE IS ALIVE AND ASK OURSELVES WHAT ARE WE DOING TODAY TO BRING HIM HOME, TO ADVOCATE ON HIS BEHALF, TO SPEAK UP FOR HIM BECAUSE HE HAS NO VOICE. >> WHAT WOULD YOU WANT TO SAY TO THIS CROWD TONIGHT? >> WE WANT TO RAISE AWARENESS TO THIS SITUATION. NOT ENOUGH AMERICANS KNOW THAT 45 AMERICANS WERE MURDERED ON OCTOBER 7th. 1400 TOTAL WERE MURDERED THAT DAY AND EVER SINCE, 12 AMERICANS WERE TAKEN HOSTAGE AND FOUR OF THEM -- SUCH A LONG TIME. ALMOST 300 DAYS IN TERRIBLE CONDITIONS WITHOUT SEEING THE RED CROSS, WITHOUT GETTING PROPER FOOD MEDICAL ATTENTION, PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW ABOUT IT AND OUR JOB AS PARENTS IS TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE ARE AWARE OF IT AND FIGHT. >> WHAT GIVES YOU HOPE OR FAITH THAT FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP'S WILL BE COMMITTED TO GETTING YOUR SON BACK? >> THIS IS NOT A PARTISAN ISSUE AND WE NEED EVERYONE ON OUR SIDE. WE KNOW THAT FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP'S CARES ABOUT THE ISSUE AS THE CURRENT PRESIDENT AND WE REALLY NEED EVERYONE TO GET INTO THIS AND MAKE SURE THAT THE DEAL IS COMPLETED AND THEY ARE BROUGHT HOME BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN OVER NINE MONTHS NOW. >> ARE YOU SATISFIED WITH WHAT THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION HAS DONE SO FAR? OR YOU THINK THEY COULD BE DOING MORE? >> EVERYONE SHOULD BE DOING MORE. THEY ARE NOT HOME YET. THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION HAS BEEN ATTENTIVE TO US. WE'VE BEEN MEETING WITH THEM REGULARLY BUT THEY ARE NOT HOME AND IT'S ALMOST 10 MONTHS AND THEY NEED TO BE BROUGHT HOME, SO WE NEED EVERYONE ON BOARD. >> TALK TO ME ABOUT THE DECISION TO COME HERE. SOME PEOPLE MAY BE CONFUSED AND THINKING YOU ARE INTO REPUBLICAN POLITICS BUT THIS IS ALL ABOUT YOUR SON. HOW DID YOU MAKE THAT DECISION TO COME HERE BECAUSE IT WAS A BOLD STEP. >> WE WERE INVITED AND WE ARE SPEAKING EVERYWHERE WE ARE INVITED TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS ISSUE STAYS ON TOP OF PEOPLE'S MINDS. AND WE ARE VERY NONPARTISAN. WE TRY -- EVERYONE TO WORK TOGETHER AND OUR JOB IS TO MAKE SURE THAT IT IS STILL IN THE HEADLINE. WE ARE COMPETING WITH THE NEWS BUT IT'S ABOUT HUMAN BEINGS, ABOUT OUR SON AND 190 PEOPLE, EIGHT AMERICANS AND AMERICAN PEOPLE SHOULD CARE. THE ATTACK ON ISRAEL WAS NOT JUST AN ATTACK ON ISRAEL, IT WAS ALSO AN ATTACK ON AMERICA AND ON OUR VALUES AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE ARE AWARE TO THAT. POLITICIANS ARE DOING EVERYTHING THEY CAN TO CLOSE THE DEAL THAT IS ON THE TABLE. THAT NETANYAHU AGREED TO. HAMAS IS CLOSE TO AGREEING TO. PUT THE PRESSURE ON ALL THE PARTNERS INVOLVED AND BRING THOSE HOSTAGES ONE BY ONE BACK. >> BEFORE WE GO, TALK TO ME ABOUT THE STICKERS YOU WILL WEAR TODAY AND WHAT YOU WILL WEAR UP ON THE STAGE. >> THIS IS THE AMERICAN EIGHT HOSTAGES THAT ARE STILL BEING HELD BY HAMAS. FIVE OF THEM ARE CONSIDERED TO BE ALIVE, AMONGST THEM, OUR SON, OMER AND THREE ADDITIONAL AMERICANS THAT WERE MURDERED BY HAMAS ON OCTOBER 7th AND THEIR BODIES TAKEN AS BARGAINING CHIPS AND THEY ARE STILL THERE TOO AND THEY NEED TO BE BROUGHT HOME. THE ONES WHO ARE ALIVE NEED TO BE BROUGHT HOME AND THE DECEASED SHOULD BE RECEIVING A RESPECTFUL BURIAL. >> AND THE 285? >> 285 DAYS TODAY SINCE THE WAR BROKE. IF WE COUNTED EVERY SINGLE DAY, FOR US IT'S ONE LONG DAY SINCE WE LAST SPOKE TO OUR SON 286 DAYS. CAN YOU IMAGINE THAT? >> I CANNOT IMAGINE THAT. WE THANK YOU FOR COMING HERE AND SHARING YOUR STORY. WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR SPEECH. WE WILL BE TAKING ABOUT YOU AND PRAYING FOR YOUR FAMILY THAT YOUR SON COMES HOME SAFE. OUR SPECIAL COVERAGE OF THE RNC CONTINUES LIVE TONIGHT FROM MILWAUKEE AS ANTICIPATION IS BUILDING. FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP'S'S PICK SENATOR JD VANCE SET TO INTRODUCE HIMSELF TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. WE WILL HAVE MORE RIGHT AFTER THIS. >> DEMOCRACY IS HAPPENING NOW . >> WELCOME TO A BIG NIGHT THAT COULD HELP SHAPE REPUBLICAN POLITICS FOR YEARS TO COME. >> NOW NEVER STOPS . >> IT COMES DOWN TO TURNOUT. WHO SHOWS UP? THAT BIG LUCK OF INDEPENDENTS? >> NOW IS WHERE IT COUNTS . >> WHAT ARE THE ISSUES THAT MATTER MOST YOU GUYS? >> THEIR NUMBER ONE ISSUE IS THE ECONOMY . >> 2024, WHO IS YOUR CANDIDATE? >> THE RACE IS ON, NOW. >> THE COUNTDOWN HAS BEGUN. >> NEWS FOR THE GENERATION OF NOW IS NBC NEWS NOW. >>> WE ARE LIVE AT THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION. A MAJOR MOMENT FOR REPUBLICANS AND THE TRUMP'S ADMINISTRATION. THIS IS PETER NAVARRO. THIS IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE HE HAS JUST BEEN RELEASED FROM PRISON. LET'S LISTEN TO WHAT HE HAS TO SAY. >> THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL THING. I THINK YOU FOLKS JUST WANT TO KNOW IF YOU CAN SEE MY MAGA TATTOO I GOT THERE. YES, INDEED. THIS MORNING, I DID WALK OUT OF PRISON. IN MIAMI. JOE BIDEN AND HIS DEPARTMENT OF INJUSTICE PUT ME THERE. TONIGHT I AM HERE WITH YOU IN THIS BEAUTIFUL CITY, MILWAUKEE. I'VE GOT A VERY SIMPLE MESSAGE FOR YOU. IF THEY CAN COME FOR ME -- IF THEY CAN COME FOR DONALD TRUMP'S -- BE CAREFUL, THEY WILL COME FOR YOU. IF WE DON'T CONTROL OUR GOVERNMENT, THEIR GOVERNMENT WILL CONTROL US. IF WE DON'T CONTROL ALL THREE BRANCHES OF OUR GOVERNMENT, LEGISLATIVE, EXECUTIVE, AND JUDICIAL, THEIR GOVERNMENT WILL PUT SOME OF US LIKE ME AND STEVE BANNON IN PRISON AND CONTROL THE REST OF US. HERE IS HOW IT WENT. HERE IS HOW I GOT IN PRISON. THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH CAME FOR ME FIRST. YOUR FAVORITE DEMOCRAT, NANCY PELOSI CREATED YOUR FAVORITE COMMITTEE, THE SHAM JANUARY 6th COMMITTEE WHICH DEMANDED THAT I VIOLATE EXECUTIVE PRIVILEGE. WHAT DID I DO? I REFUSED. THE J6 COMMITTEE DEMANDED THAT I BETRAY DONALD JOHN TRUMP'S TO SAVE MY OWN SKIN. I REFUSED. HERE IS THE THING ABOUT THE CONSTITUTION. THEY DEMANDED THAT I BREAK THE LAW BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO RESPECT FOR IT. I REFUSED AND THE DEMOCRAT MAJORITY IN THE HOUSE VOTED TO HOLD ME IN CONTEMPT. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? THE NEXT JACKBOOT TO DROP WAS THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH. ANOTHER ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE DEMOCRATS, DEMOCRAT ATTORNEY GENERAL MERRICK GARLAND, THERE IS A WINNER. JACK SMITH INDICTED AND PROSECUTED ME FOR CRIMINAL CONTEMPT OF CONGRESS. HERE IS WHAT'S WEIRD ABOUT IT. IT'S SOMETHING THAT DEMOCRAT PROSECUTORS REFUSED TO DO AGAINST ONE OF THEIR OWN INCLUDING TWO GUYS WITH BLOOD ON THEIR HANDS, ERIC HOLDER AND ALEJANDRA MAYORKAS, THE GREAT BORDER CZAR, RIGHT? THEY HAVE ACTUALLY GOTTEN PEOPLE KILLED. FOR DECADES. FOR DECADES. THE DEPARTMENT OF INJUSTICE, RIGHT NOW -- THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE POLICY STATED, HEAR ME OUT, IF CONGRESS SLAPS A SUBPOENA ON A SENIOR WHITE HOUSE ADVISER LIKE ME, THE ADVISER'S DUTY IS TO POLITELY TELL THEM TO GO POUND SAND. THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT I DID. SO, SO FAR WE'VE GOT TWO BRANCHES, LEGISLATIVE AND EXECUTIVE, THE JUDICIAL BRANCH DELIVERED THE FINAL BLOW, JUST AS, ANOTHER FAVORITE OF YOURS, DEMOCRAT JUDGE JUAN MARSH ON -- YOU KNOW THIS GUY? DID TO DONALD JOHN TRUMP'S IN HIS MANHATTAN KANGAROO COURT , ANOTHER DEMOCRAT JUDGE, A GUY NAMED AHMED -- MADE OBAMA APPOINTEE, HE STRIPPED ME OF EVERY POSSIBLE DEFENSE AND THEN, WHAT? JUST LIKE IN MANHATTAN WITH DONALD TRUMP'S, THEY THREW ME TO THE WALLS OF AN ANTI-TRUMP JURY AND WHERE ? THE -- WHERE THEY JAILED ME. GUESS WHAT, THEY DID NOT BREAK ME. AND THEY WILL NEVER BREAK DONALD TRUMP'S. THEY WILL NEVER BREAK DONALD TRUMP'S . ALL RIGHT. HERE IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING I'M GOING TO TELL YOU. YOU MAY BE THINKING THIS COULDN'T HAPPEN TO YOU. MAKE NO MISTAKE, THEY ARE ALREADY COMING FOR YOU. JOE AND, THE, THEY THROUGHOUT THE WOKE BLUE CARPET ACROSS THE RIO GRANDE, OPENED OUR BORDERS TO WHAT? MURDERERS AND . WHEN DONALD TRUMP'S SAID IT , THANK YOU FOR SAYING THAT. WHEN DONALD TRUMP'S SAID MURDERERS , RAPISTS, IN 2017, THEY SAID WHATEVER. WE READ THE PAPERS. IT'S MURDERERS AND RAPISTS , DRUG CARTELS, HUMAN TRAFFICKERS, TERRORISTS, CHINESE SPIES. AND A WHOLE ARMY OF ILLITERATE ILLEGAL ALIENS STEALING THE JOBS OF BLACK, BROWN, AND BLUE- COLLAR AMERICANS. THEY PUT THEM RIGHT ON YOUR FRONT DOORSTEP. HERE IS ANOTHER THING, JOE BIDEN DID. YOU GOT TO LOVE THIS. THE GREEN NEW SCAM? WE ARE IN THE HEART HERE IN MILWAUKEE AROUND ALL OF THIS. THIS IS THE AUTO INDUSTRY. THAT NEW SCAM HAS DESTROYED OUR INDUSTRY LEAVING US AT THE MERCY OF THE BATTERY FACTORIES IN SHANGHAI AND SLAVE LABOR IN THE CONGO. BIDEN INFLATION. YOU WILL HEAR A LOT ABOUT THIS BECAUSE IT'S SO TRUE. BIDEN INFLATION IS COMING AFTER WHAT'S LEFT OF YOUR SAVINGS AND EATING YOUR WAGES AND THE DEMOCRATS, HERE'S THE THING, I'M SITTING IN PRISON THINKING ABOUT THIS. IT JUST EATS AT ME. DEMOCRATS COME FOR YOUR KIDS. THEY ARE INDOCTRINATING THEM WITH POISONOUS ATTITUDES ON RACE AND GENDER AND HERE IS THE THING, WHEN POLITICS FAILS THE INVESTIGATIONS AND PROSECUTIONS BEGIN. THEY DID IT TO ME, THEY'RE GOING TO DO IT TO TRUMP'S BUT HEAR ME OUT, THEY'VE ALSO DONE IT TO CATHOLICS , PRO-LIFE ACTIVISTS, AND PARENTS WHO ARE JUST STANDING UP FOR THE KIDS AT SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS. THIS IS A TALE OF NEW -- TWO AMERICAS AND YOU KNOW IT WASN'T THIS WAY WHEN DONALD TRUMP'S WAS PRESIDENT. I REMEMBER THE DAYS I WAS THERE. THAT TRUMP'S AMERICA, YOU WERE SAFE AND OUR BORDERS WERE SECURE. IN TRUMP'S AMERICA YOU WERE MORE PROSPEROUS AND YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO CHOOSE BETWEEN WHAT? FOOD ON THE TABLE, MEDICINE IN THE CABINET AND A ROOF OVER YOUR HEAD. AND IN TRUMP'S AMERICA, YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT BEING LOCKED UP FOR DISAGREEING WITH THE GOVERNMENT. I WENT TO PRISON SO YOU WON'T HAVE TO. I AM YOUR WAKE-UP CALL. THIS IS WHERE I AM GOING TO HAVE FUN NOW BECAUSE I'M GOING TO LEAVE YOU NOW WITH THE LAST THREE WORDS MY BEAUTIFUL FIANCEE SAID WHEN I LEFT THAT MORNING FOR PRISON. THEY WEREN'T I LOVE YOU. THAT WAS A GIVEN. SHE SIMPLY SAID, WE GOT THIS. WE GOT THIS. THAT IS WHAT -- BRING MY GIRL OUT NOW. THAT IS WHAT THESE LAW FAIR JACKALS DON'T UNDERSTAND, WHEN THEY PUT PEOPLE LIKE ME IN PRISON AND FIRE FIGURATIVE AND NOW LITERAL BULLETS TO DONALD TRUMP'S, THEY ALSO ASSAULT OUR FAMILIES. ON ELECTION DAY, AMERICA WILL HOLD THESE LAW FAIR JACKALS ACCOUNTABLE. AND HERE IS THE SWEETEST THING THAT'S GOING TO COME OFF MY LIPS. VOTE TRUMP'S VANCE 2024 FOR TRUMP'S 47. I AM PETER NAVARRO. I WENT TO PRISON SO YOU WON'T HAVE TO. THIS IS MY BEAUTIFUL GIRL. SHE DID THE TIME WITH ME. THAT'S WHAT THESE FREAKING DEMOCRATS DON'T UNDERSTAND. THEY DO THIS TO OUR FAMILY. SHE IS MY GIRL. YEAH. I LOVE YOU. LET'S WIN. DO NOT LET UP. DO NOT LET UP. PEDAL TO THE METAL. >> WE'VE JUST BEEN LISTENING TO -- PETE NAVARRO WHO JUST GOT OUT OF PRISON. HE SERVED FOUR MONTHS IN A LOW SECURITY PRISON IN MIAMI FOR REFUSING TO COOPERATE IN A JANUARY 6 INVESTIGATION IN CONGRESS. YOU GOT A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING IN THAT SPEECH FOR ALL THE SUPPORTERS OF FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP'S. QUICK FACT CHECK, HE HAD A LOT OF COMMENTS ON UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS. WE DO WANT TO SAY THE VAST MAJORITY OF UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS DON'T COME HERE TO COMMIT CRIMES AND MANY OF THEM DO KNOW HOW TO READ AND ARE EDUCATED MAYBE AT THE SAME LEVEL AS AMERICANS ARE BUT THERE WERE A LOT OF GENERALIZATIONS MADE THAT WE WANTED TO CORRECT. WE ARE FOLLOWING THE BREAKING NEWS THAT PRESIDENT BIDEN HAS TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID. -- HE HAD TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID. I WANT TO BRING IN PRINCIPAL DEPUTY CAMPAIGN MANAGER FOR PRESIDENT BIDEN, WINTON FOLKS. THANKS FOR JOINING US. ONE THING THAT STRUCK ME AS STRANGE, THE PRESIDENT PUT UP THIS TWEET AND WE ARE GOING TO PUT IT UP FOR OUR VIEWERS NOW. YOU CAN EXPLAIN IT TO US. HE JUST TWEETED, I'M SICK. AND THEN HE WRITES, OF ELON MUSK AND HIS RICH BUDDIES TRYING TO BUY THIS ELECTION. AND IF YOU AGREE, PITCHING HERE. BUT HE REALLY IS SICK WITH COVID TALK TO ME ABOUT THE STRATEGY AND WHAT HE WAS TRYING TO DO HERE. >> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME, TOM. WE GOT YOUR ATTENTION AND NOW WE SHOULD TALK ABOUT THE ISSUES THAT MATTER. THIS RACE IS ABOUT JOE BIDEN AND THE PEOPLE WATCHING AT HOME VERSUS DONALD TRUMP'S, AND BILLIONAIRES. PRESIDENT BIDEN AS HE SAID MAY BE EXPERIENCING SYMPTOMS OF COVID AS HE TESTED POSITIVE BUT HE IS TIRED OF SCHOOL TEACHERS AND NURSES PAYING MORE IN TAXES THAN PEOPLE LIKE ELON MUSK AND THE REASON THEY ARE CONTRIBUTING TO DONALD TRUMP'S IS BECAUSE THEY KNOW HE IS ON THE SIDE OF THE WEALTHIEST OF CORPORATIONS AND THE PARTY AND THE REMARKS THAT YOU JUST CUT AWAY FROM TELL YOU EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT REPUBLICANS UNDER DONALD TRUMP'S AND WHERE THEIR PRIORITIES ARE AND WHAT THEY CARE ABOUT AND THAT IS NOTHING EXCEPT DONALD TRUMP'S. SO I THINK THAT OUR CAMPAIGN WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE GOT FOLKS ATTENTION AND I THINK THE PRESIDENT LAID IT OUT VERY CLEARLY IN HIS TWEETS. >> QUINTON, I WANT TO GET THE BIG REACTION TODAY. -- SAID HE BELIEVES PRESIDENT BIDEN SHOULD STEP ASIDE. >> LOOK, WE DISAGREE AND I THINK THAT ON THE 14 MILLION DEMOCRATIC MURRAY VOTERS WHO VOTED FOR PRESIDENT BIDEN WOULD ALSO DISAGREE. PRESIDENT BIDEN HAS HAD -- SAID HE IS STAYING IN THIS RACE. OUR JOB IS TO TALK TO VOTERS ABOUT WHAT MATTERS AND WHAT'S AT STAKE AND I THINK THAT'S GOING TO BE EASY TO DO WITH THE REPUBLICANS AT THE RNC TONIGHT SHELLING OUT COMMENTS THAT YOU HAVE TO FOLLOW UP ON AND MAKE CORRECTIONS TO BECAUSE THEY ARE BASELESS CLAIMS ABOUT IMMIGRANTS. THEY ARE LIES TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ABOUT FOREIGN POLICY AND THEIR STANCES ON THE ECONOMY AND THEIR STANCES ON GUNS ABOUT THEIR STANCES ON LITERALLY EVERYTHING. WOMEN'S REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM BECAUSE THAT'S WHO THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IS. THEY ARE LYING TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. PRESIDENT BIDEN IS OUR NOMINEE AND WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO SPEAK TO AMERICAN VOTERS EVERY DAY DRAWING THE CONTRAST BETWEEN DONALD TRUMP'S'S EXTREME MAGA AGENDA AND THAT OF VICE PRESIDENT HARRISON PRESIDENT BIDEN'S. WE HAVE A FAIR SHOT . >> I GOT YOU. WE HAVE A NEW NBC NEWS POLL AND THE NUMBERS ARE STRIKING. WHEN ASKED IF VOTERS ARE SATISFIED WITH THE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE ONLY 33% OF DEMOCRATS SAY THEY ARE. NEARLY 70%, SEVEN IN 10 DEMOCRATS DON'T WANT JOE BIDEN TO BE THE NOMINEE. THAT IS STRIKING. HOW DO YOU OVERCOME THAT? ESPECIALLY AT A TIME WHEN PEOPLE ARE QUESTIONING HIS HEALTH AND HIS STRENGTH. HE JUST TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID AND HE MIGHT BE FINE IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS BUT WE JUST DON'T KNOW AT THIS POINT AND IT'S GOING TO FURTHER BRING UP QUESTIONS ABOUT HIS HEALTH AND IF HE CAN SERVE ANOTHER FOUR YEARS. >> THE PRESIDENT DID TEST POSITIVE FOR COVID BUT IT'S BECAUSE HE'S BEEN CHRIS COUNTRY -- CRISSCROSSING THE COUNTRY. WHAT I WOULD SAY IS THE VOTERS ON PRESIDENT BIDEN AND VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS'S SIDE WHEN IT COMES TO THE ISSUES AND THAT'S WHAT OUR CAMPAIGN IS BEEN FOCUSED ON TALKING TO AMERICAN VOTERS WHERE THEY ARE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES ABOUT THE ISSUES THAT MATTER TO THEM ABOUT HOUSING, RENT AFFORDABILITY, HEALTHCARE, CHILDCARE, REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM, AND A FAIR TAX CODE. THAT IS WHERE OUR FOCUS IS AND WE KNOW THE VOTERS ACROSS THIS COUNTRY AGREE WITH THAT AGENDA. 80 MILLION OF THEM IN 2020 -- VOTERS. >> QUINTON BEFORE WE LET YOU GO I WANT TO ASK YOUR REACTION TO SENATOR JD VANCE AND THE TRUMP'S CAMPAIGN DECIDING NOT TO DO THE DEBATE WITH VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS ON AUGUST 13th. >> WE FIND IT INTERESTING THAT FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP'S PICKED JD VANCE BECAUSE HE WAS SUCH A GOOD DEBATER BUT NOW AFTER A WEEK OF DAMNING INFORMATION COMING OUT ABOUT JD VANCE'S STANCE ON ABORTION, THEY WANT TO DO DUCK. OUR CAMPAIGN HAS AGREED TO DEBATE WITH CBS ON THE 13th AND WE HOPE JD VANCE SHOWS UP BECAUSE THE VICE PRESIDENT LOOKS FORWARD TO HOLDING A SUBSTANTIVE CONVERSATION ABOUT THE ISSUES IMPORTANT TO AMERICAN VOTERS. >> WE THANK YOU FOR JOINING OUR COVERAGE AND ANSWERING OUR QUESTIONS. FOR MORE ON THE STATE OF THIS RACE AND WHAT WE CAN EXPECT TONIGHT, I WANT TO BRING IN OUR POLITICAL PROS TONIGHT, HOGAN GIDLEY, FORMER PRESS SECRETARY DURING THE TRUMP'S ADMINISTRATION AND ACTUALLY, A REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST AND FORMER -- THANK YOU BOTH FOR BEING HERE. HOGAN, WHAT DO YOU WANT TO HEAR FROM SENATOR JD VANCE TONIGHT? >> I THINK MANY THINGS HE CAN DISCUSS AND TALK ABOUT THE CROWD IS GOING TO LOVE IT, SURE. BUT WHAT I REALLY WANTED TO DO IS OUTLINE A LOT ABOUT HIS BACKGROUND. HE NEEDS TO INTRODUCE HIMSELF TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THIS ARENA MAY KNOW HIM, THE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE WATCHING DON'T. THEY MAY KNOW HIM FROM THE BOOK AND THE MOVIE HILLBILLY ELEGY BUT THEY DON'T KNOW ABOUT HIS REAL BACKGROUND AND REAL PAST. HE NEEDS TO TALK ABOUT THAT AND HUMANIZE HIMSELF BUT I WOULD HOPE THAT HE WOULD ALSO EXPLAIN SOME OF THE COMMENTS HE'S MADE IN THE PAST BY POINTING OUT I UNDERSTAND SOME PEOPLE DON'T LIKE DONALD TRUMP'S. THAT'S WHERE I WAS BUT I GOT TO KNOW THE MAN AND WITNESS THE POLICIES AND FEEL THE EFFECT HE HAD ON THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND HE MADE THEIR LIVES BETTER. TAKE HIM ON A TRAIL OF WHERE HE WAS WHEN HE WAS YOUNGER, HOW HE GOT TO WHERE HE WAS IN THE MILITARY THROUGH COLLEGE, BUT TALK ABOUT HIS POLITICAL CAREER, HIS EVOLUTION ON SOME ISSUES AND WHY HE CAME TO SUPPORT DONALD TRUMP'S IN THE WAY THAT HE DOES. >> YOU WORKED FOR THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION. THIS HAS TO BE A LITTLE BIT STRANGE FOR YOU BECAUSE THE PARTY HAS CHANGED SO MUCH. I WAS HERE IN 2016 IN CLEVELAND FOR THAT CONVENTION. THE BUSHES WHERE IT THERE. WE ARE HERE NOW, THEY AREN'T HERE NOW. DOES THAT BOTHER YOU AS SOMEONE WHO IS WORKED IN REPUBLICAN POLITICS? >> A LITTLE BIT BUT I ACTUALLY THINK, I WAS ORIGINALLY A NIKKI SUPPORTER, I'VE KNOWN HER A NUMBER OF YEARS BUT I ALSO THINK THE REPUBLICAN PARTY STILL BELIEVES WHAT I ORIGINALLY BELIEVED IN WHETHER IT WAS 2000 OR 2004 COME A SMALLER GOVERNMENT, LESS REGULATION, PROTECTING OUR COUNTRY, PROTECTING OUR BORDER, SMART FOREIGN-POLICY, SO EVEN THE RHETORIC MAY BE A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT, OBVIOUSLY THE MOST POPULAR SPEECH SO FAR HAS BEEN WHO WE JUST HEARD, PETER NAVARRO BUT I DO THINK THAT THE POLICY -- PARTY STILL BELIEVES IN THE FUNDAMENTAL VALUES OF WHAT I BELIEVE AND IT'S JUST TALKED ABOUT A LITTLE DIFFERENT. >> SENATOR VANCE SAYS HE DOESN'T CARE ABOUT UKRAINE. IS THAT DANGEROUS? >> I HAVE A THEORY ON THIS. I HAVE A POLICY THAT I DO NOT CRITICIZE FOREIGN SITTING PRESIDENTS ABOUT FOREIGN POLICY AND I AM HOPING WHEN JD VANCE HEARS SECURITY LEVEL BRIEFINGS THAT ARE BEYOND WHAT HE IS GETTING RIGHT NOW, TRUE SECURITY LEVEL BRIEFINGS COME OF THAT HE WILL UNDERSTAND. >> YOU ARE SAYING HE HAS SOMETHING TO LEARN? >> THAT THE U.S. SECURITY DEPENDS 100% ON INTERNATIONAL SECURITY. >> YOU WANT SOMEBODY IN THE WHITE HOUSE THAT STILL HAS SOMETHING TO LEARN IN A TIME WHEN THE FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP'S, WE SAW HOW MUCH OF A REALITY THAT IS . >> IT'S NOT SO MUCH ABOUT WHAT HE WANTS TO LEARN, BECAUSE HE DOES GET SECURITY BRIEFINGS. THE LEVEL HE WILL GET WILL BE DETAILED INFORMATION, BUT WHAT'S MOST IMPORTANT HERE IS WHO IS AT THE TOP OF THE TICKET AND WHAT HAS THE TOP OF THE TICKET SAID ABOUT THIS. DONALD TRUMP'S AND HE DON'T SEE EYE TO EYE AND THAT'S FINE BUT JD VANCE IS THE NUMBER TWO NOT THE NUMBER ONE SO HE HAS TO CARRY THE WATER FOR THE FORMER PRESIDENT ON THAT ISSUE. >> I WANT TO BRING IN DAVID WHO JOINS OUR ROUNDTABLE OF POLITICAL PROS. YOU ARE ONE OF THE GREAT DEMOCRATIC MINES WHEN IT COMES TO STRATEGY AND GETTING PEOPLE ELECTED. I WANT TO ASK ABOUT THE AVALANCHE OF BAD NEWS THAT JUST HIT THE BIDEN HARRIS CAMPAIGN AND I KNOW EVERY TIME I HAVE YOU ON WE ARE HITTING YOU WITH THOSE TOUGH HEADLINES BUT IT SPEAKS TO THE ROUGH COUPLE OF WEEKS FOR THE PRESIDENT. FIRST YOU HAD REPRESENTATIVE ADAM SCHIFF COME OUT, A HIGH PROFILE DEMOCRAT SAYING HE NEEDS TO STEP ASIDE AND YOU HAVE THEM TESTING POSITIVE FOR COVID. IF YOU WERE ADVISING PRESIDENT BIDEN RIGHT NOW WHAT WOULD YOU TELL HIM? >> THE HITS KEEP ON COMING. THE CONVERSATION TO JOE BIDEN WILL CONTINUE, IT CAN'T CONTINUE THAT MUCH LONGER. I THINK HE WILL DEAL WITH HOGAN RESPONSIBLY -- PREDECESSOR. BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN YOU CAN'T REACT. YOU STILL HAVE THE ABILITY TO [ INAUDIBLE ] A VERY POWERFUL WEAPON FOR ANY PRESIDENT OR PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE SO I THINK HE'S GOING TO CONTINUE TO TRY TO MAKE THE CASE TO DEMOCRATS THAT HE HAS WHAT IT TAKES TO COME BACK FROM THE DEFICIT HE FINDS HIMSELF IN RIGHT NOW AND THE REALITY IS, HE IS TRAILING. DOES THAT MEAN IT'S IMPOSSIBLE FOR JOE BIDEN ? NO. BUT DONALD TRUMP'S AND HIS TEAM WILL BE THE FIRST TO TELL YOU IN A DIVIDED COUNTRY, HOLDING UNPOPULAR POSITIONS WITH THE AMERICAN PUBLIC IT'S GOING TO BE RELATIVELY CLOSE. YOU KNOW, TOM, WHAT'S CHALLENGING IS JOE BIDEN HAS GOT TWO THINGS HE'S GOT TO HANDLE. THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS HE IS THE PRESIDENT AND HAVING WORKED IN THE WHITE HOUSE WHEN -- CAN'T UNDERESTIMATE HOW HARD THAT WAS. THEN YOU'VE GOT THIS DEBATE WITHIN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY THAT YOU'VE GOT TO SETTLE THIS DOWN WITH JOE BIDEN AND TRY TO CONVINCE -- AND THEN YOU'VE GOT THE GENERAL ELECTION. YOU KNOW? AND OBVIOUSLY YOU CAN DO A LOT ON ITEM TWO TO HELP ITEM THREE THAT THAT CLOCK IS TICKING AS WELL. THE BATTLEGROUND STATES IN ABOUT 80 DAYS. SO EVERY DAY YOU LOSE IS A DAY YOU'VE LOST. SO IT'S INCREDIBLY CHALLENGING. >> DAVID I DO WANT TO ASK YOU THIS. REPRESENTATIVE ADAM SCHIFF HAS AN INCREDIBLY CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH FORMER SPEAKER NANCY PELOSI. YOU COULD ALMOST SAY SHE IS A MENTOR TO HIM. SOME PEOPLE HAVE BROUGHT UP THE QUESTION THAT MAYBE THIS IS A PROXY FOR SPEAKER PELOSI. SHE DIDN'T WANT TO GO OUT AND DO THIS HERSELF. DO YOU BUY THAT? >> I DON'T. NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE ABILITY FOR NANCY PELOSI -- EFFECTIVE AND DISCRETE AND SPIN A POWERFUL WEB. THIS IS SUCH A BIG THING FOR A VERY PROMINENT NUMBER OF CONGRESS. A U.S. SENATOR TO CALL ON THE DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENT NOT TO BE THE NOMINEE. YOU ARE NOT GOING TO DO THAT BECAUSE YOU ARE DOING IT FOR SOMEBODY ELSE. SO, OBVIOUSLY THERE HAS BEEN REPORTS THAT NANCY PELOSI HAS TALKED TO A LOT OF HOUSE MEMBERS AND CANDIDATES AND OF COURSE SHE DID THAT. YOU KNOW SHE KNOWS EVERY DISTRICT, SHE KNOWS WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THIS DISTRICT, SHE IS A SAVANT IN THAT WAY BUT I THINK ADAM SCHIFF DID THIS OF HIS OWN VOLITION AND IT WAS REPORTED THAT HE SAID SOME THINGS BEHIND CLOSED DOORS AT A FUNDRAISER. WHAT ALWAYS PATIENTS -- PAINS ME IS WHEN THEY DO THAT AND THEN SAY NO I DIDN'T SAY THAT. HE'S TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHAT HE SAID BUT IT'S A REALLY GUTWRENCHING THING FOR SOMEONE TO DO. >> HOGAN, THE MANTRA FOR REPUBLICANS HAS BEEN ANYTIME, ANYWHERE, ANYPLACE WHEN IT CAME TO A DEBATE. SO VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS