Melania Trump returns to convention following speech gaffe

“Friends, delegates and fellow Americans, I humbly and gratefully accept your nomination for the presidency of the United States”, he told tens of thousands of cheering supporters in Ohio. “As long as we are led by politicians who will not put America first, then we can be assured that our nations will not treat America with respect – the respect that we deserve”.

“The speech itself was, on balance, unremarkable”, he said.

Hitting the former secretary of State for foreign policy problems ranging from Libya to the Islamic State, Trump said that Clinton’s legacy is one of “death, destruction, terrorism and weakness”. He again blasted what he called the unfair trade tactics of competitors like China.

Trump spent a substantial portion of his speech on immigration- his signature issue- declining to repeat his vow to ban all Muslims from entering the US.

The Trump campaign spent two days denying there was any plagiarism, calling the criticism absurd.

Seemingly stunned by those initial blows and unable to escape the clutches of Trump’s notably small hands, the party relented, eventually inviting the enemy into its den – this week’s Republican National Convention.

His address contrasted sharply with the cheery introduction of his daughter Ivanka (34) who called her father “the people’s champion” and attempted to broaden his appeal by describing him as someone who from “outside of the system” could only bring real change.

She said Trump would change that. Trump offered “just more prejudice and paranoia” rather than solutions, Podesta said, adding that “America is better than this”.

In his hour-plus remarks, Trump recited a string of slogans he used at rallies across the country in the past year, including “Law and Order”, “America First”, a “rigged system”, and – the original campaign theme – “Make America Great Again”. The crowd responded with repeated ovations and chants like “build that wall!” and “U-S-A!”

So that’s done. And there’s more: “When I am president, I will work to ensure that all of our kids are treated equally and protected equally”. A protester briefly interrupted Trump.

Toward the end of his remarks, Trump said Americas is “a nation of believers, dreamers, and strivers” being led by “censors, critics, and cynics”. “So to every parent who dreams for their child and every child who dreams for their future, I say these words to you tonight”, he said.

Ivanka Trump sought to show a different side to her father on the final night of the Republican National Convention, introducing him as a compassionate fighter who would battle for his country as fiercely as he has for his family and businesses. “Great love in the arena!”

Ivanka, a senior executive in her father’s business, the Trump Organization, noted that the company has more female than male executives.

Trump prepared for his big night amid another flap over his commitment to US military alliances, including North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.

“She is very, very trusted by me”, Trump told the New York Times in April. “Iraq was seeing a reduction in violence”, Trump said.

Republican strategist Ron Bonjean said there was a muted tone at some Cleveland gatherings, which he attributed to the unique relationship between Trump and his party’s establishment.

The boos and jeers from the pro-Trump crowd grew louder as Ted Cruz’s prime time speech Wednesday wore on and made clear he wasn’t going to endorse the nominee.

Mr Trump has previously suggested that Mr Cruz’s father was involved in the assassination of John F Kennedy and criticised the appearance of his wife, Heidi.

“All right guys, right this way”, an officer said, opening a lane in the security line to accommodate Turner Fair, of Cleveland, who was carrying the Trump-like pig. When GOP leaders blocked that effort, the anti-Trump delegates staged a noisy protest on the floor. “I have joined the political arena so that the powerful can no longer beat up on people that cannot defend themselves”. “They’re so honest… They’re such honorable people…”

“I will work with and appoint the best and brightest prosecutors and law enforcement officials to get the job properly done”, he said to applause.