2016 Republican National Convention
The latest news, photos, video and opinion coverage of the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio.
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Donald Trump surges to lead after GOP convention
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has surged to a lead in the polls after his party's national convention last week, powered by a newly unified GOP behind him and independent voters giving him a second look.
Donald Trump winning Ohio depends on wooing blue-collar voters
The Republicans "definitely made a smart decision" to come to his home state to hold their convention, Nick Mitulinski figures, taking a break from fixing a balky hotel air conditioning compressor in this Cleveland suburb.
Donald Trump's Republican convention unlike any other
Though Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump's slogan, "Make America Great Again," harks back to another time, his coronation in Ohio felt like a groundbreaking affair. The Jumbotron screens were bigger, the security was tighter and Twitter messages flashed across the top of Quicken Loans Arena.
Black Lives Matter blasts Trump as a 'terrorist' after law-and-order convention speech
Black Lives Matter officials blasted presidential nominee Donald Trump as a "terrorist" after his Thursday speech to the Republican National Committee, saying he wants to give police authority to "terrorize our communities."
AP FACT CHECK: Donald Trump resurfaces debunked claims in speech
Despite promising "the truth, and nothing else" in his convention speech, Donald Trump presented the nation with a series of previously debunked claims and some new ones Thursday night - about the U.S. tax burden, the perils facing police, Hillary Clinton's record and more.
Donald Trump, Republicans move toward embrace of gays in convention's final night
The Republican Party under Donald Trump took strides toward greater acceptance of gay Americans on Thursday, welcoming a gay businessman to the stage and recognizing the community's suffering at the hands of an Islamic State-inspired shooter in Florida weeks ago.
Donald Trump promises 'the truth, and nothing else,' releases speech transcript with 282 footnotes
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump promised an end to lies Thursday night -- and as if to prove his point, he posted a transcript of his speech meticulously annotated with 282 footnotes.
Donald Trump completes takeover of Republican Party, declares 'I am your voice'
Donald Trump completed his takeover of the Republican Party on Thursday, claiming the presidential nomination, calling for unity within the party and holding himself out as the real agent of change all voters have been waiting for.
RNC demonstrations largely peaceful as anticipated riots fall to materialize
However history judges the Republican National Convention here this week, one thing is certain — 1968 it ain't.
Libertarians hope to woo supporters from RNC
But despite some minor snafus and less than half a million dollars in the bank, the Libertarian Party's presidential nominee says he plans to keep doing his thing going forward, touting a recent single-day "money comet" haul of $100,000 and calling developments at the GOP convention a "sad state of affairs."
Early Trump backers bask in glory at convention
Amid all the holdouts and lukewarm backers at the convention here, there are a handful of prominent Republicans who bought early tickets on the Trump Train, and they are now collecting their due.
Ted Cruz banking on Donald Trump loss, 2020 front-runner status, strategists say
Ted Cruz rolled the dice on his political future Wednesday night by refusing to endorse Donald Trump, firmly planting himself in a camp with other establishment GOP holdouts and setting himself up for a 2020 run at the White House — but the early betting is that his risk won't pay off.
Reince Priebus must decide whether to enforce Republican pledge
Whether Sen. Ted Cruz's speech here was standing up for principles or simply dissing RNC Chairman Reince Priebus to ready himself for 2020, the question now is whether Mr. Priebus will pursue his threat to enforce the pledge Mr. Cruz, Jeb Bush and John Kasich signed to support whoever is the Republican nominee.
Donald Trump hijacks Obama's 'change' slogan for acceptance speech
Americans are less safe today than when they elected President Obama and he chose Hillary Clinton as his top diplomat, Donald Trump will say Thursday, and he will promise to bring a steadier hand to the White House in dealing with unrest at home and the threat of terrorism across the globe, according to excerpts of his convention speech.
Donald Trump Wisconsin Republicans' hope to back a presidential winner
Wisconsin Republicans have captured their state's governorship and one of its U.S. Senate seats, and now have the speaker of the House -- but the big prize, the state's 10 Electoral College presidential votes, has long eluded them. With Donald Trump at the top of the ticket, though, they say this is the year that changes.
Mike Huckabee: Ted Cruz supporters embarrassed by him
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee said Thursday that Sen. Ted Cruz damaged his brand with his refusal to endorse Donald Trump as the GOP presidential nominee.