CALLS SENATOR JD VANCE AND LEAVES HIM A VOICEMAIL SAYS I'M READY TO RUMBLE, LET'S DO THIS. THEY HAVE A CONVERSATION AND NOW THE TRUMP'S VANCE CAMPAIGN IS SAYING NO, WE DON'T WANT TO DEBATE ANYMORE. WE ARE NOT READY, WE ARE NOT SURE HOW THE NOMINEE IS GOING TO BE. IS THAT A COPOUT? >> I DON'T KNOW. LISTEN, I THINK JD VANCE IS AN INCREDIBLE DEBATER. OBVIOUSLY HE IS BRILLIANT WITH HIS PAST RECORD BUT YOU'VE SEEN HIM, HEARD HIM, I WOULD LOVE FOR THOSE TWO TO DEBATE. WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARE DOING IT BECAUSE OF SCHEDULING LIKE THE PARAMETERS OF THE DEBATE, THE OUTLET OF THE DEBATE -- >> THEY ARE SAYING THEY DON'T KNOW WHO IT'S GOING TO BE, WHETHER IT'S GOING TO BE GAVIN NEWSOM -- >> THE CAMPAIGN IS SAYING THAT. >> THEY DON'T KNOW THE VP BUT I JUST WONDER, SORRY FOR INTERRUPTING, I WONDER IN CASE THE ACTUAL RESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE ENDS UP BEING, THAT THE TRUMP'S CAMPAIGN DOESN'T WANT JD TO DEBATE HER AND EVENTUALLY TRUMP'S DEBATE HER. IN CASE THAT HAPPENED. >> THIS IS SUCH A DISASTER. REPUBLICANS HAVEN'T HAD TWO HOURS OF GOOD PRESS CONSECUTIVELY IN MY LIFETIME. WE'VE HAD TWO WEEKS OF INCREDIBLE NEWS RIGHT NOW. THIS EXCLAMATION POINT, THIS CONVENTION IS GREAT BUT THERE ARE 1 MILLION LIFETIMES BETWEEN NOW AND NOVEMBER AND WHILE WE ARE RIDING HIGH AND EVERYONE IS EXCITED THE GRUNT WORK IT TAKES TO WIN ELECTIONS, GETTING POLL WATCHERS, VOTER REGISTRATION, VOTER REALIZATION, THAT STUFF HAS BEEN DOMINATED IN THE LAST SEVERAL CYCLES AND EVERY TIME SOMEONE COMES UP TO ME AND SAYS WE ARE LOOKING GOOD WE COULD DOMINATE, RED WAVE, DOES ANYONE NOT REMEMBER THE RED WAVE A COUPLE YEARS AGO? PEOPLE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THIS IS A LONG WAY TO GO AND WHILE WE'VE SEEN A LOT OF SUCCESS EARLY ON AND JOE BIDEN SADLY JUST GOT DIAGNOSED WITH COVID, LORD KNOWS I HOPE HE HAS A SPEEDY RECOVERY, WE HAVE TO FOCUS ON THOSE TYPES OF THINGS AND WHILE THE UNITY TICKET LOOKS PRETTY STRONG RIGHT NOW, WE'VE GOT AMBER ROSE AND THE HEAD OF THE TEAMSTERS IN THE AREAS WE DON'T GO INTO, DEMOCRATS DON'T EVEN KNOW IF THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE THE SAME PERSON AT THE TOP OF THE TICKET. >> ASHLEY YOU GET THE LAST WORD BECAUSE WE ARE RUNNING OUT OF TIME HERE. DO YOU THINK IT'S THE BIDEN HARRIS TICKET ON THE TICKET COME NOVEMBER? >> I DON'T. I THINK IT'S HARRIS AND I DON'T THINK THAT BIDEN STAYS ON AND LISTEN, AS YOU SAID, WE ARE ALWAYS IN DISARRAY. WE HAVE THE BIGGEST HEADLINES SO THE FACT THAT THE McCARTHY GATE -- GATES SCUFFLE YESTERDAY IS THE BIGGEST THING COMING OUT OF THIS CONVENTION? I'LL TAKE IT. >> IT'S THE FIRST TIME IN A LONG TIME. WE WANT TO THANK YOU ALL. HAVE NIGHT. JD VANCE WILL GIVE HIS SPEECH TONIGHT. WE WILL HAVE ALL THE COVERAGE. >>> TONIGHT, THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION, DAY THREE, AT THE BIGGEST MOMENT OF JD VANCE'S POLITICAL CAREER. >> VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. >> FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP'S CHOICE FOR VICE PRESIDENT, SET TO INTRODUCE HIMSELF AND A HIGH STAKES SPEECH. VANCE EXPECTED TO TALK ABOUT HIS DIFFICULT UPBRINGING. >> I COME FROM A FAMILY THAT DOES NOT HAVE A WHOLE LOT OF MONEY. >> OUR FAMILY STORY. >> INTO BIDEN'S HANDLING OF THE BORDER. >> WE INHERITED A PERFECT BORDER. HE DESTROYED IT TO A LEVEL NOBODY CAN BELIEVE. >> HOW CAN WE DEFEND UKRAINE'S BORDERS WHEN WE AREN'T EVEN DEFENDING OUR OWN AMERICAN BORDERS? >> TONIGHT. >> THINGS ARE GETTING FIRED UP. >> THE RUNNING MATE TAKES CENTER STAGE. >> THIS IS NBC NEWS SPECIAL COVERAGE OF THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION . LIVE FROM MILWAUKEE. HERE ARE TOM LLAMAS AND HALLIE JACKSON. >>> WE ARE LIVE IN THE THICK OF IT HERE ON THE FLOOR OF THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION, IN MILWAUKEE. >> AND I'M TOM LLAMAS HERE FOR NIGHT THREE, AND WE ARE GETTING READY FOR THE HEAVY HITTERS YOU TONIGHT THE AMERICAN PUBLIC WILL HEAR FROM OHIO SENATOR JD VANCE FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE BECOMING FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP'S RUNNING MATE. AHEAD OF THE BIG SPEECH TO MARWAN MR. TRUMP WILL SPEAK ON THIS STAGE YOU SEE HIM SCOPING OUT THE SCENE. WE HAVE NOT HEARD FROM HIM SINCE THAT ATTEMPT ON HIS LIFE, SATURDAY, EXCEPT IN TRUTH SOCIAL POSTS. WE HAVE HEARD HE WILL BE TONING DOWN SOME OF HIS RHETORIC, HE TORE UP HIS SPEECH AFTER THAT ATTEMPT. >> WE HEARD FROM SENATOR VANCE AT HIS FORMAL CAMPAIGN FUNDRAISER IF YOU WILL. HE JOKED ABOUT TONIGHT COME ABOUT HIS SPEECH, ABOUT THE ANTICIPATION HERE, AND HE ALSO SAYS MR. TRUMP IS PLANNING TO TONE DOWN THE TEMPERATURE AT HIS SPEECH TOMORROW NIGHT. SENATOR VANCE, NOT GIVING ANY HINTS ON WHAT HE PLANS TO SAY, BUT FAMILIAR SOURCES TELL EVERYTHING THE SENATOR IS EXPECTED TO LEAN HEAVILY INTO HIS BIOGRAPHY, HIS UPBRINGING, IN RURAL OHIO, AND LINKING THAT TO SOME OF THE BIG ISSUES THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN IS TALKING ABOUT, LIKE THE IMPACT ON TRADE, INFLATION, IMMIGRATION, AND THE FENTANYL CRISIS, TOM. >> ALL RIGHT. AND NIGHT'S BIG SCENE, HALLIE, MAKE AMERICA STRONG AGAIN. REPUBLICANS EXPECT SPEECHES ON FOREIGN-POLICY, AFGHANISTAN, CHINA, IRAN, THE ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR. EVERYDAY AMERICANS IMPACTED ON THAT WILL SPEAK TONIGHT. WE WILL HEAR FROM THE GOVERNORS OF TEXAS AND NORTH DAKOTA, AND THE MAYOR OF EAST PALESTINE, OHIO, THE SITE OF THAT TOXIC TRAIN DERAILMENT IN FEBRUARY, LAST YEAR, IN VANCE'S HOME STATE, WE SHOULD MENTION. >> LET ME TAKE YOU FOR A WALK. THE FLOOR IS PACKED. RIGHT NOW YOU HAVE THE DELEGATION OF OREGON, INDIANA, IOWA, BUT I WANT TO SHOW YOU SOMETHING. WE HAVE REPORTING HERE AT NBC NEWS. THE FORMER PRESIDENT IS EXPECTED TO APPEAR HERE ON THIS FLOOR AT SOME POINT. MAYBE NOT ON THE FLOOR, BUT UP ENOUGH STANDS THERE'S A LOT OF CAMERAS, THERE'S A LOT OF ACTION. WE ARE LIVE HERE ON NBC NEWS. LET ME SNEAK THROUGH HERE. WE HAVE LEARNED FROM MULTIPLE SOURCES THAT TOMORROW NIGHT WE WILL SEE A COUPLE TRUMP FAMILY MEMBERS THAT WE HAVE NOT SEEN YET, WHO HAVE NOT MADE AN APPEARANCE. THAT IS MELANIA, IVANKA, JARED KUSHNER. THAT'S WHERE WE HAVE SEEN THE FORMER PRESIDENT ALONGSIDE HIS BRAND-NEW RUNNING MATE, AND THE FORMER PRESIDENT WILL BE HERE TO WATCH HIS NEW VICE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE MAKE THAT HIGH PROFILE PRIMETIME SPEECH. FOR SENATOR JD VANCE, ALREADY A HOUSEHOLD NAME FROM THAT BEST- SELLING BOOK, HILLBILLY ELEGY, THIS IS A MOMENT FOR HIM. >> I WANT TO GET TO KRISTEN WELKER AND CHUCK TODD. THANK YOU. WE'VE BEEN DYING TO TALK TO YOU TWO. HAVE YOU BEEN TALKING TO YOUR SOURCES IN THE BIDEN-HARRIS CAMPAIGN? ABOUT THE DIAGNOSIS? >> THE PRESIDENT IS 81 YEARS OLD, SO THEY WILL BE KEEPING AN EYE ON HIM IN HIS RECOVERY. THIS IS A CHALLENGING MOMENT FOR THE PRESIDENT WITH GROWING CALLS FOR HIM TO PASS THE TORCH AFTER THAT TOUGH DEBATE PERFORMANCE, HIS GOAL RIGHT NOW IS TO SHOW STRENGTH, TO SHOW HE'S UP FOR THE JOB, THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A TEMPORARY PHYSICAL SETBACK, BUT AN UNWELCOME ONE, GIVEN THAT HE IS REALLY IN THE THICK OF IT. >> IT'S NOT SO MUCH THE COVID DIAGNOSIS, IT'S JUST THE AVALANCHE OF BAD NEWS . IS THIS WHERE THEY SURVIVE OR ARE LOST? >> I DON'T THINK SO. LOOK, ALL OF A SUDDEN THE NEWS IS LEAKING TODAY THAT CHUCK SCHUMER TOLD HIM IT'S OVER OVER THE WEEKEND. WE KNEW CHUCK SCHUMER WAS GOING TO HAVE A MEETING WHETHER JEFFRIES DID IT ONE-ON-ONE COMMIT WE KNEW HE WAS GOING, BUT TO ME IT'S NOT AN ACCIDENT THAT AFTER ADAM SCHIFF DID WHAT HE DID, AFTER MORE POLLING DATA, NOW IT'S COMING OUT, THERE'S NOBODY IN LEADERSHIP OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY THAT IS TRYING TO ARGUE FOR HIM TO STAY IN THE RACE. BERNIE SANDERS IS CERTAINLY AN INFLUENTIAL VOICE IN PART OF THE PARTY, HE'S NOT REALLY AN ELECTED LEADER. SO WHEN YOU TAKE HIM AWAY, RIGHT NOW, JOE BIDEN'S BIGGEST ADVOCATES ARE BERNIE SANDERS AND AOC. NOBODY ELSE. >> HOW BIG WAS THE MOMENT TODAY WHEN REPRESENTATIVE ADAM SCHIFF CAME OUT, AND WE ARE GOING TO DIP INTO THE CAMPAIGN COVERAGE. GOVERNOR GREG ABBOTT OF TEXAS TAKING THE STAGE, HERE IN MILWAUKEE. LET'S LISTEN IN. >> [ CROWD CHANTING ] >> THANK YOU ALL, VERY MUCH. THANK YOU ALL, VERY MUCH. THANK YOU ALL, VERY MUCH. , ON. LET'S GO. AS GOVERNOR OF THE LARGEST BORDERS STATE, THE GREAT STATE OF TEXAS-- I CAN TELL YOU, I CAN TELL YOU, AMERICA NEEDS A PRESIDENT WHO WILL SECURE OUR BORDER. AMERICA NEEDS DONALD J. TRUMP. THE PRESIDENT'S MOST SACRED DUTY IS TO SECURE OUR COUNTRY. DONALD TRUMP FULFILLED THAT DUTY BY ELIMINATING ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION. UNDER PRESIDENT TRUMP WE HAD THE LOWEST ILLEGAL BORDER CROSSING IN ABOUT FOUR DECADES. BY CONTRAST, HOWEVER, JOE BIDEN DESERTED HIS DUTY. ON HIS FIRST DAY IN OFFICE HE GUTTED PRESIDENT TRUMP'S POLICIES. AND THE RESULT HAS BEEN CATASTROPHIC. UNDER JOE BIDEN, ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION HAS SKYROCKETED. UNDER HIS WATCH AROUND 11 MILLION IMMIGRANTS HAVE CROSSED OUR BORDERS, ILLEGALLY. THAT'S MORE, THAT'S MORE THAN THE ENTIRE POPULATION OF MICHIGAN. IT'S TWICE THE POPULATION OF WISCONSIN. BIDEN HAS WELCOMED INTO OUR COUNTRY RAPISTS, MURDERERS, EVEN TERRORIST'S. AND THE PRICES THAT WE HAVE PAID HAVE BEEN DEADLY. AMONG THE MANY VICTIMS WAS 12- YEAR-OLD JOSLYN, FROM HOUSTON, TEXAS. RAPED AND MURDERED BY TWO ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS. SHE IS ONE OF THOUSANDS WHOSE LIVES HAVE BEEN DESTROYED BY JOE BIDEN'S OPEN BORDER POLICY. TO MAKE MATTERS EVEN WORSE, BIDEN IS EVEN FIGHTING TOOTH AND NAIL TO STOP TEXAS AND OTHER REPUBLICAN STATES FROM SECURING OUR OWN BORDERS. I DEPLOYED, I DEPLOYED THOUSANDS OF NATIONAL GUARD SOLDIERS TO BUILD HUNDREDS OF MILES OF RAZOR WIRE BARRIERS. GIVE IT UP FOR OUR NATIONAL GUARD! THEY BUILT THOSE BARRIERS TO STOP ILLEGAL CROSSINGS. WHEN JOE BIDEN ORDERED TO CUT THAT RAZOR WIRE, I ORDERED THE NATIONAL GUARD TO TRIPLE THE RAZOR WIRE ON THE BORDER. WHEN, WHEN BIDEN TOOK 50 ACRES OF TEXAS BORDER PROPERTY TO ILLEGALLY PROCESS UP TO 5000 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS PER DAY I DIRECTED THE TEXAS NATIONAL GUARD TO TAKE BACK OUR LAND AND WIRE IT SHUT. NOW THERE IS-- THERE IS NO LONGER A DOZEN PEOPLE CROSSING THE BORDER LIKE THERE WAS UNDER JOE BIDEN, NOW THAT THE NATIONAL GUARD WIRED THAT SHUT, ON AVERAGE, THERE IS ONE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT CROSSING THE BORDER AT THAT LOCATION, A DAY. WHEN JOE BIDEN AND-- KAMALA HARRIS REFUSED TO EVEN COME TO TEXAS, AND TO SEE THE BORDER CRISIS THAT THEY CREATED I TOOK THE BORDER TO THEM. I BEGAN BUSTING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS TO WASHINGTON, D.C. AND WE HAVE CONTINUED BUSING MIGRANTS TO SANCTUARY CITIES ACROSS THE ENTIRE COUNTRY. AND THOSE BUSES WILL CONTINUE TO ROLL UNTIL WE FINALLY SECURE OUR BORDER. FORTUNATELY-- FORTUNATELY, I THINK, I THINK I SEE HOPE ON THE HORIZON GOOD BECAUSE, ON NOVEMBER 5th, JOE BIDEN WILL BE FIRED. AND DONALD TRUMP WILL ONCE AGAIN BECOME THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. HE WILL ENFORCE THE IMMIGRATION LAW. HE WILL FIGHT THE MEXICAN DRUG CARTEL. AND HE WILL ARREST THE CRIMINALS, ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, AND PUT THEM BEHIND BARS. OR, SEND THEM BACK. >> [ CROWD CHANTING ] IT IS TIME. IT IS TIME TO RESTORE ORDER AT THE BORDER. IT IS TIME TO RID OUR STREETS OF CRIME AND CHAOS. IT IS TIME TO SECURE OUR NATION BY RETURNING DONALD TRUMP AS PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. THANK YOU ALL. GOD BLESS! >>> WE ARE BACK HERE, AFTER LISTENING TO GOVERNOR GREG ABBOTT'S SPEECH ON THE FLOOR NOT TOO FAR FROM THE TEXAS DELEGATION. THEY HAVE ALL THEIR COWBOY HATS ON. WHAT'S INTERESTING HERE IS OVER THE COURSE OF THE PAST COUPLE NIGHTS YOU HEARD TO SOME DEGREE SOME OF THE SPEAKERS LEANING AWAY FROM THAT RED MEAT RHETORIC THAT WAS EXPECTED TO A DEGREE HERE, AND OUR TEAM, INCLUDING VAUGHN HILLYARD, HAS A SENSE THEY WERE TRYING TO DO MAGA. THAT SEEMS TO HAVE CHANGED BASED ON THE SPEAKERS WE'VE SEEN INCLUDING PETER NAVARRO, WHO GOT A VERY VERY WELL RECEIVED OVATION HERE ON THE FLOOR. >> THERE IS NO MENTION OF JANUARY 6th. PETER NAVARRO, COMING HERE AFTER SERVING THREE MONTHS FOR DELPHI INC. THE JANUARY 6th COMMITTEE, AND IT WAS A VERY WELL RECEIVED MANNER. AND DONALD TRUMP PARDONED PAUL MANAFORT. JOE GOT A PARDON FROM DONALD TRUMP IN 2017. HE IS HERE, SO YOU ARE SEEING SOME OF THESE FIGURES WHO DONALD TRUMP HAS MADE SUGGESTIONS, THAT THEY HAVE BEEN UNFAIRLY PROSECUTED LIKE HIM. THE MESSAGES THAT THEY ARE COMING AFTER ME THEY WILL COME AFTER EVERYONE ELSE NEXT. >> THE SIGNS THAT PEOPLE ARE HOLDING UP, MASS DEPORTATION NOW. I WANT TO HAVE OUR PHOTOGRAPHERS SHOW THEM. WHAT'S INTERESTING, THERE ARE ALLIES FOR, I WAS GOING THROUGH THE HALLS, THEY WERE SAYING LOOK. IT'S THE SHERIFF. THERE IS A SENSE OF CELEBRITY STATUS. >> FOR JOE FOR A LONG TIME TO GO BACK TO 2010, 2014, 2016, DONALD TRUMP RAN ON BUILDING THE WALL. THEY WOULD NOT BE PRINTING MASS DEPORTATION NOW SIGNS IF THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE POLLING TO BACK UP THE FACT THEY BELIEVE THE GREATEST SHERIFF IN AMERICAN PUBLIC WANTS DEPORTATIONS, BECAUSE IT HINTS ON THE ESSAGE THAT IT IS TAKING JOBS FROM THE AMERICAN WORKFORCE. SO WHEN YOU SEE THIS OUT HERE THERE IS A RECOGNITION THAT THEY BELIEVE THAT THAT POLITICALLY WILL BE ADVANTAGEOUS TO THEM. THERE WAS THAT BIPARTISAN MEASURE THAT WAS AT THE SENATE THAT WAS LED BY SOME VERY KEY REPUBLICANS, DONALD TRUMP IS ON THE FRONT LINES OF KILLING THAT BILL. IT WAS ACKNOWLEDGED BY SOME THAT YOU COULD USE IMMIGRATION TO HELP HIM WIN THE ELECTION, AND IT WENT NOWHERE IN CONGRESS. THE QUESTION HERE GOING FORWARD, WHAT WOULD A TRUMP ADMINISTRATION DUE ON IMMIGRATION? BUT THEY GO THROUGH WITH MASS DEPORTATION? WHAT WOULD THAT LOOK LIKE? >> VAUGHN HILLYARD, THANK YOU, GOOD TO SEE YOU. I WANT TO BRING YOU OVER HERE IF WE CAN BACKPEDALING, I DON'T KNOW IF WE CAN, IT IS A TIGHT SQUEEZE, BUT IF YOU COME HIS WAY YOU HAVE PEOPLE WEARING MAKE AMERICA GREAT ONCE AGAIN HATS, YOU HAVE PEOPLE WEARING RED, SOME PEOPLE LIKE TO DRESS UP AND LEAN INTO THE IDEA OF PARTY UNITY, ALL OF IT OF COURSE AS THERE IS THAT SHADOW OF THE ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT ON FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP LOOMING. LIVE QUICKLY, WE TALKED ABOUT IT A LITTLE LAST NIGHT, A COUPLE OF FOLKS WEARING THOSE EAR BANDAGES THAT FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP IS WEARING, THEY ARE FAKE OF COURSE, IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE FORMER PRESIDENT, WHO WE DO EXPECT TO ATTEND TONIGHT. TOM, I'LL GET READY TO TOSS IT BACK TO YOU IN THE BOOTH. AGAIN, BIG NIGHT HERE WITH A LOT OF ANTICIPATION, I CAN TELL YOU. WE HAVE ADDITIONAL FOLKS IN THOSE BANDAGES AS WELL, BUT A LOT OF ANTICIPATION FOR THE SPEECH OF SENATOR JD VANCE, DONALD TRUMP'S NEW RUNNING MATE. >> CAN YOU HEAR ME, HALLIE? >> YES, SORRY, I CAN'T SPOT YOU ACROSS THE FLOOR, WE WILL COME FIND YOU. >> I CAN SEE YOU, YOU'RE LOOKING GREAT. CAMPAIGN SPOKESPERSON FOR THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN, MY FIRST QUESTION TO YOU IS WHY HAS THE CAMPAIGN DECIDED NOT TO DEBATE VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS? FROM OUR UNDERSTANDING THE VICE PRESIDENT CALLED JD VANCE LEFT A VOICEMAIL, SAYING LET'S DO THIS, THEY SPOKE, THEN THE CAMPAIGN PUT OUT A STATEMENT SAYING YOU DON'T WANT TO. >> I WOULD POINT OUT PRESIDENT TRUMP DID ACCEPT A DEBATE ON BEHALF OF THE VICE PRESIDENT WITH FOX NEWS, SO KAMALA HARRIS IS CERTAINLY WELCOME TO ACCEPT THAT DEBATE. I WOULD ALSO POINT OUT THE BIDEN CAMP AND DEMOCRATS OVERALL ARE IN DISARRAY. WE HAVE NO IDEA WHO WILL BE AT THE TOP OF THE GET TOP OF THE TICKET. IT WOULD NOT BE FAIR IF KAMALA HARRIS ENDS UP AT THE TOP OF THE TICKET WITH A POTENTIAL VP NOMINEE THAT DOESN'T EXIST YET. >> COULD BE SENATOR VANCE ISN'T READY OR IS BE AFRAID TO DEBATE THE VICE PRESIDENT MARK >> ABSOLUTELY NOT. THE TRUMP-VANCE TICKET HAS A GUARANTEE OF SUCCESS. WE HAVE PUT OUT A PLATFORM I ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO GO TO DONALDJTRUMP.COM/PLATFORM . THE CONTRAST OF DONALD TRUMP OFFICE SUCCESS AND BIDEN'S FAILURE AND WEAKNESS, JD VANCE IS AN EXCEPTIONAL TAKE. >> WHAT WE CAN EXPECT TO HEAR FROM SENATOR VANCE? THIS COULD BE HIS INTRODUCTION TO AMERICA. PEOPLE MAY HAVE READ HIS BOOK OR SEEN HIM IN HIS RUN FOR SENATE IN OHIO AND ON DIFFERENT SHOWS, BUT WHAT SHOULD AMERICANS GEAR UP FOR? >> I THINK IT WILL BE TOUCHING. I'VE READ EXCERPTS, AND HIS MOTHER WILL BE IN THE AUDIENCE. AND SO HE'S GOING TO REFER TO HIS MOM, AND HE REALLY HAS AN AMERICAN STORY THAT IS SIMILAR TO MANY OTHERS WHO GREW UP IN POVERTY. IF YOU HAVE READ HILLBILLY ELEGY, YOU WILL HEAR ABOUT HIS UPBRINGING AND HOW HE ADDS-- >> WHAT ELSE SHOULD WE TUNE IN FOR? >> I THINK THE MOMENT WHEN HE ADDRESSES HIS MOM WILL BE VERY IMPACTFUL, AND EVERYONE SHOULD TUNE IN FOR THAT. >> DANIELLE, WE REALLY APPRECIATE THAT. WE WILL TAKE ALIVE LOOK. COVERAGE CONTINUES AFTER THIS SHORT BREAK. STAY WITH US. ♪ >>> DEMOCRACY IS HAPPENING NOW. >> WELCOME TO A BIG NIGHT THAT COULD HELP SHAPE REPUBLICAN POLITICS FOR YEARS TO COME. >> NOW NEVER STOPS. >> IT COMES DOWN TO TURN OUT. WILL IT BE THAT BIG BLOCK OF INPEPENDENTS ? >> WHAT DOES THIS DEBATE CHANGE FOR YOU? >> THEIR NUMBER-ONE ISSUE IS THE ECONOMY. >> THE RACE IS ON, NOW. NEWS FOR THE GENERATION OF NOW IS NBC NEWS NOW. >>> WE ARE BACK LIVE ON THE FLOOR OF THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION, LIVE IN MILWAUKEE. TOM LLAMAS AND I HAVE MADE OUR WAY TO EACH OTHER. RAISE YOUR HAND IF YOU SEE THEM. IF YOU ARE WONDERING, WHY ARE YOU SEEING THE YELLOW? THEY ARE THE GOLDEN STATE, SO IT'S A CUSTOM FOR CALIFORNIA. >> NIGHT THREE, WE ARE GETTING READY FOR SENATOR JD VANCE. SOMEONE ELSE WAS ON THE SHORT LIST, NORTH DAKOTA GOVERNOR DOUG BURGUM. A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE BEEN LOOKING FORWARD TO HIS SPEECH. AFTER, SENIOR ADVISER, FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS HAD THEM BY HIS SIDE WHAT THEY CALL THE VOICE OF GOD. LET'S LISTEN TO THE NORTH DAKOTA GOVERNOR, HE IS TAKING THE STAGE RIGHT NOW. >> HELLO, MILWAUKEE. AND HELLO, NORTH DAKOTA. FEELS GOOD TO BE HERE. THE LAST TIME I WAS IN MILWAUKEE, AND THIS BUILDING, STANDING BEHIND THE PODIUM, WAS FOR THE DEBATE, AND I STOOD ON ONE LEG FOR TWO HOURS. I BLEW MY ACHILLES THE DAY BEFORE, BUT TO KICK THINGS OFF, I HAVE A QUESTION FOR YOU, AND I NEED YOUR HELP ANSWERING SO NICE AND SO LOUD THAT EVERYONE AT HOME CAN HEAR YOU. ARE YOU READY? WHO WILL MAKE AMERICA ENERGY DOMINANT? AGAIN. WHO WILL MAKE AMERICA ENERGY DOMINANT? THAT'S PRETTY GOOD, BUT IT'S AFTER 4:00 P.M. IN DC, SO HOW ABOUT ONE MORE TIME LOUD ENOUGH TO WAKE UP JOE BIDEN? WHO WILL MAKE AMERICA ENERGY INDEPENDENT? THAT'S RIGHT, BECAUSE WHEN PRESIDENT TRUMP UNLEASHES AMERICAN ENERGY WE UNLEASH AMERICAN PROSPERITY AND ENSURE OUR NATIONAL SECURITY. SERVING AS A GOVERNOR WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP FEELS LIKE HAVING A BEAUTIFUL BREEZE AT OUR BACK. HE CUT TAXES AND CUT RED TAPE, SERVING AS A GOVERNOR UNDER JOE BIDEN HAS BEEN LIKE A GALE FORCE WIND IN OUR FACE. BIDEN'S WARREN ENERGY HURTS EVERY AMERICAN, BECAUSE THE COST OF ENERGY IS IN EVERYTHING WE USE OR TOUCH EVERY DAY. BIDEN'S REDTAPE HAS RAISED THE PRICE OF THE GAS IN YOUR CAR, THE COST OF FOOD ON YOUR TABLE, THE CLOTHES ON YOUR BACK, AND IT'S EVEN RAISED YOUR RENT. BIDEN'S GREEN AGENDA FEELS LIKE IT WAS WRITTEN BY CHINA, RUSSIA, AND IRAN. LET'S LOOK AT BIDEN'S MANDATES. WHERE DID NEARLY ALL THE BATTERIES AND MINERALS COME FROM? CHINA, YOU KNOW. THE DAY BIDEN HALTED PERMITS FOR CLEANED U.S. NATURAL GAS EXPORT FACILITIES, JUST THINK ABOUT THE PARTY THEY MUST HAVE THROWN THAT NIGHT AT THE KREMLIN'S, BECAUSE BIOTIN'S POLICIES ARE MAKING RUSSIA AND IRAN FILTHY RICH. AND THEY ARE USING THAT MONEY TO FUND WARS AND TERRORISM AGAINST OUR ALLIES. AND BIDEN IS ACTING LIKE A DICTATOR USING MANDATES TO SHUT DOWN ELECTRICITY, THAT'S WHY YOUR ELECTRIC BILLS HAVE SOARED UPWARDS AS OUR NATION'S GRID ELECTRIC RELIABILITY PLUNGE. IMAGINE NO ELECTRICITY FOR YOUR FRIDGE, YOUR LIGHTS, OR YOUR AIR CONDITIONING. PRESIDENT TRUMP WILL ENSURE THAT THERE IS POWER FOR YOU, AND IMPORTANTLY, THAT WE HAVE THE POWER AS THE UNITED STATES TO BEAT CHINA IN AN A.I. ARMS RACE. UNLEASHING AMERICAN ENERGY DOMINANCE IS OUR PATH BACK TO PROSPERITY AND PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH. TEDDY ROOSEVELT ENCOURAGED AMERICA TO SPEAK SOFTLY AND CARRY A BIG STICK. ENERGY DOMINANCE WILL BE THE BIG STICK THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP WILL CARRY. YES, PRESIDENT TRUMP WILL MAKE SURE THAT AMERICA IS SELLING ENERGY TO OUR ALLIES VERSUS BUYING IT FROM OUR ADVERSARIES. INNOVATION HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE SOURCE OF AMERICAN GREATNESS, AND PRESIDENT TRUMP CHAMPIONS INNOVATION OVER REGULATION. LAST YEAR, OVER THAT WHOLE YEAR, MY WIFE, CATHERINE DAN DIE, TRAVELED ACROSS AMERICA. AS YOU KNOW IT'S RURAL AMERICA AND RURAL AMERICA IS THE TRUMP COUNTRY. IN NORTH DAKOTA, WE KNOW ONE THING FOR SURE, BECAUSE WE HAVE SEEN HIM DO IT. THAT'S THAT THE HARDEST WORKING PRESIDENT IN AMERICAN HISTORY IS DONALD J. TRUMP. PRESIDENT TRUMP CARES DEEPLY ABOUT EVERY AMERICAN, TRUCK DRIVERS, AND YES, AMERICA'S GREAT FARMERS AND RANCHERS. PRESENT FROM CARES DEEPLY ABOUT YOU. HE KNOWS HE WILL FIGHT FOR US. HE WILL FIGHT FOR US, AND HE WILL ALLOW ALL OF YOU TO KEEP DRIVING OR GAS POWERED CARS. WHEN TRUMP WILL MAKE AMERICA STRONG AGAIN, AND WHEN DONALD TRUMP AND JD VANCE STAND TOGETHER THEY WILL MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN. >> LADIES AND GENTLEMEN-- >> NORTH DAKOTA GOVERNOR DOUG BURGUM, HE MIGHT BE SECRETARY OF ENERGY. >> WHEN YOU LOOK AT THIS POTENTIAL TRUMP TERM, I THINK A LOT OF FOLKS YOU SEE HERE. >> DONALD TRUMP AND HIS FAMILY MADE ENORMOUS SACRIFICES TO RUN AND SERVE AS PRESIDENT. HE DIDN'T MEAN TO DO IT. HE WANTED TO DO IT. MY RELATIONSHIP WITH MR. TRUMP WAS UNDER FIRE IN A FOXHOLE IN 2016, AFTER HE ASKED ME TO BE HIS CAMPAIGN MANAGER. WE HAD NO IDEA HE WAS MAKING HISTORY AS THE FIRST SUCCESSFUL PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE EVER TO ASK A WOMAN TO LEAD THE CAMPAIGN. ONE MORNING I WAS IN AN EARLY STAFF MEETING IN THE WHITE HOUSE, AND AS I GLANCED AROUND THE TABLE, SOMETHING CAUGHT MY EYE. IN THAT MEETING WHERE SARAH HUCKABEE SANDERS, MERCEDES, BROOKE WALLIN, IVANKA TRUMP, AND ME. I SOON REALIZED THAT AMONG US WE HAD 19 CHILDREN. AT THE TIME AGENTS TWO THROUGH 16 SHOWED ME IN AMERICA WHERE FIVE WORKING MOMS OF 19 YOUNG CHILDREN COULD HAVE THE HIGHEST RANK IN THE COMPANY AND WORK ALONGSIDE THE PRESIDENT. IN THE TRUMP WHITE HOUSE WE LIVED IT. SURE, HE SAW SOMETHING IN ME AND THE OTHER WORKING MOMS THAT PERHAPS WE DO NOT SEE IN OURSELVES, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, HE SEES WHAT'S BEST, AND WHAT'S POSSIBLE, FOR MILLIONS OF DECENT, HARD WORKING AMERICANS. NOW, EIGHT YEARS LATER, HE AND HIS FAMILY HAVE MADE THE SACRIFICE AGAIN FOR HIM TO RUN AND SERVE AS PRESIDENT. DONALD TRUMP COULD BE THE ENVY OF FORMER PRESIDENTS. HE'S A BILLIONAIRE, WHO COULD PLAY GOLF EVERY DAY AT HIS OWN GOLF COURSES. HE CAN ENJOY A MAGNIFICENT LIFE WITH HIS INCREDIBLE FIVE CHILDREN AND HIS 10 AMAZING GRANDCHILDREN, AND THAT EXTRAORDINARY, ELEGANT, BEAUTIFUL, BRILLIANT WIFE, THE FORMER AND FUTURE FIRST LADY, MELANIA TRUMP. HE DOES NOT NEED TO DO THIS, BUT WE NEED HIM TO DO THIS. HOW OFTEN DO WE HEAR I WANT TRUMP'S POLICIES WITHOUT TRUMP OFFICE PERSONALITY? GOOD LUCK WITH THAT. WE DON'T GET THOSE POLICIES WITHOUT THAT PERSONALITY. >> ENDING THE ISIS CALIPHATE, ENDING GROSS AND FAIRNESS IN OUR ECONOMY, RESPECTING WORKERS, BACKING OUR BLUE, OUR MILITARY, AND OUR BORDER PATROL. YOU GET THAT THROUGH STRENGTH AND TOUGHNESS. WEAKNESS EMBOLDENS OUR ADVERSARIES. ENABLES