Friday morning news: July 19, 2024

TRUMP: (USA chants) Thank you very much. Thank you very, very much. Wow. 

Trump RNC » Donald Trump last night formally accepted the Republican nomination for president for a third time, delivering his first full speech since a would-be assassin’s bullet very nearly found its mark.

TRUMP: Just a few short days ago, my journey with you nearly ended. We know that. And yet, here we are tonight, all gathered together talking about the future.

He paid tribute to Corey Compratore, the former fire chief who was struck and killed by a bullet intended for the former president. Compratore’s fireman’s jacket and helmet were displayed on stage as he spoke.

For Trump, it was a more toned-down speech than usual, pensive at times, but it still featured familiar campaign mantras and rousing one-liner.

TRUMP: Two things on day one, right? Drill, baby dill, and close our borders! (cheers)

Turning focus to the border, he recounted stories of violent crimes committed by migrants who entered the country illegally.

TRUMP: Tonight, America, this is my vow: I will not let these criminals and killers into our country.

And he vowed the largest deportation in generations.

He touted the accomplishments of his first four years in office, highlighting things like the pre-pandemic economy. On the global stage, he said the world was calmer during the Trump presidency as America projected strength. That, he said, kept Russia at bay. He added that tightening the clamps on Iran helped keep peace in the Middle East.

He promised more of the same in a second Trump presidency.

TRUMP: And the entire world, I tell you this: We want our hostages back. And they better be back before I assume office, or you will be paying a very big price.

The final day of the convention leading up to Trump’s speech featured a heavy dose of showmanship with performances by country music star Jason Aldean, rock star Kid Rock and even a spirited speech by Hulk Hogan.

Secret Service » Anger is mounting among Republicans over the Secret Service security failure that almost led to the assassination of the former president.

GOP lawmakers this week confronted the agency’s director, Kimberly Cheatle, at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.

AUDIO: You owe the people answers. You owe President Trump answers.

Cheatle held a conference call with senators on Wednesday, but Sen. John Barrasso said she simply read talking points and stonewalled lawmakers. 

BARRASSO: She needs to answer those questions, and we thought we might have a chance to discuss them with her last night. Instead, she chose to run away.

The House Oversight Committee has subpoenaed her to testify on the security failure on Monday. 

Push to bounce Biden » President Biden is facing a renewed push to pull the plug on his reelection campaign and make way for a younger Democratic nominee.

But the president’s deputy campaign manager Quentin Fulks told reporters yesterday anyone waiting for the president to drop out shouldn’t hold their breath.

FULKS: The president has said it several times: he’s staying in this race. 

Former President Barack Obama and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi are reportedly among the latest influential Democrats to privately urge Biden to bow out. That’s according to the Associated Press report yesterday citing several sources close to the situation.

Bob Newhart obit » Bob Newhart has died after a series of illnesses. The accountant-turned-comedian rose to fame with a smash album and became one of the most popular TV stars of his time.

MUSIC: [Bob Newhart Show theme]

Newhart was a Chicago psychologist in “The Bob Newhart Show” in the 1970s …

MUSIC: [Bob Newhart Show theme]

… and an innkeeper on “Newhart” in the 1980s.

NEWHART: You won’t believe the dream I just had. What is it? I was an innkeeper in this crazy little town in Vermont.

Younger audiences know him as Papa Elf in the 2003 holiday movie Elf. Bob Newhart was 94 years old.

Lou Dobbs obit » Longtime cable TV news host Lou Dobbs has also died.

He was a founding anchor for CNN and later was a nightly presence on Fox Business Network for more than a decade. He was 78.

His death was announced Thursday in a post on his official X account. No cause of death was given.

I’m Kent Covington.

Straight ahead: Culture Friday with John Stonestreet. Plus, singing Psalm 23.

This is The World and Everything in It.

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