Top GOP donor: Donald Trump 'has not as of yet reached out to us'
One of the GOP's top financial backers said Thursday that Donald Trump has not yet made overtures to woo the party's big donors, but she said there's plenty of interest in helping down-ticket Republicans win their races.
Donald Trump gets a wall that someone else paid for
Donald Trump [sort of] got himself a wall, and a Los Angeles street artist paid for it.
Ivanka Trump 'terrified' about giving GOP convention speech
Ivanka Trump said Thursday that she is "terrified" about introducing her father Donald Trump to accept the presidential nomination at the Republican National Convention.
Donald Trump tests the mic: 'I love the media. They're so honest'
Donald Trump took a spin through the GOP's convention hall and did a microphone check Thursday afternoon, jokingly pronouncing himself a fan of the press.
Cleveland protester ignites while trying to burn American flag: 'You're on fire, stupid!'
Cops in Cleveland had to extinguish a Republican convention protester on Wednesday after he inadvertently set himself on fire while trying to burn the American flag.
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame jabs GOP convention
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame here announced Thursday its "playlist" of famous rock songs that poke fun at the most talked-about events from each day of this week's Republican National Convention.
Al Baldasaro, a Trump adviser, is under Secret Service investigation for Clinton comments
The Secret Service on Wednesday said it's investigating New Hampshire Rep. Al Baldasaro, a Donald Trump adviser, for advocating that Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton should be executed for treason.
SNL's Kate McKinnon 'Ginsburns' Trump, GOP convention in character as Ruth Bader Ginsburg
"Saturday Night Live" cast member Kate McKinnon has become somewhat famous for her manic impersonation of a power-mad Hillary Clinton. On Wednesday night, the comedian and actress set her sights on Donald Trump and the Republican convention in a skit on MSNBC in which she portrayed Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Meredith McIver role as Melania Trump speechwriter prompts campaign finance complaint
An anti-Trump political action committee filed a complaint against Donald Trump with the Federal Election Commission Thursday, accusing him of breaking the law by using personal staffers for campaign business.
Ted Cruz doubles down: I told Donald Trump three days ago 'I'm not going to endorse you'
A defiant Sen. Ted Cruz on Thursday refused to commit to voting for Donald Trump in the fall election, saying the pledge he took to support the eventual GOP presidential nominee was voided when Mr. Trump started attacking his family on the campaign trail.
Eric Trump: Ted Cruz's speech was 'classless'
Eric Trump said Thursday that Sen. Ted Cruz's speech on Wednesday at the Republican National Convention was "classless" and that the Quicken Loans Arena was "literally shaking" with boos from the crowd.
Mike Pence: 'Every confidence' Trump will see to it that U.S. lives up to treaty obligations
Republican vice presidential nominee Mike Pence said Thursday he has "every confidence" Donald Trump will ensure the U.S. stands with allies and lives up to treaty obligations, after a report was published on Wednesday in which Mr. Trump was quoted as saying support for NATO allies could be conditional.
Ken Cuccinelli: I helped escort Heidi Cruz away from the GOP convention floor for her safety
Former Virginia Attorney General Kenneth T. Cuccinelli II said things got so heated after Sen. Ted Cruz's speech at the Republican National Convention Wednesday evening that he warded off members of his own state's delegation to help escort Mr. Cruz's wife, Heidi, away from the convention floor.
Ted Cruz fundraises off his GOP convention speech
Despite being booed from the stage Wednesday, Sen. Ted Cruz is fundraising off his speech at the GOP convention, asking for donations to continue his political fight.
Donald Trump Jr.: We knew an endorsement wasn't coming in Ted Cruz's speech
Donald Trump Jr. said Thursday they knew Sen. Ted Cruz wasn't going to endorse his father in the Texas senator's Wednesday speech at the Republican National Convention, but said it ended up galvanizing people behind the Republican presidential nominee anyway.
Mike Pence accepts V.P. nomination, debuts as ticket attack dog
Indiana Gov. Mike Pence accepted Republicans' vice presidential nomination Wednesday night, introducing himself to the GOP convention and trying to project a party unity that's remains elusive.
Ted Cruz puts his political career ahead of his country -- and it backfires
In the end, it was all about Ted Cruz. Delivering an unvetted speech before the Republican National Convention on Wednesday night, Ted Cruz -- as is always his custom -- carefully calculated just how to do it so it would benefit himself the most. And it backfired.
