Updated as of 3:25 p.m. on Aug. 23 to include more video.
3:01 a.m.
2:48 a.m.
On the final night of the Democratic National Convention, Vice President Kamala Harris delivered her highly anticipated nomination acceptance speech. Framing herself as the underdog, Harris took aim at former President Donald Trump and laid out her key policy proposals. Harris also stressed the importance of the November election and described it as the “most important in the life of our nation.”
Vice President Kamala Harris smiles as she accepts the Democratic Party's Presidential nomination on Aug. 22. In her remarks Harris took aim at former President Donald Trump and laid out her key policy proposals.
Harris began her speech by thanking President Joe Biden.
“Your record is extraordinary, as history will show, and your character is inspiring,” Harris said.
She highlighted her personal journey, recalling her childhood memories and her commitment to public service. Harris promised to “be a president for all Americans,” and emphasized her dedication to democratic ideals.
“In the enduring struggle between democracy and tyranny, I know where I stand. And I know where the United States belongs,” Harris said.
Harris, like many other speakers at the DNC, warned of the dangers of a second term for Trump — citing his attempts to overturn the 2020 election and his role in encouraging the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol.
“In many ways, Donald Trump is an unserious man,” Harris said. “But the consequences of putting Donald Trump back in the White House are extremely serious.”
Central to her campaign is the theme of “freedom,” which she framed as a battle against government interference in issues like reproductive rights.
“You can always trust me to put country above party and self,” Harris said.
Harris also outlined her plans to address domestic issues, including ending the housing shortage and protecting Medicare and Social Security. Harris opened up about her upbringing by a single, working mother and she described her vision of an “opportunity economy” where everyone can succeed.
Harris took advantage of this opportunity to prove herself as a leader.
“I will not cozy up to tyrants and terrorists, like Kim Jong-un, who are rooting for Trump,” Harris said.
The segment of her speech which elicited one of the night’s most enthusiastic responses was when she expressed her support for Israel’s right to defend itself — but also for an end to the violence in Gaza. This part of her remarks concluded a week of protests near and within the United Center.
"Let me be clear, I will always stand up for Israel's right to defend itself and I will always ensure Israel has the ability to defend itself," Harris said. “President Biden and I are working to end this war so that Israel is secure, the hostages are released, the suffering in Gaza comes to an end and the Palestinian people can achieve dignity, security, freedom and self-determination.”
Harris also discussed the border and said she would bring back the bipartisan border security bill that failed to pass in the House of Representatives after Donald Trump voiced his opposition to it, according to the Wall Street Journal. Earlier in the day, Trump dragged Harris at a campaign event in Arizona, as reported by ABC News.
“We had a border czar who was the border czar,” Trump said during the event. “She loved the title, but she didn't want to do the work because she's lazy, and probably more importantly than being lazy, she wants to have an open border."
In response, Harris emphasized how important security is to her.
“The Border Patrol endorsed it, but Donald Trump believes a border deal would hurt his campaign, so he ordered his allies in Congress to kill the deal.” Harris said. “Well, I refuse to play politics with our security."
Before Harris took the stage, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper delivered encouraging remarks. He praised Harris’ tenacity and her fight against big banks during the 2011 foreclosure crisis.
“Harris went toe-to-toe with some of the world’s most powerful executives,” Cooper said. "That was the first time I witnessed Kamala in action, and what I saw was a leader who does exactly what she says she's going to do, who never will settle for less."
As Cooper ended his remarks he asked the audience a question.
“Kamala is ready. The question is: Are we? Are we gonna stand up and fight for Kamala like she’ll stand up and fight for us,” Cooper said.
10:08 p.m.
This evening’s ‘Freedom from Gun Violence’ panel gave a voice to Americans affected by shootings. They spoke about their loss but also delivered a message of hope.
“Schools are for learning, and I did learn a lot that day,” Chicago shooting survivor Edgar Vilchez said. “I learned how to run and how to hide.”
Survivors of gun violence speak at the Democratic National Convention on Aug. 22. The conversation was led by Georgia Rep. Lucy McBath who lost her son to gun violence. One survivor, Abbey Clements, was a teacher who survived the Sandy Hook school shooting. Melody McFadden is a gun violence survivor from South Carolina whose mother died from gun violence. Edgar Vilchez is a Chicago shooting survivor, and Kimberly Rubio is a mother who lost her daughter to gun violence in the Uvalde school shooting.
Kim Mata-Rubio, mother of 10-year-old Robb Elementary School shooting victim Lexi Rubio, spoke of the incredible loss she faced and still faces each day.
“I reach out for the daughter I will never hold again,” Mata-Rubio said.
The loss wasn’t the only result of these tragedies, however. U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath from Georgia called upon Democrats to use these tragedies as motivation for change.
“Our losses do not weaken us, they strengthen our resolve,” McBath said.
7:45 p.m.
Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren took the stage to several minutes of standing ovations, bringing her to tears before she claimed that Trump had no plans on lowering the cost of living for middle Americans.
Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren is moved to tears on Aug. 22 at the Democratic National Convention. When Warren took the stage, the crowd of nearly 25,000 in the United Center erupted in support.
“When did he ever fill up a gas tank or worry about a grocery bill?” Warren said. “The only bills he worries about are those from his criminal lawyers.”