FAILURE. AND EMPOWERS EVIL. THE ANSWER TO WEAKNESS IS STRENGTH. THE ANTIDOTE TO DIVISION IS UNITY, AND THE ALTERNATIVE TO FAILURE AND INCOMPETENCE TO JOE BIDEN N, HARRIS IS TO SEND THEM PACKING AND SEND DONALD TRUMP AND JD VANCE TO THE WHITE HOUSE. DON'T DISMISS THEM, TALK TO THEM. WE WIN THROUGH ADDITION, NOT DIVISION. IN DONALD TRUMP OFFICE REPUBLICAN PARTY, EVERYONE IS WELCOME. WE HAVE BEEN CALLED DEPLORABLE, IRREDEEMABLE, MEGA MAGA EXTREMISTS, AND WORSE, BUT DONALD TRUMP SEES YOU FORCE YOU SEES YOU FOR WHO YOU ARE. YOU LOVE YOUR FAMILY, AND YOU LOVE YOUR COUNTRY. >> WE HAVE JUST BEEN LISTENING TO KELLYANNE CONWAY. I ALWAYS THINK OF 2016, EVERYONE WAS TALKING ABOUT ELECTABILITY, IT WAS ELECTRICITY. HER SPEECH, TALKING BUT MOTHERS END UP MOTHERS THAT WORKED IN THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION. AND SHE MENTIONED MELANIA, WHO WILL BE ATTENDING TOMORROW. >> DONALD TRUMP JUNIOR WAS WALKING ONTO THE FLOOR. I WANT TO ASK OUR TEAM TO COME ON OVER, BECAUSE I FOUND SOMEBODY WHO WE WANTED TO GIVE A LITTLE CONVERSATION TO, THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US. WE ARE LOOKING AHEAD TO THE BIG PRIME TIME SPEECH FROM SENATOR JD VANCE PAID WHAT DO YOU WANT TO HEAR FROM HIM TONIGHT? >> I WANT TO HEAR THAT HE IS AN AMERICA FIRST AGENDA REPRESENTATIVE. I'M LOOKING FOR HIM TO MAKE SURE HE WILL BE AND PRESIDENT TRUMP TO MAKE SURE WE GET EVERYTHING DELIVERED, AND THAT'S TO GET THIS RACE ON TRACK. THE FIRST TIME AROUND, THIS TIME AROUND, WE ARE GOING TO GET IT IN WRITING AND MAKE A LOT. >> WE HAVE BEEN PLUNGED INTO DARKNESS MID-INTERVIEW. LOOMING OVER THIS OBVIOUSLY, AND YOU HAVE SEEN THE FORMER PRESIDENT IN THAT YOUR BANDAGE TODAY. IN THE ATTEMPTED ASSASSINATION ON SATURDAY, YOU'VE BEEN PRETTY FIRED UP WITH THE MATTER. CALLING ON THE HEAD OF THE SECRET SERVICE TO RESIGN, TELL ME HOW YOU SEE IT AND THE STEPS YOU WANT TO SEE HAPPEN. >> I THINK I'VE SAID IT LIKE THE REST OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. OBVIOUSLY SOMETHING HAPPENED, AND YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT ONE BUILDING ON THE WHOLE FIELD, AND WE DIDN'T HAVE IT COVERED. WHERE WE ARE STANDING, IT DIDN'T MAKE SENSE. WHEN THE SHOOTER WENT DOWN, WE NEED ANSWERS, AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO HAVING HEARING. I THINK YOU'LL FIND THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE SEEING THIS MOVE IS NOT WORKING. >> ONE OF THOSE QUESTIONS IS MOTIVE, AND IT'S OUR REPORTING TO FBI DIRECTOR TOLD MEMBERS OF CONGRESS THAT AFTER SOME 200 INTERVIEWS AND EXAMINING 14,000+ IMAGES, ETC., THEY STILL COULD NOT DETERMINE THE MOTIVE FOR THIS SHOOTING, AND IN THE HOURS AFTER YOU BLAMED PRESIDENT BIDEN. THEY SHOULD BE PROSECUTED FOR IT. WHAT DO YOU KNOW THE FBI DOESN'T? DO YOU KNOW SOMETHING THE FBI DOES NOT? >> NOT SAYING I DID OR DIDN'T KNOW ANYTHING, BUT WHEN YOU HAVE A PRESIDENT WHO SAYS WE NEED TO PUT A BULL'S-EYE ON PRESIDENT TRUMP I THINK THAT TELLS YOU THAT THEY ARE OUT THERE SUGGESTING, AND THEY HAVE BEEN PROMOTING VIOLENCE FOR YEARS. >> THE CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN CLEAR, AND THE PRESIDENT HAS BEEN CLEAR HE WAS REFERRING TO THE DEBATES, AND HOUSE SPEAKER MIKE JOHNSON SAID THAT'S WHAT HE MEANT. >> THAT'S NOT WHAT WE ARE LOOKING AT. THAT'S FINE IF HE WANTS TO CLAIM, BUT THAT'S NOT WHAT WE HEARD, AND THAT'S NOT WHAT WE SAW. THAT'S NOT WHAT WE'VE SEEN A LOT OF. WE'VE SEEN AN ADMINISTRATION THAT HAS CALLED THE PRESIDENT A RACIST, A SEXIST, WANTED TO CALL HIM A THREAT, EXISTENTIALISM. YOU'RE TELLING ME THAT DOESN'T INCITE VIOLENCE? >> IPO I SPOKE WITH REPUBLICANS WHO WANT THE TEMPERATURE LOWERED. LET ME ASK, DO TWEETS LIKE YOURS HELP THAT AGGRESSIVE RHETORIC? >> I'VE NEVER SUGGESTED ANYBODY HAVE VIOLENCE OR TAKE VIOLENCE. AS A MATTER OF FACT I DON'T CONDONE IT. >> BUT YOU BLAMED THE PRESIDENT WHEN YOU DON'T KNOW MOTIVE? >> I SAID THE PRESIDENT INCITED VIOLENCE, AND HE HAS, AND HE HAS BEEN WITH HIS RHETORIC. >> CONGRESSMAN, THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT. MORE TO COME. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. AS THE REPUBLICAN CONVENTION CONTINUES LIVE ON THE FLOOR IN MILWAUKEE. ♪ >>> NBC NEWS DAILY'S NUMBER-ONE FOR AFTERNOON NEWS ACROSS TELEVISION. >> I'M MORGAN RADFORD. >> I'M VICKY WINN. >> I'M KATE SNOW. >> I'M ZINHLE ESSAMUAH. >> WHAT'S BUILDING SHOWING MORE ENCOURAGING SIGNS FOR OUR ECONOMY. >> LET'S ZERO IN ON EXERCISE. WHAT DOES IT DO FOR OUR HEALTH? >> WHAT NEEDS TO CHANGE FOR SOCIAL MEDIA TO BE A SAFER PLACE? >> NBC NEWS DAILY WEEKDAYS FROM 12:00-4:00 ON NBC NEWS NOW. >>> WELCOME BACK TO NBC NEWS SPECIAL COVERAGE OF THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION. WE ARE LIVE ON THE FLOOR. IN MILWAUKEE WHERE WE ARE FOLLOWING SEVERAL BREAKING STORIES. WE WILL HEAR FROM SENATOR JD VANCE IN A COUPLE HOURS. WE ARE FOLLOWING BREAKING NEWS THAT PRESIDENT BIDEN HAS TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID-19 ON A DAY WHEN HE'S HAD SERIOUS CONVERSATIONS WITH CHUCK SCHUMER WHO SHOWED SOME SERIOUS POLLING DATA OF THE DANGER OF A BIDEN-HARRIS TICKET, AND ADAM SCHIFF STEPPING OUT AND SAYING STEP ASIDE. A TOUGH DAY FOR THE PRESIDENT. WE ARE TALKING WITH CANDIDATES INCLUDING PENNSYLVANIA DAVID McCORMICK. THANK YOU FOR JOINING US. YOU WERE THERE ON SATURDAY. >> IT WAS INCREDIBLE IN BUTLER COUNTY, THE PRESIDENT WAS GOING TO HAVE ME COME UP ON STAGE. I STARTED TO GO UP, THEN HE SAID HOLD ON A MINUTE, GOZA DONE, I'LL HAVE YOU UP IN A MINUTE. A MINUTE LATER THEY WERE BULLETS FLYING. AND SO HE GRABBED HIS EAR AND WENT DOWN. DIDN'T SIT WITH ME UNTIL I GOT HOME THAT NIGHT. I HAVE SIX DAUGHTERS. I TALKED TO MY DAUGHTERS, THEY WERE TERRIFIED, THEY NEVER CONSIDERED THEIR FATHER MIGHT BE AT RISK TRYING TO RUN FOR OFFICE AND SERVE HIS COUNTRY. >> I THINK WE ARE ORTUNATE PRESIDENT TRUMP SURVIVED. WHAT'S SO AMAZING TO ME WAS I'VE SEEN PEOPLE GET SHOT AT BEFORE. HE STUCK OUT HIS FIST IN DEFIANCE AND REASSURANCE, AND I THINK THAT'S PART OF THE REASON THE CROWD STAYED CALM IS BECAUSE PRESIDENT TRUMP SHOWED THAT HE WAS OKAY. >> SOMEBODY DIED, OBVIOUSLY. COREY, SO SAID. TWO OTHERS WERE INJURED. WHAT DID YOU END TRUMP TALK ABOUT AFTERWARDS? >> UNFORTUNATELY THE DEATH WAS RIGHT BEHIND ME, AND I SAW HIM IN THE BLEACHERS, HE WAS SEVERELY INJURED, AND THEY WERE TRYING TO TREAT HIM. I THINK TRUMP SAW THE TRAGEDY AND SADNESS BUT NEEDED TO STAND UP AND DEMONSTRATE, BUT IT'S A SAD, TRAGIC DAY FOR AMERICA. IT COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC HAD THE PRESIDENT BEEN KILLED. AND I THINK WE NEED TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF HOW THIS POSSIBLY COULD HAVE HAPPENED. THAT IS TRUE. >> SENATOR JD VANCE WILL SPEAK TONIGHT, OF OHIO. YOU WERE IN WESTERN PA WHEN THIS HAPPENED. WILL JD VANCE PULL UNDECIDED VOTES? >> I'M EXCITED ABOUT HAVING HIM ON THE TICKET. HE'S A VETERAN. WE HAVE A HUGE VETERAN POPULATION IN PENNSYLVANIA. HE GREW UP IN APPALACHIA, HE UNDERSTANDS PENNSYLVANIANS LIVING PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK AND APPRECIATES THE POWER OF ENERGY, NATURAL RESOURCES, NATURAL GAS, THE ENGINE FOR PENNSYLVANIA'S FUTURE. I'M EXCITED. >> YOU KNOW FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP WELL. HIM AND JD VANCE ARE DIFFERENT. FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP GREW UP RICH, JD VANCE DID NOT. HOW DID THEY CONNECT TO MARK >> I DON'T KNOW, I HAVEN'T REALLY SEEN THEM TOGETHER, BUT ONLY IN AMERICA, RIGHT? COULD THESE TWO STORIES COME TOGETHER AN OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE OUR GREAT COUNTRY. I THINK IT'S TESTAMENT TO FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP HE AND JD VANCE WERE OPPOSED AT ONE POINT, NOW THEY ARE TRYING TO WORK TOGETHER TO MOVE OUR COUNTRY FORWARD. >> I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT YOUR SENATE RACE. DO YOU THINK THE RACE IS CLOSE AND THAT YOU HAVE A CHANCE TO WIN IN PENNSYLVANIA TO MARK >> YEAH, I THINK I'M GOING TO WIN. THIS IS A RACE THAT COMPARES STRENGTH VERSUS WEAKNESS AND THE STATUS QUO VERSUS CHANGE. 80% OF PENNSYLVANIANS THINK THE COUNTRY IS GOING IN THE WRONG DIRECTION. THAT'S THE CONTRAST THE POLLS ARE POSING, AND I THINK I WILL PREVAIL. I THINK TRUMP HELPS, HE'S GROWING IN POPULARITY ACROSS AMERICA. >> DAVID McCORMICK, THANK YOU SO MUCH. MUCH MORE AT THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION IN MILWAUKEE RIGHT AFTER THIS. ♪♪ >>> NOW IS RAW. >> HOW HARD IS IT TO SEE IT LIKE THIS? >> NOW IS REAL. >> NEWS FOR THE GENERATION OF NOW IS NBC NEWS NOW. >>> THE FIRE HAS GROWN AT LEAST IN-- YOU SEE BEHIND ME A TYPICAL -- ARE YOU DOING? >> PRETTY-- PRETTY BAD. >> MORE AMERICANS TURN TO NBC NEWS THAN ANY OTHER NEWS ORGANIZATION. >>> WELCOME BACK TO NBC NEWS SPECIAL COVERAGE OF THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION . WE ARE LIVE IN MILWAUKEE, ON NIGHT THREE RIGHT HERE ON THE CONVENTION FLOOR. AT ANY MINUTE WE ARE EXPECTING TO SEE FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP ENTER THE CONVENTION HALL AND HIS RUNNING MATE, SENATOR JD VANCE, HE IS THE PRIMETIME SPEAKER. HE WILL INTRODUCE HIMSELF TO AMERICA, TELL HIS LIFE STORY, AND ALSO HIS VISION FOR RUNNING WITH FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP REJOINING ME NOW, SOMEBODY WHO KNOWS A LOT ABOUT THESE SPEECHES AND A LOT ABOUT CONVENTIONS, TRUMP- PENC CAMPAIGN. >> LET PEOPLE KNOW WHO HE IS. YOU MAY NOT KNOW HIM OUTSIDE THAT OF BEING A BEST-SELLING AUTHOR. >> YOU KNOW, A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE SAID THAT VANCE IS TRUMP 2.0, THAT HE IS MAGA JR. . VANCE GREW UP WORKING CLASS, TRUMP GREW UP RICH. VANCE GREW UP IN OHIO. IT'S DIFFERENT LIES, DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES. WHAT DOES HE HAVE TO DO TO APPEAL TO BLUE COLLAR VOTERS IN SOME OF THOSE BLUE WALL STATES? >> I THINK THE BIGGEST ADVANTAGE IS THAT HE SPEAKS TO THE MIDWEST. I'M FROM WISCONSIN. I'M FIVE MILES FROM HERE, HE TALKS LIKE WE TALKED, AND THAT'S A HUGE ADVANTAGE. >> I AGREE. NOT MANY PEOPLE HAVE MADE A MOVIE MADE OF THEIR BIOGRAPHY. HE HAS A COMPELLING LIFE STORY. TREMENDOUS SUCCESS IN THE BUSINESS WORLD, AND HE'S ON THE MOVE. >> TELLING PEOPLE WHO HE IS AND WHY THEY SHOULD IDENTIFY WITH HIM I THINK WILL GO A LONG WAY. >> THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN HAS SAID ANY TIME ANYWHERE WHEN IT COMES TO DEBATES. SO, LET HARRIS CALLS UP JD VANCE, LEAVES A VOICEMAIL, SAYING LET'S DO THIS, THEY TALK, NOW THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN SAYS WE WON'T DEBATE. WE AREN'T SURE IF YOU WILL BE THE NOMINEE OR NUMBER ONE ON THE TICKET OR NUMBER TWO. >> I THINK THAT IS A NICE LITTLE DIG, BUT AS LONG AS YOU MOVE THE DEBATE AFTER THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION, I THINK THAT'S FINE, GIVE YOUR VP, WHETHER KAMALA HARRIS OR SOMEBODY ELSE, GIVE THEM TIME TO BE OFFICIALLY NOMINATED, THEN WE'LL GET THIS DEBATE GOING. >> THAT MAY NOT BE GOOD FOR VOTERS, BUT IS IT GOOD FOR POLITICS? >> THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT I WOULD DECIDE, TELL US WHO YOU ARE NOMINEE'S. AND I DON'T BLAME THEM, I WOULD SAY THE SAME THING. JD VANCE I THINK SHOULD DEBATE KAMALA HARRIS OR WHOEVER. HE'S PRETTY GOOD AT THIS. >> THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE ONE OF HIS STRONG SUITS, THAT'S HOW TRUMP GOT EYES ON HIM EARLY ON. WE KNOW HIS WIFE IS SORT OF LIKE MELANIA TRUMP, SHE DOES NOT LIKE THE LIMELIGHT OR POLITICS . I DON'T KNOW IF SHE DOESN'T WANT TO BE OUT HERE, BUT SHE DOES NOT LEAN INTO IT AS MAYBE OTHERS WOULD HAVE. SHE HAS TO COME SPEAK TO MILLIONS WATCHING AT HOME. >> BE YOU, TALK ABOUT YOUR HUSBAND, TALK ABOUT THE LOVE OF YOUR LIFE, HELP INTRODUCE, AND YOU WILL DEFINE YOURSELF ON THE CAMPAIGN, AND IF YOU ARE ALIKE DID AS SECOND LADY OF THE UNITED STATES DON'T FEEL PRESSURED TO BE IN THE MODEL OF SOMEONE ELSE. >> SOME PEOPLE LIKE PETER NAVARRO, VIVEK RAMASWAMY, THEY'VE GOTTEN THE BIGGEST APPLAUSE MAYBE BIGGER THAN TED CRUZ AND SENATOR MARCO RUBIO. WHAT DOES THAT TELL YOU? >> PEOPLE LIKE THE RED MEAT CONSPIRACIES THAT PEOPLE LIKE VIVEK RAMASWAMY LIKE TO ENGAGE IN. >> WE THINK FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP WILL, YEP, THAT'S HIM RIGHT THERE. INTERESTING CHOICE FOR MUSIC WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO COURT FEMALE VOTERS, BUT TRUMP DOESN'T PLAY BY THAT BOOK. THERE IS FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP, HE IS WALKING IN RIGHT NOW, THERE IS THE FORMER BANDAGE ON HIS EAR. IF YOU GREW UP WATCHING PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING YOU DO GET FLASHBACKS. I REMEMBER 2016 I THOUGHT THE SAME THING. ALL THEY WERE MISSING WAS A FOG MACHINE. HE'S DONE DRAMATIC ENTRANCES NIGHT AFTER NIGHT. HE COMES IN HERE, AS SOON AS HE COMES IN THE WHOLE PLACE JUMPED TO THEIR FEET. NONSTOP APPLAUSE. CELL PHONES IN EVERY HAND. PEOPLE RECORDING THIS MOMENT. SORRY, NEW MEXICO. WE APPRECIATE IT. IF I COULD TALK TO YOU REAL QUICK. IS THIS INCREDIBLY TOUCHING FOR YOU? IS IT COOL AS A DELEGATE? >> IT'S VERY TOUCHING. HE ALMOST LOST HIS LIFE, AND THE FACT THAT HE IS STANDING HERE AND GOING TO BE OUR NEXT PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES DOES A LOT. GOD'S HAND IS WATCHING OVER HIM, AND THERE IS A REASON HE WAS SPARED TO BE HERE, AND IT'S TO SAVE OUR COUNTRY. >> ARE YOU EXCITED TO HEAR FROM SENATOR JD VANCE TONIGHT? >> I THINK ANY-- ENDING RUNNING MATE AT THIS POINT IS GOING TO BE A GREAT ADDITION TO THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION. JD VANCE IS A SMART MAN, AND WE ARE EXCITED TO SEE HOW HE WILL SUPPORT TRUMP IN THIS ADMINISTERED HIM. MY NAME IS ANISA. >> FROM NEW MEXICO THERE ARE SOME INTERESTING PEOPLE HERE TONIGHT. YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE SPEECH ON LAST NIGHT, THAT'S QUITE A MOMENT RIGHT THERE. >> IT IS. GLENN YOUNGKIN, DON JR. AS WELL. >> PEOPLE WHO, I THINK THEY CHOOSE VERY CAREFULLY, THE PEOPLE THEY WANT THE CAMERAS TO SEE WITH DONALD TRUMP, AND THEY ARE TRYING TO SEND A MESSAGE WITH THE PEOPLE THEY ARE CHOOSING. I HEARD A STORY LAST NIGHT HOW HE WOULD BE SEATED NEXT TO TRUMP, NO WARNING, THEN THERE HE WAS. >> SENATOR RUBIO IS SITTING NEXT TO THE FORMER PRESIDENT, AND I HEARD THAT HE WAS TOUCHED BY THE SPEECH THAT RUBIO DELIVERED FOR HIM. SOMEONE HAS RECEIVED A DIFFERENT TAKE ON WHAT OTHER SPEECHES WERE LIKE, SENATOR RUBIO WAS MUCH MORE SERIOUS, LEANING INTO THE CONSERVATIVE MOVEMENT. JOHN JR.'S GIRLFRIEND IS SPEAKING. LET'S LISTEN IN. >> AND I KNOW THAT GOD HAS PUT AN ARMOR OF PROTECTION OVER DONALD TRUMP. WE ARE ALL REMINDED THAT LOVE FOR OUR NATION, AND THE BEAUTY OF LIFE ITSELF TRANSCENDS ALL HATRED AND POLITICAL DIVISION. I STAND BEFORE YOU TONIGHT MORE CONVINCED THAN EVER THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ELECTION IN OUR LIFETIME. THIS ELECTION WILL DEFINE THE FACE OF OUR GREAT NATION, AND THAT IS WHY WE MUST ELECT PRESIDENT JOHN TRUMP. THIS IS NOT JUST A CHOICE BETWEEN REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS, THIS IS CHOICE BETWEEN SAFETY OR CHAOS, WEALTH OR POVERTY, NATIONAL SOVEREIGNTY, OR OPEN BORDERS. THIS ELECTION IS A CHOICE BETWEEN JOE BIDEN'S VISION FOR AMERICAN WEAKNESS AND DONALD TRUMP'S VISION OF AMERICAN GREATNESS. DONALD TRUMP WILL ONCE AGAIN MAKE OUR COUNTRY STRONG, SAFE, AND PROSPEROUS. HE WILL MAKE AMERICA FEARED BY OUR ADVERSARIES AND RESPECTED BY OUR FRIENDS. ENTER THE CONVENTION FLOOR PROBABLY TO ROARING APPLAUSE. WE WILL HAVE MUCH MORE COVERAGE FROM THE FLOOR OF THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION ON NBC NEWS NOW AND OF COURSE ACROSS ALL NBC NEWS PLATFORMS. I'M TOM LLAMAS. LESTER HOLT AND SAVANNAH GUTHRIE PICK UP COVERAGE. >>> TONIGHT, DONALD TRUMP'S NEW RUNNING MATE IN THE SPOTLIGHT. RUNNING MATE IN THE SPOTLIGHT. >> JD! >> OHIO SENATOR J.D. VANCE TAKING THE NATIONAL STAGE FOR THE FIRST TIME REPRESENTING THE FUTURE OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY. >> AND JUST 39 YEARS OLD, HE WOULD BE ONE OF THE YOUNGEST >> FIRE UP THE PARTY AND MAKE THE CASE. >> JUST 39 YEARS OLD, HE WOULD BE ONE OF THE YOUNGEST VICE PRESIDENTS IN AMERICAN HISTORY. >> AS HE PREPARED FOR THE MOMENT AND CAN HE MAKE HIS PARTY'S CASE WITH HIS INTRODUCTION TO THE COMPANY TONIGHT? >> FROM NBC NEWS LIVE FROM MILWAUKEE, THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION WITH LESTER HOLT AND SAVANNAH GUTHRIE. >> HI EVERYBODY, GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO SPECIAL COVERAGE OF THE THIRD NIGHT OF THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION. >> AS WE COME ON THE AIR FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP HAS JUST ARRIVED TO CHEER ON SOME OF HIS SUPPORTERS JUST DAYS AFTER SURVIVING AN ATTEMPT ON HIS LIFE. >> TONIGHT'S THEME, FOREIGN POLICY. THE RNC IS CALLING THE THEME MAKE AMERICA STRONG AGAIN WITH SPEAKERS EXPECTED TO CRITICIZE PRESIDENT BIDEN'S RESPONSE TO THE WARS IN UKRAINE, GAZA, AND THE US MILITARY HEAR FROM TWO GOLD STAR FAMILIE AFGHANISTAN. IN A LITTLE WHILE WE WILL HEAR FROM TWO GOLDSTAR FAMILIES AS WELL IS THE FAMILY OF THE AMERICAN HOSTAGE WHO HAS BEEN HELD CAPTIVE IN GAZA SINCE OCTOBER 7. WE ARE ALSO PLANNING TO TALK TO RNC COCHAIR LARA TRUMP ABOUT WHAT TO EXPECT TONIGHT. >>> DONALD TRUMP JUNIOR WILL HAVE ONE OF THE PRIME SPEAKING SPOTS BUT TONIGHT BELONGS TO VP NOMINEE AND OHIO SENATOR J.D. VANCE AS HE MAKES HIS INTRODUCTION TO THE COUNTRY IN HIS KEYNOTE ADDRESS. NBC NEWS HAS LEARNED HE IS EXPECTED TO LEAN HEAVILY INTO HIS LIFE STORY ABOUT GROWING UP IN POVERTY, AND EMPHASIZE HIS MILITARY BACKGROUND AS WELL. >> SENATOR VANCE WILL NOT YET COMMIT TO A DEBATE WITH VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS BEFORE THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION. THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN SAYING QUOT , WE DON'T KNOW WHO THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE FOR VICE PRESIDENT IS GOING TO BE BUT WE CAN'T LOCK IN A DATE BEFORE THEIR CONVENTION. >> EARLIER THIS EVENING, NEWS BROKE THAT PRESIDENT BIDEN TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID AFTER A CAMPAIGN EVENT IN LAS VEGAS WITH HIS DOCTORS SAYING HE HAS UPPER RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMS. WE ARE GOING TO GO TO OUR SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT KELLY O'DONNELL. GOOD EVENING. >> GOOD EVENING. THE PRESIDENT IS OFF THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL CUTTING SHORT HIS VISIT TO BATTLEGROUND NEVADA WITH HIS NEW COVID DIAGNOSIS. HE IS SAID TO BE DOING OKAY WITH MILD SYMPTOMS AND THE VIRUS OF COURSE COMES AT A BUSY AND COMPLEX TIME, WHEN SOME MEMBERS OF HIS OWN PARTY ARE URGING HIM TO STEP ASIDE IN THIS RACE. THE PRESIDENT DID MOVE SLOWLY WHEN HE BOARDED AIR FORCE ONE EARLIER BUT TOLD REPORTERS THAT HE WAS FEELING GOOD. HE'S FLYING ACROSS THE COUNTRY TONIGHT AND WILL REST AT HIS HOME IN DELAWARE. THE FIRST LADY WILL BE THERE AS WELL. THE PRESIDENT WILL ISOLATE, CARRYING OUT HIS DUTIES THERE AND HE IS TAKING THERE, AND HE IS TAKING THE DRUA PAX DRUG IT IS UNCLEAR HOW IT WILL AFFECT HIS CAMPAIGN SCHEDULE BUT OFFICIALS ARE CONSIDERING ADDING EVENTS TO VICE HARRISES -- TO VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS'S SCHEDULE WHICH IS ONE OPTION, OR THAT LORD ALMIGHTY OR A MEDICAL PROBLEM COULD BE FACTORS THAT WOULD LEAD HIM TO GET OUT OF THIS RACE. THIS COMES AMID CALLS FROM ABOUT 20 DEMOCRATS WHO HAVE URGED HIM TO NOT BE THE CANDIDATE, AND DEMOCRATIC LEADERS ON THE HILL HAVE BEEN URGING THE DNC TO DELAY THE VIRTUAL ROLLCALL THAT WOULD FINALIZE MISTER BARNETT-- MISTER BIDEN IS THE PARTY NOMINEE EXPECTED AUGUST 7. ONE SENIOR OFFICIAL TOLD ME TONIGHT THAT THIS DEVELOPMENT EVEN AT SUCH A SENSITIVE TIME IS NOT CHANGING THE INTENTION OF THE PRESIDENT TO RUN. LESTER AND WE ARE GRAB IT HERE AND JOINING US IN MILWAUKEE, AND "MEET THE PRESS" MODERATOR ? KRISTEN WELK >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. JOINING US HERE IN MILWAUKEE, KRISTEN WELKER OUR SENIOR WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT, HALLIE JACKSON AS WELL. WE ARE AT THE RNC AND THERE'S A LOT TO TALK ABOUT AND A LOT TO TALK ABOUT OUT OF THE WHITE HOUSE AS WELL WITH BIDEN TESTING POSITIVE FOR COVID. THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN REPORTS THAT SENATOR CHUCK SCHUMER THE MAJORITY DEMOCRATIC LEADER WENT AND HAD A PERSONAL QUOTE VERY BLUNT CONVERSATION WITH PRESIDENT BIDEN ON SATURDAY. WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THAT? >> THE FACT THAT RESIDENT BIDEN HAS TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID COMES AT AN INCREDIBLY COMPLEX TIME. WE WERE TOLD IN THAT CONVERSATION THAT HE SHOWED HIM THE POLLING THAT IS PART OF WHAT THE BLUNT CONVERSATION WAS ABOUT. IN A STATEMENT, CHUCK SCHUMER'S OFFICE SAID HE CONVEYED THE WAY IN WHICH DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKERS FEEL ABOUT PRESIDENT BIDEN AND THE CONCERN THAT HE COULD DRAG DOWN THOSE DOWN BALLOT RACES IF HE IS AT THE TOP OF THE TICKET. WHAT ULTIMATE DECISION GETS MADE WILL HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE. HE HAS BEEN DEFIANT, HE'S NOT STEPPING DOWN, NOT GOING ANYWHERE BUT ANOTHER TWIST TO ALL OF THIS IS CONGRESSMAN ADAM SCHIFF TONIGHT. FRANKLY THE BIGGEST NAME IN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY, CALLING FOR HIM TO THAT DOWN. IT IS SIGNIFICANT BECAUSE ADAM SCHIFF IS VERY CLOSE WITH THE FORMER HOUSE SPEAKER NANCY PELOSI SO THE QUESTION IS, IS SHE ULTIMATELY ENDORSING THAT VIEWPOINT? >> THE REPUBLICANS ARE PUTTING ON A WELL DISCIPLINED SHOW OF APPARENT UNITY HERE, A MAJOR CONTRAST. >> THE CONTRAST COULD NOT BE MORE STARK. WE SAW THAT ON DISPLAY LAST NIGHT WHEN ALL OF FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP'S RIVALS CAME OUT TO DEFEND HIM SAYING WE ARE NOW ON BOARD WITH DONALD TRUMP AND WE ARE GOING TO HEAR FROM HIS RUNNING MATE, SENATOR J.D. VANCE. 