Trump accepts the nomination: RNC final day takeaways

MILWAUKEE − After a somber 15 minutes talking about unity and recounting the shooting that nearly took his life Saturday, former President Donald Trump's nomination acceptance speech turned to familiar rally grievances that have been the hallmark of his campaign.

First he promised to tell the story of the shooting, saying it would be the only time he would recount it.

"There was blood pouring everywhere and yet, in a certain way I felt very safe because I had God on my side," Trump said. " ... I'm not supposed to be here tonight. ... I'm not and I stand before you in this arena by the grace of almighty God."

More:'I'm not supposed to be here tonight': Trump recalls rally attack in RNC speech

Standing at a white podium before a mock White House, Trump said, "The discord and division in our society must be healed and healed quickly.

"I am running to be president for all of America, not half of America. Because there is no victory in winning for half of America."

He spoke of "crazy Nancy" Pelosi, demanded that Democrats end the three pending felony criminal cases against him, promised to end the "invasion" of illegal immigrants, and complained that he doesn't get enough credit for the accomplishments of his first administration. He accused Democrats of stealing the 2020 election, mocked the media and referred to COVID-19 as the "China virus."

The beginning of the speech stood out for a candidate whose rhetoric has long been criticized as divisive or harsh, speaking of carnage. For days, his friends, family and colleagues have said the attempt on his life fundamentally changed him.

Rep. Jay Obernolte, R-Calif., said he believes the shooting has given Trump some perspective.

"He just had a near-death experience, and I think that will make anyone introspective about what the job of a leader is. I don't think it's inauthentic at all for him to say: This has gone too far. We need to put our country back together. And political violence is something that is an extreme that should never be resorted to," Obernolte told USA TODAY.

The final night of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee was a mishmash of familial anecdotes, riffs off the prewritten speech and former pro wrester Hulk Hogan ripping his shirt off on stage.

Performing in front of screens displaying flames licking at the American flag, singer Kid Rock called Trump "the most patriotic American badass on Earth."

The crowd was energized. Jubilant delegates waved signs with slogans including “Fire Joe Biden,” “America First Means Americans First,” "Trump=success, Biden=failure" and “Bring Back Common Sense.”

The Texas delegation waved cream cowboy hats in sync with the band. California's delegates wore special-edition gold Make America Great Again hats. Not to be outdone, the Wisconsin delegation wore cheesehead hats.

Ruth Streck, 73, of Wisconsin, had such a hat perched on her head as she waited for Trump's speech.

"I think he is a voice for regular people," she said. "And we need more of that, not kowtowing to the lobbyists or the fat cats."

Softer image for Trump?

The campaign's attempt to show a softer side of Trump after the shooting continued Thursday night as speaker after speaker told personal anecdotes. The former president held his youngest granddaughter, Carolina Trump, on his lap as her father, Eric, addressed the crowd.

"Many Americans have only witnessed his leadership on TV. But I have seen his humanity in the quiet moments away from the spotlight," New York real estate developer Steve Witkoff said after recounting how the president checked on him when Witkoff's father died.

John Nieporte, head pro at Trump’s golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida, raved about Trump's golf game and recounted the day he was hired.

Former conservative TV personality Tucker Carlson called Trump "the funniest person I've ever met."

Missing Melania Trump appears at last

Melania Trump arrived at Fiserv Forum shortly before her husband's acceptance speech after being absent from the VIP box all week.

Trump's adult sons, youngest daughter and their families have been fixtures in Milwaukee, but Trump's wife, eldest daughter Ivanka Trump and youngest son Barron Trump have been absent. Barron Trump did not appear Thursday.

They missed the official nomination of Trump and his first appearance in the convention hall Monday night, just two days after he was shot at a political rally in Pennsylvania, and they haven't spoken or appeared at any of the events around the convention.

Speaker calls for Biden to fire the secret service director

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said he called the White House on Thursday morning to ask President Joe Biden to fire Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle after the assassination attempt on Trump.

Johnson did not get to speak with the president, he said in an interview at an event hosted by CNN and Politico.

Security was tight at the convention after Saturday's shooting. A group of U.S. senators confronted and then chased Cheatle on Wednesday at the convention, demanding answers.

Lawmakers will receive a classified briefing next week from the Secret Service and the FBI about the shooting, but Johnson called on the administration to declassify classified information for the American public to know. 

“If you let questions hover over this, it’s a dangerous thing,” Johnson said, noting that conspiracy theories can “flourish.”

Eyes on Biden/Harris despite RNC wrap-up

Despite it being the last day the national spotlight is fixed on the Republicans' convention, attention already was shifting to the question of whether Biden would stay on the ticket or bow to mounting pressure from Democratic leaders to step aside and let a new candidate take on Trump.

The conversation is expected to continue behind closed doors as Biden is ensconced with family in Rehoboth Beach and recovering from COVID-19.

More:Brutal split screen: Biden holed up with COVID while Trump accepts nomination

In recent days, Democratic House and Senate leaders have been speaking directly with Biden about polling that shows decreasing odds of winning the House or holding control of the Senate if he stays in the race.

One of the first Democrats to call for Biden to drop out, Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., said Thursday that he raised his concerns directly with former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., about Biden’s ability to articulate his message and his health.

"Nancy is a senior leader and I believe the most talented politician in the Democratic Party. She has great relationships, obviously with the president and his team, all the people in the house. She has been guiding, steering and speaking to people about what the best path forward is, in a way that I think has been very, very productive.”