The Republican presidential ticket came together when Donald Trump named JD Vance as his running mate. In turning to the 39-year-old Ohio senator, the Republican nominee injected new energy into a campaign that has centered in recent weeks on questions of age following President Joe Biden’s disastrous debate performance. The Republican National Convention opened Monday less than 48 hours after Trump was the subject of a shocking assassination attempt in Pennsylvania. Associated Press reporter Meg Kinnard says a variety of issues were brought up by speakers, including President Joe Biden. “The official theme of Monday's speeches was economics, with many elected officials and quote unquote, everyday Americans, talking about a variety of different economic issues. But in large part, many of them took an opportunity to go against Democratic President Joe Biden for alleged failures on a variety of different issues,” Kinnard said. Trump made a grand entrance, walking into the convention hall with a bandage over his injured right ear and waving to the crowd. “Delegates also got their first glimpse of Trump himself after the assassination attempt. He came into the arena on Monday night to the strains of Lee Greenwood's God Bless the U.S.A., which the artist himself showed up to sing. Trump had a bandage on his right ear and seemed to get emotional as he greeted delegates, who stood and cheered for several long moments as he came in to greet them,” Kinnard said. The shooting, which left Trump injured and one man dead, loomed over the convention with speakers resolved to win back the White House. Trump is expected to speak on Thursday, the closing night of the convention.