Over 18 million people watched the first night of RNC
An estimated 18.13 million viewers watched the first night of the convention, according to Nielsen.
On Sunday, when Biden delivered an Oval Office address encouraging the nation to lower the heat in politics, across seven networks averaged 19.4 million viewers
By comparison, 15.8 million viewers watched the first night of the Republican National Convention in 2020. The Covid pandemic meant that convention was not held in person; instead, speakers gave remarks in an empty room before a camera.
Biden criticizes Trump in pitch to Black voters at NAACP convention
Biden criticized Trump this afternoon at the NAACP National Convention in Las Vegas, saying life was "hell" for Black Americans during the previous administration.
"He tried to repeal Obamacare to kick millions —I mean millions — of Black Americans off their health insurance and a $2 trillion tax cut that overwhelmingly benefited the super wealthy and biggest corporations and exploded the federal debt," Biden said in remarks that lasted about 30 minutes and often drew rousing applause.
"He left no room for us to do what we should be doing: invest in things that affect people's lives, like child care, elder care and so much more that grow the economy," Biden said. "His mismanagement of the pandemic was especially devastating to Black communities."
Biden said that under Trump, Black unemployment rose and devastated small Black-owned businesses.
"And you peacefully protested George Floyd's murder. Donald Trump called for the National Guard to go after you. What the hell's the matter with this man?" Biden said.
He said Republicans have already eviscerated affirmative action and devastated diversity, equity and inclusion programs across the country. He said they're doing it by "banning books."
"They're trying to erase Black history. Black history is American history!" Biden yelled.
Biden says that 'hopefully with age, I've demonstrated a little bit of wisdom'
In a speech to the NAACP convention this afternoon in Las Vegas, Biden admitted that he's old but highlighted that his lifetime of experience can bring wisdom.
“I’ve been young and now am old. Yet I’ve not seen the righteous forsaken. I’ve not seen the righteous forsaken. And I will not see the righteous forsaken," he said.
"Hopefully, with age, I’ve demonstrated a little bit of wisdom," he continued. "Here’s what I do know: I know how to tell the truth. I know right from wrong. I know how to do this job. And I know the good Lord hasn’t brought us this far to leave us now. We have more work to do. This is the moment to be engaged.”
Reports say JD Vance and Kamala Harris spoke
Three sources say Vice President Harris and Sen. Vance have spoken on the phone. One of the sources said Vance initiated the call.
Fox News first reported the call. NBC earlier reported that Harris called Vance and left a voicemail.
RNC co-chair says she thinks Trump will return to Butler, Pa.
Republican National Committee co-chair Lara Trump said she thinks the former president will return to the western Pennsylvania town where he was shot Saturday.
"I can tell you there's no one who wants to get back out to a rally more than Donald Trump himself," Lara Trump, the former president's daughter-in-law, said today at a Bloomberg roundtable. "And I can almost guess that you would probably choose to go back to Butler, Pennsylvania, because that's how he operates."
Donald Trump and Vance are scheduled to hold an indoor rally Saturday in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It will be their first rally since Trump named Vance as his running mate.
Ben Carson 'not sure' what he'll say tonight
Ben Carson, who was secretary of housing and urban development during the Trump administration, said today he wasn't certain about what he'll say in his convention speech tonight.
"I'm not sure what I'm going to say, but I will be inspired when I get there," Carson told NBC News’ Kristen Welker on “Meet the Press NOW.”
Matt Gaetz says he'll cheer on Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley tonight
Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., told NBC News today that he will cheer on former GOP presidential candidates Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis during their convention speeches tonight.
Gaetz, a staunch Trump ally on Capitol Hill, said he thinks the convention crowds “ought to cheer them on” and predicted that their speeches will be well-received.
Kamala Harris asked JD Vance to accept Aug. 13 debate date
In a voicemail yesterday, Vice President Kamala Harris encouraged Vance to accept the Aug. 13 date for a vice presidential debate proposed by CBS News.
As of 4:30 p.m. ET, Harris and Vance have not yet connected.
Harris had called Vance to congratulate him on his selection as Trump's VP pick, according to a Biden-Harris campaign official.
Georgia election interference case now on hold until December
A Georgia appeals court scheduled oral arguments on Trump’s bid to disqualify Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis from her election interference prosecution of the former president for Dec. 5 — a month after the presidential election.
The Georgia Court of Appeals had previously indicated it would hear the appeal of Judge Scott McAfee’s decision to allow Willis and her office to remain on the case in October. It had sent a tentative Oct. 4 date for oral arguments.
The prosecution of Trump and his co-defendants on charges they illegally conspired to overturn the election results in the state will remain frozen until then — the appeals court said in a June order that all lower court proceedings “are hereby stayed pending the outcome of these appeals.” Trump and his co-defendants have pleaded not guilty.
The delay is the latest in a string of recent court victories for the former president.
Where's Biden today?
While Republicans from across the country gather in Milwaukee, Biden is with his team in Las Vegas.
This afternoon, he'll tape an interview with BET News’ Ed Gordon and give remarks at the 115th NAACP National Convention. The interview and the speech are part of a larger effort by Biden to get out of Washington and speak directly to voters after a poor debate performance in Atlanta last month.
It also comes as Trump seeks to gain ground among Black voters, particularly men.
Before heading to the NAACP convention, Biden and his advisers also received an updated homeland security briefing, one of many Biden has received since Trump was shot over the weekend.