Trump formally nominated as 2020 Republican presidential candidate
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By Theresa Seiger, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
President Donald Trump formally won the Republican nomination for the 2020 presidential election on Monday.
The president will be vying for a second term after securing more than the 1,276 delegates needed to win the GOP nomination during a roll-call vote on the first day of the Republican National Convention. Earlier in the convention, which was pared down due to the threat of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, delegates renominated Vice President Mike Pence for a second term in office.
The president took the stage in a surprise appearance after his nomination became formal. He was greeted with chants calling for “Four more years.”
“This is the most important election in the history of our country,” Trump said. “We have to be very careful and we have to win. Our country is counting on us.”
Republican National Convention Delegates cheer as Vice President Mike Pence speaks at the 2020 Republican National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, Aug. 24, 2020. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) (Andrew Harnik/AP)
Republican National Convention Delegates participate in the first day of the Republican National Convention, Monday, Aug. 24, 2020, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson, pool) (Chris Carlson/AP)
Republican National Convention Vice President Mike Pence speaks at the 2020 Republican National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, Aug. 24, 2020. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) (Andrew Harnik/AP)
Republican National Convention Delegates listen during the roll call vote of states at the 2020 Republican National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, Aug. 24, 2020. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) (Andrew Harnik/AP)
Republican National Convention Delegates gather for the first day of the Republican National Convention, Monday, Aug. 24, 2020, in Charlotte, N.C. (Travis Dove/The New York Times via AP, Pool) (Travis Dove/AP)
Republican National Convention Delegates cast their votes on the first day of the Republican National Convention, Monday, Aug. 24, 2020, in Charlotte, N.C. (Travis Dove/The New York Times via AP, Pool) (Travis Dove/AP)
Republican National Convention A delegate looks around the room during a brief recess on the first day of the Republican National Convention, Monday, Aug. 24, 2020, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson, pool) (Chris Carlson/AP)
Republican National Convention Delegates listen during the roll call vote of states at the 2020 Republican National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, Aug. 24, 2020. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) (Andrew Harnik/AP)
Republican National Convention Delegates listen during the roll call vote of states at the 2020 Republican National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, Aug. 24, 2020. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) (Andrew Harnik/AP)
Republican National Convention Vice President Mike Pence speaks at the 2020 Republican National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, Aug. 24, 2020. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) (Andrew Harnik/AP)
Republican National Convention Delegates gather for the first day of the Republican National Convention, Monday, Aug. 24, 2020, in Charlotte, N.C. (Travis Dove/The New York Times via AP, Pool) (Travis Dove/AP)
Republican National Convention Delegates applaud as Vice President Mike Pence speaks at the 2020 Republican National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, Aug. 24, 2020. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) (Andrew Harnik/AP)
Republican National Convention People listen as President Donald Trump speaks on stage as he visits the Republican National Committee convention site, Monday, Aug. 24, 2020, in Charlotte. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) (Evan Vucci/AP)
Republican National Convention President Donald Trump speaks the Republican National Committee convention site, Monday, Aug. 24, 2020, in Charlotte. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) (Evan Vucci/AP)
Republican National Convention A screen shows that President Donald Trump going over the amount of delegates he needs for the nomination at the 2020 Republican National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, Aug. 24, 2020. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) (Andrew Harnik/AP)
Republican National Convention President Donald Trump speaks on stage as he visits the Republican National Committee convention site, Monday, Aug. 24, 2020, in Charlotte. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) (Evan Vucci/AP)
Delegates held an in-person meeting and roll-call vote in the ballroom of the Charlotte Convention Center on Monday morning, according to WSOC-TV. The in-person vote included 336 delegates who pledged their votes to Trump, the news station reported.
Trump earned enough votes to win the GOP presidential nomination in March.
The White House announced the president will make a stop in Charlotte Monday. Pence landed in Charlotte before noon and took the stage at the RNC to address the delegates inside the Convention Center. Trump arrived at Charlotte Douglas International Airport just before noon, according to WSOC-TV.