KAMALA Harris hurled jibes at Donald Trump during her keynote speech at the Democratic National Convention – but that didn’t stop the brash tycoon hitting back with some of his own barbs.
Harris officially accepted the Democratic Party’s nomination for president as she took the stage for the biggest speech of her career, thanking President Joe Biden after walking onto the stage to roaring applause.
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Harris received a standing ovation as Beyoncé’s song Freedom rang out throughout the United Center in Chicago.
“Okay, let’s get to business! Let’s get to business!” she said, quieting the crowd before thanking her husband, Doug Emhoff.
Before starting her address, she said the phrase “Thank you” 27 times.
And, this didn’t go unnoticed by Republican critics who were quick to point out her repetition.
Harris also praised President Biden, who dropped out of the presidential race last month.
“To our President Joe Biden,” she began.
DNC highlights…
- Beyoncé and Taylor Swift fans were left devastated after the superstars failed to show up to support or endorse Kamala Harris during the final night of the DNC.
- Rumors swirled that former President George W. Bush would surprise the DNC crowd on Thursday.
- Vice President Harris’ younger sister, Maya Harris, and niece, Meena Harris, spoke at the event.
- Meena called the presidential candidate her “auntie” and an “extraordinary woman.”
- Kamala Harris, who wore a dark blue suit, accepted the Democrats’ nomination, becoming the first biracial woman to receive a presidential nomination by a major party.
- Echoing the remarks of her fellow constituents and former presidents, Harris painted Donald Trump as a “dangerous and unserious man.”
- Trump lashed out at Harris’ acceptance speech, calling the VP “all talk, no action.”
- The Republican presidential candidate fired off a series of posts on Truth Social during Harris’ speech on Thursday evening.
“When I think about the path that we have traveled together, Joe, I am filled with gratitude.
“Your record is extraordinary, as history will show and your character is inspiring.
“Doug and I love you and Jill and are forever thankful to you.”
However, the love fest didn’t last long, with Harris quick to slam her opponent, former President Trump.
“In many ways, Donald Trump is an unserious man,” she said.
“But the consequences of putting Donald Trump back in the White House are extremely serious.”
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She urged voters to consider “the chaos and calamity” that was around during Trump’s presidency.
“Donald Trump tried to throw away your votes,” she said, referring to the riots at the US Capitol on January 6, 2021.
“He fanned the flames. And now, for an entirely different set of crimes, he was found guilty of fraud by a jury of everyday Americans.”
Harris said November’s election presents a “fleeting opportunity” to move forward.
“A chance to chart a new way forward. Not as members of any one party or faction, but as Americans,” she said as she rallied her supporters.
Harris reportedly spent days with her top team preparing her speech in a Chicago hotel, per The Washington Post.
Meanwhile, Trump threw insults back after live-posting the speech on his social media platform Truth Social.
Throughout Harris’ 37-minute speech, Trump posted 44 times.
TRUMP BITES BACK
“Too many ‘thank yous,’ too rapidly said, what’s going on with her?” one post said.
“Is she talking about me?” he wrote in all caps.
Trump slammed Harris for “breaking the middle class,” and making it “unsafe and unaffordable.”
“No specific program, all talk, no action,” wrote Trump.
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He also claimed that Harris “caused the attack of October 7th,” referring to the attack at the Nova Music Festival in Israel that resulted in 1,200 deaths and the kidnapping of several attendees, including eight US citizens, by Hamas.
“Iran was broke – didn’t have money for Hezbollah!”
Trump also claimed that Harris’ biography wouldn’t see prices cut in the stores.
Meanwhile, while Trump posted incessantly during the speech, Harris mentioned Trump’s name a total of 15 times.
Harris said that throughout her entire career, her only client has been “the people.”
She said Trump only ever acted in the interests of “the only client he has ever had: Himself.”
‘SELF-INTERESTED’
“And so, on behalf of the people, on behalf of every American, regardless of party, race, gender, or the language your grandmother speaks,” Harris said.