Newt Gingrich: Ted Cruz 'misunderstood' by booing convention crowd
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich told the thousands that showered Sen. Ted Cruz with boos at the Republican National Convention that they "misunderstood" the Texan's refusal to explicity endorse Donald Trump.
Ted Cruz withholds Donald Trump endorsement in convention speech
Conservatives continued to battle for the soul of the Republican Party at its national convention Wednesday, with Sen. Ted Cruz refusing to endorse nominee Donald Trump and instead delivering a speech that many in the crowd saw as the kickoff of the 2020 presidential campaign.
Spanish-language media's 'immigration-centric' coverage casts Republicans in negative light
Voters watching coverage of the Republican National Convention's first night saw Melania Trump's speech, a fight over party rules and withering attacks against Hillary Clinton. But those who got their news from Spanish-language newspapers and television saw a party equating illegal immigrants to criminals and terrorists.
Marco Rubio urges Republicans to 'come together,' rally behind Donald Trump
Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida called for unity Thursday in a video message at the Republican National Convention, urging party activists to rally behind Donald Trump and assuring them that the New York billionaire is poised to put the nation on a more conservative path.
Scott Walker: 'America deserves better than Hillary Clinton'
Gov. Scott Walker of Wisconsin erased any doubt about his support for Donald Trump at the Republican National Convention, saying the nation must not settle for Hillary Clinton in the November election.
Paul Ryan struggles to pitch House Republicans' agenda
House Republicans were counting on their own agenda to help put some distance between themselves and Donald Trump, but their six-plank plan, which Speaker Paul D. Ryan and fellow leaders released last month with great fanfare inside the Beltway, has landed with a thud elsewhere.
Donald Trump campaign remains clumsy despite experience of Paul Manafort
Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort was hired to bring a steady hand, professionalism and competence Donald Trump's presidential operation, but the first two days of the GOP convention signaled the campaign remains clumsy.
Ivanka Trump leads Donald Trump campaign's effort to close gap with women
Donald Trump's presidential campaign is convinced he will get a much-needed bump in support from female voters coming out of this week's Republican National Convention, where a series of successful and powerful women are taking the stage to extol his virtues.
Hillary Clinton's rapid response hopes to take spotlight
Hillary Clinton is counterpunching just as soon as Republicans strike during their party convention in Cleveland this week, but the former first lady's campaign largely is limiting its fire to politicians and has shied away from criticism of celebrities and Donald Trump's children.
RNC merchandise mirrors Republican divide
One of the best-sellers at Johnny Moore's souvenir stand outside the Republican National Convention features an American flag logo that, oddly enough, isn't even being used by Donald Trump's campaign anymore.
Anti-Trump protesters, police clash outside RNC; 4 arrested
Anti-Trump protesters clashed with police in Cleveland Wednesday outside the Republican National Convention, with at least four protesters arrested.
Rob Portman: Sunny Cleveland days belie 'underlying problem' of opioids
Fresh off passage of his signature opioids bill, Sen. Rob Portman shirked a victory lap outside the Republican National Convention on Wednesday and warned that overdoses from prescription painkillers and heroin continue to kill scores of Ohioans.
Catholics on Republican convention platform
The detailed platform adopted by the Republican Party this week received mixed reactions among Catholics for its positions.
Third Eye Blind provokes crowd during concert near Republican National Convention
Third Eye Blind has used a performance near the site of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland to speak out on gay rights.
Paul Manafort: Ted Cruz will leave 'no doubt' he wants Donald Trump to be president
Donald Trump's campaign chairman said Wednesday that Sen. Ted Cruz will leave "no doubt" he wants Mr. Trump to be president in his address to the Republican National Convention, though he hadn't yet seen Mr. Cruz's planned remarks.
Eric Trump: I wrote 'every single word' of my speech myself
Eric Trump, who will make the case for his father during a prime-time address Wednesday evening at the Republican National Convention, said he personally wrote his entire speech.
Chris Christie: Every Republican who's not working for Donald Trump is working for Hillary Clinton
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said Wednesday that every Republican who's not working for Donald Trump is working for Hillary Clinton -- and hinted he could engage in a bit of an "I told you so" to GOP holdouts like Jeb Bush and John Kasich if Mrs. Clinton is elected.
