What to Watch Wednesday Night

Good evening from Cleveland, where Donald Trump arrived in style Wednesday as his helicopter airlifted him downtown to be greeted by running mate Mike Pence after returning from a two-night stay in New York. In all the time Trump had been gone, political media has obsessed over Melania Trump’s apparently plagiarized paragraph in her speech to the Republican National Convention. It should have been a one-day story, or even just in the press for a few hours. But the Trump campaign’s inability to admit error ensured it had at least a three-day lifespan. Finally they admitted the obvious Wednesday afternoon, that portions of the speech had been lifted from Michelle Obama’s, saying an aide was responsible. This comes after a series of denials and lies from the campaign and Republican surrogates that nothing was wrong, as Republican Party officials shook their heads at the Trump campaign’s hard-headedness.

The highlight of Wednesday night is set to be twin speeches in primetime from Eric Trump, who will deliver a personal testimonial about his dad, and Mike Pence, who will use the opportunity to introduce himself to the American people. An unabashed conservative, Pence had most recently been in the news before his selection for a controversial religious freedom law in his home state of Indiana viewed as anti-LGBT. His speech will offer him the opportunity to try to move past that troubling time. All eyes will also be on Ted Cruz Meanwhile, Newt Gingrich will have his opportunity to show why he should have been selected as Trump’s running mate.

Third Eye Blind trolls Republicans. A Trump advisor calls for Obama’s death. And Trump courts billionaires.

Read some of the best from the convention below and check Time.com for updates all night:

Must Reads

Trump Staffer Takes Responsibility for Melania Trump’s Plagiarized Speech
Adds Mrs. Trump has long admired Mrs. Obama [TIME]

The Evolution of Trump Campaign Responses to Melania Trump’s Plagiarized Speech
Campaign turns minor flap into three-day news story [TIME]

A Witness to the Characters, Chaos and Colors at the Republican Convention
Photographer Landon Nordeman brings his trademark style to Cleveland [TIME]

Caitlyn Jenner Tells GOP Gathering Why She’s a Republican
Even as GOP platform shifts rightward [TIME]

Ben Carson: Ted Cruz Has a ‘Responsibility’ to Endorse Donald Trump
Blames teleprompter for ‘Lucifer’ digression in interview with TIME’s Tessa Berenson

Protest Erupts Over Flag-Burning Outside Republican Convention
Most at the event were against it [TIME]

Sound Off

“That was pretty well-orchestrated.” — Ted Cruz to supporters in Cleveland after Trump’s plane flew past during his thank you address. Many in the audience booed the fly-over.

Bits and Bites

Cruz Walks Tightrope Between Trump and 2020 [CNN]

Ben Carson: Ted Cruz Has a ‘Responsibility’ to Endorse Donald Trump [TIME]

Trump Vets Adviser: Clinton “Should Be Put In The Firing Line And Shot For Treason” [BuzzFeed]

Eric Trump Says He’s Using ‘Zero’ Help for His Republican Convention Speech [TIME]

Third Eye Blind Trolls Republicans at Cleveland Show [TIME]

Trump Courts Billionaires [TIME]