“On behalf of my mother and everyone who has ever set out on their own unlikely journey. On behalf of Americans like the people I grew up with.
“On behalf of everyone whose story could only be written in the greatest nation on Earth. I accept your nomination for President of the United States of America.”
In her speech, she also appealed to anti-Trump Republicans, with many making appearances throughout all four days of the DNC.
“I know there are people of various political views watching tonight, and I want you to know I promise to be a president for all Americans,” said Harris.
“I promise to be a president for all Americans to hold sacred America’s constitutional principles, fundamental principles, from the rule of law and fair elections to the peaceful transfer of power.”
HER MOMENT
House Democrats previously urged Harris to position her speech around character rather than policy to woo voters.
“They want to see who you are. What’s your character? Do you get it about me?” Virginia Representative Gerry Connolly told CNN.
“Can you relate? Can you lead? Are you competent?”
Georgia Representative Nikema Williams shared similar thoughts, telling the outlet that voters are “looking for that candidate to bring us together.”
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“I haven’t heard from many voters looking for white papers and policy papers.”
Williams compared Harris to Trump, saying, “Harris is for thinking, looking toward the future and moving out of the hatred and division of Donald Trump’s politics.”
Michigan Representative Dan Kildee agreed, saying that the election will not be based on policy but on character values.
“The American people think about this choice is less about the minutia of policy and more about the direction of the country, number one, and secondly, about the person, character it does matter,” he said.
NIGHT FOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Among those who spoke earlier in the night was Ella Emhoff, the daughter of Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, who appeared with Harris’ niece, Meena, and her goddaughter, Helena Hudlin.
“Kamala came into my life when I was 14,” said Ella, 25.
“Famously, a very easy time for a teenager,” she joked.
“Like a lot of young people, I didn’t always understand what I was feeling.
“But no matter what, Kamala was there for me. She was patient, caring, and always took me seriously.”
Democratic National Convention roundup
Delegates from across the nation decended into Chicago’s United Center to formally celebrate Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democrats presidential nominee.
DNC Night 1 highlights:
- Delegates showed an outpouring of gratitude for President Joe Biden, the Democratic incumbent who decided to end his reelection campaign on July 21, 2024, and pass the torch to his vice president to lead the nation.
- An emotional Biden, who wiped away tears as a raucous crowd chanted, “Thank you, Biden, delivered an emphatic speech that diverted past the scheduled primetime hour.
- Supporters praised the president for his 50-year career in public service that began in Delaware.
- “For 50 years, like many of you, I’ve given my heart and soul to our nation, and I’ve been blessed, a million times in return, with the support of the American people,” Biden said.
- Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton received a standing ovation as she called Kamala Harris and Tim Walz’s campaign “the future.”
DNC Night 2 highlights:
- Kamala Harris secured the Democratic nomination in a chaotic and gaffe-filled roll call during night 2 of the convention.
- Former White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham spoke at the DNC and said behind closed doors, Donald Trump would refer to his supporters as “basement dwellers.”
- Grisham was one of five Republicans to speak at the convention.
- The Obamas electrified the Chicago crowd, delivering keynote speeches one after the other.
- Former First Lady Michelle Obama gave a rousing speech blasting Trump as a racist and misogynist.
- Barack Obama, one of the most influential figures in the Democratic Party since leaving the Oval Office in 2017, called his successor a “whining and childish” billionaire.
DNC Night 3 highlights:
- Former President Bill Clinton delivered an enthusiastic speech to delegates, but his low-tone voice and thinning gray hair left supporters worried.
- Vice President nominee Tim Walz was cheered by his former high school football team he previously coached as he headlined Night 3 of the DNC.
- Walz, or “Coach” Walz as referred to by presidential candidate Kamala Harris, packed his 16-minute speech with football references, admitting to Democrats that they’re behind in the race.
- “It’s the fourth quarter. We’re down a field goal,” Walz said.
- “But we’re on offense, and we’ve got the ball. We’re driving down the field. And boy, do we have the right team.
- “We’re going to leave it on the field. That’s how we’ll keep moving forward.”