39 YEARS OLD, HAS ONLY SERVED 18 MONTHS IN THE U.S. SENATE. HE'S GOING TO MAKE A FORCEFU TO INTR RUN FOR THIS TICKET WHILE TRYING TO INTRODUCE HIMSELF TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. THIS IS A UNIFIED PARTY AROUND DONALD TRUMP. THERE ARE OBVIOUSLY DIFFERENCES AROUND UKRAINE AND ABORTION, BUT THE BOTTOM LINE RIGHT NOW, POLICY IS TAKING A BACKSEAT TO THIS PARTY HICH IS UNIFIED AROUND FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP WHO OF COURSE JUST SURVIVED THAT ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT. >> IT'S INTERESTING TO HEAR THIS REPORTING ABOUT SENATOR SCHUMER GOING TO PRESIDENT BIDEN AND HAVING THIS HEART-TO HEART IN DELAWARE OVER THE WEEKEND. NOTABLE IS THAT IT HAPPENED, BUT THAT PRESIDENT BIDEN APPARENTLY REBUFFED THAT EFFORT, IF IT WAS AN EFFORT TO GET HIM OUT OF THE RACE BECAUSE ON MONDAY HE WAS GOING FORWARD AS SCHEDULED, AND IT'S INTERESTING TO SEE HOW THE REPUBLICANS ARE REACTING AS WELL. J.D. VANCE'S CAMPAIGN SAYING WE ARE NOT GOING TO MAKE A VP DEBATE BECAUSE WE FRANKLY DON'T KNOW IF SHE'S EVEN GOING TO BE THE VP NOMINEE. >> FOR REPUBLICANS IT'S ABOUT PUTTING THE SPOTLIGHT BACK ON DEMOCRATS BUT YOU ARE RIGHT. IF THE CONVERSATION AS REPORTED HAPPENED, IT WAS TWO DAYS LATER YOU SAT DOWN WITH PRESIDENT BIDEN-- >> EMPHATIC. I GAVE HIM THE OPPORTUNITY. >> PULLING BACK, I THINK IT IS WORTH NOTING HOW EXTRAORDINARY THIS MOMENT IS. YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT THE TOP SENATE DEMOCRAT, THE PARTY IN CONTROL OF THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE LOOKING FOR THE LEADER OF HIS OWN PARTY IN THE FACE AND BROACHING THE CONVERSATION OF WITHDRAWING FROM THE TICKET. THAT IS NOT SOMETHING TO TAKE LIGHTLY. THE QUESTION NOW IS, PAGING FORMER HOUSE SPEAKER NANCY PELOSI. SHE IS THE ONE WHO ABOUT A WEEK AND A HALF AGO OR TWO WEEKS AGO ESSENTIALLY GAVE OTHER DEMOCRATS COVER, WHICH SUGGESTED EVEN AFTER PRESIDENT BIDEN CAME OUT AND SET I AM STAYING IN THIS RACE, THAT HE WOULD NEED SOME TIME TO MAKE A DECISION. HE HAD ALREADY MADE HIS DECISION SO THAT WAS A BIG SIGNAL TO DEMOCRATS AND I CAN SAY IN MY CONVERSATIONS BEHIND THE SCENES, THERE IS REAL AND DEEP ANXIETY ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF PRESIDENT BIDEN REMAINING ON THE TICKET. WHAT DO THEY DO ABOUT IT? >> THE OTHER BIG TICKET WAS EXPLAINING THERE WAS AN EFFORT TO DO AN OFFICIAL NOMINATION OF BIDEN AT THE END OF THIS MONTHA , IT DOWN BEFO NOT AT THE CONVENTION WHICH IS WEEKS AND WEEKS AWAY TO SOLIDIFY IT AND BASICALLY GET IT DONE BEFORE THERE COULD BE ANY MORE DOUBT AND THERE WAS SOMETHING OF AN UPROAR AND THEY DELAYED THAT. >> THIS IS A HUGELY SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENT BECAUSE THE DNC WAS EQUALLY DEFIANT. WE ARE NOT PUSHING THIS DATE BACK AND THEN WE LEARNED THAT THEY PUSHED THE DATE BACK. SO THE VIEW WITHIN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IS ONE OF PANIC AND CONCERN AND WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? >> IS THERE A BLUEPRINT OR A ROADMAP OF HOW TO GET THERE IF THEY CAN GET THE PRESIDENT ON BOARD? HE WOULD HAVE TO NOT BE ONLY ON BOARD BUT BE HAPPY. >> IT IS HIS DECISION ULTIMATELY BECAUSE THESE DELEGATES ARE PLEDGED TO HIM. HE WOULD HAVE TO DECIDE THAT ULTIMATELY HE IS NOT GOING TO RUN AND THE QUESTION BECOMES IF YOU WERE TO STEP DOWN, WOULD HE ENDORSES VICE PRESIDENT? IT'S HARD TO SEE HIM NOT ENDORSING HER. THERE WOULD BE MASSIVE BLOWBACK IF HE DIDN'T. POLLING SHOWS SHE IS WITHIN STRIKING DISTANCE OF FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP. SOME SHOW SHE DOES BETTER AGAINST FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP AT THE BOTTOM LINE, THIS REALLY HAS TO BE HIS DECISION. THE QUESTION IS DOES THE PRESSURE BECOME TOO GREAT TO STAY AT THE TOP OF THAT BILL? >> WE SHOULD ALL SHOW HIM-- WE SHOULD ALSO MENTION THE BREAKING NEWS AND FOR THE FIRST TIME WE SHOULD GO TO THE FLOOR. WE HAVE TOM LLAMAS THERE. BY TRADITION, WE AWAIT THE ARRIVAL OF J.D. VANCE INTO THIS CONVENTION HALL. >> GREAT TO BE WITH YOU GUYS TONIGHT. YOU SET THIS UP PERFECTLY. USUALLY WHEN I FIRST COME ON AT NIGHT DURING SPECIAL COVERAGE I AM ABLE TO WALK WHEREVER I WANT BUT THEY ARE STOPPING US RIGHT HERE. THIS IS THE LINE THAT WE CANNOT CROSS BECAUSE AT ANY MOMENT RIGHT FROM OVER HERE WE EXPECT SENATOR J.D. VANCE TO WALK OUT. AMERICA WILL BE MEETING SENATOR JOISHGS THIS PLACE WILL GO ABSOLUTELY BONKERS AND A FEW MOMENTS AFTER THAT HE WILL TAKE THE STAGE AND SPEAK AND AMERICA REALLY WILL MEET SENATOR J.D. VANCE. MAYBE NOT EVERYONE KNOWS HIS FACE, HE HAD A BEST-SELLING NOVEL BUT A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T REALLY KNOW. THAT'S WHY WE ARE GOING TO HEAR A LOT OF HIS LIFE STORY AS YOU'VE REPORTED THAT WE WILL ALSO TALK ABOUT HOW HE WAS A MAGA CONVERT. AT THE BEGINNING HE WAS NOT A FAN OF DONALD TRUMP AND HE HAD TO GO OVER TO MAR-A-LAGO AND EXPLAIN HOW HE CONVERTED TO THE MAGA WING OF THIS PARTY. ALSO, HE HAS BEEN ONE OF THE MOST VOCAL CRITICS OF THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION WHILE SUPPORTING FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP. YOU KNOW HE LOVES TO WATCH NEWS, HE WOULD SEE VANCE ON TV AND WOULD START TO RECOGNIZE THAT THIS IS SOMEONE WHO LIKES TO RUN WITH SOMEONE THAT COULD HELP ME OUT. WE NOTICE THE DIFFERENCES NIGHT AFTER NIGHT. IF WE CAN GO TO THE VIP BOX WAY IN THE DISTANCE, I DON'T KNOW IF WE HAVE ANOTHER CAMERA BUT WE REALLY HAVE A DIFFERENT CAST OF CHARACTERS. THOSE ELECTED ALL-STARS OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY LIKE YOUNG CAN OF VIRGINIA AND SENATOR MARCO RUBIO SEE GETTING-- SEATED RIGHT NEXT TO TRUMP AND OTHER LEADERS VERY IN LINE WITH FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP INCLUDING SPEAKER MIKE JOHNSON. THIS MAY ALSO BE THE FIRST TIME WE SEE J.D. VANCE'S WIFE WHO IS SOMEONE WE HAVE BEEN TOLD, IS SORT OF LIKE MELANIA TRUMP SHE DOES NOT LEAAND TO THE THAT NOT LEAN INTO THE POLITICS. SHE DIDN'T SIGN UP FOR THIS, IT DOESN'T COME NATURALLY TO HER BUT SHE'S GOING TO COME OUT HERE AND INTRODUCE HER HUSBAND AND TELL AMERICA HOW THEY FELL IN LOVE AND ABOUT THEIR FAMILY. WE ARE STARTING TO SEE PEOPLE TRICKLE IN AND WE THINK THE SENATOR FROM OHIO WILL COME OUT AT ANY MOMENT. AS SOON AS HE DOES WE WILL BRING THAT TO YOU LIVE. I WILL SEND IT BACK UP TO THE STUDIO. >> LET'S GO TO GARRETT HAAKE WHO IS AT THE PODIUM. WHAT DO YOU SEE AND HEAR? >> I'M GOING TO HAVE A GOOD VIEW OF THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WHAT J.D. VANCE HAS WRITTEN AND WHAT HE DECIDES TO SAY BECAUSE I CAN WATCH THE TELEPROMPTER. I AM STRUCK BY HOW HIGH THE BAR IS FOR J.D. VANCE ESPECIALLY IN THIS ROOM. THIS IS SOMEONE I AM TOLD WHO HAS NEVER EVEN ATTENDED A POLITICAL CONVENTION MUCH LESS ASKED TO SPEAK AT ONE. NOW HE'S GIVING THE KEYNOTE ADDRESS AND TO IN FRONT OF THE ENTIRE COUNTRY AND A ROOM OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN PRIMED TO THINK OF HIM AS AN ALL-STAR IN THE CONSERVATIVE MOVEMENT. THAT'S THE EXPECTATION IN THE ROOM BUT OUT OF THE COUNTRY THERE'S ALMOST NO EXPECTATION BECAUSE IT IS SO POORLY KNOWN IN THIS MOMENT. SO A BLAKE CANVAS WITH THE LIKES OF, A SARAH PALIN MOMENT INTRODUCING HIMSELF TO THE COUNTRY FOR THE FIRST TIME. MEETING THAT MOMENT ESPECIALLY AFTER MARCO RUBIO LAST NIGHT AND SOME OF THE OTHER SORT OF TOP-TIER FIGURES IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, I THINK WILL BE A VERY HIGH BAR WITH HIM. I HAVE TO TELL YOU MY CONVERSATIONS WITH SENIOR CAMPAIGN OFFICIALS IS INCREDIBLY CONFIDENT IN HIM, THEY LIKE THE CONTRAST TO PRESENT WITH KAMALA HARRIS IF AND WHEN THEY ACTUALLY DEBATE, THE CAMPAIGN HAS NOT AGREED TO DO THAT YET. THIS WILL BE THE FIRST BIG TEST AND WE WILL SEE OF THAT EVALUATION CHANGES AFTER HIS REMARKS TONIGHT. >> DEMOCRATS ARE ALREADY LABELING HIM AS A CLONE OF DONALD TRUMP. ON SOME ISSUES THEY COULD MAKE THAT ARGUMENT. >> INCLUDING ON ABORTION ACCESS. WE SAW NEW VIDEO FROM VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS GOING AFTER HIM ON THAT, AND INCLUDING HIS BACKING OF THOSE ELECTION FRAUD LIES SUGGESTE FORMER F HEBY PRESIDENT TRUMP. IT WAS PREVIOUSLY SUGGESTED THAT IF YOU ARE VICE PRESIDENT HE WOULD NOT HAVE CERTIFIED THE RESULTS OF THE ELECTION RIGHT AWAY. HE HAS DOWNPLAYED THE IMPACT OF JANUARY 6 SUGGESTING THAT THEN VICE PRESIDENT PANTS'S-- VICE PRESIDENT MIKE PENCE'S LIFE IS NOT IN DANGER, AND POTENTIALLY REPLACING THOUSANDS OF SERVANTS TO POLITICALO SAYING-- TH SAYING VANCTHAT SIMPLY J.D. VANCE IS SIMPLY TOO EXTREME FOR WHERE AMERICA IS NOW. REPUBLICANS ARE POINTING TO WHAT THEY SEE AS HIS POWERFUL LIFE STORY AND ABATED AVAILABILITY, RAISED IN POVERTY AND WRITING ABOUT IT IN HIS BEST-SELLING MEMOIR HILLBILLY ELEGY. THEY THINK HE CAN CONNECT SPECIFICALLY TO THOSE KEY FACE VOTERS. THIS RACE, IN THEIR VIEW IS NOT JUST ABOUT RINGING AND INDEPENDENT VOTERS BUT ABOUT SUPERCHARGING TURNOUT IN SOME OF THOSE PLACES LIKE MICHIGAN, PENNSYLVANIA, LIKE WISCONSIN. >> THERE IS NOT A BIDEN PATH TO VICTOR THE RUST BELT Y ATES. BUT DOES E THOSE ESSENTIALLY. IT'S INTERESTING YOU MENTIONED BIOGRAPHY BECAUSE I'VE BEEN STRUCK NOT JUST BY WHAT WE HEARD BUT WHAT WE HAVE NOT HEARD. ALL OF THE RALLY FAVORITES, ABOUT THE 2020 ELECTION BEING STOLEN, KNOWN AS MENTIONED IT. POLITICAL GRIEVANCES, WEBINARS AND GOVERNMENT. NO ONE IS CALLING RIDERS PATRIOTS ARE HOSTAGES. ALL OF THOSE HAVE BEEN EXCISED FROM WHAT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IS TRYING TO PORTRAY ON THIS STAGE. IT IS NOTABLE. >> IT IS VERY NOTABLE AND WE ARE TOLD THAT THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE URGED SOME OF THE SPEAKERS TO TONE DOWN THEIR LANGUAGE SO CLEARLY WE ARE HEARING A REFLECTION OF THAT. IT REPRESENTS A SHIFT. IT REPRESENTS, TO SOME EXTENT, WHAT WE HEARD FROM FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP AFTER THE ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT AGAINST HIS LIFE WHICH IS A SPEECH THAT HE HAS COMPLETELY REWRITTEN. I INTERVIEWED ERIC TRUMP AND HE SAID HIS FATHER IS FINISHED WITH THAT REWRITE AND THAT IT WILL BE A CALL FOR UNITY. WE ARE NOT EXACTLY HEARING THAT IN EVERY STAGE BUT YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT. >> IT IS SO NOTABLE THAT IT IS TONED DOWN TO AVOID SOME OF THE TYPICAL RED MEAT THAT YOU HEAR FROM FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP. >> THEY WILL NEED TO GET PAST THE BASE. >> IT'S A RECOGNITION THAT THEY WANT TO REACH OUT TO SUBURBAN VOTERS AND REACH OUT TO THOSE WHO ARE NOT NECESSARILY IN THE REPUBLICAN CAMP RIGHT NOW. FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP FEELS CONFIDENT. THIS IS REALLY THE FIRST TIME WE'VE SEEN HIM SOFTEN HIS EDGES. WE SAW THAT IN SOME OF HIS SPEECHES WHERE GOVERNOR SARAH HUCKABEE SANDERS WHO SERVED AS HIS PRESS SECRETARY TALKED ABOUT HIM AS A GRANDFATHER. LARA TRUMP HIS DAUGHTER-IN-LAW DID THE SAME, AND IT'S A CLEAR STRATEGIC MOVE NOT ONLY TO MEET THIS MOMENT AND THE MOOD OF THE COUNTRY, BUT THE SOMBER BACKDROP AGAINST WHICH WE ALL SIT HERE, AGAIN TO TRY TO WIN OVER SOME ADDITIONAL VOTERS. >> THAT IS ACTUALLY ABSOLUTELY THE CASE. WHERE YOU'VE HEARD THE RED MEAT TO TRY TO AGAIN, SUPERCHARGED CONSERVATIVE TURNOUT. PART OF THE REASON FOR THAT IS THIS YEAR AND THIS ELECTION CYCLE WE SEE MOST AMERICAN VOTERS SAY THERE ARE TWO BIG ISSUES. THE ECONOMY AND INFLATION WHICH IS ALWAYS RIGHT UP AT NUMBER ONE. SEEING A REA BUT RIGHT ALONGSIDE THAT IS IMMIGRATION AND BORDER SECURITY. HERE, REPUBLICANS SEE A REAL ADVANTAGE WHICH IS WHY ON THOSE TOPICS LIKE WHAT WE HEARD FROM GREG ABBOTT, YOU ARE SEEING SOME MORE TRADITIONAL CONSERVATIVE TALK. >> IT'S POSSIBLY MERCILESS IN SOME CASES, PROSECUTION OF THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION AND THE RECORD BUT I THINK POLLS SHOW THEY HAVE TURNED OFF A LOT OF MODERATE AND INDEPENDENT VOTERS. WE WILL TAKE A BREAK REMINDING YOU THAT STILL AHEAD WE WILL HEAR FROM BIG SPEAKERS INCLUDING THE VICE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE J.D. VANCE ABOUT TO ENTER THE HALL RIGHT AFTER THIS. >>> STILL TO COME ON THE CHANNEL 2 NEWS. THE WATERS ARE CERTAINLY RECEDING. >> STILL TOO CLOSE TO CALL. REPORTING FROM GROUND ZERO AS IT IS BEING REFERRED TO. >> THE HAITIAN PEOPLE KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT RESILIENCY. >> WHAT IS THE BIGGEST RISK RIGHT NOW? WANT TO WELCOME YOU TO THE FIRST PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE. IN FACT WE BEEN TOLD WE CAN'T GO ANY FARTHER. ç >>> WELCOME BACK TO OUR SPECIAL COVERAGE OF NIGHT NUMBER THREE OF THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION FROM THE RNC STAGE WHERE WE WILL HEAR FROM TWO GOLDSTAR FAMILIES WHO LOST LOVED ONES AT THE END OF THE WAR IN AFGHANISTAN. IT'S PART OF THE RNC'S BIG THEMES FOR TONIGHT. FOREIGN-POLICY AND THE MILITARY INDICTMENT OF THE LEADERSHIP OF AND AN INDICTMENT OF THE LEADERSHIP OF PRESIDENT BIDEN. >> CONVENTION GOERS ARE WATCHING A VIDEO RIGHT NOW AND AWAITING THE BIG SPEECH OF THE NIGHT WHICH IS THE VP CANDIDATE. AS WE WAIT, LET'S GO TO VAUGHN HILLYARD. >> HEY SAVANNAH, HEY LESTER. WHEN YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT JD LANCE-- J.D. VANCE, HE IS SOMEONE WHO HAS AUDIBLY, PUBLIC WE SPOKEN ABOUT UKRAINE ANND FINANCIAL RESOURCES TO THE REGION TO D SUPPORT OUR EUROPEAN ALLIES IN S SHOULD CONTINUING TO BE SENDING FINANCIAL RESOURCES TO THE REGION TO SUPPORT EUROPEAN ALLIES IN DEFENDING UKRAINE FROM RUSSIAN AGGRESSION. IN PICKING HIM, DONALD TRUMP HAS PICKED SOMEONE WHO WOULD WORK EVENTUALLY AS THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND COULD WORK VERY WELL WITH THE REPUBLICAN AUTHORITY AND THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE BECAUSE IT WAS VANCE WHO HELPED LEAD THE CHARGE IN THE SENATE TO PUT AN END TO FURTHER FINANCIAL AID PACKAGES TO SUPPORT THE CONTINUING EFFORTS OF THERE. HE HAS SAID THAT THOSE RESOURCES SHOULD BE FOCUSED MORE AT HOME AND IT IS A SENTIMENT THAT YOU HEAR FROM THE CROWD. A QUESTION WHETHER THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN ATTACKS IN THE FIRST PLACE, IF DONALD TRUMP WAS STILL IN OFFICE, HAD MADE THOSE MOVES. SAME THING WITH ISRAEL. DONALD TRUMP HAS INSISTED OVER THE LAST YEAR THAT HE WOULD END RUSSIA'S WAR AGAINST UKRAINE AND JUST 24 HOURS. HE HAS NOT PROVIDED ANY CLEAR PLAN AS TO EXACTLY WHAT THAT WOULD LOOK LIKE. VIKTOR ORBAN THE PRIME MINISTER OF HUNGARY WHO MET IN MAR-A- LAGO LAST WEEK, EARLIER THIS MARCH AFTER THAT MEETING, HE SAID DONALD TRUMP TOLD HIM THAT WHEN HE WERE TO GET BACK INTO THE WHITE HOUSE, HE WOULD ENSURE THAT THE US WOULD NOT SPEND A SINGLE PENNY AND SEND ANOTHER TO UKRAINE AND AT THAT POINT EUROPE WOULD STOP SENDING MONEY AS WELL AND THAT RUSSIA WOULD HAVE TO WORK WITH UKRAINE AND UKRAINE WOULD HAVE TO CONCEDE SOME OF THEIR TERRITORY. THOSE ARE THE EXACT WORDS THAT J.D. VANCE HAS STATED HIS POSITION AS AND IF IT MEANS AN END TO THIS WAR WOULD BE UKRAINE HAVING TO SEE IF SOME OF ITS TERRITORY, SOME OF THOSE LONG TIME LIKE OF MIKE PENCE AND OTHERS HAVE A DIFFERENT VIEW OF THE ROLE IN THE REGION. >> WE ARE EXPERIENCING A MOMENT ON THE FLOOR OF THE CONVENTION AND WANT TO GO TO IT AS A GOLDSTAR FAMILY IS WELCOMED TO THE STAGE. >> USA! USA! USA! >> USA, USA, USA. >> HELLO, AMERICA. I AM CHRISTIE SANDLIN. MY DAUGHTER-IN-LAW, SERGEANT NICOLE LeANN GEE WAS A UNITED STATES MARINE AND SHE WAS KILLED AT IN AFGHANISTAN ALONGSIDE 12 OF HER BROTHERS AND SISTER AND ARMS. WHILE JOE BIDEN HAS REFUSED TO RECOGNIZE THEIR SACRIFICE, DONALD TRUMP SPENT SIX HOURS WITH US. SIX HOURS IN BEDMINSTER WI HE ALLOWED US TO GRIEVE, HE ALLOWED US TO REMEMBER OUR HEROES. DONALD TRUMP KNEW ALL OF OUR CHILDREN'S NAMES. HE KNEW THEIR STORIES, AND HE SPOKE TO US IN A WAY THAT MADE US FEEL UNDERSTOOD, LIKE HE KNEW OUR KIDS. HE CARRIED DONALD TRUMP CARRIED THE WAY FOR A FEW HOURS WITH ME. ME. [ APPLAUSE ] YE AND FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE NICOLE'S DEATH, I FELT I WAS NOT ALONE IN MY GRIEF. THANK YOU. I HAD EXPECTED TO MEET AN ARROGANT POLITICIAN. INSTEAD, I MET A MAN WHO HAD EMPATHY FOR US. HE WAS COMPASSIONATE, AND HE SPENT TIME WITH US. BECAUSE HE KNEW THAT IT WOULD MAKE US FEEL BETTER. THANK YOU, PRESIDENT TRUMP. [ CHEERING AND APPLAUSE ] >> I AM CHERYL, NICOLE'S END. JOE BIDEN SAID THAT THE WITHDRAWAL FROM AFGHANISTAN WAS AN EXTRAORDINARY SUCCESS. AND EXTRAORDINARY SUCCESS. LOOK AT OUR FACES. LOOK AT OUR PAIN AND OUR HEARTBREAK. AND LOOK AT OUR RAGE. THAT WAS NOT AN EXTRAORDINARY SUCCESS. THE HUMILIATION OF OUR NATION WAS NOT AN EXTRAORDINARY SUCCESS. [ APPLAUSE ] JOE BIDENMAY HA MAYORGOTTEN HA FORGOTTEN THAT OUR CHILDREN DIED, THAT WE HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN. DONALD TRUMP HAS NOT FORGOTTEN. DONALD TRUMP HAS NOT FORGOTTEN. [ CHANTING "NEVER FORGET, NEVER NEVER FORGET. NEVER FORGET. >> JOE BIDEN IN AFGHANISTAN A DEBT OF GRATITUDE AND AN OWE WOMEN WHO SERVED IN AFGHANISTAN A DEBT OF GRATITUDE, AND AN APOLOGY. DONALD TRUMP LOVES THIS COUNTRY AND WILL NEVER FORGET THE SACRIFICE AND BRAVERY OF OUR SERVICEMEMBERS. JOIN US IN PUTTING HIM BACK IN THE WHITE HOUSE. [ APPLAUSE ] >> I AM ALICIA LOPEZ AND THIS IS MY HUSBAND HERMAN. OUR SON, CORPORAL LOPEZ, WHOSE NAME JOE BIDEN HAS REFUSED TO SAY OUT LOUD, WAS KILLED ON AUGUST 26, 2021. HE DIED DURING JOE BIDEN'S DISASTROUS WITHDRAWAL FROM AFGHANISTAN. HUNTER WAS 22 YEARS OLD AND PLANNED TO COME HOME TO CALIFORNIA AFTER HIS TOUR TO FOLLOW IN OUR FOOTSTEPS. HERMAN AND I WORKED FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. [ APPLAUSE ] AND OUR FAMILY HAS A TRADITION OF SERVICE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT. [ APPLAUSE ] HUNTER WAS EXCITED TO CARRY O INSTEAD, IN THE NEARLY THREE YEARS SINCE HUNTER HAS BEEN N. E NEARLY 3 YEARS SINCE HUNTER HAS BEEN GONE, THERE HAS BEEN SILENCE. SILENCE FROM THAT NT SPACE-- THAT EMPTY SPACE AT THE DINNER TABLE WHERE HUNTER WOULD HAVE JOINED HIS BROTHERS AND SISTER AND US FOR FAMILY GATHERINGS, AND THERE HAS BEEN A DEAFENING SILENCE FROM THE BIDEN AND HARRIS ADMINISTRATION. [ BOOING ] DESPITE OUR PLEAS FOR ANSWERS AND ACCOUNTABILITY, THEY HAVE PUSHED US AWAY AND TRIED TO SILENCE US. THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION HAS NOT OWNED UP TO THE BAD DECISION . THEY HAVE NOT BEEN TRANSPARENT ABOUT THEIR FAILURES. AND THEIR SO-CALLED LEADERS WORK TO PROTECT THEMSELVES RATHER THAN OUR SONS AND DAUGHTERS WHO TOOK THE OATH TO DEFEND OUR COUNTRY. >> THANK YOU. ONE HUNTER AND THE OTHER SERVICEMEMBERS' BODIES WERE RETURNED TO THE US, JOE BIDEN MET THE AIRPLANE BUT MADE THE OCCASION MORE ABOUT HIS SON LOST TO CANCER THAN OUR SONS AND DAUGHTERS LOST ON HIS WATCH. MORE THAN THAT, HE HAS NEVER SAID THE NAMES OUT LOUD. AND DURING LAST MONTH'S DEBATE, HE CLAIMED NO SERVICEMEMBERS HAVE DIED DURING HIS ADMINISTRATION. [ BOOING ] NONE. THAT HURT US ALL DEEPLY. SO ALICIA AND I ARE HERE TO SAY THE NAMES OF ALL 13 SERVICEMEMBERS. ALL 13 SERVICEMEMBERS WHO LOST THEIR LIVES. DAVID ESPINOZA DAVID ESPINOZA. [ APPLAUSE ]. NICOLE GEE. [ APPLAUSE ] TAYLOR HOOVER. RYAN C. CANALES. RYLEE McCOLLU. RILEY McCOLLUM. DYLAN MEROLA. KAREEM NIKOUI. KAREEM MACOEY. DAYGAN PAGE. JOHANIURTADO. JARED SCHMIDT. JARED SCHMIDT. MADISON SILVIAK. MAXSON SOVIAK. AND MY SON, HUNTER LOPEZ. >> NEVER FORGET! NEVER FORGET! >> JOE BIDEN HAS TO GO. HE FAILED THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. HE FAILED THE AFGHAN PEOPLE. AND OUR MILITARY SERVICEMEMBERS. HE FAILED OUR FAMILY, AND HE FAILED HUNTER. DONALD TRUMP HAS A PROVEN RECORD OF KEEPING THE PEACE AND HONORING THOSE IN UNIFORM. [ APPLAUSE ] [ CHANTING: JOE MUST GO! JOE MUST GO! >> ALL OF US ON THIS STAGE RECOGNIZE THE EFFORTS OF MISTER TRUMP.H HIM, HE HAS DEMONSTRATED WE KNOW THIS FIRSTHAND. WE'VE EXPERIENCED IT. WHENEVER WE MET WITH HIM, HE'S DEMONSTRATED COMPASSION. HE HAS JOINED US ON OUR MISSION FOR ANSWERS, AND HE HAS GIVEN HOPE TO OUR EXTENDED GOLDSTAR FAMILIES. EXTENDED GOLD ST >> NOW WE HAVE ANOTHER SON SERVING IN THE ARMY. [ APPLAUSE ] AND WE DO NOT TRUST JOE BIDEN WITH HIS LIFE. WE HAVE FAITH THAT DONALD TRUMP TO LEAD OUR MILITARY. PLEASE JOIN US IN SUPPORTING DONALD TRUMP FOR PRESIDENT AND COMMANDER IN CHIEF. [ APPLAUSE ] >> WE'VE BEEN LISTENING TO AN EMOTIONAL TESTIMONY HERE ON THE FLOOR OF THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION. GOLD STAR FAMILIES. CHERYL JULES AND JULES WHOSE CHILDREN WERE KILLEY SHAMBLIN KILLED IN THE ATTACK DURING THE WITHDRAWAL FROM AFGHANISTAN. >> WE ALSO HEARD FROM ALICIA AND HERMAN LOPEZ WHO LOST THEIR SON, MARINE CORPS CORPORAL HUNTER LOPEZ LOST IN THAT ATTACK AS WELL. LET'S BRING IN LARA TRUMP, ALSO FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP'S DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AND DELIVER THE KEYNOTE SPEECH LAST NIGHT HERE. THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US. >> THANK YOU GUYS. >> GIVE US A SENSE OF WHAT WE HEARD LAST NIGHT. IT SOUNDED LIKE YOU ARE TRYING TO BROADEN THE BASE OR TO REACH OUTSIDE OF THE BASE. IS THAT KEY TO THIS STRATEGY? >> WE CANNOT ONLY TALK TO REPUBLICANS ALONE. YOU HAVE TO REACH OUT TO THE ENTIRE COUNTRY. MY GOAL ALONE WAIS A LOT THAT I ABOUT THIS MAN, AND I WANTED TO BRING A PICTURE OF THITRULY THAO HUMANIZE DONALD TRUMP. THERE'S A LOT THAT GETS SET ABOUT THIS MAN AND I WANTED TO BRING A PICTURE OF HIM THAT I KNOW OUT TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND I WANTED THEM TO SEE THE DONALD TRUMP THAT I KNOW AS A FATHER-IN-LAW AND THE FATHER TO MY HUSBAND ERIC AND THE GRANDFATHER TO MY CHILDRENEN, A EXPAND T BUT CERTAINLY WE HAVE TO, AS A PARTY, CONTINUE TO REACH OUT TO EVERY AMERICAN AND WE HAVE TO, LESTER, BROADEN THE BASE. >> THIS CONVENTION SEEMS TO HAVE AVOIDED THE MORE INFLAMMATORY TOPICS. THE FALSE CLAIMS OF A STOLEN ELECTION, THE JANUARY 6. WE WERE TALKING A MOMENT AGO, WEAPON ICING THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT.-- WEAPON ICING THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT. >> YOU TALK TO A LOT OF THE SPEAKERS HERE AND A LOT OF PEOPLE CHANGED THEIR SPEECHES AFTER SATURDAY. YOU MAY HAVE HEARD A LITTLE BIT MORE OF THOSE TOPICS HAD SATURDAY NOT HAPPENED. >> IT WASN'T A DIRECT FROM THE HEART SPEECH. >> WE ACTUALLY TOLD PEOPLE PLEASE WRITE YOUR OWN SPEECHES AND ALL THE PEOPLE YOU ARE HEARING FROM ESPECIALLY THESE EVERYDAY AMERICANS WHICH IS WHAT WE WANTED TO DELIVER HERE AND SHOW THESE PEOPLE, THEY ALL WROTE THEIR OWN SPEECHES. I THINK THIS IS JUST THE FORWARD MOTION OF THIS PARTY AND WE ARE THINKING FORWARD. WE ARE THINKING ABOUT THE NEXT FOUR YEARS AND WHAT DONALD TRUMP CAN ACTUALLY DELIVER TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. >> I WILL ASK YOU ABOUT THIS BREAKING NEWS, GOING BACK TO DELAWARE TO RECOVER. PRESIDENT BIDEN DIAGNOSED WITH COVID AND RETURNING TO DELAWARE TO RECOVER. YOUR REACTION? >> WILL GOSH, I HOPE HE GETS WELL SOON. OBVIOUSLY MY FATHER-IN-LAW KNOWS BETTER THAN ANYONE WHAT IT'S LIKE TO HAVE COVID IN THE WHITE HOUSE BECAUSE HE DID. LISTEN, I THINK THAT WE ARE AT A TIME WHERE THE DEMOCRATS ARE STRUGGLING AS A PARTY AND I THINK THEY'VE HAD A HARD TIME CONVINCING THE AMERICAN PEOPLE THAT JOE BIDEN IS THE STRONG LEADER THAT THIS COUNTRY NEEDS. I DON'T THINK THIS HELPS THAT ARGUMENT IN ANY WAY. THAT NAR WE ARE COMING INTO THE THIRD NIGHT OF OUR CONVENTION AND THEY STILL HAVE THERE'S TO COME. IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW THIS FACTORS IN. >> THERE WERE SOME DEVELOPMENTS THERE AND YOU BRING UP CONGRESSMAN ADAM SCHIFF, PELOSI CALLED FOR HIM TO STEP ASIDE TODAY AND THERE WERE CONVERSATIONS WITH SCHUMER, AND HE WENT TO HAVE A CHUCKERSATI SCHUMER AND PRESIDENT BIDEN ONE- ON-ONE. WHAT DO YOU THINK WILL HAPPEN? DO YOU THINK JOE BIDEN WILL BE THE NOMINEE COME NOVEMBER? >> HE HAS CERTAINLY SAID HE'S NOT LEAVING, HE SAID HE WOULD NOT CONSIDER LEAVING THIS RACE UNLESS HE HAD SOME MEDICAL REASON TO DO SO. I OBVIOUSLY HOPE THAT COVID IS NOT A PROBLEM FOR HIM BUT I THINK HE HAS BEEN VERY STERN IN THAT. AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED, WE DON'T CARE WHO IT IS. >> IS JOE BIDEN YOUR PREFERRED OPPONENT? >> QUITE FRANKLY I THINK THE MESSAGE WE ARE DELIVERING IS TO REMEMBER HOW THE ECONOMY WAS DURING DONALD TRUMP'S FOUR YEARS IN OFFICE. HOW WE DIDN'T HAVE NEW WARS STARTING AND WE HAD PEACE AGREEMENTS. SO WE DON'T REALLY CARE, SAVANNAH, WHETHER IT'S JOE BIDEN, KAMALA HARRIS OR ANOTHER CANDIDATE, WE ARE PREPARED TO DELIVER DONALD TRUMP A VICTORY. >> THIS CONVENTION FEELS LIKE A CELEBRATION AS IF THIS IS A DONE DEAL AND THE BALLOONS ARE ABOUT TO DROP RIGHT NOW. IS THAT SOMETHING THAT WORRIES YOU? WE'VE ALL SEEN HOW QUICKLY THINGS CAN TURN ON A DIME. >> CERTAINLY WE CANNOT TAKE OUR FOOT OFF THE GAS OR TAKE ANYTHING FOR GRANTED. YOU LOOK AT THE POLLING FROM 2016 AND IT WOULD HAVE SUGGESTED THAT DONALD TRUMP HAD NEVER HAD A SHOT AT BECOMING PRESIDENT AND WE KNOW HOW THAT TURNED OUT. WE FEEL LIKE WE HAVE THE WIND IN OUR SALES AND WE HAVE A LOT OF MOMENTUM AS A PARTY. THIS IS A GREAT ENVIRONMENT, THERE'S A LOT OF ENERGY BUT WE HAVE TO PLAY THE GAME UP UNTIL THE BUZZER SOUNDS ON NOVEMBER 5 AND THAT'S WHAT WE INTEND TO DO. >> DO YOU WANT TO SEE A DEBATE BETWEEN THE VICE PRESIDENT AND J.D. VANCE? >> I THINK DEBATE IS GOOD. MORE DEBATES AS WE HAVE SAID FROM THIS CAMPAIGN, ARE ALWAYS BETTER THAN FEWER DEBATES. THAT'S WHY MY FATHER-IN-LAW SUGGESTED A JUNE 27 DEBATE AND SAID YES TO A FUTURE DEBATE. TO SEE THE VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES TO BAY, ABSOLUTELY. >> WHAT'S INTERESTING IS THAT THE VANCE CAMPAIGN SAID WELL WE CAN'T BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW WHO THE VICE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE WILL BE. IN WITH THE DEMOCRATS, BUT WHY STALL, AND WHY BUT WHAT STALLED? WHY NOT SET THE DATE AND WHOEVER SHOWS UP YOU ARE READY TO DEBATE? >> I'M FAIRLY CERTAIN THAT J.D. VANCE IS PREPARED TO DEBATE KAMALA HARRIS OR WHOEVER THE CANDIDATE MIGHT BE FOR THE VICE PRESIDENTIAL TICKET ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE. THIS IS A MAN WHO OBVIOUSLY HAS HAD A VERY FAST RISE TO FAME AND SENATOR VANCE WE WILL HEAR FROM TONIGHT AND I THINK HE IS SO ARTICULATE, SO SMART, DELIVERS A GREAT MESSAGE AND I THINK IT WOULD BE GREAT FOR HIM. