Topline
Three presidents are expected to speak at next week’s Democratic National Convention in Chicago starting Monday—ahead of Vice President Kamala Harris’ formal acceptance speech as the party’s 2024 nominee after a historic shakeup atop the ticket.
Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz campaign on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Las … [+]
Key Facts
An estimated 50,000 people are expected to visit the convention, the DNC estimated, and a political powerhouse lineup of expected speakers includes current President Joe Biden, Barack and Michelle Obama and Bill and Hillary Clinton.
The convention will open Monday with the theme “For the People,” the party said, and will see Biden and his wife, Dr. Jill Biden, speak and ceremonially pass the torch of the Democratic nomination to Harris, who has already been confirmed by delegates as the party’s new candidate (Reuters reported Saturday she is likely to join Biden on stage).
The speech will be one of Biden’s highest-profile appearances since dropping out of the race to make room for Harris under pressure from leaders within his own party, following a disastrous debate performance.
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton—the party’s 2016 nominee—is also expected to speak opening night, according to multiple reports.
On Tuesday, the theme of which is “A Bold Vision for America’s Future,” the Obamas are reportedly expected to speak with second gentleman Doug Emhoff, and a ceremonial roll call will celebrate Harris’ win of the nomination (the primary focus of party conventions is typically for delegates to formally nominate their candidates, but Democrats tapped Harris in a virtual roll call earlier this month).
Wednesday, “A Fight for Our Freedoms” day, will see vice presidential nominee Tim Walz deliver his candidate acceptance speech, reportedly before a talk from former President Bill Clinton.
Harris will speak on the closing night, Thursday—the theme of which is “For Our Future”—to accept the party’s nomination.
Get Forbes Breaking News Text Alerts: We’re launching text message alerts so you’ll always know the biggest stories shaping the day’s headlines. Text “Alerts” to (201) 335-0739 or sign up here: joinsubtext.com/forbes.
What Time Does The Dnc Start?
The DNC will run Monday through Thursday in Chicago, with the key parts of the convention starting at 6:15 p.m. EDT on Monday and 7 p.m. on every other day. The primetime events will be broadcast on all major networks; streaming services including Hulu, Paramount Plus, Peacock and Max; the DNC 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 said he hopes to live to be 100 years old so he can vote for Harris in November. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson., Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries are all also reportedly slated to speak. Former Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger, a staunch Trump critic, is also expected to appear, CNN reports. “Central Park Five” member Yusef Salaam has been invited to speak, Semafor reported Tuesday citing unnamed sources, though it’s unclear if he’s accepted the invitation. Salaam was among the group of five Black and Latino teenagers wrongly convicted of raping a woman in Central Park in the 1980s. Trump, at the time, took out newspaper ads calling for the state to bring back the death penalty, alluding to the Central Park rape, but avoiding explicitly calling for the death penalty for Salaam and his co-defendants. Salaam has openly criticized Trump (who has refused to apologize for the ad) following his exoneration, tweeting “Karma” when Trump was charged with falsifying business records in Manhattan last year.
What Celebrities Are Expected To Appear?
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who starred in the HBO sitcom “Veep,” will host a panel of female Democratic governors on Wednesday. Stephen Colbert will record “The Late Show” in Chicago the week of the convention and guests are expected to include Louis-Dreyfus, Hillary Clinton, Pelosi, Jeffries and Buttigieg. Other stars who are scheduled to be i n Chicago that week, but are not confirmed to be appearing at the convention, include John Legend (who will headline a party hosted by Pritzker), actress Octavia Spencer (hosting a multi-act concert), Jon Stewart, Uma Thurman, Iain Armitage and Uzo Aduba.
What We Don’t Know
The full speaking schedule or the keynote speaker, typically a rising star in the party.
Why Did Democrats Nominate Harris Virtually?
To avoid any complications with a newly modified Ohio law requiring nominees to be confirmed at least 90 days before the election. Ohio revised the rule, but it doesn’t take effect until Sept. 1, so some Democrats worried the party could still face GOP lawsuits to prevent Harris from appearing on the state’s ballot—which Ohio Republican officials have denied.
Why Is The Dnc In Chicago?
Because of its proximity to the “blue wall” of Midwestern states, Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan and Minnesota, that helped Biden win in 2020, the DNC said in announcing last year it chose Chicago. The city’s union connections and its stock of hotels, venues, restaurants and infrastructure were also factors.
Will Protesters Show Up At The Dnc?
Thousands of pro-Palestinian activists are expected to appear at at least six major protests around Chicago during the days of the DNC. More than 200 groups are expected to send members to protest the handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict by the Biden administration. Organizers told Politico they briefly considered changing tactics when Harris was announced as the candidate over Biden, but decided to go ahead with their plans. In addition to the protesters outside, dozens of “uncommitted” delegates have said they will be inside the convention advocating against U.S. support of the war, according to ABC News.
Further Reading
Trump Vs. Harris 2024 Polls: Harris Expands Lead In Latest Survey (Forbes)
When Will Trump And Harris Debate? What To Know After Trump Agrees To Faceoff (Forbes)
2022 midterms, 2024 presidential campaign, the January 6 House committee investigation, former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s historic ouster, the 2023 State of the Union Address, former President Donald Trump’s federal election interference and classified documents cases and his Manhattan hush money case. Dorn graduated in 2012 from the University of Dayton with a degree in journalism. Prior to joining Forbes, she covered New York City and state politics for the New York Post and City and State magazine. Follow her for updates and analysis on the 2024 presidential race, key Senate and House races and developments in Congress and at the White House.
“>
Mary Roeloffs is a Forbes reporter who covers breaking news with a frequent focus on the entertainment industry, streaming, sports news, publishing, pop culture and climate change. She joined Forbes in 2023 and lives in Dallas. She’s covered Netflix’s hottest documentaries, a surge of assaults reported on social media, the most popular books of the year and how climate change stands to impact the way we eat. Roeloffs was included on Editor & Publisher Magazine’s “ 25 Under 30” list in 2023 and worked covering local news in the greater Boston area from 2017 to 2023. She graduated with a double major in political science and journalism from Northeastern University. Follow Roeloffs for continued coverage of streaming wars, pop culture news and trending topics.
“>