- Meanwhile, on the Republican side, Donald Trump held his first outdoor rally since he survived an attempted assassination while on the campaign trail in Pennsylvania on July 13.
- Trump delivered remarks to supporters in North Carolina behind a fortified bulletproof podium.
DNC highlights Night 4:
- Beyoncé and Taylor Swift fans were left devastated after the superstars failed to show up to support or endorse Kamala Harris during the final night of the DNC.
- Rumors swirled that former President George W. Bush would surprise the DNC crowd on Thursday.
- Vice President Harris’ younger sister, Maya Harris, and niece, Meena Harris, spoke at the event.
- Meena called the presidential candidate her “auntie” and an “extraordinary woman.”
- Kamala Harris, who wore a dark blue suit, accepted the Democrats’ nomination, becoming the first biracial woman to receive a presidential nomination by a major party.
- Echoing the remarks of her fellow constituents and former presidents, Harris painted Donald Trump as a “dangerous and unserious man.”
- “In many ways, Donald Trump is an unserious man. But the consequences of putting Donald Trump back in the White Hous are extremely serious,” Harris said.
- Trump lashed out at Harris’ acceptance speech, calling the VP “all talk, no action.”
- The Republican presidential candidate fired off a series of posts on Truth Social during Harris’ speech on Thursday evening.
Helena, whose mother introduced Doug Emhoff to Harris over a decade ago, said Harris’ advice means everything to her.
“She taught me that making a difference means giving your whole heart and taking action,” she said.
Scandal actress Kerry Washington hosted the event and led the audience in an exercise to properly pronounce Harris’ name.
Joined by Harris’ grandnieces, Amara, 8, and Leela, six, Washington shared that there were “some folks who struggle — or pretend to struggle — with the proper pronunciation of our future president’s name.”
No specific program, all talk, no action.
Donald Trump
“Confusion is understandable. Disrespect is not. So tonight we are going to help everyone get it right,” she said.
On the campaign trail, Trump has constantly mispronounced Harris’ first name, even spelling it incorrectly in his Truth Social posts.
“First you say ‘comma’ like the comma in a sentence,” said Amara.
“Then you say ‘la’ like la-la-la-la-la,” said Leela.
The girls and Washington performed an exercise where half of the audience said “Comma” and the other half said “La” until the entire arena was ringing with chants of “Kamala.”
‘NOT ONE MORE’
The night took a serious note when survivors and families of gun violence victims took to the stage to share how past mass shootings have affected their lives.
Kimberly Mata-Rubio, whose daughter Lexi was murdered in the Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, Texas, shared how May 24, 2022, started with Lexi being honored for her perfect grades.
“She wears a St. Mary’s sweatshirt and a smile that lights up the room,” Mata-Rubio said tearfully.
“Thirty minutes later, a gunman murders her 18 classmates and two teachers. We are taken to a room where police tell us she isn’t coming home.”
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Mata-Rubio shared how Uvalde became national news and as parents around the country reach for their children, “I reach out for the daughter I will never hold again.”
Georgia Representative Lucy McBath shared how her 17-year-old son, Jordan Davis, was murdered in 2012, leading her to become a gun control advocate.
“Our losses do not weaken us,” said McBath. “They strengthen our resolve.”
Donald Trump tried to throw away your votes.
Kamala Harris
The crowd broke into a chant of “not one more” as the advocates finished their stories.
Former Arizona Representative Gabrielle Giffords spoke while accompanied by her husband, Senator Mark Kelly.
Kelly was touted as one of Harris’ potential running mates.
In 2011, Giffords was shot in the head in an assassination attempt in Tucson that killed six people.
She shared her long road to recovery, explaining how she had to learn to walk and talk again.
“I almost died, but I fought for life and I survived,” she said, earning cheers from the crowd.
Following the panel, Grammy award winner Pink performed an acoustic version of her song What About Us along with her daughter, Willow Sage Hart.
Pink has said in the past that the song is about her disappointment and disillusionment with the government following Trump’s victory in the 2016 election.
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