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT. >> THANK YOU. >>> UP NEXT WE WILL HEAR FROM A JEWISH-AMERICAN HARVARD ALUMNU SHA BOS KESTENBAUM WHO IS PART WHO IS PART OF A LAWSUIT FILED AGAINST THE UNIVERSITY OVER ITS RESPONSE TO ANTI-SEMITISM ON CAMPUS AFTER THE OCTOBER 7 ATTACK ON ISRAEL, SHABBOS KESTENBAUM. >> THE RNC SAYS SHABBOS KESTENBAUM IS A LIFELONG DEMOCRAT WHO WILL BE VOTING FOR TRUMP FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS YEAR SO WE WILL LISTEN TO THAT, TAKE A BREAK RIGHT NOW AND HAVE MORE SPEECHES COMING UP . >>> NEWS FROM THE GENERATION OF NOW IS NBC NEWS NOW 6:00 MORE AMERICANS TURN TO NBC NEWS THAN ANY OTHER NEWS ORGANIZATION. >> WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN? >>> WELCOME BACK TO THE SPECIAL COVE >>> WELCOME BACK TO OUR SPECIAL COVERAGE OF THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION. WE ARE LISTENING TO HARVARD ALUMNUS SHABBOS KESTENBAUM WHO IS A JEWISH-AMERICAN AND PART OF A LAWSUIT FILED AGAINST THE UNIVERSITY OVER ITS RESPONSE TO ANTI-SEMITISM AFTER THE ISRAEL HAMAS WAR BEGAN. LET'S LISTEN TO SOME OF HIS REMARKS. >> BY MY PEERS MERELY FOR BEING A JEW AND RECEIVED COUNTLESS DEATH THREATS ONLINE. STUDENTS AND PROFESSORS HAVE OPENLY CALLED FOR NEW HAMAS STYLE ATTACKS AGAINST THE UNITED STATES. [ BOOING ] AND PERHAPS MOST DAMNING, ONE HAMAS TERRORISTS BUTCHERED 45 AMERICAN CITIZENS ON OCTOBER 7 WHEN THEY TOOK 12 AMERICANS HOSTAGE. HARVARD REFUSED TO IMMEDIATELY AND UNEQUIVOCALLY CONDEMN THIS ATROCITY. MY FELLOW AMERICANS, THE ANTI- SEMITIC A TREE UNFORTUNATELY EXTENDS FAR BEYOND THE UNIVERSITY'S. ALTHOUGH I ONCE VOTED FOR BERNIE SANDERS, I NOW RECOGNIZE THAT THE FAR LEFT COULD NOT ONLY ABANDON THE JEWISH PEOPLE, BUT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY, THE PARTY THAT I REGISTERED TO VOTE FOR THE DAY THAT I TURNED 18 HAS BECOME IDEOLOGICALLY POISONED. AND IT IS THIS POISON, THIS CORRUPTION THAT IS INFECTING FAR TOO MANY YOUNG AMERICAN STUDENTS. LET'S BE CLEAR. THE FAR LEFT ANTI-SEMITIC EXTREMISM HAS NO VIRTUE AND THE RADICALISM ON OUR CAMPUSES AND STREETS HAS NO MORAL LEGITIMACY. SADLY, THE FAR LEFT WING TIES OF ANTI-SEMITISM IS RISING. BUT TONIGHT, TONIGHT WE FIGHT BACK. I AM PROUD, I AM PROUD TO SUPPORT PRESIDENT TRUMP'S POLICIES TO EXPEL FOREIGN STUDENTS WHO VIOLATE OUR LAWS, HARASS OUR JEWISH CLASSMATES AND DESECRATE OUR FREEDOM. DESECRATE OUR FREEDOMS. LET'S ELECT A PRESIDENT WHO INSTILLS PATRIOTISM IN OUR SCHOOLS ONCE AGAIN. LET'S ELECT A PRESIDENT WHO WILL CONFRONT TERRORISM AND ITS SUPPORTERS ONCE AGAIN. LET'S ELECT A PRESIDENT WHO RECOGNIZES THAT ALTHOUGH HARVAR AMERICA, THE JEWISH PEOPLE NEVER AND THE IVY LEAGUES HAVE LONG ABANDON THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, THE JEWISH PEOPLE NEVER WILL BECAUSE JEWISH VALUES ARE AMERICAN VALUES AND AMERICAN VALUES ARE JEWISH VALUES. GOD BLESS THE UNITED STATES. GOD BLESS THE LAND OF ISRAEL. GOD BLESS, PROTECT AND RETURN OF THE AMERICAN HOSTAGES IN GAZA NOW NOW. >>> AND WE ARE NOW HEAR FROM TH. >> WE WILL NOW HEAR FROM THE FAMILY OF AN AMERICAN HOSTAGE WHO WAS KIDNAPPED BY HAMAS AND HELD IN CAPTIVITY SINCE OCTOBER 7, THE ATTACK ON ISRAEL. THE NEUTRA FAMILY WILL SPEAK ABOUT THEIR SON. WE EXPECT HIM TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF OTHER AMERICAN HOSTAGE FAMILIES AND URGE POLITICAL LEADERS TO MAKE A DEAL TO BRING THE HOSTAGES HOME. >> OUR SON, OMER, IS AN AMERICAN CITIZEN. FOR 285 LONG DAYS AND NIGHTS, HAMAS TERRORISTS HAVE BEEN HOLDING OMER IN PRISON IN TUNNELS UNDERNEATH GAZA . OMER, WHICH IS A BIBLICAL NAME AND MEANS IN HEBREW THE FIRST CROP, IS OUR FIRST BORN. HE WAS BORN IN NEW YORK CITY ONE MONTH AFTER 9/11, EIGHT MONTHS PREGNANT I WALKED ACROSS THE QUEENSBORO BRIDGE TOWARD HOME THAT DAY. AND HERE WE ARE 23 YEARS LATER, AND HE IS THE VICTIM OF ANOTHER VILE TERRORIST ATTACK. LET ME TELL YOU A LITTLE BIT ABOUT MY SON. HE IS A CONNECTOR. HE'S AN EXTREMELY SOCIAL PERSON. HE LOVES SPORTS. IN HIGH SCHOOL HE WAS CAPTAIN OF THE SOCCER, VOLLEYBALL AND BASKETBALL TEAMS. HE IS A NATURAL LEADER. [ APPLAUSE ] HE IS A NATURAL LEADER. [ APPLAUSE ] AND HE CARES DEEPLY ABOUT OTHERS AND ABOUT HELPING THEM GROW. HE TURNED 22 ON OCTOBER 14, 2023 AND INSTEAD OF CELEBRATING WITH US AND WITH HIS FRIENDS, HE SPENDS HIS BIRTHDAY AT THE HOSTAGE OF HAMAS TERRORISTS. OF HAMAS TERRORISTS. IMAGINE, OVER NINE MONTHS NOT IMAGINE. OVER NINE MONTHS, NOT KNOWING WHETHER YOUR SON IS ALIVE, WAKING UP EVERY MORNING, PRAYING THAT HE, TOO, IS STILL WAKING UP EVERY MORNING. THAT HE IS STRONG AND IS SURVIVING. I RECITE PSALMS 23 EVERY SINGLE [ SPEAKING HEBREW ] THE SHADOW-- THROUGH THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH. I WILL FEAR NO EVIL. FOR THOU ART WITH ME, THY ROD AND THY STAFF. THEY COMFORT ME. >> BRING THEM HOME >> BRING THEM HOME. BRING THEM HOME. . BRING THEM HOME. BRING THEM HOME. BRING THEM HOME. BRING THEM HOME. DURING THE BRUTAL OCTOBER 7 ATTACK ON ISRAEL, OVER 1200 PEOPLE WERE SLAUGHTERED. OF THEM, 45 WERE AMERICAN CITIZENS. WHERE IS THE OUTRAGE? WHERE IS IT? THIS WAS NOT MERELY AN ATTACK ON ISRAEL. THIS WAS AND REMAINS AN ATTACK ON AMERICANS. OMER IS ONE OF THE 8 AMERICAN HOSTAGES , AND ONE OF 120 HOSTAGES STILL LEFT IN GAZA. CITIZENS OF 24 COUNTRIES AND FIVE DIFFERENT RELIGIONS STILL HELD BY HAMAS AND DENIED BASIC HUMAN NEEDS, THEIR LIVES THREATENED EVERY DAY. PRESIDENT TRUMP CALLED US PERSONALLY RIGHT AFTER THAT ATTACK WHEN OMER WAS TAKEN CAPTIVE. WE KNOW HE STANDS WITH AMERICAN HOSTAGES. WE NEED OUR BEAUTIFUL SON BACK AND WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT. WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT TO END THIS CRISIS AND BRING ALL THE HOSTAGES BACK HOME. >> [ CHANTING: BRING THEM HOME! BRING THEM HOME! ] >> OMER. WE LOVE YOU. WE WON'T STOP FIGHTING FOR YOU. >> SAY IT WITH US. BRING THEM HOME. BRING THEM HOME. THANK YOU, EVERYBODY. GOD BLESS ISRAEL, AND GOD BLESS AMERICA. [ APPLAUSE ] >> CHANTING BRING THEM HOME AFTER AN IMPACTFUL SPEECH FROM THE PARENTS OF AMERICAN HOSTAGE OMER NEUTRA WHO HAS BEEN HELD CAPTIVE IN GAZA AND THEY CALL FOR ALL OF THE HOSTAGES TO BE RELEASED . WERE GOING TO TAKE A BREAK RIGHT HERE. A LOOK AHEAD, WHERE THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE STANDS. STEVE KORNACKI IS STANDING BY TO BREAK IT DOWN AFTER THIS. >>> NOW IS ROD. HOW HARD IS IT O SEE IT LIKE THIS? >> OUR HOUSE IS NO LONGER HERE, BUT WE ARE HERE. >> LET'S BREAK DOWN WHAT WE KNOW AND THE BIG QUESTIONS STILL OUTSTANDING. >> NEWS FROM THE GENERATION OF NOW IS NBC NEWS NOW. >> THE TOWEL WILL ABSORB THE ACID. >> THAT'S CRAZY. >> GREEN TEA TO CALM ACNE. >> BRILLIANT BRILLIANT BRILLIANT. >> YOU JUST SAVED ME 40 BUCKS. >>> WELCOME BACK TO NBC NEWS SPECIAL COVERAGE OF THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION. SOON FROM THE RNC WE WILL HEAR SPEECHES FROM DONALD TRUMP JUNIOR AND THE REPUBLICAN VICE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE, OHIO SENATOR J.D. VANCE. >> HE IS ON THE REPUBLICAN TICKET WHICH COULD HAVE A BIG IMPACT ON THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE THAT WHERE DO THINGS STAND? WE'VE GOT 100 DAYS OR SO BEFORE ELECTION DAY. STEVE KORNACKI, OUR MAN AT THE BIG BOARD CRUNCHING ALL THE NUMBERS TO GIVE US THE BIG PICTURE LAY OF THE LAND. >> TAKE A LOOK. THIS IS OUR ROAD TO 270 MATT. THERE ARE SIX STATES WE HAVE IN THE GRAY BATTLEGROUND ZONE. GENERALLY ACKNOWLEDGED BY BOTH PARTIES AS THE SIX CORE BATTLEGROUND STATES AND IF YOU TAKE IT A STEP FURTHER YOU SEE WHERE EACH CANDIDATE WOULD START AND THEY WERE TRYING TO ADD WITH THE BATTLEGROUNDS. IF YOU TAKE IT A STEP FURTHER EACH PARTY WILL AGREE WHEN YOU TALK TO THEM THAT YOU CAN SPLIT THESE STATES INTO TWO CATEGORIES. WHEN YOU LOOK AT POLLINGOUT THE DOES SEEM TO HAVE AN ADVANTAGE. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE SUNBELT STATES. GEORGIA, ARIZONA AND NEVADA. IT HAS BEEN A LONG TIME SINCE JOE BIDEN HAS HAD A LEAD IN ANY POLL IN ANY STATE. HE'S NOT OUT OF THE BALLGAME BUT TRUMP HAS A CLEAR ADVANTAGE OF THEIR THAT IS GENERALLY ACKNOWLEDGED. TAKE A LOOK AT THIS. IF DONALD TRUMP IS ABLE TO MAINTAIN THE ADVANTAGE AND WIN THESE STATES, IF YOU WERE TO GET GEORGIA, IF YOU WERE TO GET ARIZONA AND IF HE WERE TO GET NEVADA, LOOK WHAT THAT WOULD DO. IT WOULD TAKE HIM TO THE GOAL LINE. HE WOULD BE AT 268 ELECTORAL VOTES BUT WOULD BE JUST SHORT OF THE GOAL LINE WHICH BRINGS US TO THE SECOND SET OF BATTLEGROUND STATES. THE THREE GREAT LAKES STATES AND THIS IS WHAT THE BIDEN CAMPAIGN THINGS IS ULTIMATELY IT'S FIREWALL. WISCONSIN, MICHIGAN AND PENNSYLVANIA. MEMBER BIDEN FLIPPED ALL OF THESE STATES IN 2020. HE'S ORIGINALLY FROM SCRANTON, PENNSYLVANIA AND HAS PLAYED UP HIS TIES TO PENNSYLVANIA, BLUE COLLAR PLACES LIKE PENNSYLVANIA. DEMOCRATS FEEL THAT IT HAS BEEN MORE ENCOURAGING THAN IT HAS BEEN. FROM THE BIDEN CAMPAIGN STANDPOINT, IF THEY LOSE THOSE THREE THEY TOOK YOU TOO, IF BIDEN CAN HANG ON IN PENNSYLVANIA AND MICHIGAN, AND IN WISCONSIN, BY THE SLIMMEST THE POSSIBLE MARGINS HE WOULD WIN WITH 270 ELECTORAL VOTES WHICH TAKES YOU TO J.D. VANCE AND SOMETHING INTERESTING THAT DONALD TRUMP SAID WHEN HE PICKED J.D. VANCE. HE SAID HE WANTED VANCE AS THE NOMINEE TO CAMP OUT IN PENNSYLVANIA AND STATES LIKE IT. HE IS FROM OHIO, TRUMP LEAVING VANCE CAN WIN OVER VOTERS THAT N OVER VOTERS. IF VANCE CAN ACCOMPLISH THAT FOR TRUMP AND FLIP JUST ONE OF THESE STATES THAT'S ALL IT WOULD TAKE TO GET OVER THE TOP. ONE OF THOSE GREAT LAKES STATES COULD BE ENOUGH POTENTIALLY TO GIVE TRUMP THE WHITE HOUSE. >> I SEE ONE LONG NIGHT OR SO. >> [ LAUGHTER ] I KNOW, IT'S BRINGING US BACK. WE HAD A LONG WEEK. STEVE, THANK YOU. WHEN YOU LOOK AT MIDWESTERN STATES, IT EXPLAINS WHY WE ARE WISCONSIN, I THINK WHY WE ARE IN WISCONSIN, AND H LESS THAN A PERCENTAGE POINT. >> IT'S INTERESTING, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT STATES HE SPECIFICALLY NAME-DROPPED, PLEDGINGGET WHERE HE CAME FROM, AND MIDTOWN OH TO AND NEVE HE CAME FROM, MIDDLETOWN, OHIO, COMMUNITIES FORGOTTEN IN MICHIGAN, HERE IN WISCONSIN, PENNSYLVANIANTO NOVEMBER. , I W IN MY CONVERSATIONS WITH REPUBLICANS INCLUDING WHO VANCE DESCRIBED AS HIS MENTOR, VOTERS WHO ARE CERTAINLY GOING BARRASSO NA. TRUMP, BUT THIS T COME DOWN IN PART TO TURNOUT. LESTER, AS WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THOSE SO-CALLED "DOUBLE-HATERS" WHICH IS THOSE WHO WERE DISSATISFIED WITH BOTH CANDIDATES. >> WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE TOUGH SPLITS THERE'S GOT TO BE A LOT OF POLLING GOING ON. >> YOU HAVE TO IMAGINE WHEN CHUCK SCHUMER HAD THAT BLUNT CONVERSATION WITH PRESIDENT BIDE NUMBERS THAT THEY WERE LOOKING AT. AGAIN, GOING BACK TO THE CONVERSATION WITH PRESIDENN THOE TYPESN IN OF CH HE WAS NUMBERS THEY WERE LOOKING AT. NOW, AGAIN, WHEN WE GO BACK TO YOUR CONVERSATION WITH PRESIDENT BIDEN, IN WHICH HE WAS DEFIANT AND SAID HE DOES NOT BELIEVE NECESSARILY THE POLLS, BUT THERE THEY ARE IN BLACK AND WHITE AND RED AND BLUE. THE OTHER POLL I HAVE MY EYE ON ARE THE PANELS, WHEN YOU ASK PEOPLE ABOUT THE ISSUES TRUMP GETS HIGHER MARKS ON FOREIGN POLICY, THE ECONOMY, AND WE ARE HEARING EMOTIONAL'S REACH IS AIMED AT DRIVING HOME THAT POINT WITH VOTERS. >> IF YOU ARE TUNING IN NOW, WE ARE HERE AT THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION , HERE IN MILWAUKEE. WE WILL TURN IT OVER TO THE STAGE WHERE WE EXPECT TO HEAR FROM DONALD TRUMP JR., AND OHIO SENATOR JD VANCE, VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE. HE WILL LIKELY GO WITH ASPECTS OF HIS WRITING IN HILLBILLY ELEGY. GARRETT HAAKE, WHAT ARE YOU EXPECTING? >> Reporter: I THINK YOU WILL HEAR ABOUT HIS GRANDMOTHER, WHO LARGELY RAISED HIM. I THINK THAT WILL HELP HUMANIZE JD VANCE TO THIS CROWD. I THINK YOU WILL HEAR OF THE AGE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HE AND JOE BIDEN MAKING THAT AGE CONTRAST ASKED ILLICIT, THAT JICAMA JD VANCE, 39-YEAR-OLD SENATOR, WAS IN FOURTH GRADE WHEN JOE BIDEN SUPPORTED NASSAR, HE WILL LINK THAT TO ECONOMIC DECLINE, JUST SUBTLE REMINDERS OF THAT FOCUS ON JOE BIDEN. HAS PERVADED THIS WHOLE CONVENTION, AND WHETHER IT WILL 39 CAN MAKE THAT CONTRAST MORE CLEARLY THAN DONALD TRUMP AT 78. BUT WE'LL HEAR THOSE ELEMENTS OF JD VANCE'S BIOGRAPHY, AND I THINK WE WILL SEE HIM GO ON THE ATTACK IN THE SECOND HALF OF THIS SPEECH AS WHAT HE DESCRIBES THE DECLINE OF WHERE HE GREW UP IN MIDDLETOWN, OHIO, IT COULD BE ALL THIS CAMPAIGN ULTIMATELY ENDS UP BEING ABOUT IN OCTOBER. IN NOVEMBER. >> YOU WOULD HAVE TO THINK DEBATE BETWEEN THESE TWO >> VICE NK THA PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES SOON ENOUGH. >> YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT ABOUT THAT. THEY ARE PUSHING FOR THIS. THEY ARE TRYING TO CAST SENATOR JD VANCE AS BEING EXTREME ON THE ISSUE OF ABORTION, ON FOREIGN POLICY. OPPOSED TO MORE FUNDING UKRAINE, ONE OF THE MANY REASONS THAT MAKES THIS PICK INCREDIBLY FASCINATING, BECAUSE HE HIGHLIGHTS THAT DIVIDE WITHIN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY THAT DEMOCRATS ARE GOING TO EXPLOIT, THE FACT TO SOME EXTENT HE'S A DEPARTURE FROM THE TYPICAL REAGAN CONSERVATIVE- - >> RUSSIAN THREAT IN THE WAY THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION-- >> HE SAYS WE HAVE TO FOCUS ON OUR OWN BORDER BEFORE WE HELP UKRAINE. FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP HAS TAKEN A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT WAY SAYING I WILL END THE WAR IN 24 HOURS. IF YOU PRESS HIM HE DOES NOT GIVE YOU DETAILS, BUT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WILL BE IN FOCUS DEBATED, SOMETHING THE BIDEN FOLKS WILL AIM TO HIGHLIGHT. >> HALLIE, AS WE WATCH JD VANCE THERE'S BEEN A WHOLE TRANSFORMATION. HE'S BEEN SENATOR FOR 18 MONTHS. IN 2016 HE WAS A NEVER-TRUMPER, HE'S CALLED HIM "AMERICA'S HITLER," THEN HE HAS COME AROUND AND SAID, I'VE CHANGED MY MIND. >> YOU ARE SEEING IT FROM SENATORS, JD VANCE, HE'S ON CAMERA SAYING HE IS A CRITICIZE HER OF PRESIDENT TRUMP CRITIC OF PRESIDENT TRUMP, AND NOW, IT'S I'M FULLY ON HIS SIDE. PEOPLE AROUND AND SOME BELIEVETHE IS A CAMPAIN THINK THAT COULD BE A POWERFUL MESSAGE TO SKEPTICAL VOTERS. WE TALKED ABOUT BOOSTING THE BASE, AND THERE'S A SLICE OF INDEPENDENT VOTERS, ABOUT 30% OF WHOM HAVE NOT MADE UP THEIR MINDS. SAYING, HEY, I WAS NOT A TRUMP HE COULD APPEAL BY SAYING I WAS NOT INITIALLY A TRUMP GUY, BUT EIGHT YEARS LATER HERE I AM ON THE TICKET. >> THE ONLY THING TRUMP LIKES MORE THAN A LOYAL SUPPORTER IS THE CONVERTED SUPPORTER, AS WE HAVE HEARD. ON THE FLOOR, WE HEAR CHANTING OF "USA." >> THEY ARE CHANTING USA. LET'S GO ALONG WITH MY CAMERAMAN, RINGO, AS THIS GREAT AMERICAN, WAR VETERAN, TAKES THE STAGE HERE AT THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION. THERE'S AN INTERESTING DELEGATE, AND I WANT TO TALK TO HIM. HE'S WEARING A LINCOLN HAD. IF WE COME OVER HERE, RINGO, EXCUSE ME, SIR, CAN I TALK TO YOU REAL QUICK? YOU ARE WEARING A LINCOLN HAD. I KNOW FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP THOUGHT SENATOR JD VANCE LOOKED LIKE LINCOLN, IS THAT WHY YOU ARE WEARING IT? >> MADISON SQUARE GARDEN, THE FIRST ONE THAT I ATTENDED, NO, THIS IS MY THIRD. >> HAS A GOING SO FAR? >> LOOKING GOOD. DONALD TRUMP IS GOING TO WIN. >> WHAT DO YOU HOPE SENATOR JD VANCE SAYS? >> I HOPE HE SAYS GET THE GAS ON, DRILL BABY DRILL. I GET IRRITATED EVERY TIME I HAVE TO GO BUY GAS. I'M IN SOUTH CAROLINA, IT'S THREE DOLLARS AND SOMETHING, SO I WILL BE GLAD WHEN THEY START DRILLING AND FOOD, AND EVERYTHING -- , A >> YOU WANT PRICES TO COME DOWN? WHAT WAS HER NAME? YOUR NAME? ALVIN, WE APPRECIATE YOU TALKING WITH US. PEOPLE ARE ON THEIR FEET LISTENING TO THIS AMERICAN VETERAN, ANTICIPATION IS GROWING FOR SENATOR JD VANCE. WE HAVE SOME EXCERPTS FROM THE SPEECH, ABOUT HIS LIFE STORY. SO MANY ARE SAYING JD VANCE IS TRUMP JR., MAGA 2.0. THE LIFE STORIES OF JD VANCE AND DONALD TRUMP COULD NOT BE MORE DIFFERENT. TRUMP GROWING UP WEALTHY, VANCE GREW UP WORKING CLASS. VANCE GREW UP IN THE MIDWEST, TRUMP GREW UP IN QUEENS AND MANHATTAN. HE WILL TALK ABOUT THAT SERVICE, SO THE MEN ARE DIFFERENT, THEY NEVER WOULD HAVE COME TOGETHER IGETHER UNLE DECIDED TO RUN FOR THE SENATE.FE HADN'T HAVE RUN FOR SENATE. HE SAID HE HAD A CONVERSION POLITICALLY HE REALIZED FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP WAS THE KIND OF POLITICIAN HE WANTED TO FOLLOW, AND HE WAS ABLE TO CONVINCE HIM THERE, BUT FOR TRUMP, IT WAS MORE WHAT HE SAW VANCE PUBLICLY, DEFENDING THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, THE TRUMP APOLOGIES, AND ALSO IN THE DEBATES, SO THERE IS A BIG BAR SET HERE FOR JD VANCE. THE PEOPLE I'VE TALKED WITH SAY HE'S GOING TO MEET THE MOMENT THAT THIS IS WHEN HE'S AT HIS BEST. IT'S A REASON WHY HE'S HIS RUNNING MATE, AMERICA WILL DECIDE TONIGHT. BACK TO YOU IN THE STUDIO. >> TOM, THANKS VERY MUCH. WE WILL BE HONEST, THERE IS A LOT OF LIP-READING WITH WHAT TOM WAS SAYING. >> IT'S HARD TO HEAR EACH OTHER. WHEN LIPS STOP MOVING THAT'S WHEN WE KNOW WHEN WE CAN TALK. DONALD TRUMP JR. WILL JOIN THE STAGE ALONG WITH HIS CHILD, GRANDDAUGHTER OF FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP. WE'VE TALKED WITH LARA TRUMP ABOUT IT. HER KEYNOTE SPEECH LAST NIGHT WAS ALL ABOUT TRUMP AS HER FAMILY MEMBER. THEY ARE TRAINED TO SOFTEN THOSE ROUGH EDGES THAT TURNED OFF A LOT OF SUBURBAN MOMS, PERHAPS TRUMP'S GRANDDAUGHTER WILL BE PART OF THAT MISSION. >> ABSOLUTELY. HE IS TRYING TO REACH OUT TO THOSE VOTERS, AS AND AS LAR YOUUMP SAID WERE ENT SAYING, SOFTEN THOSE EDGES, AND APPEAL TO SUBURBAN WOMEN VOTERS. >> LET'S GO TO THE FLOOR, DONALD TRUMP JR. AND HIS GRANDDAUGHTER TAKING THE STAGE. >> GOOD EVENING, AMERICA. BEFORE I BEGIN MY REMARKS, I'M GOING TO DO SOMETHING A LITTLE UNCHARACTERISTIC. A TRUMP IS GOING TO GIVE UP THE MICROPHONE. YOU MAY NOT EVER SEE IT AGAIN, BUT I GOT A CALL ON MONDAY MORNING FROM A YOUNG LADY, WHO SAID, DAD, I WANT TO SPEAK AT THE RNC. I WANT TO SPEAK AT THE RNC, BECAUSE I WANT AMERICA TO KNOW WHAT MY GRANDPA IS ACTUALLY LIKE. WHAT MY GRANDPA IS ACTUALLY LIKE. SO, FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER ON A SO FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER ON THE STAGE, FIRST TIME EVER GIVING A SPEECH, I WANT TO BRING OUT MY ELDEST DAUGHTER, AND ELDEST GRANDDAUGHTER OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES FAVORITE PRESIDENT, KAI MADISON KAI MADISON TRUMP. >> HI, EVERYONE, MY NAME IS KAI MADISON TRUMP. I AM THE DAUGHTER OF GRANDDAUGHTER OF DONALD TRUMP. TO ME, HE IS JUST A NORMAL GRANDPA. HE GIVES US CANDY AND SODA WHEN PARENTS AREN'T LOOKING. HE ALWAYS WANTS TO KNOW HOW WE ARE DOING IN SCHOOL. WHEN I MADE HIGH HONOR ROLL HE PRINTED TALKED TO HIS FRIENDS ABOUT HOW PROUD HE WAS OF ME. HE CALLS ME DURING THE MIDDLE OF THE SCHOOL DAY TO ASK HOW MY GOLF GAME IS GOING, AND TELLS ME ALL ABOUT HIS P BUT THEN, I HAVE TO REMIND HIM THAT I'M IN SCHOOL, AND I'LL HAVE TO CALL HIM BACK LATER. WHEN WE PLAY GOLF TOGETHER HE'LL TRY TO GET INSIDE MY HEAD. I DON'T. AND HE'S ALWAYS SURPRISED WHEN I DON'T LET HIM GET TO ME. BUT, I REMIND HIM I AM A TRUMP, TOO. EVEN WHEN HE'S GOING THROUGH ASKS ME HOW I AM ALL THESE COURT CASES HE ALWAYS ASKS ME HOW I'M DOING. HE ALWAYS ENCOURAGES ME TO PUSH MYSELF TO BE THE MOST SUCCESSFUL PERSON I CAN BE. HE SETS THE BAR PRETTY HIGH, BUT MAYBE ONE DAY I'LL CATCH HIM. ON SATURDAY, I WAS SHOCKED WHEN I HEARD THAT HE HAD BEEN SHOT. AND I JUST WANTED TO KNOW IF HE WAS OKAY. IT WAS HEARTBREAKING THAT SOMEONE WOULD DO THAT TO ANOTHER PERSON. A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE PUT MY GRANDPA THROUGH HELL, AND HE'S STILL STANDING. >> GRANDPA? YOU ARE SUCH AN AN INSPIRATION, AND, I LOVE YOU. THE MEDIA MAKES MY GRANDPA SEEM LIKE A DIFFERENT PERSON, BUT I KNOW HIM FOR WHO HE IS. HE'S VERY CARING AND LOVING. HE TRULY WANTS THE BEST FOR HIS COUNTRY, AND HE WILL FIGHT, EVERY SINGLE DAY, TO MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN. THANK YOU, VERY MUCH. >> [ CROWD CHANTING ] >> A LOT OF PROUD MOMENTS THIS WEEK FOR MY FAMILY. THANK YOU AGAIN, GUYS, I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT. THAT'S NOT EASY. THIS IS WHAT WE CALL A LARGE CROWD FOR A SPEECH, SO INCREDIBLE WORK, KAI. NOW, BACK TO BUSINESS. THANK YOU, SIR. TONIGHT, WE GATHER HERE, IN MILWAUKEE, AND ONE OF THE MOST CRUCIAL MOMENTS IN AMERICAN HISTORY. JUST DAYS AGO, SOMETHING THAT SEEMED UNIMAGINABLE BECAME A TERRIFYING REALITY. MY FATHER CAME UNDER LITERAL FIRE AS AN INCREDIBLE PATRIOTIC RALLY TURNED INTO A TRAGEDY. A BRAVE FIREFIGHTER IN BUTLER, PENNSYLVANIA, DIED, OTHERS WERE INJURED, AND AS THOSE BULLETS RAINED DOWN WE CAME MILLIMETERS AWAY FROM ONE OF THE DARKEST MOMENTS IN OUR NATION'S HISTORY, BUT WE DID LOSE AN AMERICAN HERO THAT DAY. WE WISH HE WERE WITH US TONIGHT. BUT, HIS MEMORY WILL LIVE ON FOREVER IN THE HEARTS OF HIS FAMILY, HIS COMMUNITY, AND THE NATION THAT HE LOVED. I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE JUST A MOMENT TONIGHT TO EXPRESS OUR GRATITUDE FOR THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF AMERICAN HERO, CORY COMPERTORE . >> [ CROWD CHANTING ] CORY ! CORY ! >> THEY CAN'T SAY YOU KNOW HOW YOU WILL REACT UNTIL YOU ARE CONFRONTED, SO WHAT WAS MY FATHER LIKE WHEN HIS LIFE WAS ON THE LINE? NOT TO COWER, NOT TO SURRENDER, BUT TO SHOW FOR ALL THE WORLD TO SEE THAT THE NEXT AMERICAN PRESIDENT HAS THE HEART OF A LION. A LION. THAT THE NEXT AMERICAN PRESIDENT HAS THE COURAGE TO PUT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE FIRST, ONCE AGAIN. AMERICAN PEOPLE FIRST ONCE AGAIN. AND IN THAT MOMENT, MY FATHER DIDN'T JUST SHOW HIS CHARACTER, HE SHOWED AMERICA'S CHARACTER. WHEN HE STOOD UP WITH BLOOD ON HIS FACE AND THE FLAG AT HIS BACK THE WORLD SAW A SPIRIT THAT COULD NEVER BE BROKEN. 