It’s the fourth and final night of the Democratic National Convention, where presidential nominee Kamala Harris is expected to speak.
Here’s what happened on the first three days:
President Joe Biden speaks at the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago on August 19, 2024.
Bernadette Tuazon/CNN
Day 1: Passing the torch
President Joe Biden told America: “I gave my best to you,” summing up his decadeslong career. He also slammed Donald Trump as he made the case for the party’s new presidential nominee, Kamala Harris.
Notable speakers: Hillary Clinton cast Harris in the lineage of female political firsts as she praised the vice president’s leadership. Other notables included union leader Shawn Fain and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Abortion rights: Democrats lambasted Trump for appointing conservative Supreme Court justices who helped undo Roe v. Wade’s protections for abortion rights. Three women told stories about the state of reproductive care in the country in support of abortion rights, which has been Democrats’ most potent issue at the ballot box.
Spotlight on Project 2025: Michigan state Sen. Mallory McMorrow stepped onstage with a prop: a book containing “Project 2025” so big that it barely fit on the podium. Democrats are eager to tie Trump to what McMorrow called “a Republican blueprint for a second Trump term.” Though the former president has disavowed it, Democrats have framed the playbook for a second Trump term as his agenda.
Barack Obama speaks at the United Center during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Illinois, on August 20.
Austin Steele/CNN
Day 2: Emhoff and the Obamas make their case
Former President Barack Obama made a forceful case for Harris as president. He made many references to his own campaigns — including the “Yes we can” chants once omnipresent at Obama rallies, now returning as “Yes she can.” He followed former first lady Michelle Obama, who declared that “hope is making a comeback” and delivered perhaps her most frank and public comments about the racism her family faced during their time in the White House — often perpetuated by Trump. She also made a personal appeal for everyone to “do something” between now and Election Day.
Second gentleman: Doug Emhoff talked about his relationship with Harris as he praised her role as a stepmom to his children. Harris was not at the convention but symbolically accepted her historic presidential nomination in a video appearance from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where she was campaigning. This came after a rollicking roll call in Chicago, in which DJ Cassidy played tracks for each state, and there was a surprise appearance from Lil Jon for Georgia as he performed “Turn Down for What” and “Get Low.”
GOP speakers show up: Former Republicans made the case for Independents and Trump critics to vote for Harris, including Mayor John Giles of Mesa and Arizona, former Trump aide Stephanie Grisham.
Tim Walz speask at the United Center during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Illinois, on August 21.
Rebecca Wright/CNN
Day 3: Walz in the spotlight
With plenty of football analogies, Walz highlighted his upbringing and his work in his address. He also talked about his wife’s fertility struggles. Walz outlined what a Harris presidency would look like, including cutting taxes for the middle class and making housing more affordable, and worked to tie the Republican ticket to Project 2025.
Notable speakers: Former President Bill Clinton vouched for Harris and levied pointed attacks at Trump, saying “he mostly talks about himself. Oprah Winfrey called on fellow Independent and undecided voters to “choose common sense over nonsense” and vote based on values and character. House Speaker Hakeem Jeffries, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro also spoke for Harris.
Downplaying Israel’s war in Gaza: The conflict remains one of the most fraught US foreign policy issues. There had been barely any mention of it, except when Biden spoke about Gaza, showing sympathy for those killed. But on day three, the parents of Israeli-American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin spoke about their “anguish and misery.” Hours after their speech, the Uncommitted National Movement was told that their request for a speaking spot had been denied. Members reacted by staging a sit-in outside the United Center.