Paul Manafort: As far as we're concerned, the 'speech is Melania's speech'
Donald Trump's campaign chairman on Wednesday said Melania Trump's speech at the Republican National Convention on Monday was her own and the campaign is moving on, after similarities between Mrs. Trump's speech and a 2008 address by first lady Michelle Obama had been litigated throughout the second day of the GOP convention Tuesday.
Paul Ryan better-liked than Donald Trump, Ted Cruz, Chris Christie, Mitt Romney: poll
House Speaker Paul D. Ryan has a higher favorability rating than several other high-profile Republicans at the party's convention this week in Cleveland, including Donald Trump, Sen. Ted Cruz and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.
Sajid Tarar's closing prayer marred by 'No Islam' chant at Republican convention
The closing prayer at Republicans' convention session Tuesday, delivered by a Muslim, was marred by a Trump supporter repeatedly chanting "No Islam," exposing a still raw nerve within the GOP over how big the party's tent should be.
Donald Trump Jr., Tiffany Trump seek to humanize Republican nominee
After putting their father over the threshold to become Republicans' presidential nominee, two of Donald Trump's children took the stage at Republicans' convention Tuesday and sought to humanize a man known to many voters from his reality TV persona and the hard-edged GOP campaign.
Chris Christie puts Hillary Clinton on trial; convention crowd finds her guilty
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie put Hillary Clinton on trial Tuesday at the Republican National Convention, laying out a point-by-point case against her and asking the crowd to render a verdict.
Paul Ryan: Donald Trump offers alternative to 'third Obama term'
House Speaker Paul D. Ryan, hoping to unite a clearly divided GOP, offered a full-throated defense of his party's ideas late Tuesday, saying the only way to fight poverty, repeal Obamacare and offer a "better way" to America is to banish a "third Obama term" by dismissing Hillary Clinton and linking arms with Donald Trump.
Mitch McConnell launches all-out assault on Hillary Clinton
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell launched an all-out assault on presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton late Tuesday and said the only way to repeal Obamacare, realign the Supreme Court and defund Planned Parenthood is to elect Donald Trump, even as members of his own caucus steer clear of the nominating festivities.
Jeff Flake, Ben Sasse among Republicans who still reject Donald Trump despite coronation
Republicans' convention has done little to quell the worries of Donald Trump's skeptics within his own party, with one prominent GOP senator saying Tuesday the strident rhetoric emanating from the speakers is actually chasing swing voters away.
RNC reporting bias gets warning
Journalists working at the Republican National Convention may notice a common theme: billboards and advertisements telling them to check their bias.
Mike Lee says Reince Priebus owes Donald Trump apology for convention mess
Sen. Mike Lee said Tuesday called on Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus to apologize to GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump for the chaos that marred the first day of the party's national convention.
From The Vault
Clint Eastwood: Talks about convention chat with chair
Clint Eastwood said the idea to use an empty seat as a prop at the Republican National Convention was a spur-of-the-moment decision when someone backstage asked him if he wanted to sit down.
Eastwood's speech: ‘Classic improv’ or ‘bizarre’?
Three days after Clint Eastwood's rambling, on-stage "conversation" with an imaginary Barack Obama, Republicans and Democrats were split on whether the improvisational bit helped or hurt Mitt Romney.
Rubio: American exceptionalism imperiled under Obama
Florida Sen. Marco Rubio finally got his moment in the spotlight Thursday when he formally introduced Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, attacking President Obama's record while weaving in his own personal history as a call to arms that anyone, from any background, can make it in America.
Romney to turn to Reagan playbook for stretch run
Carrying a post-convention glow from his coronation as the Republican Party's standard-bearer, Mitt Romney plans to take a page out of Ronald Reagan's playbook from the 1980 presidential campaign by urging voters to ask themselves: "Are you better off than you were four years ago?"
Jeb Bush defends his brother, former president
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush says President Barack Obama should stop blaming his brother, former President George W. Bush, for the country's economic woes.
Romney accepts GOP nomination at RNC, vows leadership, 'lots of jobs'
Mitt Romney on Thursday accepted the nod to lead an ever-more conservative Republican Party against a powerful but politically vulnerable incumbent, telling a national audience that this year’s election comes down to jobs and President Obama’s failure to create enough of them.