'S AND THAT IS THE TRUE SPIRIT OF AMERICA. AMERICA KNOWS WHAT IS IT LIKE TO BE DOWN, AND WE KNOW WHAT IS IT >> AND THAT IS THE TRUE SPIRIT OF AMERICA. AMERICA KNOWS WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE DOWN. WE KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE CONFUSED, AND TO BE AFRAID. LONG BEFORE THE ATTEMPT ON MY FATHER'S LIFE EVERY AMERICAN I'VE MET WAS FILLED WITH FEAR AND ANXIETY, THEY WERE AFRAID OUR COUNTRY WAS BEING TORN APART. THEY WERE ANXIOUS ABOUT THE MASSIVE AND CHAOTIC INVASION OF ILLEGAL ALIENS ACROSS OUR BORDER. THEY WERE DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT PARTISAN WARFARE AND ATTACKS ON FREEDOM OF SPEECH. MOST TERRIFYING OF ALL, THEY SAW THAT OUR LEADERS DIDN'T CARE , OR WORSE, THAT THEY JOYFULLY AIDED AND ABETTED THE EROSION OF OUR RIGHTS. AND THE LIES, OH YEAH, THE LIES, WE WON'T EVER FORGET THE LIES BUT FROM LEFT-WING POLITICIANS, FROM ALLIES IN THE MEDIA, WHEN YOU HEAR THEM IN A ROW YOU FULLY UNDERSTAND THE EXTENT THEY HAVE GONE TO DIVIDE THIS GREAT NATION. THEY LIED ABOUT RUSSIA COLLUSION OR IT LIED ABOUT HUNTER'S LAPTOP, THEY LIED ABOUT JOE BIDEN'S FITNESS FOR OFFICE. THEY LIED ABOUT THE BORDER BEING SECURE. THEY LIED ABOUT INFLATION BEING TRANSITORY. THEY LIED ABOUT HOW THEY WOULD SAFELY WITHDRAW FROM AFGHANISTAN ON LIED ABOUT BIDEN BEING AN "MODERATE." AND THEY TOLD ONE NONSTOP LIE AFTER ANOTHER ABOUT MY FATHER. BUT, THEY COULD ONLY RUN AWAY FROM REALITY FOR SO LONG. ALL HELL HAS BROKEN LOOSE IN AMERICA, AND IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO HIDE ANYMORE. REMEMBER BUILD BACK BETTER? INSTEAD WE GOT BROKE BUMBLING BIDEN. NOTHING IS BUILT, NOTHING IS BACK, AND NOTHING IS BETTER. BRIDGES ARE COLLAPSING, OUR CREDIBILITY IS CRUMBLING, AND OUR MONEY IS WORTH LESS AND LESS EVERY SINGLE DAY. IT WAS JUST ONE GIANT BAIT AND SWITCH AND NORMAL AMERICANS ARE THE ONES LEFT HOLDING THE BAG. HOUSING COSTS, GASOLINE PRICES, GROCERY BILLS, JUST KEEP GOING UP. WAVE AFTER WAVE OF ILLEGAL ALIENS, DEADLY DRUGS, KEEP POURING ACROSS OUR BORDER. MEANWHILE, PRO-CRIME DISTRICT ATTORNEYS HAVE TURNED OUR CITIES INTO GIANT CRIME ZONES. THEY HAVE TURNED CRIMINALS INTO VICTIMS, PROSECUTORS INTO DEFENSE ATTORNEYS, AND POLICE INTO PUBLIC ENEMIES. LEFT-WING ACTIVISTS ARE PRETENDING TO BE EDUCATORS TEACHING OUR KIDS THERE ARE 57 GENDERS, BUT THEY CAN'T EVEN DEFINE WHAT A WOMAN IS. ON ONE HAND THEY THINK FREE SPEECH TO TEXT THEIR RIGHT TO EXPOSE YOUR CHILDREN TO EXPLICIT DRAG SHOWS. ON THE OTHER HAND THEY ANT TO PUT YOU IN JAIL FOR MAKING A MEAL. IT'S LIKE THE ENTIRE WORLD HAS BEEN TURNED UPSIDE DOWN. DOES ANY OF THE SOUND LIKE A COUNTRY THAT'S GOING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION? AND HONESTLY, WHO WAS ACTUALLY RUNNING THE COUNTRY ANYWAY? IT'S OBVIOUSLY NOT JOE BIDEN. SO WHO ARE THEY ASKING US TO ELECT? SERIOUSLY? IS RUNNING THINGS? DOES ANYONE REALLY KNOW? IS IT JILL? IS IT HUNTER? BARACK OBAMA? MAYBE IT'S MAYBE IT IS GHOST OF CORNPOP. Y WHOEVER IS RUNNING ARE EFFECTIVE AT IS PERSECUTING MY FATHER. THEY TWISTED, CONTORTED THE CRIMINAL CODE, THEY CONCOCTED NEW LEGAL THEORIES OUT OF THIN AIR, THEY IMPOSED GAG ORDERS MY FATHER, BECAUSE THE LAST THING A DEFENDANT SHOULD BE ABLE TO DO IS DEFEND HIMSELF, RIGHT? THEY PUNISHED HIM FOR MERELY SPEAKING THE TRUTH. THEY SAY THEY HATE VLADIMIR PUTIN, BUT IT SURE SEEMS LIKE THEY SPEND A LOT OF TIME COPYING HIS BOOK. IN THIS COUNTRY WE DON'T CRIMINALIZE POLITICAL DIFFERENCES, WE DEBATE THEM. WE VOTE ON THEM, BUT WE DON'T MAKE YOU CHOOSE BETWEEN PICKING A PARTY OR PICKING A JAIL CELL. PICKING A JAIL CELL. THERE WAS A TIME WHEN THE THERE WAS A TIME WHEN THE DEMOCRATS REALLY WANTED WHAT WAS BEST FOR AMERICA, EVEN IF THEY HAD A DIFFERENT WAY OF GETTING THERE. IT WAS THE PARTY OF FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT, JOHN F. KENNEDY, MARTIN LUTHER KING JR., YOU MAY HAVE DISAGREED WITH THAT PARTY, BUT AT LEAST YOU COULD RESPECT IT. BUT THIS NEW EXTREME DEMOCRAT PARTY, THEY WANT US TO SOMEHOW BELIEVE THAT THE ONLY WAY FORWARD IS GOING BACKWARDS GO IS BACKWARDS. WHERE HIRING DIVISIONS ARE SOLELY BASED ON RACE, WHERE JUSTICE IS ONLY FOR THOSE WITH THE RIGHT OPINIONS, WHERE STREETS ARE A LUXURY ONLY FOR THE ELITE, OR ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY EXISTS ONLY WHEN YOU KNOW THE RIGHT PEOPLE. RIGHT NOW, THE AMERICA WE ALL GREW UP WITH, THE AMERICA THAT WE LOVE FEELS LIKE AN OLD PHOTOGRAPH, WHERE YOU SIT DOWN WITH YOUR CHILDREN AND TELL THEM WHAT LIFE USE TO BE LIKE. YOU LOOK BACK AT THAT AMERICA AND REMEMBER A COUNTRY THAT WAS CONFIDENT AND PROUD, AN AMERICA THAT KNEW WHO IT WAS, AND WHAT IT STOOD FOR, AND IT COULD ALL FEEL LIKE A DISTANT MEMORY. SOMEWHERE ALONG THE WAY WE STUMBLED. SOMEWHERE ALONG THE WAY WE LOST OURSELVES. BUT WE CANNOT LIVE IN NOSTALGIA. YES, AMERICA WAS GREAT, BUT OUR GREATEST DAYS ARE YET TO COME. GREATEST DAYS ARE YET TO COME. BECAUSE NO MATTER HOW FAR OFF THAT OLD PHOTO MAY FEEL IT'S NOT THE END OF OUR STORY. WE ARE LIKE THAT MAN, WHO STOOD ON THE PLATFORM AND FELT THE BULLET PRCE HIS FLESH DAYS AGO IN PENNSYLVANIA. HE MAY HAVE MOVED TO THE GROUND, BUT HE STOOD BACK UP. AND WHEN HE DID, MY FATHER RAISED HIS FIST INTO THE YEAR, HE LOOKED OUT AT THE CROWD, AND WHAT DID HE SAY? AND WHAT DID HE SAY? [ CHANTING "FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT" ] >> AND WE WILL FIGHT. AND WE WILL FIGHT. WE WILL FIGHT. WE WILL FIGHT WITH OUR VOICES, WE WILL FIGHT, AND ON NOVEMBER 5th, WE WILL FIGHT WITH OUR VOTE. I'VE ALWAYS BEEN PROUD OF HIM, BUT I'VE NEVER BEEN ORE PROUD OF MY FATHER THAN I WAS IN THAT MOMENT. THAT'S WHEN THE WORLD FOUND OUT THAT THERE IS TOUGH, AND THEN THERE IS TRUMP TOUGH. AND THE GOOD NEWS IS, AMERICA IS TRUMP TOUGH. >> [ CROWD CHANTING ] IN 1912, MORE THAN A CENTURY AGO, ANOTHER LEGENDARY REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT CAME RIGHT HERE TO MILWAUKEE. AT A POLITICAL RALLY LESS THAN ONE MILE FROM WHERE WE STAND TONIGHT, TEDDY ROOSEVELT WAS STRUCK BY A WOULD-BE ASSASSIN'S BULLET. BUT HE DIDN'T QUIT EITHER. HE FINISHED HIS SPEECH, AND HE KEPT FIGHTING. MY FRIENDS, I DON'T BELIEVE IN COINCIDENCES, BUT I DO BELIEVE IN GOD'S PLAN. TODAY TEDDY ROOSEVELT'S MAN IN THE ARENA HAS A NAME, AND IT'S DONALD J. TRUMP. REMEMBER, MY FATHER DIDN'T HAVE TO RUN FOR REELECTION THIS YEAR. HE DOESN'T NEED THE MONEY, THE FAME, THE POWER, FRANKLY, HE DOESN'T NEED THE WITCHHUNTS TO THE PHONY INVESTIGATIONS OR POLITICAL PROSECUTIONS EITHER, BUT HE KNEW HE HAD TO RUN IF THERE WAS ANY CHANCE AT SAVING AMERICA. ANY CHANCE AT SAVING AMERICA. HE'S NOT DOING IT FOR HIMSELF, HE'S DOING IT FOR EVERYONE HERE TONIGHT, FOR EVERYONE WATCHING AT HOME. FOR EVERYONE WATCHING AT HOME. NO MATTER WHO YOU ARE YOU CAN BE A PART OF THIS MOVEMENT TO MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN. . LOOK AT ME AND MY FRIE JD VANCE, A KID FROM APPALACHIA, VANCE, A KID FROM APPALACHIAN AND A MAN FROM TRUMP TOWER, AND WE GREW UP WORLDS APART, NOW WE ARE BOTH FIGHTING SIDE-BY-SIDE TO SAVE THE COUNTRY WE LOVE. AND BY THE WAY, JD VANCE IS GOING TO MAKE ONE HELL OF A VICE PRESIDENT. >> [ CROWD CHANTING ] JD! JD! JD! >> FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE TUNED OUT POLITICS OR HAVE NEVER EVEN VOTED I WANT YOU TO KNOW IT'S YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A BETTER LIFE, A MORE PROSPEROUS FUTURE, A SAFER, MORE WHOLESOME AND PATRIOTIC PLACE TO CALL HOME THERE'S ROOM FOR YOU IN THIS PARTY, AND IN THIS MOVEMENT. HOME, YOU CAN FIND IT IN THIS PART AND IN THIS MOVEMENT. IN FACT, YOU ARE THE ONES WHO IN FACT YOU ARE THE ONES WHO MATTER MOST OF ALL. MY FATHER HAS ALWAYS SAID THAT THE PEOPLE HE GETS ALONG WITH BEST ARE THE PEOPLE WHO REALLY WORK FOR A LIVING. IT'S BECAUSE OF HIS GROUND AS A BUILDER IN CONSTRUCTION, IN CONSTRUCTION IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW SMART YOUR ARCHITECT IS. IF YOU DON'T HAVE THE BEST GUYS LAYING THE BRICKS. PEOPLE WITH GRITS, PEOPLE WHO GET THEIR HANDS DIRTY, THAT'S A BIG PROBLEM WITH WASHINGTON, D.C. MOST OF THE BUREAUCRATS WHO RULED OVER US HAVE NEVER BUILT ANYTHING IN THEIR LIVES. IT'S TIME TO BUILD SOMETHING REAL, SOMETHING TANGIBLE, SOMETHING THAT WILL LAST AND LEAVE THIS COUNTRY BETTER OFF FOR OUR CHILDREN. THAT IS MY FATHER'S MISSION. THIS NOVEMBER, WE HAVE A CHOIC . IT'S A CHOICE BETWEEN ONE TEAM THAT WANTS TO BUILD THIS COUNTRY UP, AND ANOTHER THAT WANTS TO TEAR THIS COUNTRY DOWN. IT IS A CHOICE BETWEEN PEOPLE WHO ARE PART OF AMERICA AND PEOPLE WHO ARE ASHAMED OF AMERICA, AND ULTIMATELY IT'S A CHOICE BETWEEN AMERICA LAST AND AMERICA FIRST. SO, IF YOU LOVE THIS COUNTRY FROM THE BOTTOM OF YOUR HEART, IF YOU WANT TO BRING BACK COMMON SENSE, IF YOU WANT TO SAVE THE AMERICAN DREAM, IF YOU WANT TO STAND UP AND FIGHT FOR THE FUTURE OF OUR NATION, YOU MUST REELECT MY FATHER, DONALD J. TRUMP. AND TOGETHER WE WILL MAKE AMERICA GREAT ONCE AGAIN. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, WISCONSIN. >> ELITE EVENING SNACK OF RED MEAT FROM DONALD TRUMP JR., WHO HAS KIND OF LIFTED THE CAP OFF OF SOME OF THE ISSUES AND GRIEVANCES WE ARE USED TO HEARING FROM THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN. THIS WAS A FULL THROATED LIST OF THOSE GRIEVANCES. >> THE PLAN WAS TO SOFTEN DONALD TRUMP OFFICE IMAGE AND AVOID SOME OF THOSE CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES, AND DONALD TRUMP JR. DID NOT GET THAT MEMO. EXACTLY. THE BASE EIGHT IT UP ATE IT UP. THIS HAS MOSTLY BEEN A HAPPY BOISTEROUS CROWD, BUT THEY BROKE INTOHE CHANTS OF "FIGHT, , FIGHT, FIGHT!" >> Reporter: DONALD TRUMP JR., BAD COP TONIGHT, REALLY GOING AFTER DEMOCRATIC POLICIES IN THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION SPECIFICALLY. THAT'S A SPEECH THAT WILL PROBABLY FEEL FAMILIAR TO A LOT OF FOLKS IN THIS ROOM FOR DONALD TRUMP JR. HAS BEEN A VERY ACTIVE EVANGELIST FOR HIS FATHER ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL. THE CORE OF THAT SPEECH IS THE CORE OF THE SPEECH HE GIVES ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL. WHAT WE SAW TONIGHT WAS TH ATTACKING THE PEOPLE ON THE E TRUMP CAMPAIGN ATTACKS ON DEMOCRATS IN THE STORY OF HIS FATHER BEING SHOT ON SATURDAY. YOU SAW THAT IN THE BEGINNING, AND A LITTLE OF THAT AT THE END. HE CAMPAIGN ADVISER TOLD ME SATURDAY'S EVENT EMOTIONAL THROUGH LINE TO THIS CONVENTION, BUT THIS IS NOT THE KIND GENTLE PARTY OF LARA TRUMP OR EVEN THE KIND GENTLE GRANDPA WE HEARD FROM KAI AT THE BEGINNING, THAT WAS DONALD TRUMP JR. ON THE ATTACK TO GET THE CROWD TO THEIR FEET. THAT HAS BEEN A ROLE THE CAMPAIGN I THINK HOPES JD VANCE CAN PICK UP AND CARRY THAT BATON . >> WE AWAIT JD VANCE, THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION TOM LLAMAS IS ON THE FLOOR NOW WITH A SPECIAL GUEST. >> SAVANNAH, THANK YOU. OHIO GOVERNOR , WHAT SHOULD AMERICA EXPECT TO HEAR FROM JD VANCE? >> AMERICA IS GOING TO SEE WHAT WE KNOW IN OHIO. WHAT YOU ARE SEEING WITH JD VANCE IS WHAT YOU GET. HIS LIFE STORY IS THE AMERICAN STORY OF SUCCESS OVERCOMING ADVERSITY GOOD I THINK THAT ADVERSITY ENABLE HIM TO BE A VERY EMPHATI ONLY CANDIDATE, BUT VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. VICE PRESIDENT. >> FOR THOSE UNDECIDED IN THE RUST BELT WHY WILL THEY VOTE IF SENATOR JD VANCE IS ON THE TICKET? >> I THINK HE DOES A GOOD JOB ARTICULATING WHAT THE PRESIDENT WILL BE SAYING DURING THIS CAMPAIGN. I JUST THINK THEY WOULD LIKE HIM. AND AGAIN IT'S JUST AN INTRODUCTION. THEY WILL SEE HIM OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS, AND THEY WILL SEE WHAT WE NOTE IN OHIO. >> GOVERNOR DeWINE OF THE GREAT STATE OF OHIO. THANK YOU. BACK TO YOU. >> WE SAW A SPLIT SCREEN IMAGE THAT SHOWED PRESIDENT BIDEN ARRIVING AT THE JOINT BASE MAKING HIS WAY FROM NEVADA WHERE HE WAS EARLIER TODAY WITH A CASE OF COVID AND HE WALKED GINGERLY DOWN, HE SEEMED TO SEND A SIGNAL OF HE WAS OKAY. >> INTRODUCING THE VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE HERE AT THE RNC. ♪ THE RNC. ♪♪ ♪ ♪ ♪♪ >> WE ARE HAVING A LITTLE BIT OF AUDIO PROBLEMS INTRODUCING THE BIOGRAPHY OF JD VANCE. WE ARE ABOUT TO HEAR MORE. >> PLEASE WELCOME USHA VANCE . >> GOOD EVENING. GOOD EVENING. WHEN I WAS ASKED TO INTRODUCE MY HUSBAND, JD VANCE, TO ALL OF YOU, I WAS AT A LOSS. WHAT COULD I SAY THAT HASN'T ALREADY BEEN SAID BEFORE? AFTER ALL, THE MAN WAS ALREADY SUBJECT OF A RON HOWARD MOVIE.V JD HAS SHARED MUCH OF HIS LIFE THROUGH HIS WORK. IN HILLBILLY ELEGY IT OCCURRED TO ME THERE WAS ONLY ONE THING TO DO, EXPLAIN FROM THE HEART WHY I LOVE AND ADMIRE JD AND STAND HERE BESIDE HIM TODAY, AND WHY HE WILL MAKE A GREAT VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. I MET JD IN LAW SCHOOL WHEN HE WAS FRESH OUT OF OHIO STATE WHICH HE ATTENDED WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE G.I. BILL. WE WERE FRIENDS FIRST. I MEAN WHO WOULDN'T WANT TO BE FRIENDS WITH JD? HE WAS THEN AS HE IS NOW THE MOST INTERESTING PERSON I KNEW, A WORKING-CLASS GUY WHO HAD OVERCOME CHILDHOOD TRAUMAS I COULD BARELY FATHOM TO END ABOUT LAW SCHOOL PUTATIVE MARINE WHO HAD SERVED IN IRAQ BUT WHOSE IDEA OF A GOOD TIME WAS PLAYING WITH PUPPIES AND WATCHING THE MOVIE, "BABE." THE MOST DETERMINED AMBITION, TO BECOME A HUSBAND, AND A FATHER, AND TO BUILD THE TIGHTKNIT FAMILY HE LONGED FOR AS A CHILD. MY BACKGROUND IS DIFFERENT FROM JD'S I GREW UP IN SAN FRANCISCO IN THE MIDDLE CLASS COMMUNITY-- WITH TWO LOVING PARENTS, BOTH IMMIGRANTS FROM INDIA, AND A WONDERFUL SISTER. THAT JD AND I COULD MEET AT ALL, LET ALONE FALL IN LOVE AND GET MARRIED, IS A GREAT TESTAMENT TO THIS COUNTRY. IT IS ALSO A TESTAMENT TO JD, AND IT TELLS YOU SOMETHING ABOUT WHO HE IS . WHEN JD MET ME HE APPROACHED OUR DIFFERENCES WITH CURIOSITY AND ENTHUSIASM . HE WANTED TO KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT ME, WHERE I CAME FROM, WHAT MY LIFE HAD BEEN LIKE. ALTHOUGH HE IS A MEAT AND POTATOES KIND OF GUY HE'S OKAY WITH MY VEGETARIAN DIET AND EVEN LEARNED TO COOK FOR MY MOTHER. FOR A NEW HE HAD BECOME AN INTEGRAL PART OF MY FAMILY, I COULD NOT IMAGINE LIVING WITHOUT HIM. THE JD I KNEW THEN IS THE SAME 15 YOU SEE TODAY, EXCEPT FOR THAT BEARD. AND THE GOALS TO KEEP PEOPLE SAFE, CREATE OPPORTUNITIES, TO BUILD A BETTER LIFE AND TO SOLVE ALBUMS WITH AN OPEN MIND. IT'S SAFE TO SAY THAT NEITHER JD NOR I EXPECTED TO FIND OURSELVES DREAM. IN THIS POSITION, BUT IT'S HARDER TO FIND A MORE POWERFUL EXAMPLE OF THE AMERICAN DREAM, A BOY FROM MIDDLETOWN, OHIO-- [ LAUGHTER ] >> [ CROWD CHANTING ] JD! JD! JD! >> J.D., J.D., J.D. >> -- RAISED BY HIS GRANDMOTHER IN TOUGH TIMES AND CHOSEN TO RAISED BY HIS GRANDMOTHER THROUGH TOUGH TIMES, CHOSEN TO HELP LEAD OUR COUNTRY THROUGH SOME OF ITS GREATEST CHALLENGES, I'M GRATEFUL TO ALL OF YOU FOR THE TRUST YOU HAVE PLACED IN HIM AND IN OUR FAMILY. AND WITH THAT IT'S MY GREAT WHICH TO INTRODUCE MY HUSBAND AND THE NEXT VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, JD VANCE. ♪ J.D. VANCE. ♪♪ >> HELLO, OHIO. >> HELLO, OHIO. ♪ >> THANK YOU. ♪ WHY DON'T WE LIBERATE THESE UNITED STATES ♪♪ >> HELLO. ♪ THERE'S THINGS TO BE DONE ALL OVER THE WORLD ♪ >> THANK YOU, THANK YOU. PLEASE-- WOW! WOW! >> [ CROWD CHANTING ] JD! JD! JD! WOW! >> FIRST OF ALL, I'M A LUCKY GUY. ISN'T SHE AMAZING? GREETINGS, MILWAUKEE. MY FELLOW AMERICANS, AND MY FELLOW REPUBLICANS, MY NAME IS JD VANCE MY FROM THE GREAT STATE OF OHIO. TONIGHT, I-- YOU GUYS, WE'VE GOT TO WIN MICHIGAN HERE, TOO. >> MY FRIENDS, TONIGHT IS A CELEBRATION OF WHAT AMERICA ONCE WAS, AND WITH GOD'S GRACE, WHAT IT SOON WILL BE ONCE AGAINE AND IT IS A REMINDER OF THE SACRED DUTY WE HAVE TO PRESERVE THE AMERICAN EXPERIMENT, TO CHOOSE A NEW PATH FOR OUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN. BUT, AS WE MEE COULD HAVE BEEN SO MUCH DIFFERENT, AND INSTEAD OF A DAYE CANNOT FORGET THAT THIS EVENING COULD HAVE BEEN SO MUCH DIFFERENT. INSTEAD OF A DAY OF CELEBRATION, THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A DAY OF HEARTACHE AND MOURNING. FOR THE LAST EIGHT YEARS PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS GIVEN EVERYTHING HE HAS TO FIGHT FOR THE PEOPLE OF OUR COUNTRY. HE DIDN'T NEED POLITICS, BUT THE COUNTRY NEEDED HIM COUNTRY NEEDED HIM. AND PRIOR TO RUNNING FOR . PRIOR RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT HE WAS ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL BUSINESSMAN IN THE WORLD. HE HAD EVERYTHING ANYONE COULD WANT IN LIFE, AND INSTEAD OF CHOOSING THE EASY PATH, HE CHOSE TO UNDER ABUSE, SLANDER, AND PERSECUTION, AND HE DID IT, BECAUSE HE LOVES THIS COUNTRY. THIS COUNTRY. I WANT ALL AMERICANS TO GO AND I WANT ALL AMERICANS TO GO AND WATCH THE VIDEO OF A WOULD BE ASSESSING WOULD BE ASSASSIN COMING WITHIN INCHES. LOOK AT FIST PHOTO O IN M THE AIR WHEN DONALD TRUMP ROSE TO HIS FEET IN A PENNSYLVANIA FIELD ALL OF AMERICA STOOD WITH HIM. HIM. AND WHAT DID HE CALL US TO DO FOR OUR COUNTRY? AND WHAT DID HE CALL FOR US TO DO FOR OUR COUNTRY? TO FIGHT HIM ON TO FIGHT FOR AMERICA. EVEN IN HIS MOST PERILOUS MOMENTS, WE WERE ON HIS MIND. HIS INSTINCTS WERE FOR OUR COUNTRY, TO CALL US TO SOMETHING GREATER, TO ONCE AGAIN BE CITIZENS WHO ASK WHAT OUR COUNTRY NEEDS OF US. CONSIDER WHAT THEY SAID. THEY SAID HE WAS A TYRANT. THEY SAID HE MUST BE STOPPED AT ALL COSTS. BUT HOW DID HE RESPOND? HE CALLED FOR NATIONAL UNITY, FOR NATIONAL COM LITERALLY RIGHT AFTER AN ASSASSIN NEARLY TOOK HIS LIFE. WE REMEMBER THE VICTIMS OF THE ATTACK, ESPECIALLY THE BRAVE CORY COMPERTORE, WHO GAVE HIS LIFE TO PROTECT HIS FAMILY. AND GOD BLESS HIM. AND THEN PRESIDENT TRUMP FLEW TO MILWAUKEE AND GOT BACK TO WORK. THAT'S THE MAN I'VE GOTTEN TO KNOW PERSONALLY OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS. HE IS TOUGH, AND HE IS, BUT HE CARES ABOUT PEOPLE. HE CAN STAND DEFIANT ONE MOMENT AND CALLED FOR NATIONAL HEALING THE NEXT. HE IS A BELOVED FATHER AND GRANDFATHER, AND OF COURSE A ONCE IN A GENERATION BUSINESS LEADER. HE IS A MAN WHO IS FEARED BY AMERICA'S ADVERSARIES BUT TWO NIGHTS AGO SAID GOOD NIGHT TO TWO BOYS, TOLD THEM HE LOVED THEM AND MADE SURE TO GIVE ACH OF THEM A KISS ON THE CHEEK. BUT THEY SQUIRM WHEN I TRY TO GIVE THAT KISS ON THE CHEEK. SORRY GUYS. DONALD TRUMP WILL ONCE AGAIN BE OUR PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. OF AMERICA. NOW, I WANT TO RESPOND TO HIS CALL FOR UNITY, MYSELF. NOW I WANT TO RESPOND TO HIS CALL FOR UNITY, MYSELF. WE HAVE A BIG TENT IN THIS PARTY, FROM NATIONAL SECURITY, TO ECONOMIC POLICY. BUT, MY MESSAGE TO YOU, MY FELLOW REPUBLICANS IS, WE LOVE THIS COUNTRY, AND WE ARE UNITED TO WIN. TO WIN. NOW, I THINK THAT THE NOW I THINK OUR DISAGREEMENTS ACTUALLY MAKE US STRONGER. THAT'S WHAT I'VE LEARNED IN MY TIME IN THE UNITED STATES SENATE WERE SOMETIMES I PERSUADE MY COLLEAGUES, SOMETIMES THEY PERSUADE ME. AND MY MESSAGE TO MY FELLOW AMERICANS, THOSE WATCHING FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY IS, SHOULDN'T WE BE GOVERNED BY A PARTY THAT IS UNAFRAID TO DEBATE IDEAS AND COME TO THE BEST SOLUTION? THAT'S THE REPUBLICAN PARTY OF THE NEXT FOUR YEARS, UNITED IN OUR LOVE FOR THIS COUNTRY AND COMMITTED TO FREE SPEECH AND THE OPEN EXCHANGE OF IDEAS. IDEAS. AND SO TONIGHT, MR. CHAIRMAN, I STAND HERE HUMBLED, AND I'M OVERWHELMED WITH GRATITUDE TO AND SO TONIGHT, MR. CHAIRMAN, I STAND HERE HUMBLED, AND I'M OVERWHELMED WITH GRATITUDE TO SAY I OFFICIALLY ACCEPT YOUR NOMINATION TO BE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. OF AMERICA. NEVER IN MY WILDEST IMAGINATION COULD HI I HAVE BELIEVED I WOULD BE STANDING HERE TONIGHT. I GREW UP IN MIDDLETOWN, OHIO.L A SMALL TOWN WHERE PEOPLE SPOKE THEIR MINDS, BUILT WITH THEIR HANDS, AND LEFT THEIR GOD, FAMILY, COMMUNITY, AND COUNTRY, WITH THEIR WHOLE HEARTS. HEART, BUT IT WAS CAST ASIDE BY THE RULING CLASS BUT, IT WAS A PLACE THAT HAD BEEN CAST ASIDE AND FORGOTTEN BY AMERICA'S RULING CLASS, IN WASHINGTON. WHEN I WAS IN THE FOURTH GRADE A CAREER POLITICIAN BY THE NAME OF JOE BIDEN SUPPORTED A BAD TRADE DEAL THAT SENT COUNTLESS GOOD JOBS TO MEXICO. SOPHOMORE WHERE I WAS A SOPHOMORE IN HIGH SCHOOL THAT SAME CAREER POLITICIAN NAMED JOE BIDEN GAVE CHINA A SWEETHEART TRADE DEAL THAT DESTROYED EVEN MORE GOOD, AMERICAN MIDDLE-CLASS MANUFACTURING JOBS. WHEN I WAS A SENIOR IN HIGH SCHOOL THAT SAME JOE BIDEN SUPPORTED THE DISASTROUS INVASION OF IRAQ, AND AT EACH STEP OF THE WAY, SMALL TOWNS LIKE MINE IN OHIO, WERE AND STATES ALL ACROSS OUR COUNTRY, JOBS WERE SENT OVERSEAS, AND OUR CHILDREN WERE SENT TO WAR-- >> [ CROWD CHANTING ] CHILDREN WERE SENT TO WAR. [ CHANTING I AGREE. AND SOMEHOW A REAL ESTATE DEVELOPER FROM NEW YORK CITY BY THE NAME OF DONALD J. TRUMP WAS RIGHT ON ALL THESE ISSUES WHILE BIDEN WAS WRONG. PRESIDENT TRUMP KNEW EVEN THEN THAT WE NEEDED LEADERS WHO WOULD PUT AMERICA FIRST. NOW THANKS TO THESE POLICIES THAT WIDEN AND OTHER OUT OF TOUCH POLITICIANS IN WASHINGTON GAVE US AN HOUR COUNTRY N LAWAS AND IN T FLOODED WITH CHEAP CHINESE GOODS, WITH CHEAP FOREIGN LABOR, AND IN DECADES TO COME, DEADLY CHINESE FENTANYL. JOE BIDEN SCREWED UP, AND MY COMMUNITY PAID THE PRICE. I WAS LUCKY. THIS TYPE FACTORIEKE MINE, IN M HAD A GUARDIAN ANGEL IN MY SIDEN IN MY LIFE I HAD A GUARDIAN ANGEL BY MY SIDE. SHE WAS AN OLD WOMAN WHO COULD BARELY WALK, BUT SHE WAS TOUGH AS NAILS. I CALLED HILLBILLIES GAVE OUR HER MAMA, GRANDMOTHERS. OU MAMAW RAISE RD ME AS MY MOTHER ST HILLBILLY NAME FOR MOTHER. SHE WAS A WOMAN OF THE LORD, SHE HAD VERY DEEP CHRISTIAN FAITH. BUT SHE ALSO LOVED THE F-WORD. F COULD I NOT KIDDING. SHE COULD MAKE A SAILOR BLUSH. SHE ONCE TOLD ME WHEN SHE FOUND OUT I WAS SPENDING TOO MUCH TIME WITH THE LOCAL KID WHO WAS KNOWN FOR DEALING DRUGS, IF I EVER HUNG OUT WITH HIM AGAIN SHE WOULD RUN HIM OVER WITH HER CAR. IT'S TRUE. SHE SAID JD, NO ONE WILL EVER FIND OUT ABOUT IT . >> [ CROWD CHANTING ] EVER FIND OUT ABOUT IT." I DID WHAT THOUSANDS OF OTHER YOUNG MEN MY AGE DID THAT TIME OF SOARING PATRIOTISM I ENLISTED IN THE UNITED STATES MARINES.ED STATES MY FELLOW MARINES. I LOVE THE MARINES, I THEN WENT TO THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY. >> I HAD TO GET THAT IN THERE, I'M SORRY MICHIGAN. COME ON, COME ON, WE'VE HAD ENOUGH POLITICAL VIOLENCE, LET'S, AFTER OHIO STATE I WENT TO YALE LAW SCHOOL WHERE I MET MY DUTIFUL WIFE. AND I WORK AND TAUGHT ME SO MUCH THERE SO SO MUCH TALENT AND GRIT BUT TO THESE PLACES TO THRIVE MY FRIENDS, WE NEED A LEADER WHO FIGHTS FOR THE PEOPLE WHO BUILT THIS COUNTRY. PEOPLE WHO BUILT T >> WE NEED A LEADER WHO IS NOT IN THE POCKET OF BIG BUSINESS BUT ANSWERS TO THE WORKING MAN, UNION AND NONUNION ALIKE. A LEADER WHO WON'T SELLOUT THE MONOZYGOTIC NATIONAL OPERATIONS BUT WILL STAND UP FOR AMERICAN COMPANIES AND AMERICAN INDUSTRIES. AMERICAN A LEADER WHO REJECTS JOE BIDEN AND HARRIS AND THE GREEN NEW SCAM AND FIGHTS TO BRING THE BACK ARE AMERICAN FACTORIES WE NEED PRESIDENT DONALD J TRUMP. SOME PEOPLE TELL ME I HAVE LIVED THE AMERICAN DREAM AND OF COURSE THEY ARE RIGHT AND I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR IT. BUT THE AMERICAN DREAM THAT ALWAYS COUNTED ON MOST WAS NOT STARTING A BUSINESS OR BECOMING A SENATOR OR EVEN BEING HERE WITH YOU FINE PEOPLE, THOUGH IT IS PRETTY AWESOME. MY MOST AMERICAN DREAM IS BECOMING A GOOD HUSBAND AND A GOOD DAD AND BEING ABLE TO GIVE MY KIDS THE SAME THINGS I DIDN'T HAVE WHEN I WAS GROWING UP AND THAT IS THE ACCOMPLISHMENT THAT I AM PROUDEST OF. BUT TONIGHT, I AM JOINED BY MY BEAUTIFUL WIFE AND INCREDIBLE LAWYER AND A BETTER MOM. AND OUR THREE BEAUTIFUL KIDS KIDS EWAN, WHO IS 7, AND, IVEK NOW THEY ARE BACK AT THE HOTEL AND KIDS IF YOU ARE WATCHING DADDY LOVES YOU VERY MUCH BUT GET YOUR BUTTS IN BED. IT'S 10 PM. BUT, MY FRIENDS, THINGS DID NOT WORK OUT WELL FOR A LOT OF KIDS I GREW UP WITH, EVERY NOW AND THEN I WILL GET A CALL FROM A RELATIVE BACK HOME WHO ASKED DID YOU KNOW SO-AND-SO? AND I WILL REMEMBER A FACE FROM YEARS AGO THEN I WILL HEAR THEY DIED OF AN OVERDOSE. AS ALWAYS, AMERICA'S RULING CLASS WROTE THE CHECKS. COMMUNITIES LIKE MINE PAY THE PRICE. FOR DECADES, THAT DIVIDE BETWEEN THE FEW PUT THEIR POWER AND COMFORT IN WASHINGTON AND THE REST OF US ONLY WIDEN. FROM IRAQ TO AFGHANISTAN, FROM THE FINANCIAL CRISIS TO THE RECESSION, FROM PEOPLE WHO GOVERN THIS COUNTRY HAVE FAILED AND FAILED AGAIN THE COUNTRY HAVE FAIL AND FAILE THAT IT WAS UNTIL OF COURSE A MAN NAMED DONALD J TRUMP CAME ALONG. PRESIDENT TRUMP REPRESENTS AMERICA'S LAST BEST HOPE TO RESTORE WHAT IS LOST MAY NEVER BE FOUND AGAIN. THROUGH THE HALLS OF POWER CAN STAND ON THIS STAGE AS THE NEXT VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. TO BECOME THE NEXT VICE >> BUT MY FELLOW AMERICANS HERE IN THIS STAGE AND WATCHING AT HOME, THIS MOMENT IS NOT ABOUT ME, IT'S ABOUT ALL OF US. IT'S ABOUT WHO WE ARE FIGHTING FOR. IT'S ABOUT THE AUTOWORKER IN MICHIGAN WONDERING WHY OUT OF TOUCH POLITICIANS ARE DESTROYING THEIR JOB. IT'S ABOUT THE FACTORY WORKER IN WISCONSIN WHO MAKES THINGS WITH THEIR HANDS AND IS PROUD OF AMERICAN CRAFTSMANSHIP.SHIP. IT'S ABOUT THE ENERGY WORKER IN PENNSYLVANIA AND OHIO WHO DOESN'T UNDERSTAND WHY JOE BIDEN IS WILLING TO BUY ENERGY FROM 10 TOP DICTATORS ACROSS THE WORLD WHEN HE COULD BUY FROM HIS OWN CITIZEN RIGHT HERE IN HIS OWN COUNTRY CITIZENS RIGHT HERE IN OUR OWN >> YOU GUYS ARE A GREAT CROWD, WOW. AND. WOW. >> YES, WE ARE. YES, WE ARE. YES, WE ARE. >> AND IT'S ABOUT OUR MOVEMENT AND SINGLE MOMS LIKE MINE WHO STRUGGLED WITH THE MONEY AND ADDICTION BUT NEVER GAVE UP. AND I'M PROUD TO SAY THAT TONIGHT MY MOM IS HERE. 10 YEARS CLEAN AND SOBER. I LOVE YOU MOM. CLEANUP. I LOVE YOU, MOM. [ APPLAUSE ] >> J.D.'S MOM, J.D.'S MOM, . >> AND YOU KNOW MOM, I WAS THINKING IT WILL BE 10 YEARS OFFICIALLY IN JANUARY 2025 AND IF PRESIDENT TRUMP IS OKAY WITH IT, LET'S HAVE THE CELEBRATION IN THE WHITE HOUSE. >> AND EYE-MOVEMENT LADIES AND ABDOMEN IT'S ABOUT GRANDPARENTS ALL ACROSS THIS COUNTRY WHO ARE LIVING ON SOCIAL SECURITY. AND RAISING THE GRANDCHILDREN THEY DIDN'T EXPECT A RAISE. AND WHILE WE ARE ON THE TOPIC OF GRANDPARENTS LET ME TELL YOU ANOTHER GRANDMA STORY, SHE DIED SHORTLY BEFORE I LEFT IN IRAQ IN 2005 AND WE FOUND 19 LOADED HANDGUNS AND THEY WERE. >> THEY WERE STASHED ALL OVER HER HOUSE, IN HER CLOSET IN THE SILVERWARE DRAWER. AND WE WONDERED WHAT WAS GOING ON. AND IT OCCURRED TO US THAT TOWARDS THE END OF HER LIFE SHE COULD NOT GET AROUND SO WELL SO THIS WOMAN MAJOR THAT NO MATTER WHERE SHE WAS, SHE WAS WITH AN ARM'S-LENGTH OF WHATEVER SHE NEEDED TO PROTECT HER FAMILY, THAT'S WHO WE FIGHT FOR, THAT'S AMERICAN SPIRIT. >> USA. USA. USA. >> JOE BIDEN HAS BEEN A POLITICIAN IN WASHINGTON FOR LONGER THAN I'VE BEEN ALIVE. 