Republican National Convention live updates: Donald Trump's 'painful' speech about shooting, thanks Melania as he vows to win and fix America

Donald Trump has vowed to fix America as he accepted the Republican party's nomination after he told of how he was shot at in his prime-time speech. Follow the updates.

In the longest address given by a candidate ever, Donald Trump has opened his speech with what he said was a "message of confidence, strength and hope" with his loyal family right behind him. 

After formally accepting the Republican nomination for November's presidential election,  Trump brought the helmet and jacket of Corey Comperatore, the volunteer firefighter chief who was shot dead.

He recalled how he was shot at, but survived with God by his side. 

Trump said: "I am not supposed to be here tonight."

The crowd chanted back: "Yes you are, yes you are."

"I stand before you in this arena only by the grace of almighty God," the former president said.

Trump said a "growing spectre of conflict" was hanging over Taiwan, South Korea and Asia as a whole, and that the world was "teetering on the edge of World War III".

Trump talked up his relationship with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un, saying that he managed to stop his missile launches.

Outlining his plans for the next four years, Trump promised he would end the "inflation crisis", start paying off debt while lowering taxes, close the US-Mexico border with a finished wall, and "drill, baby, drill" to shore up America's energy system.

He also vowed that he would "end every single international crisis" - including the war in Ukraine - without providing any details about his peace plan.

He reached out to American voters, asking and at one point, tried to "buy" their vote. "You've been told to lower your expectations and to accept less to your families, I am here tonight with the opposite message, your expectations are not big enough. It is time to start expecting and demanding the best leadership in the world, leadership that is bold, dynamic, relentless and fearless."

His wife Melania waved to the crowd as she walked to her seat in the VIP section where other family members were including Ivanka who also hasn't been seen since the assassination attempt. 

Trump also praised his running mate JD Vance, calling him his "new friend fighting by my side". 

"Enjoy the ride," he added. 

Kid Rock called on fans to chant "fight fight" and "Trump Trump" after Hulk Hogan whipped the crowd into a frenzy with his appearance when he ripped his shirt.

Trump's son Eric told the Republican convention his father had shown "unwavering courage and determination" throughout his controversial political career.

At 81, US President Joe Biden has been facing growing calls from his own side to quit the race, and he suffered another blow yesterday when he was diagnosed with Covid-19.

SEE HIS SPEECH ABOVE AND SEE HOW IT UNFOLDED BELOW:

Originally published as Republican National Convention live updates: Donald Trump's 'painful' speech about shooting, thanks Melania as he vows to win and fix America

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