7:33 p.m.
Durham Mayor Leonardo Williams made remarks on Kamala Harris’ support for entrepreneurs. He emphasized that small businesses create strong communities by establishing opportunities and connections.
Durham Mayor Leonardo Williams speaks on Aug. 22 at the Democratic National Convention.
“As president she will support risk takers and problem solvers who are just doing their part to get one piece of the American Dream,” Williams said.
7:29 p.m.
RJ Doroshewitz, a 19 year-old political science student, and Kenny Nguyen, 29-year-old Colorado delegate, spoke to Elon News Network about the importance of young adult participation in politics, urging Gen Z to pay attention and vote.
“Our demographic is so powerful, but we don’t vote,” Nguyen said.
7:06 p.m.
3:27 p.m.
LeVon Barnes, a North Carolina House of Representatives candidate from Alamance County, is serving as a delegate at the Democratic National Convention. Barnes said he believes this election is the most important of our time.
“This is a clear case of good verse destruction,” Barnes said.
He emphasized this election's significance extends beyond the presidential race to the local level.
“For North Carolina it's a double whammy, not only do we have Trump at the top of the ticket for the republican party, who is a convicted felon and does not care about anything but himself,” Barnes said. “But we also have Mark Robinson and Michele Morrow and others who are very honest about their opinions about how they feel about education, and women's rights, and the regular working person, so in North Carolina we are at a crossroads.”
2:28 p.m.
At the convention's Youth Council meeting, Massachusetts Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley shared her experiences and drew parallels with those of Vice President Kamala Harris, highlighting their shared perspectives as Black women in politics.
“Like Kamala, I went to my first protest and community meetings in a stroller, faced many of the same challenges and broke many of the same concrete ceilings, not glass, because when Black women break ceilings they are concrete,” Pressley said.
New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker also spoke at the council meeting and encouraged youth to run for local office and get involved in their communities.
“I want you all to know right now that you are our young movement of people that have tools that that generation could only dream of, that have the abilities and education opportunities that really are making us different, and you see a future of possibilities that some people that I serve with in Congress can't see,” Booker said. “This nation needs you, it needs your genius, needs your brilliance, it needs your beauty, it needs your love.”
12:57 p.m.
Throughout the convention, various politicians and speakers have criticized former President Donald Trump and his running mate, Sen. JD Vance.
Earlier this morning, Trump appeared on Fox & Friends and took aim at Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, who is also the running mate for Vice President Kamala Harris.
“They call him coach. He’s a semi-coach who coached a little football at some point. This guy is a lightweight,” Trump said.
Trump also addressed "Project 2025," a topic that has been heavily criticized by many DNC speakers, including SNL comedian Kenan Thompson, who spoke at the event last night.
“Have you ever seen a document that could kill a small animal and democracy at the same time? Here it is,” Thompson said.
During his Fox & Friends interview Trump denied any involvement with Project 2025, a political Planbook published by the Heritage Foundation.
“Project 25, I have no idea what the hell, I don’t even want to see it. I don’t want to read it because I want to say I have no idea what it is,” Trump said. “They know I have nothing to do with it. I had no idea what it was. A group of people got together, they drew up some conservative values, very conservative values.”
Yesterday, Vance also responded to the criticisms made by Democrats about himself and Trump in an interview with Fox News.
“I just don’t understand a person in American politics in 2024 who is whining about what happened to them, instead of using their leadership and influence to make the lives of American citizens better,” Vance said.
This response has sparked discussions on social media about how Trump often expresses his frustrations, especially regarding the 2020 election results.
Vance further criticized the Democratic Party and their attacks on Trump at the DNC.
"I thought it was actually a very dark and ominous tone where they attacked Donald Trump, and they attacked the people who voted for him rather than offer a compelling vision for the future," Vance said.
Vance also spoke to reporters in North Carolina this week and encouraged his democratic friends to “pump the brakes a little bit on the apocalyptic rhetoric around Donald Trump.”
Trump continues campaigning and is scheduled to rally in Arizona on Friday. According to The New York Times, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is rumored to end his presidential campaign and endorse Trump.
11:04 a.m.
With the Democratic National Convention coming to a close this evening, Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to formally accept the Democratic Party's nomination for president.
Harris will take the stage in Chicago just one day after her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, delivered his acceptance speech for the vice presidential nomination.
The theme of the final day is “For Our Future,” and according to Sen. Cory Booker, Harris will deliver one of the best speeches of the convention — focusing on sharing her personal story.
“I know who she is and what she stands for, and I can’t wait for America to hear from her,” Booker said in a press release this morning. “Tonight, I will be on my feet, along with millions of Americans, chanting ‘Yes, yes, a new day is coming.’”
In addition to Harris’ address, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper is also scheduled to speak. Convention Director Alex Hornbrook said other speakers will include Senators Mark Kelly, Alex Padilla, Bob Casey Jr. and Tammy Baldwin, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. The program will also feature gun violence survivors and advocates.
“Walz is a special kind of guy, and what you saw and felt last night was genuine,” Booker said. “Many Americans are searching for something different after so much of the politics of demeaning and degrading.”
Today marks the final round of caucus and council meetings, which will include the Women’s Caucus, the Disability Caucus and the Youth, Rural, Veterans, Poverty and Interfaith Councils.