39 YEARS OLD. KAMALA HARRIS IS NOT MUCH FURTHER BEHIND. FOR HALF A CENTURY HE HAS BEEN THE CHAMPION OF EVERY MAJOR POLICY INITIATIVE TO MAKE AMERICA WEAKER AND WORSE AND IN FOUR SHORT YEARS, DONALD TRUMP REVERSED DECADES OF BETRAYAL INFLICTED BY JOE BIDEN AND THE REST OF THE CORRUPT WASHINGTON INSIDERS. HE CREATED THE GREATEST ECONOMY IN THE HISTORY FOR WORKERS. REALLY WAS AMAZING, THERE IS THIS CHART THAT SHOWS WORKER WAGES AND IT STAGNATED FOR PRETTY MUCH MY ENTIRE LIFE. UNTIL PRESIDENT DONALD J TRUMP CAME ALONG. WORKERS WAGES WENT THROUGH THE ROOF. AND JUST IMAGINE WHAT HE WILL DO WHEN WE GIVE HIM FOUR MORE YEARS. >> MONTHS AGO I HEARD SOME YOUNG FAMILY MEMBER OBSERVE THAT THE PARENTS GENERATION THE BABY BOOMERS COULD AFFORD TO BUY A HOME WHEN THEY FIRST ENTERED THE WORKFORCE. I DON'T KNOW THIS PERSON OBSERVED IF I WILL EVER BE ABLE TO AFFORD A HOME. THE ABSURD COST OF HOUSING IS THE RESULT OF SO MANY FAILURES AND IT REVEALS SO MUCH ABOUT WHAT'S BROKEN IN WASHINGTON. AND I CAN TELL YOU EXACTLY HOW IT HAPPENED. CRASH THE ECONOMY AND AMERICAN BUILDERS WENT OUT OF BUSINESS. AS TRADESMEN SCRAMBLED FOR JOBS, HOUSES STOPPED BEING BUILT, THE LACK OF GOOD JOBS OF COURSE LED TO STAGNANT WAGES. AND THEN THE DEMOCRATS FLOODED THIS COUNTRY WITH MILLIONS OF ILLEGAL ALIENS. SO CITIZENS HAD TO COMPETE WITH PEOPLE WHO SHOULDN'T EVEN BE HERE FOR PRECIOUS HOUSING. JOE BIDEN AND FALLACIOUS CRISIS MY FRIENDS IS REALLY AN AFFORDABILITY CRISIS. AND MANY OF THE PEOPLE THAT I GREW UP WITH CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY MORE FOR GROCERIES MORE FOR GAS, MORE FOR RENT AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT JOE BIDEN'S ECONOMY HAS GIVEN US. >> SO DESPITE THIS STORM, DREAMS WERE SHATTERED. AND ADDING ADDICTION TO THE HEART ACHES, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THAT IS NOT THE END OF OUR STORY. WE'VE HEARD ABOUT VILLAINS AND THEIR VICTIMS I'VE TALKED A LOT ABOUT THAT BUT LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT THE FUTURE. PRESIDENT TRUMPS A VISION IS SO SIMPLE AND YET SO POWERFUL. WE ARE DONE LADIES AND GENTLEMEN CATERING TO WALL STREET, WE WILL COMMIT TO THE WORKINGMAN. >> WE ARE DONE IMPORTING FOREIGN LABOR AND WE WILL FIGHT FOR AMERICAN CITIZENS AND THEIR GOOD JOBS AND THEIR GOOD WAGES. WE ARE DONE BUYING ENERGY FROM COUNTRIES THAT HATE US, WE WILL GET IT RIGHT HERE FROM AMERICAN WORKERS IN PENNSYLVANIA, OHIO AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY. WE ARE DONE SACRIFICING SUPPLY CHAINS TO UNLIMITED GLOBAL TRADE AND WE WILL STAMP MORE AND MORE PRODUCTS WITH THAT BEAUTIFUL LABEL OF MADE IN THE USA. >> USA. USA. USA. >> WE WILL BUILD FACTORIES AGAIN, PUT PEOPLE TO WORK MAKING REAL PRODUCTS FOR AMERICAN FAMILIES MADE WITH THE HANDS OF AMERICAN WORKERS. TOGETHER PEOPLE TO WORK FOR PRODUCTS , BUWET BY AMERI WILL RKERS.PROTE WAGES OF AMERICAN WORKERS AND TO STOP THE CHINESE COMMUNIST PARTY FROM BUILDING THEIR MIDDLE-CLASS ON THE BACKS OF AMERICAN CITIZENS. >> TOGETHER WE WILL MAKE SURE OUR ALLIES SHARE IN THE BURDEN OF SECURING WORLD PEACE NO MORE FREE RIDES FOR NATIONS THAT BETRAY THE GENEROSITY OF THE AMERICAN TAXPAYER. TOGETHER WE WILL SEND OUR KIDS TO WAR ONLY WHEN WE MUST. AS PRESIDENT TRUMP SHOWED WITH THE ELIMINATION OF ISIS AND SO MUCH MORE, WHEN WE PUNCH, WE WILL PUNCH CARD. [ APPLAUSE ] >> TOGETHER WE WILL PUT THE CITIZENS OF AMERICA FIRST, WHATEVER THE COLOR OF THEIR SKIN, WE WILL MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN. >> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT YOU HEAR PEOPLE SAY SOMETIMES IS THAT AMERICA IS AN IDEA. AND TO BE CLEAR, AMERICA WAS THE RULE OF LAW AND RELIGIOUS FOUNDED ON BRILLIANT IDEAS LIKE THE RULE OF LAW AND RELIGIOUS LIBERTY, THINGS WRITTEN INTO THE FABRIC OF OUR CONSTITUTION IN OUR NATION, BUT AMERICA IS NOT JUST AN IDEA. IT IS A GROUP OF PEOPLE WITH A SHARED HISTORY AND A COMMON FUTURE, IT IS IN SHORT, A NATION , NOW AS PART OF THAT TRADITION OF COURSE WE WELCOME NEWCOMERS BUT WHEN WE ALLOW NEWCOMERS INTO OUR AMERICAN FAMILY, WE ALLOW THEM ON OUR TERMS. THAT'S THE WAY WE PRESERVE THE CONTINUITY OF THIS PROJECT FROM 250 YEARS PAST HOPEFULLY 250 YEARS IN THE FUTURE. >> LET ME ILLUSTRATE THIS WITH A STORY, I AM MARRIED TO A WOMAN WHO IS THE DAUGHTER OF IMMIGRANTS. I LOVE MY WIFE AND HER FAMILY. BUT IT'S TRUE. WHEN I PROPOSED TO MY WIFE, WE WERE IN LAW SCHOOL AND I SAID HONEY, I COME WITH $120,000 WORTH OF LAW SCHOOL DEBT, AND A CEMETERY PLOT ON A MOUNTAINSIDE IN EASTERN KENTUCKY. SCHOOL DEBT AND A CEMETERY PLOT [ APPLAUSE ] AND I GET STANDING HERE TONIGHT, IT JUST GOT WEIRDER AND WEIRDER HONEY, BUT THAT'S WHAT SHE WAS GETTING. AND THAT CEMETERY PLOT IN EASTERN KENTUCKY IS NEAR MY FAMILY'S ANCESTRAL HOME AND LIKE A LOT OF PEOPLE WE CAME FROM THE MOUNTAINS OF APPALACHIA INTO THE FACTORIES OF OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, MICHIGAN AND WISCONSIN. NOW THAT KENTUCKY, ONE OF THE 10 , NOW IT'S ONE OF THE 10 POOREST COUNTIES IN THE ENTIRE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. THERE ARE VERY HARD-WORKING PEOPLE HA ANDORKING PEO THEY ND THEARE PEOPLE, THEY ARE THE KIND OF PEOPLE THAT WOULD GIVE YOU THE SHIRT OFF THEIR BACK EVEN IF THEY CAN'T AFFORD ENOUGH TO EAT. AND OUR MEDIA CALLS THEM PRIVILEGED AND LOOKS DOWN ON THEM BUT THEY LOVE THIS COUNTRY. NOT ONLY BECAUSE IT'S A GOOD IDEA. BUT BECAUSE IN THEIR BONES, THEY KNOW THAT THIS IS THEIR HOME. AND IT WILL BE THEIR CHILDREN'S HOME AND THEY WOULD DIE FIGHTING TO PROTECT IT. >>THE SOURCE OF AMERICA'S GREATNESS. AS THE UNITED STATES SENATOR, I GET TO REPRESENT MILLIONS OF TF AMERICA'S GREATNESS. AS THE UNITED STATES SENATOR I GET TO REPRESENT MILLIONS OF PEOPLE IN THE GREAT STATE OF OHIO WITH SIMILAR STORIES AND IS THE GREAT HONOR OF MY LIFE. NOW IN THAT CEMETERY THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE BORN AROUND THE TIME OF THE CIVIL WAR. AND IF AS I HOPE, MY WIFE AND I ARE EVENTUALLY LAID TO REST THERE, AND OUR KIDS FOLLOW US, THERE WILL BE SEVEN GENERATIONS JUST IN THAT SMALL MOUNTAIN CEMETERY PLOT IN EASTERN KENTUCKY. SEVEN GENERATIONS OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE FOUGHT FOR THIS COUNTRY WHO HAVE BUILD THIS COUNTRY. AND WHO HAVE MADE THINGS IN THIS COUNTRY AND FOUGHT AND DIED AND WOULD IF THEY WERE ASKED TO FOR THIS COUNTRYRE ASKED TO. . THAT IS NOT JUST AN IDEA, MY FRIENDS, THAT'S NOT JUST A PRINCIPAL EVEN THOUGH THE IDEAS AND THE PRINCIPAL ARE GREAT, THAT IS A HOMELAND, OUR HOMELAND. PEOPLE WILL NOT FIGHT FOR ABSTRACTIONS BUT THEY WILL FIGHT FOR THEIR HOME. AND IF THIS MOVEMENT OF OURS IS GOING TO SUCCEED, AND IF THIS COUNTRY IS GOING TO THRIVE, OUR LEADERS HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT AMERICA IS A NATION THAT ITS CITIZENS DESERVE LEADERS TO PUT ITS INTERESTS FIRST. ITS INTERESTS FIRST. >> WE WON'T AGREE ON EVERY ISSUE OF COURSE, NOT EVEN IN THIS ROOM, WE MAY DISAGREE FROM TIME AND TIME ABOUT HOW BEST TO REINVIGORATE AMERICAN INDUSTRY AND RENEW AMERICAN FAMILY, THAT IS FINE, IT'S MORE THAN FINE, IT'S GOOD, BUT NEVER FORGET THAT THE REASON WHY THIS UNITED REPUBLICAN PARTY EXISTS, WHY WE DO THIS, WHY WE CARE ABOUT THOSE GREAT IDEAS AND THAT GREAT HISTORY IS THAT WE WANT THIS NATION TO THRIVE FOR CENTURIES TO COME. [ APPLAUSE ] WILL EVENTUALLY THAT MOUNTAIN CEMETERY, MY CHILDREN THEY DO, I WOULD LIKE THEM TO AND WHEN THEY DO, I WOULD LIKE THEM TO KNOW THAT THANKS TO THE WORK OF THIS REPUBLICAN PARTY, THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IS AS A STRONG AND PROUD AND AS GREAT AS EVER. [ APPLAUSE ] >> THAT IS WHO WE SERVE MY FRIENDS, THAT IS WHO WE FIGHT FOR. AND THE ONLY THING THAT WE NEED TO DO RIGHT NOW, THE MOST IMPORTANT THING THAT WE CAN DO FOR THOSE PEOPLE, THAT AMERICAN NATION THAT WE ALL LOVE IS TO REELECT DONALD J. TRUMP PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. [ APPLAUSE ] >> MR. PRESIDENT, I WILL NEVER TAKE FOR GRANTED THE TRUST YOU HAVE PUT IN ME. AND WHAT AN HONOR IT IS TO HELP ACHIEVE THE EXTRAORDINARY VISION THAT YOU HAVE FOR THIS COUNTRY. I PLEDGE TO EVERY AMERICAN, NO MATTER YOUR PARTY, I WILL GIVE YOU EVERYTHING I HAVE. TO SERVE YOU AND TO MAKE THIS COUNTRY A PLACE WHERE EVERY DREAM YOU HAVE FOR YOURSELF, YOUR FAMILY, AND YOUR COUNTRY WILL BE POSSIBLE ONCE AGAIN. [ APPLAUSE ] >> AND I PROMISE YOU ONE MORE THING TO THE PEOPLE OF MIDDLETOWN, OHIO AND ALL THE FORGOTTEN COMMUNITIES, IN MICHIGAN, WISCONSIN, PENNSYLVANIA AND OHIO AND EVERY CORNER OF OUR NATION, I PROMISE YOU THIS, I WILL BE A VICE PRESIDENT WHO NEVER FORGETS WHERE HE CAME FROM. [ APPLAUSE ] >> AND EVERY SINGLE DAY FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS WHEN I WALK INTO THE WHITE HOUSE TO HELP PRESIDENT TRUMP I WILL BE DOING IT FOR YOU. FOR YOUR FAMILY, FOR YOUR FUTURE AND FOR THIS GREAT COUNTRY, THANK YOU, GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU AND GOD BLESS OUR GREAT COUNTRY. [ APPLAUSE ] GREAT COUNTRY. THANK YOU, AND GOD BLESS THIS >> SENATOR JD VANCE ON THE PLATFORM BEING GREETED MEMBERS BY FOR FAMILY AFTER GETTING TO KNOW NOT ONLY THIS CROWD, BUT INTRODUCING HIMSELF TO THE REST OF AMERICA WHO MAY BE WATCHING TONIGHT. TALKING A LOT ABOUT HIS PERSONAL ROOTS AND HIS PERSONAL STORY. MENTIONING IN PASSING THAT THEY MAY NOT ALL AGREE IN THIS ROOM OR IN THE PARTY BUT THEY SHARE A COMMON GOAL. >> AND A MOVING MOMENT WHEN HE INTRODUCED HIS MOTHER BEVERLY VANCE AND ANNOUNCED SHE WAS 10 YEARS SOBER, HIS MEMOIR TAKING ACCOUNT OF GROWING UP WITH A SINGLE MOTHER WHO STRUGGLED WITH ADDICTION ULTIMATELY BASED BY THE MOM AND DAD THAT HE SPOKE OF TONIGHT WITH A LOT OF WARMTH AND HUMOR SO THIS IS THE NATION'S INTRODUCTION TO SENATOR JD VANCE AND HIS WIFE RIGHT THERE AND THEY MET IN LAW SCHOOL. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS? >> YOU SAW JD VANCE THERE PROSECUTE THE CASE AGAINST PRESIDENT BIDEN AND TO A DEGREE, KAMALA HARRIS HERE IN A SPEECH THAT HAD MORE I THINK TO GET STORYLINES MORE TAGLINES THAN WE THOUGHT AND HE TOUCHED ON HIS BIOGRAPHY AND WHO HE IS. YOU SEE HIM HERE LIVE AND ON STAGE WITH HIS MOM AND THERE WAS THAT MOVING MOMENT, HE DID NOT SHY AWAY FROM RHETORIC ON IMMIGRATION HOWEVER AND MADE SOME NODS TO PARTY UNITY BUT OVERALL HIS MESSAGE WAS VERY CLEAR BASED ON THE SPEECH THAT HE NAME DROPPED REPEATEDLY HOW MANY TIMES DID YOU HEAR MICHIGAN NAMED IN THAT SPEECH AND PENNSYLVANIA AND WISCONSIN AND THAT KIND OF THING AND THAT'S A BIG REASON WHY JD VANCE IS ON THIS TICKET TO HELP BOOST TURNOUT IN THE STATES THERE AND HE KNOWS THAT AND UNDERSTANDS THAT AND IS FOCUSED ON THAT TRYING TO RELATE TO HIS OWN BIOGRAPHY TO THOSE WORKING CLASS VOTERS THAT THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN WANTS TO REACH. >> WHAT DOES HE BRING TO THE TABLE? >> WELL, HE TALKED ABOUT THE COMMUNITIES I THINK THE CAMPAIGN IS GOING TO HELP WITH THROUGHOUT THE SPEECH, OHIO, MICHIGAN AND WISCONSIN, PENNSYLVANIA AND IT WAS A THEME THROUGHOUT THIS ENTIRE SPEECH, BY THE WAY IF THAT SONG SOUNDED FAMILIAR, DON'T STOP THINKING ABOUT TOMORROW IS SOMETHING THAT WE SEE HERE WITH BILL CLINTON, SO REALLY GOT TO APPEAL TO THE WORKING CLASS VOTERS I AM STRUCK, HE DEFINITELY HAD THOSE ATTACK LINES AND THEN THE LINES THAT WERE NOT IN THERE, WE DIDN'T HEAR ABOUT ABORTION AND WE DIDN'T CARE ABOUT RETRIBUTION EVEN THOUGH HIS WEEKEND IN THE WAKE OF THE ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT IT WAS JD VANCE WHO POINTED THE FINGER AT DEMOCRATS BLAMING THEM FOR THEIR RHETORIC FOR THE ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT. CLEARLY THIS WAS AN ATTEMPT TO INTRODUCE HIMSELF AND TO USE HIS LANGUAGE AND REMIND THIS COUNTRY THAT HE IS YOUNG. ONE OF HIS LINES THAT JOE BIDEN HAS BEEN A POLITICIAN FOR LONGER I HAVE BEEN ALIVE, 39 YEARS OLD, HE HAS BEEN A CHAMPION OF EVERY MAJOR POLICY INITIATIVE TO MAKE AMERICA WEAKER AND POORER, AND INTERESTING RHETORICAL DEVICE TO TRACK JOE BIDEN'S POLICY DECISIONS WITH HIS AGE. WHEN I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL THIS POLICY WENT INTO EFFECT. LET'S LOOK AT TOM WHO IS ON THE FLOOR, AS JD VANCE SAID, THE CROWD WAS WITH HIM. CLEARL >> YEAH, YOU KNOW, IS Y VAN THE. >> I TALKED ABOUT 10 DIFFERENT DELEGATES HERE ON THE FLOOR TO GET THEIR TAKE ON THE SPEECH BECAUSE THERE HAS BEEN DIFFERENT SPEECHES HERE AND DIFFERENT LEVELS SOMEONE LIKE ANOTHER, PEOPLE REALLY LIKED THE TONE THAT SENATOR VANCE TOOK I ASKED HIM WHAT DID YOU LIKE ABOUT THIS SPEECH AND I HEARD OVER AND OVER AGAIN IS THE WAY HE ENDED THE SPEECH SAYING I WILL BE A VICE PRESIDENT FOR ALL AMERICANS AND HE WILL NOT FORGET ABOUT THE PEOPLE THAT ARE STRUGGLING AND A LOT OF PEOPLE SAID LOOK I DON'T KNOW A LOT ABOUT HIM AND I LOVED HEARING HIS LIFE STORY AND OF COURSE THE MOMENT WITH HIS MOTHER, SO MANY PEOPLE HERE MENTIONED THAT THEY LOVE TO SEE HIS MOTHER UP THERE SHE GOT EMOTIONAL. HE CLEARLY WAS PROUD OF HER AND OVER AND HOW SHE OVERCAME ADDICTION AND HER STRUGGLES BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY PEOPLE SAID HERE THAT HE FELT LIKE HE COULD SPEAK EVERYDAY AMERICANS AND IN POLITICS THAT'S INCREDIBLY POWERFUL. BACK TO YOU. >> THANK YOU, AND IT WAS A SPLIT SCREEN IMAGE, IT WAS LITERALLY SPLIT SCREEN AS HE SAW PRESIDENT BIDEN ARRIVING IN DELAWARE WHERE HE RECOVERED FROM COVID AND THE POLITICAL DRAMA THAT IS AROUND HIM RIGHT NOW, ADAM CALLING FOR HIM TO STEP ASIDE REPORTING FROM NBC NEWS AND OTHERS THAT BIDEN HAD MET PERSONALLY ONE-ON-ONE WITH SENATOR SCHUMER THE DEMOCRATIC LEADER WHO HAD A BLUNT CONVERSATIONS WITH HIM OR HEARING RUMBLINGS FROM SPEAKER PELOSI. STARTING TO SEE A GROUNDSWELL AMONG LEADERS IN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY ASKING THE PRESIDENT TO STEP ASIDE. >> THERE IS A REAL QUESTION OF JUST HOW OPEN HE IS TO THIS ARGUMENT HERE ESPECIALLY WITH NBC NEWS REPORTING IN THE LAST 24 HOURS THAT HE HAS BEEN EXASPERATED, HE AND HIS TEAM WITH THIS CONTINUED PUSH AND CONTINUED CALLS THAT HE IS BEING TRICKLED OUT FROM AND THEN FLIGHT OUT FROM DEMOCRATS WHO WANT HIM TO STEP OFF THE TICKET HERE AND BRING IT BACK TO THE RNC, YOU HEARD A CONVERSATION WITH HER THAT THEY UNDERSTAND THIS IS THE DYNAMIC THING OUT OF THE PARTY INVITE HAS BEEN SUCH AN EFFORT TO CAST THE GOP AS UNIFIED THE ANXIETY IS HIGH, AND THE SIGNALS COMING OUT FROM THE TOP IN MOCRATICCONTRAST AND TO WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY RIGHT NOW. IT IS VERY REAL, THE ANXIETY IS HIGH AND I THINK THESE SIGNALS COMING OUT FROM TOP DEMOCRATIC LEADERS THESE ARE PEOPLE WHO HAVE KNOWN JOE BIDEN FOR DECADES HAVING THESE CONVERSATIONS INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT AND ALSO SIGNIFICANT THIS MOMENT. >> AND LETTING THEM BECOME PUBLIC IT IS VERY CALCULATED LIKELY SO WE'LL SEE HOW IT PLAYS OUT. INTERVIEWING PRESIDENT BIDEN. >> HE HAS THE SAME ANSWER YOU KNOW, 14 MILLION PEOPLE VOTED FOR ME, THAT TAKING TO THE ACCOUNT THAT MAYBE THEY MIGHT BE OF A DIFFERENT MIND NOW WITNESSING WHAT THEY WITNESSED I KEPT THINKING AS I WAS WATCHING THIS FOR DEMOCRATS, THIS CLOCK IS TICKING WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE ACTUAL NUMBER ON THE CLOCK IS BUT TO WATCH THIS IS GOING TO BE A CHALLENGE, NOT KNOWING WHO IS THE NOMINEE. >> THE BIDEN CAMPAIGN ANSWERS AS I TALKED TO THERE CONTINUE TO SAY WE BELIEVE THAT THE POLLS ARE STILL CLOSE, DONALD TRUMP IS NOT RUNNING AWAY WITH THIS FAR AND WIDE AT THIS POINT. >> THAT CONCLUDES OUR COVERAGE FOR NBC LOCAL STATIONS BUT COVERAGE OF THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION CONTINUES WITH TOM AND HALLIE JACKSON ON OUR STREAMING NETWORK NBC NEWS NOW. WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW NIGHT FOR THE FINAL NIGHT OF THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION, FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP WILL SPEAK IT, WE WILL SEE YOU RIGHT HERE. NBC AND SEE YOU BRIGHT AND EARLY ON "TODAY." >> REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION HERE IN MILWAUKEE. >> WE ARE JUST WRAPPING UP OUR COVERAGE ON THE NETWORK. >> JD VANCE HERE, HIS FIRST SPEECH IN THIS ROLE TO THE PUBLIC LAYING OUT AN AMERICAN FIRST AGENDA AND TOUCHED ON HIS PERSONAL STORY BUT DID NOT BACK AWAY FROM THAT RHETORIC INCLUDING ON ISSUES LIKE IMMIGRATION I WANT TO GO TO TOM ON THE FLOOR, THIS IS THE WRAP UP RIGHT NOW, THIS TIME TOMORROW NIGHT WE WILL HAVE HEARD FROM FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP, BALLOONS WILL BE FALLING RIGHT NOW ALL EYES ARE ON JD VANCE. >> THAT IS TRUE, WE COMMANDEERED THE SOUTH CAROLINA DELEGATION HERE IS PEOPLE ARE CLEARING OUT, I WILL TALK IN THAT GOLF VOICE BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE PRAYING RIGHT NOW, I HAD A CHANCE TO TALK TO LIKE 10 DELEGATES WHAT THEY THOUGHT ABOUT HIS SPEECH AND WHAT I HEARD WAS THE SAME THEME, A LOT OF PEOPLE ADMITTED THEY DON'T KNOW HIM THAT WELL SO IT'S GOOD TO HEAR HIS LIFE STORY. THEY ALSO APPLAUDED HOW HE CAN TALK TO EVERYDAY AMERICANS AND THE MIDWEST STATES THAT ARE SO IMPORTANT TO THE SELECTION BUT ALSO EVERY CORNER OF AMERICA AND THAT MOMENT WITH HIS MOTHER, THEY LOVE THAT HE BROUGHT HER UP THERE, THE CAMERAS WERE ON HER AND SHE WAS SO EMOTIONAL STANDING OVATION FOR HER AND SHE WAS ABLE TO OVERCOME ADDICTION. RAISING A SON TO SERVE OUR COUNTRY, GO TO LAW SCHOOL AND EVENTUALLY BECOME A SENATOR AND NOW A RUNNING MATE ON A REPUBLICAN TICKET SO PEOPLE FELT THAT VANCE CONNECTED WITH PEOPLE DOWN HERE AND PEOPLE WERE HAPPY, THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER SPEAKERS THAT HAVE COME IN HERE AND HAVE BLOWN THE ROOF OFF THE PLACE. PEOPLE LIKE PETER NAVARRO. EVEN IN SOME WAYS DONNA JUNIOR AS WELL BUT THAT IS NOT SENATOR JD VANCE AND WHAT HE WAS GOING TO DO. DEFINITELY MUCH MORE MEASURED MIDWEST NICE IF YOU WILL, TOOK HIS TIME AND DELIVERED A VERY GOOD SPEECH. SO PEOPLE ARE EXCITED ABOUT THAT SPEECH READY TO WRAP UP THE NIGHT THREE AND HEAD INTO DAY FOUR OF THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION I WILL SEND IT BACK TO YOU IN THAT CONVENTION PERCH ON THE SECOND FLOOR. BUT ACTUALLY I WILL KEEP TALKING BECAUSE I KNOW WE ARE DOING SOME LOGISTICAL SWITCHING OVER THERE, GETTING DIFFERENT TEAMS IN AND OUT. SO WE WILL KEEP GOING FROM DOWN HERE. TOMORROW AS YOU MENTIONED WILL BE A BIG NIGHT YOU WILL SEE DONALD TRUMP FOR THE FOURTH TIME SINCE 2016 ADDRESS THE CONVENTION HALL. AND AS WE LOOK OVER AT THE VP BOX THERE, A LOT OF THE ALL- STARS OF THE ELECTED ALL-STARS OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IF YOU WILL A LOT OF DON JUNIOR'S CHILDREN. SENATOR MARCO RUBIO IS IN THE HOUSE AND ALL THE TRUMP KIDS AS WELL, HALLIE JACKSON IS THERE, TAKE IT AWAY FROM WHERE YOU ARE. >> INC. YOU SO MUCH PLEASE MAKE YOUR WAY UP WE WILL BE WAITING FOR YOU FOR MORE OF THE CONVERSATION LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT TONIGHT BECAUSE THERE WAS SOME REALLY MEMORABLE MOMENTS WITH SENATOR VANCE TALKING ABOUT THE ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT ON THE FORMER PRESIDENT. TALKING ABOUT HOW THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A DAY OF HARD ACHE AND MORNING BUT INSTEAD A DAY OF CELEBRATION AND BLAMED THOSE WHO CALLED THE FORMER PRESIDENT A TYRANT WITHOUT PINPOINTING WHO THEY ARE. AND HE TALKED ABOUT WHAT HE SAID WAS THE FORMER PRESIDENT BUSH TO TRY TO BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER AFTER THE ATTACK ON HIS LIFE, WATCH. >> I WANT TO RESPOND TO HIS CALL FOR UNITY MYSELF. ON EVERYTHING FROM NATIONAL SECURITY TO ECONOMIC POLICY. BUT MY MESSAGE TO YOU, MY FELLOW REPUBLICANS IS WE LOVE THIS COUNTRY AND WE ARE UNITED TO WIN. >> HE ALSO TALKED ABOUT OF COURSE HIS UPBRINGING IN OHIO, LAYING OUT HIS CHILDHOOD. STORY THAT HE TOLD IN HIS MEMOIR HILLBILLY ELEGY AND A LOT OF FOCUS ON THE ECONOMY WITH A SENATOR CALLING ESTHER TRUMP SOMEBODY WHO WOULD STAND UP FOR THE WORKING MAN AND TRY TO BRING BACK THE BLUE-COLLAR JOBS TO THE ALL-IMPORTANT RUST BELT THOSE CRITICAL BATTLEGROUND STATES, THE SENATOR INTRODUCED BY HIS WIFE, USHA THE DAUGHTER OF INDIAN IMMIGRANTS YOU SEE THEM WALKING OUT AND THERE IS VIDEO OF COURSE OF USHA VANCE BUT THE SAME AND SHE FELL IN LOVE WITH ALL THOSE YEARS AGO. >> IT SAFE TO SAY THAT NEITHER JD NOR I EXPECTED TO FIND OURSELVES IN THIS POSITION. BUT IT'S HARD TO IMAGINE A MORE POWERFUL EXAMPLE OF THE AMERICAN DREAM. >> SENATOR VANCE INTRODUCED BY SOMEBODY WHO KNOWS FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP WELL AND BY ONE OF HIS FRIENDS DONALD TRUMP JUNIOR, SOMEBODY WHO HAS BEEN A FIERCE PRIVATE ADVOCATE FOR JD VANCE ACCORDING TO OUR REPORTING AND SO MANY WHO HAS PUBLICLY STOOD UP FOR HIM AS WELL, WITH NBC NEWS REPORTING HE PLAYED A KEY ROLE IN GETTING HIS DAD TO PICK THE SENATOR AS HIS RUNNING MATE. DON JUNIOR GIVING WHAT YOU COULD DESCRIBE AS THAT CLASSIC TRUMP SPEECH. FILLED WITH FIERY RHETORIC, A SPEECH THAT IS LIKELY TO BE DIFFERENT FROM HIS FATHER'S TOMORROW NIGHT IF IN FACT THE CALLS FOR UNITY AS DESCRIBED BY THOSE AROUND FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP AND HIS REMARK TOMORROW DO UPHOLD, ACCUSING DEMOCRATS AND CRITICIZING THE LEGAL TROUBLE. >> THIS COUNTRY WE DON'T CRIMINALIZE POLITICAL DIFFERENCES. WE DEBATE THEM. WE VOTE ON THEM. BUT WE DO NOT MAKE YOU CHOOSE BETWEEN PICKING A PARTY OR PICKING A JAIL CELL. >> MIGHT HAVE ALSO BEEN THE FIRST WITCHHUNT REFERENCE WE HAVE HEARD, A COMMON PHRASE AT DONALD TRUMP RALLIES OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST SIX OR SEVEN YEARS. I WANT TO BRING YOU THE MODERATOR OF MEET THE PRESS, KRISTIN WELKER AS WELL AS OUR POLITICAL ANALYST CHUCK TODD IT'S GOOD TO HAVE BOTH OF YOU HERE WITH US TONIGHT, AND KRISTIN AS TOM IS MAKING HIS WAY BACK UP FROM THE FLOOR HERE, WE ARE TAKING A LOOK AT THE WRAP UP OF NIGHT NUMBER THREE, AND OF THE THINGS THAT WAS NOTABLE ABOUT SENATOR VANCE'S SPEECH WAS THE WAY HE DID NOT BACK AWAY FROM TRYING TO PROSECUTE THE CASE AGAINST THE BIDEN AGENDA ALTHOUGH TYPICALLY THE VICE PRESIDENT AND THE VICE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE MIGHT PLAY A ROLE OF ATTACK HE ONLY BROUGHT UP KAMALA HARRIS , HER NAME TWICE. >> IS CLEAR HE IS GOING TO BE THE ATTACK DOG HE DID THIS IN THE VERY SORT OF MODERATED WAY AS YOU POINT OUT HE WAS ALL IN ON THE ISSUE OF IMMIGRATION. HE WAS ALL IN ON MAKING THE CASE THAT SO MANY OF THE STRUGGLES THAT HE AND HIS FAMILY HAVE HAD WHILE HE HAS BEEN GROWING UP, HE TRIED TO LAY AT THE FEET OF PRESIDENT BIDEN BASICALLY SAYING HE HAS BEEN IN OFFICE FOR THE ENTIRETY OF MY LIFE WHICH DOES NOT PROSECUTE THE CASE ONLY AGAINST JOE BIDEN BUT HIGHLIGHT HIM AND THE MASSIVE AGE DIFFERENCE THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT HERE WITH JD VANCE AND OF COURSE FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP. AND PRESIDENT BIDEN SO I THOUGHT THAT WAS NOTABLE. BUT THIS WASN'T A GRIEVANCE FILLED SPEECH, IT WASN'T WHAT WE HEARD FROM DON JUNIOR. THE TONE WAS VERY DIFFERENT AND I THINK THAT IS SIGNIFICANT. WILL THAT SHIFT ONCE HE IS OUT ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL? POSSIBLY BUT IT IS CLEAR THAT FOR THE MOST PART THEY REALLY WANT THESE SPEECHES TO TRY AT LEAST TO REACH A BROADER AUDIENCE. >> OVER TO MY LEFT CHUCK, WE HAVEN'T HEARD FROM YOU YET ON THIS EVENING AND HOW YOU THOUGHT THIS WENT DOWN. >> I THOUGHT DON JUNIOR HAD A MORE MEMORABLE SPEECH THAT HE GAVE AND IT HAS BEEN INTERESTING WE DON'T KNOW WHAT HIS POLITICAL AMBITION IS THERE HAS BEEN SOME THOUGHTS THAT HE MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN RUNNING FOR OFFICE. YOU CAN READ THE FEELING AND THE SIGNALS. IT HAS BEEN INTERESTING TO ME THAT HE WAS SUCH AN ADVOCATE FOR VANCE BECAUSE I KEEP THINKING ABOUT 2028 AND I THINK JUNIOR IS SEMI-INTERESTED. AND VANCE WILL THINK HE IS OUT. LOOK, I THINK VANCE TONIGHT