Top line
Three presidents are expected to speak at the Democratic National Convention, which begins in Chicago next week on Monday – before Vice President Kamala Harris’s official acceptance speech as the party’s nominee for 2024, following a historic shakeup at the top of the party’s ticket.
Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz campaign on Saturday, August 10, 2024, in Las … (+)
Key data
The DNC estimates that around 50,000 people are expected to attend the convention. Expected speakers include high-profile politicians such as incumbent President Joe Biden, Barack and Michelle Obama, and Bill and Hillary Clinton.
The convention will open on Monday under the motto “For the People,” the party said. Biden and his wife Dr. Jill Biden will deliver speeches and ceremoniously pass the torch of the Democratic nomination to Harris, who has already been confirmed by delegates as the party’s new candidate (Reuters reported on Saturday that she will likely be on stage with Biden).
The speech will be one of Biden’s most significant appearances since he dropped out of the race after a disastrous debate performance under pressure from top politicians in his own party to make way for Harris.
According to several reports, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton – the party’s nominee in 2016 – will also speak on opening night.
On Tuesday, whose theme is “A Bold Vision for America’s Future,” the Obamas will reportedly speak with Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, and Harris’ nomination is to be celebrated in a ceremonial roll call (normally the focus at party conventions is for delegates to formally nominate their candidates, but Democrats nominated Harris in a virtual roll call earlier this month).
On Wednesday, “Fight for Our Freedoms Day,” vice presidential candidate Tim Walz will deliver his acceptance speech, reportedly before a speech by former President Bill Clinton.
Harris will deliver a speech on Thursday’s closing night – the theme of which is “For Our Future” – to accept the party’s nomination.
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What time does the DNC start?
The DNC takes place Monday through Thursday in Chicago, with key portions of the convention beginning at 6:15 p.m. EDT on Mondays and 7 p.m. every other day. The primetime events will be broadcast on all major networks, streaming services such as Hulu, Paramount Plus, Peacock and Max, the DNC’s YouTube and X channels, and various news websites.
Who are the other DNC speakers?
Jason Carter will speak on behalf of his grandfather, former President Jimmy Carter, who reportedly hopes to live to 100 so he can vote for Harris in November. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, House Speaker Emeritus Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries are also scheduled to speak. Former Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger, a staunch Trump critic, is also expected to attend, according to CNN. Yusef Salaam, a member of the “Central Park Five,” has been invited to speak, Semafor reported Tuesday, citing unnamed sources, but it is unclear whether he accepted the invitation. Salaam was part of the group of five black and Latino teenagers wrongfully convicted of raping a woman in Central Park in the 1980s. Trump took out newspaper ads at the time calling on the state to reinstate the death penalty, alluding to the Central Park rape but avoiding explicitly calling for the death penalty for Salaam and his co-defendants. Salaam openly criticized Trump after his vindication (who did not apologize for the ad) and tweeted “Karma” when Trump was indicted in Manhattan last year on charges of falsifying business records.
Which celebrities are expected to appear?
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who starred in the HBO sitcom “Veep,” will moderate a panel of Democratic female governors on Wednesday. Stephen Colbert will tape “The Late Show” in Chicago the week of the convention, and expected guests include Louis-Dreyfus, Hillary Clinton, Pelosi, Jeffries and Buttigieg. Other stars who will be in Chicago this week but whose appearances at the convention have not yet been confirmed include John Legend (who will headline a party hosted by Pritzker), actress Octavia Spencer (who will host a multi-act concert), Jon Stewart, Uma Thurman, Iain Armitage and Uzo Aduba.
What we don’t know
The full speech schedule or the keynote speaker, usually a rising star of the party.
Why did the Democrats virtually nominate Harris?
To avoid complications with a recently changed Ohio law that requires candidates to be certified at least 90 days before the election, Ohio revised the rule, but it does not take effect until Sept. 1. This has some Democrats concerned that the party could still face lawsuits from Republicans seeking to prevent Harris from appearing on the state’s ballot – something Ohio Republican officials denied.
Why is the DNC in Chicago?
The DNC announced last year it had chosen Chicago because of its proximity to the “blue wall” of Midwestern states Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan and Minnesota that helped secure Biden’s victory in 2020. The city’s union ties and its inventory of hotels, venues, restaurants and infrastructure were also factors.
Will protesters show up at the DNC?
Thousands of pro-Palestinian activists are expected to attend at least six large protests in Chicago during the days of the DNC. More than 200 groups are expected to send members to protest the Biden administration’s handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict. Organizers told Politico they briefly considered changing tactics when Harris was announced as the nominee ahead of Biden, but then decided to go ahead with their plans. In addition to the protesters outside, dozens of “undecided” delegates have said they will protest U.S. support for the war inside the convention, according to ABC News.
More information
Polls Trump vs. Harris 2024: Harris extends lead in latest poll (Forbes)
Polls in the swing states for the 2024 election: Harris overtakes Trump in Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin (Forbes)
When will Trump and Harris debate? What to know after Trump agrees to a confrontation (Forbes)