SHOWED THAT HE HASN'T DONE THIS BEFORE. I THOUGHT THE SPEECH WAS READ BETTER THAN IT WAS DELIVERED AND I THINK PART OF THAT IS HE HAS NOT DONE A LOT OF THIS BEFORE. OKAY? YOU KNOW, YOU COULD TELL THERE WERE A LOT OF FOLKS IN THE SPEECH AND YOU CAN SOMETIMES IF YOU READ A LOT OF SPEECHES YOU DO THIS FOR A WHILE YOU CAN TELL THERE IS ONE SPEECHWRITER, ONE OR TWO AND THE VOICE OF THE WRITER OR, IF THERE IS A COMMITTEE THAT GOT INVOLVED AND DO THIS AND DO THAT. LOOK, I AM VERY CURIOUS WHAT KIND OF CAMPAIGNER HE WILL BE, BECAUSE AS A SENATE CANDIDATE HE WAS NOT THAT GOOD, AS A MESSENGER, AS SOMEBODY WHO FIRES UP THE BASE OF THE PARTY THEY LOVE HIM. BUT AS SOMEBODY TO ELECTRIFY A CROWD, TO BE ON THE SHORT STUFF LIKE THIS, I THINK WE SEE TONIGHT WAY THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE WONDERING IF HE WILL BE MUCH OF A CAMPAIGN ASSET OR IF HE IS SOMEBODY THAT IS MORE THAT TRUMP KICKED AND PICKED BECAUSE HE WANTS MORE OF A GOVERNING PHILOSOPHY. >> HE IS AN ASSET IN A WAY THAT IS OBVIOUS FROM WHAT KRISTIN WAS TALKING ABOUT AND FRANKLY LOOKING AT THE, THIS GUY TURNED 40 NEXT MONTH, HE IS THE NEXT GENERATION AS REPUBLICANS SEE IT OF THE MAGA MOVEMENT AND THERE IS A REAL CONTRAST HERE ON THE AGE FRONT. >> HOW WELL WILL THAT AGE IF BIDEN IS NOT THE OPPONENT? THIS GOES BACK TO MY CRITIQUE OF HOW MANY SPEECHWRITERS WERE INVOLVED, THAT FELT LIKE A REALLY GOOD IDEA SO THEY DID A PIECE THAT AND THEN SOMEBODY ELSE HAD A GOOD IDEA THAN THEY DID A PIECE OF THAT THAN SOMEBODY ELSE AND IT WAS SORT OF THIS STITCHED TOGETHER SPEECH AND I THINK THAT'S WHY THE BIDEN STUFF LANDED THE BEST EXCEPT IT ALSO LANDED AT A TIME WHEN WE ARE ALL GOING IS HE EVEN GOING TO BE THE CANDIDATE? SO THIS IS WHERE I AGREE WITH WHAT THEY'RE TRYING TO DO AND I THINK HIS BIOGRAPHY IS AMAZING. AND I THOUGHT. >> HOW ABOUT THE STORIES WITH HIS GRANDMOTHER? >> I THOUGHT WE WOULD GET MORE OF THAT AND THAT'S WHAT THIS WOULD BE. AND AGAIN I DON'T KNOW WHO WROTE THIS EACH AND HOW MANY PEOPLE HELPED WITH IT BUT I KIND OF FEEL LIKE THEY MISSED THE OPPORTUNITIES HERE BECAUSE HE'S GOT THIS BIO THAT I THINK IS A VERY EASY TO SELL, THE FIRST TIME YOU INTRODUCE HIM. >> I WAS TOLD THAT HE WOULD LEAN INTO THAT AND HE WOULD ALSO LINK IT TO THESE KEY ISSUES IN THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN WHICH HE DID, HE TALKED ABOUT THE FENTANYL CRISIS AND THE WORKING CLASS VOTERS. TOM HAS MADE HIS WAY TO THE FLOOR. SO GIVE US A SENSE YOU WERE DOWN THERE. YOU HEARD CHUCK AND CHRIS GIVE THEIR THOUGHTS ON THIS, TELL US MORE ABOUT THE CONVERSATIONS YOU HAD WITH THE DELEGATES IN THE COURSE. >> YOUNGER DELEGATES ARE HAPPY THAT HE IS YOUNG AND LET ME GO A STEP DEEPER IF I CAN, LET ME ENTERTAIN FOR A LITTLE BIT HERE, THERE IS A BIG YIN-YANG DIFFERENCE HERE, YOU HAVE A FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP WHO GREW UP WEALTHY AND JD VANCE WHO GREW UP WORKING CLASS. FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP IS OLDER, JD VANCE IS YOUNGER. FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP FIRE AND BRIMSTONE AND JD VANCE AS A DIFFERENT MESSENGER HAVING COVERED TRUMP LIKE WE HAVE FOR YEARS IF TRUMP WAS RUNNING AGAINST JD VANCE YOU COULD HEAR HIM ATTACKING HIM AS LOW ENERGY THAT'S JD VANCE. MAYBE THAT'S THE STRATEGY LIKE IF YOU ARE WORRIED ABOUT FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP MAYBE IS HE TOO CRAZY, IS HE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO BE CONTROLLED, JD VANCE SEEMS LIKE HE IS A LITTLE MORE MEASURED. THE PROBLEM IS I THINK REPUBLICANS OVERSOLD HIM, THEY SAID HE IS GREAT IN PUBLIC AND IS GREAT ON THE MICROPHONE. BUT MAYBE HE IS GOOD IN THOSE INTERVIEW MOMENTS BUT WHEN YOU COME OUT HERE IT IS MUCH DIFFERENT. WHEN WE STARTED THE SHOW THERE WERE REPUBLICANS THAT CAME OUT HERE AND BLEW THE ROOF OFF THIS PLACE AND PEOPLE WERE GOING NUTS FOR THEM AND SOME OF THEM WERE ON THE SHORT LIST I DON'T KNOW IF HE BLEW THE ROOF OFF THE PLACE HE HAD EMOTIONAL MOMENTS BUT I HAVE TO TELL YOU WHEN I TALKED TO DELEGATES THEY WERE LIKE I LOVE HE COULD TALK TO EVERYDAY AMERICANS THAT REALLY CONNECTED WITH ME AND I HEARD THAT OVER AND OVER. >> I THINK TO THAT POINT WHAT STRUCK ME TOM AND THE POINT YOU ARE GETTING TO THIS IS NOT SOMEONE WHO IS GOING TO OVERSHADOW IN THIS AND THAT'S THE PART OF WHAT TRUMP TAKES INTO CONSIDERATION AS WELL. SOMEONE WHO WILL BOLSTER HIM. IN THE WAYS THAT HE WANTS TO BE BOLSTERED AND WILL BE LOYAL TO HIM AND THEY INSIST HE WILL BE DESPITE THE FACT THAT HE IS A PAST CRITIC AND YES HE WILL NOT OVERSHADOW THEM. THE MAIN EVENT WILL BE TOMORROW NIGHT WHEN TRUMP DELIVERS HIS SPEECH. >> IS SOMEBODY COVERING THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN NOW THE TRUMP VANCE CAMPAIGN, GARRETT HAGUE I KNOW IT IS EMPTYING OUT BUT GIVE US A SENSE OF YOUR THOUGHTS AND YOUR TAKE AWAY FROM THE EVENING. >> A COUPLE THINGS IT'S THE IDEA BEHIND JD VANCE THAT HE WILL PUT SOME INTELLECTUAL HEFT BEHIND THE TRUMP WILL TAKE A PHILOSOPHY THAT CAME ABOUT BASED ON DONALD TRUMP'S KIND OF SCATTERSHOT VIEWS ABOUT THE DIFFERENT POLITICAL ISSUES AND TRY TO MAKE IT INTO A COHERENT WHOLE, I THINK WE SAW SOME OF THAT TONIGHT BUT I HEARD MORE OF A COLLEGE PROFESSOR OR FRANKLY A SENATOR THAN I DID SOMEBODY WHO IS GOING TO GO OUT THERE AND REALLY FIRE PEOPLE UP ON THE STUMP, AND I'M KIND OF THE TARGET AUDIENCE IF JD VANCE WILL GO OUT AND TALK TO YOUNGE , WHITE MEN WHO ARE KIND OF ON THE EDGE OF THE MIDDLE CLASS ONE WAY OR THE OTHER AND KEEP THEM IN THE TRUMP BASE, I DIDN'T HEAR ANYTHING IN THERE THAT MY FRIENDS TEXT CHAIN WILL BE TALKING ABOUT TOMORROW EXCEPT THAT HIS GRANDMOTHER HAD 19 HANDGUNS WHICH IS A LOT OF MONEY TIED UP IN HANDGUNS IF YOU REALLY THINK ABOUT IT. THAT TO ME WAS THE MOST MEMORABLE LINE OF THE WHOLE ADDRESS, AND THE OTHER THING ABOUT THIS THAT I THOUGHT WAS INTERESTING IS WE HAVE HEARD AND I DID A STORY THIS MORNING ABOUT THE IDEA THAT BY PICKING JD VANCE DONALD TRUMP HAS PICKED A SUCCESSOR. IF I AM SARAH HUCKABEE SANDERS OR JOSH HOLLY OR RON DESANTIS RIGHT NOW I AM WATCHING THAT SPEECH AND GOING I'M NOT SO SURE ABOUT THAT. I COULD RUN AGAINST THAT GUY. THERE IS NOTHING IN THAT THAT SLAMMED THE DOOR ON THE MAGA MOVEMENT BEHIND JD VANCE AND THAT THIS IS DEFINITELY THE FUTURE OF THIS PARTY. >> EVEN IF HE HIMSELF IS NOT NECESSARILY THE INHERITOR TO THE MAGA MOVEMENT HE IS CERTAINLY THE NEXT GENERATION OF THE BRAND , YOU TALK ABOUT THE JOSH HOLLY'S AND THE SARAH HUCKABEE SANDERS AND THEIR FLAVOR OF REPUBLICANISM IS BROADLY THE SAME. >> ABSOLUTELY, WE TALKED AD NAUSEAM THE GROUP OF US ON TELEVISION AND PRIVATELY ABOUT THE CIVIL WAR REPUBLICAN PARTY, THE MAGA GROUP WON, THERE IS NOT A QUESTION ABOUT THAT BUT WHETHER JD VANCE IS THE PREEMINENT TORCHBEARER FOR THAT MOVEMENT AFTER TONIGHT I DON'T THINK IS AN ANSWERED QUESTION, I DON'T THINK SO AT ALL. >> YOU KNOW SO MANY OF THE RUNNING MATES OF THE PEOPLE THAT WERE ON THE SHORTLIST WANTED THIS POSITION. ONE REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST EXPLAINED WHEN OR LOSE YOU ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT PERSON IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY THE NEXT GENERATION SO HE IS IN A GREAT SPOT I THINK GARRETT BRINGS UP POINTS IF YOU ARE COMING TO BE WOWED AND BLOWN AWAY, I THINK GARRETT HIT IT ON THE HEAD, THERE WILL BE OTHER PEOPLE IN LINE THAT WILL SAY I MAYBE HAVE A SHOT AT THIS DOWN THE LINE. >> JUNIOR. >> YES. THAT'S THE OTHER PART OF IT, COULD THAT BE WHAT JUNIORS ASSIGNMENT. >> YOU TALK ABOUT DONALD TRUMP JUNIOR AND TALK ABOUT PETER NAVARRO WHO SPOKE HERE TODAY ON THE FLOOR, TOUGH AND INFLAMMATORY RHETORIC AND SAW A LOT OF ATTACKS ON PRESIDENT BIDEN WITH A LOT OF HIS POLICIES OF COURSE COMING UNDER FIRE FROM SOME OF THESE FOLKS. LET'S LISTEN. >> JOE BIDEN CANNOT LEAD AMERICA. HE CANNOT EVEN LEAD HIMSELF OFF A STAGE. >> ALL HAS BROKEN LOOSE IN AMERICA AND IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO HIDE ANYMORE. REMEMBER BUILD BACK BETTER. INSTEAD WE GOT BROKE, BUMBLING BIDEN. NOTHING IS BUILT, NOTHING IS BACK AND NOTHING IS BETTER. >> JOE BIDEN HAS BEEN A POLITICIAN IN WASHINGTON FOR LONGER THAN I'VE BEEN ALIVE. 39 YEARS OLD. KAMALA HARRIS IS NOT MUCH FURTHER BEHIND. FOR HALF A CENTURY HE HAS BEEN THE CHAMPION OF EVERY MAJOR POLICY INITIATIVE TO MAKE AMERICA WEAKER AND POORER. >> SENATOR VANCE PROSECUTING THE CASE AGAINST THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION I WANT TO BRING IN SOMEBODY NOW WHO KNOWS THE BIDEN CAMPAIGN WELL, KEVIN I THINK WE HAVE YOU THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT. >> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME. >> YOUR RESPONSE TO SOME OF WHAT YOU HEARD THERE, GIVE YOU AN OPPORTUNITY HERE. >> I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO HEAR AND TALK ABOUT WHAT WE DID NOT HEAR ANY OF THE SPEAKERS INCLUDING SENATOR VANCE WHICH IS ANY VISION FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. WE DID NOT HEAR ABOUT A PLAN TO CREATE JOBS. WE DID NOT HEAR ABOUT A PLAN TO PROTECT OUR RIGHTS. WE DO NOT HEAR ABOUT A PLAN TO IMPROVE OUR HEALTHCARE. BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO PLAN. THEY DO NOT CARE, SO THEY TRAFFIC IN LIES AND CONSPIRACY THEORIES AND THEY PROVIDE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WE THINK WE HAVE A GOOD STORY WHEN IT COMES TO ALL OF THE ISSUES THAT MATTER TO THE WORKING PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTRY THAT JD VANCE PRETENDS IT HE CARES ABOUT BUT HE WANTS TO TAKE THOSE JOBS ABROAD. >> HAVE YOU HAD A CHANCE TO SEE THE VIDEO OF FORMER PRESIDENT I'M SORRY, PRESIDENT BIDEN LANDING TODAY AFTER THE COVID DIAGNOSIS DID YOU HAVE A CHANCE TO WATCH THE VIDEO? I KNOW A LOT HAVE BEEN ASKING QUESTIONS DO YOU KNOW HOW THE PRESIDENT IS DOING TONIGHT? >> THE PRESIDENT SAID RIGHT BEFORE HE GOT ON THE PLANE TO VEGAS THAT HE IS FEELING OKAY. I WORK FOR THE PRESIDENT WHEN HE GOT COVID AT THE WHITE HOUSE I WAS ACTUALLY WORKING ON COVID. IT HAPPENED TO ME AND IT HAPPENED TO YOU, WHAT I CAN TELL YOU IS JOE BIDEN IS READY TO CONTINUE CAMPAIGNING THIS IS A TEAM AND A CANDIDATE THAT KNOWS HOW TO DO IT UNDER UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES. HE WILL BE MAKING CALLS AND HE WILL BE MAKING CALLS TO ELECTED OFFICIALS. CALLING SOME SUPPORTERS AND WE WILL CONTINUE DOING THE WORK THAT WE THINK MATTERS. THOUSANDS OF EVENTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. BECAUSE THAT MATTERS WHEN IT COMES TO VOTERS THAT WILL DECIDE THE ELECTION. >> WE ARE COVERING THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION OBVIOUSLY BUT THE DEMOCRATS ARE PART OF THE STORY AS WE SHOWED LITERALLY IN THAT SPLIT SCREEN IS PRESIDENT BIDEN LANDING BACK IN DELAWARE SO THERE IS REPORTING TONIGHT SUGGESTING THE FORMER HOUSE SPEAKER NANCY PELOSI WHO IS DIRECT WITH THE PRESIDENT ABOUT WHERE HE STANDS IN POLLING SUGGESTING THAT PERHAPS THIS WAS NOT HIS RACE TO WIN. IS THAT TRUE? DID YOU HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT THAT? HOW DID THE PRESIDENT RESPOND? >> PRESIDENT BIDEN HAS BEEN VERY CLEAR AND HE SAYS WHAT HE SAYS PUBLICLY WHAT HE SAYS PRIVATELY WHICH IS HE IS IN THIS RACE AND HE IS IN IT TO WIN IT. THERE WILL BE HARD TIMES IN THE CAMPAIGN AND THERE WILL BE EASIER TIMES IN CAMPAIGN, JOE BIDEN HAS BEEN KNOCKED DOWN BEFORE AND HE WILL GET BACK UP, HE IS THE CANDIDATE THAT HAS BEAT DONALD TRUMP AND HE WILL BEAT HIM AGAIN. AND WE WILL DO THAT UNITED AS DEMOCRATS BUT EVERY SINGLE DAY THAT WE DO NOT TALK ABOUT THE THINGS THAT WE SAW ON THAT CONVENTION STAGE TONIGHT, WE HAD THE ARCHITECT OF FAMILY SEPARATION, PROUDLY ON PRIME TIME TELEVISION TONIGHT BECAUSE DONALD TRUMP ENABLED HIM TO. WE HAVE TO FOCUS AS DEMOCRATS ON THE TASK AT HAND WHICH IS BEATING DONALD TRUMP AND JD VANCE. >> JUST TO REFOCUS ON THAT QUESTION KEVIN TO THE PRESIDENT PUSH BACK ON NANCY PELOSI'S ASSESSMENT THAT HE CAN'T WIN COME NOVEMBER? >> I THINK YOU HEARD WHAT THE PRESIDENT BELIEVES IS HIS MISSION IS THIS RACE IS TO BEAT DONALD TRUMP, HE IS ALL IN. >> FINAL QUESTION KEVIN IF YOU DON'T HAVE THE FORMER SPEAKER NANCY PELOSI, YOU MAY NOT HAVE CHUCK SCHUMER ANYMORE, WHO DO YOU HAVE? >> I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU TOM BUT I JUST SAW JOE BIDEN CAN, HE WAS IN MICHIGAN LAST WEEK CAMPAIGNING WITH THE BACKBONE OF THIS COALITION THAT WINS ELECTIONS, THIS IS GOING TO BE A LONG AND HARD AND CLOSE ELECTION AND IT WILL REQUIRE THAT THIS CAMPAIGN AND JOE BIDEN CONTINUE TO FOCUS ON WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN NOT NEXT WEEK BUT WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN NOVEMBER. WE WILL HAVE BUMPS BUT WHAT MATTERS MOST IS WHAT WE ARE DOING EVERY SINGLE DAY TO COMMUNICATE TO THESE VOTERS NOT JUST THROUGH THE PRESIDENT BUT THROUGH ALL OF US THAT ARE WORKING ON THIS CAMPAIGN TO MAKE SURE WE BREAK THROUGH AND HIGHLIGHT THOSE VERY HUGE STAKES THAT WE SAW TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE TONIGHT. >> HOW LONG DO YOU EXPECT PRESIDENT BIDEN TO BE DOWN WHAT HE IS DEALING WITH THIS COVID DIAGNOSIS? OFF THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL? >> I THINK THE MINUTE THAT HE HAS NEGATIVE AND IS ABLE TO GET BACK ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL YOU WILL HE SEE HIM OUT THERE. WE HAVE SOME EXCITING STUFF COMING. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH APPRECIATE YOU BEING WITH US. >> LET'S GET TO JACOB WHO IS DOWN ON THE RNC FLOOR TONIGHT, YOU BEEN TALKING TO DELEGATES THERE. WHAT DID YOU HEAR FROM DELEGATES ABOUT SENATOR VANCE AND HIS SPEECH? >> I THINK IT'S A LIFE STORY THAT IS VERY COMPELLING TO A LOT OF PEOPLE AND I THINK MANY PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM AND MANY PEOPLE THAT ARE WATCHING US TONIGHT, MY CELL PERSONALLY AS A JOURNALIST AND I'M SURE YOU GUYS TO KNOW PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN AFFECTED IN THE WAY BY THE OPIOID CRISIS THE GREATEST DRUG CRISIS IN HISTORY, IT'S A RELATABLE STORY AND ONE THAT I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE WHETHER IT'S FRIENDS, FAMILY, OR EVEN PEOPLE DIRECTLY IN THEIR ORBIT ANY GIVEN DAY, HE SORT OF, YOU SHARE THAT IN COMMON WITH JD VANCE AND THERE ARE MAYBE THINGS YOU DON'T SHARE IN COMMON WITH JD VANCE BUT I WILL TELL YOU, THERE'S A LOT OF TALK ABOUT THE MESSAGE AND SURELY HIS MESSAGE FELT LIKE THERE WAS THE AGGRESSIVE MAGA MESSAGE WE HAVE HEARD IN THE PAST FROM HOMER PRESIDENT TRUMP, BUT THE ONE THING I DID THINK WAS INTERESTING AND I PICKED THESE UP OFF THE GROUND THE SIGNED SORT OF TELL THE STORY AND THE EVOLUTION IN MY OPINION AS A JOURNALIST OF THE CONVENTION OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST TWO DAYS. HERE'S ONE MAKE AMERICA STRONG AGAIN ONE OF THESE THAT WE SAW EARLY ON IN THE CONVENTION, MAKE AMERICA SAFE AGAIN. WE SAW THIS OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST COUPLE DAYS. POLICY RELATED ONE. TRUMP WILL END THE UKRAINE WAR. BUT UNITY AND POLICY ISSUES IT IS APPRISING ME, MASS. DEPORTATIONS NOW, SO WE ARE STARTING TO GET I THINK IF THE MESSAGING IS ANY INDICATION BACK TO SORT OF THE CORE MAGA MESSAGING THAT WE ARE FAMILIAR WITH WHEN WE ARE HEARING FROM FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP. WE MAY NOT HAVE HEARD IT IN THAT TYPE OF LANGUAGE FROM JD VANCE AT THE END OF THE NIGHT BUT SOME PEOPLE LIKE TOM HOLMAN, I HEARD KEVIN MENTIONED HIM AS ONE OF THE ARCHITECTS OF THE FAMILY SEPARATION POLICY, IT WAS A MIX OF TEMPERING OF THE TONE AND THE TENOR OF THAT MESSAGE. AND SORT OF AN ELEVATION OF SOME OF THE POLICIES THAT ARE CENTRAL TO SORT OF THAT CAMPAIGN PLATFORM HERE AT THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION IN THE PRESIDENT TRUMP THAT WE KNEW FROM THE LAST ADMINISTRATION IT HAS BEEN INTERESTING TO WATCH AND A BALANCING ACT. AND JD VANCE CAME OUT AND GAVE MAY BE A NEW TONE AND A NEW FACE TO IT BUT SOME OF THE POLICIES ARE STILL THE SAME. >> ALWAYS APPRECIATE YOUR REPORTING LET'S BRING IN MARK LAUDER, DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS. AND CONTRIBUTOR AND EDITOR STEPHEN HAYES, I WILL START WITH YOU SINCE YOU ARE NEXT TO ME STEPHEN, WHAT DO YOU GRADE IT? >> A LETTER GRADE, I THOUGHT IT WAS A C. >> THAT'S PRETTY ROUGH. I DON'T, I THOUGHT IT WAS SORT OF FLAT, PLODDING. IT WAS HARD TO REALLY PICK UP A THEME. YOU HAVE THIS GUY WITH THIS UNBELIEVABLE STORY. IT'S AN INCREDIBLE BIOGRAPHY, LITERALLY A HOLLYWOOD MOVIE MADE OF IT. AND THAT WAS THE SPEECH TO BE SURE BUT THERE WAS SO MUCH MORE I THINK TO BE DONE WITH THIS BIOGRAPHY IF HE CONNECTED THAT WAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE A LITTLE OPTIMISTIC AND IT WAS NOT OPTIMISTIC IT DIDN'T HAVE THE HARD MAGA , WE DIDN'T HEAR MUCH ABOUT UKRAINE. THE IMMIGRATION STUFF WAS MORE CODEWORDS THAN IT WAS KIND OF HARD DRIVING MESSAGE BUT REALLY LACKED COHERENCE IN MY MIND, IT WAS SORT OF, YOU KEPT THINKING IT WOULD BE OVER AND IT DIDN'T QUITE END. >> I THOUGHT HE WAS AT HIS BEST WHEN HE WAS STORY TELLING. WHEN PEOPLE WERE WATCHING THEY WERE BEING DRAWN INTO HIS STORYTELLING WHEN IT COMES TO KIND OF THE RED MEAT AND POTATOES OF A CAMPAIGN SPEECH, I THINK THAT WILL COME AND BE DEVELOPED BUT ALSO REMEMBER EVEN GOING BACK TO 2016 MIKE PENCE WAS NOT THE FIREBRAND OR THE FLAMETHROWER, YOU HAVE PRESIDENT TRUMP OUT THERE BEING YOUR LEAD MAGA BIG GUN AND THE OTHER GUY THAT WILL DELIVER THE SOLID SPEECH AND THE GUY THAT WILL DELIVER THE MESSAGE AND YOU WILL NOT BE THE DISTRACTION SO I THINK HE FITS THAT MOLD VERY WELL. >> SOME OF THE OTHER SPEAKERS HERE OVER THE CONVENTION WHO HAVE ELECTRIFIED THE CROWD IF YOU WILL I HAVE BEEN PICKING UP VIBES FROM THESE FOLKS HOW DO YOU SEE THAT PLAYING OUT HERE TONIGHT AND HOW DOES VANCE FIT INTO THAT? >> IF THEY ARE SUCCESSFUL IN NOVEMBER HE WILL BE THE HEIR APPARENT AND IT'S ALWAYS DIFFICULT TO TAKE ON A SITTING VICE PRESIDENT SEEKING IT BUT BEING VICE PRESIDENT IS NO GUARANTEE FOR THE NOMINATION DIRECTLY. SO, I THINK LOOK THIS IS HIS FIRST SPEECH HE PROBABLY GOT IT HANDED TO HIM YESTERDAY MORNING BECAUSE THE CALL CAME IN MONDAY NIGHT. SO, 48 HOURS LATER YOU ARE GIVING IT TO A NATIONAL AUDIENCE >> I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS WRONG BUT I DO KNOW THAT SOME OF THE CANDIDATES THAT WERE ON THE SHORTLIST WERE WORKING ON REMARKS AND IDEAS GOING INTO THIS PEOPLE THAT THOUGHT THEY WERE ON THE SHORTLIST FOR A WHILE. WHETHER THAT CHANGE AND SAID READ THE SPEECH, WHO KNOWS BUT I WANT TO ASK YOU WHAT KIND OF MESSAGE DO YOU THINK HE WAS SENDING TO VANCE, SENATOR MARCO RUBIO ON ONE SIDE AND GOVERNOR DOUG ON THE OTHER SIDE WATCHING. >> IT WAS A TRIBUTE TO VANCE, THESE ARE THE GUYS THEY DIDN'T PICK AND THEY HAVE TO SIT NEXT TO HIM IN THE BOX AND JD VANCE GETS TO GO UP THERE AND GIVE A SPEECH. I'M NOT SURE IF THERE IS A MESSAGE THERE. >> THE BIG GRAND FINALE TOMORROW AND WE KNOW THAT THE FORMER PRESIDENT HAS BEEN SEEN A LOT NOT HEARD A TON ALTHOUGH WE DID SEE HIM IN A SETTING WITH SOME REPUBLICAN OF COURSE LOYALIST, PARTY DELEGATES, ETC., HE HAS SAID HE WILL STRIKE THIS THEME OF UNITY THAT'S WHAT HE HAS BEEN PREVIEWING AS THERE HAS BEEN THIS INTERESTING THREAD AND WE WILL GO TO YOU ON THIS OF ALMOST DIVINE INTERVENTION AFTER THE ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT AGAINST HIM, YOU HEARD THAT FROM ALMOST EVERY SPEAKER AND DONALD TRUMP JUNIOR AND JD VANCE THAT ESSENTIALLY THE HIGHER HAND CAME IN AND SAVED DONALD TRUMP, TALK US THROUGH YOUR EXPECTATIONS. >> WE HAVE SEEN THAT THE SENATOR A MESSAGE OF THIS AUDIENCE HAS BEEN RECEPTIVE TO AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE CIRCUMSTANCES WHO CAN BLAME THEM FOR MAKING THAT CASE. SORT OF MORE BROADLY IT'S HARD TO IMAGINE DONALD TRUMP COMING AND GIVING A LONG SPEECH AND REALLY CONVEYING A MESSAGE OF UNITY. THAT'S NOT WHAT HE DOES OR WHO HE IS. IF YOU CONTRAST THAT KIND OF SPEECH THAT HE GIVES AT HIS RALLIES, WHICH IS A LONG LIST OF GRIEVANCES, HARSH ATTACKS ON PRESIDENT BIDEN A SENSE THAT THEY ARE OUT TO GET YOU, THE WASHINGTON ELITE IT IS A LOT MORE AND HIS CAMPAIGN SPEECHES ARE A LOT MORE LIKE THE AMERICAN CARNAGE SPEECH THAT WE HEARD HIM GIVE AT THE BEGINNING OF HIS TERM ASIDE FROM UNITY IT WILL BE INTERESTING HOW HE PULLS IT OFF BECAUSE I DON'T THINK THAT'S WHO HE IS. >> YOU ARE COMING OFF OF SATURDAY, HE SAID HE PULLED AND TORE APART THE SPEECH TO YOU BY THAT? >> I DON'T. YOU CAN UNDERSTAND HOW IT CERTAINLY WOULD CHANGE SOMEWHAT AND THE MORE WE LEARN ABOUT IT THE MORE AND THE CRAZIER IT IS. SO HE HAS A CHANCE TO MAKE THE SPEECH AND HE PREVIEWED IT AS A UNITY SPEECH IF HE DOESN'T GIVE A UNITY SPEECH NOW I THINK IT WILL GET MORE EXTRA SCRUTINY. >> OF ALL THE BAD NEWS THAT HAS HAPPENED FOR DEMOCRATS IS SORT OF STRANGE USUALLY CAMPAIGNS WOULD GO DOWN AND LET THE REPUBLICANS HAVE THERE WE CAN THE DEMOCRATS WOULD HAVE THEIR WEEK AND DONALD TRUMP OUT THE DOOR BUT THIS HAS BEEN A GOOD WEEK FOR REPUBLICANS REGARDLESS OF WHAT HAS HAPPENED AT THE CONVENTION. >> IT'S HARD TO NOT LOOK AT THE FIRST THREE NIGHTS OF THE CONVENTION AND NOT SEE A LOT OF DIVERSITY ON THE STAGE AND A REAL EFFORT TO ATTRACT PEOPLE WHO ARE FROM THE DEMOCRATIC BASE COALITIONS YOU HAD LABOR AND PEOPLE OF COLOR AND WOMEN AND HISPANIC AND LATINOS, PRETTY MUCH EVERY GROUP YOU COULD CHECK THE BOX THEY WERE UP THERE TALKING ABOUT WHY THEY SUPPORT DONALD TRUMP. YOU HIT THE ISSUES WITH THE ECONOMY, BORDER AND THEN FOREIGN POLICY AND IF HE BRINGS IT ALL TOGETHER TOMORROW NIGHT, IN THAT UNITY SPIRIT WITH THE MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN TAGLINE, YOU KNOW IT WILL BE A VERY SUCCESSFUL CONVENTION THAT I WILL ALSO NOTE IT WAS ARKIN FIRST INVENTION, CONVENTION SINCE 2004 WHERE THE PARTY HAS BEEN UNIFIED AND SO I THINK THEY WILL BE EXCITED THE BALLOON DROP WILL BE GREAT, THEY ALWAYS ARE. >> WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT FOR TOMORROW? BIDEN-TRUMP FACTOR HERE, I'VE BEEN STRUCK WITH THAT SPLIT SCREEN OF THE DEMOCRATS DEALING WITH WHAT THEY ARE DEALING WITH, THE DEMOCRATS TRYING TO PRESENT A SOFTER EDGE TO DONALD TRUMP, TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WHO HAVE KNOWN HIM FOR THE COURSE OF EIGHT YEARS. IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE IF HE DELIVERS THAT SPEECH HE TALKED ABOUT. >> I'M WAITING TO SEE, IS HE A CHANGED MAN? HOW DOES HE SOAK IN THE MOMENT? THAT WILL DO IT FOR US HERE AT NBC NEWS. OUR COVERAGE OF NIGHT THREE OF THE RNC. >> WE WILL BE BACK TOMORROW WITH FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP TAKING THE STAGE AS HIS PARTY'S NOMINEE. FOR ALL OF US HERE AT NBC NEWS, THANK YOU, THE NEWS CONTINUES RIGHT NOW. GOOD NIGHT, FROM MILWAUKEE. >>> TONIGHT, DONALD TRUMP'S NEW RUNNING MATE IN THE SPOTLIGHT. >> [ CROWD CHANTING >> OHIO SENATOR J.D. VANCE IS TAKING THE NATIONAL STAGE FOR ] >> JD VANCE TAKE A NATIONAL STAGE FOR THE FIRST TIME REPRESENTING THE FUTURE OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY. >> WE GOT THERE AND GOT FIRED UP AND MADE THE CASE. >> JUST 39 YEARS OLD, HE WOULD BE ONE OF THE YOUNGEST VICE PRESIDENTS IN AMERICAN HISTORY. >> IS HE PREPARED FOR THE MOMENT? AND, CAN HE MAKE HIS PARTY'S CASE WITH HIS INTRODUCTION TO THE COUNTRY TONIGHT? >> FROM NBC NEWS, LIVE, FROM MILWAUKEE, THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION. HERE'S LESTER HOLT AND SAVANNAH GUTHRIE. >>> HI, EVERYBODY, GOOD EVENING. AND WELCOME, TO OUR COVERAGE OF THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION. >> FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS ARRIVED TO CHEER ON SUPPORTERS DAYS AFTER SURVIVING AN ATTEMPT ON HIS LIFE. >> TONIGHT'S THEME HERE, FOREIGN POLICY. THE RNC IS CALLING THE THEME " MAKE AMERICA STRONG AGAIN." SPEAKERS ARE EXPECTED TO CRITICIZE BIDEN'S RESPONSES TO THE WARS IN UKRAINE, WITHDRAWAL FROM AFGHANISTAN IN 2021, AND WE WILL HEAR FROM TWO GOLDSTAR FAMILIES AS WELL AS THE AMERICAN HOSTAGE WHO HAS BEEN HELD CAPTIVE. RNC COCHAIR, RNC CHAIRMAN LARA TRUMP TRUMP WL TALK ABOUT WHAT TO EXPECT TONIGHT. >> TONIGHT REALLY BELONGS TO VP AND AS HE ADDRESSES THE NATION, NBC NEWS LEARNS THAT HE IS