The Democratic National Convention is set to be a pivotal event, bringing together some of the most influential figures in American politics as well as celebrities and activists. This year’s convention will focus on key speeches from prominent Democrats, including former First Lady Michelle Obama, as well as the adoption of the party’s platform. With a line-up filled with high-profile speakers, this event is expected to shape the narrative for the upcoming election.
The convention, held in Chicago, will feature speeches from a range of Democratic leaders and influential figures. Since both Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz have already been nominated, the convention’s primary focus will be on uniting the party around its platform and energizing voters for the upcoming election.
Delegates will spend their days at the convention finalizing the Democratic Party’s platform. The draft platform, which has already been released, covers a wide array of issues. These include strategies to lower inflation, tackle climate change, and address the ongoing crisis of gun violence in the United States. The platform also takes a firm stance in contrast to Project 2025, a far-right plan for a potential second Trump administration, which was authored by the Heritage Foundation. While Trump has tried to distance himself from the project, many of his allies were involved in its creation.
The convention will see a series of speeches from prominent Democrats and celebrities.
President Joe Biden will kick off the event on Monday night, setting the tone for the days to come. Alongside him, First Lady Jill Biden and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson will address the crowd, focusing on the administration’s achievements and future goals.
Tuesday’s schedule is equally packed, with former President Barack Obama expected to deliver a highly anticipated speech. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Doug Emhoff, the Second Gentleman, are also slated to speak that evening. Their speeches are likely to focus on uniting the party and energizing voters.
Wednesday will bring former President Bill Clinton and former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi to the stage, adding their voices to the call for Democratic unity. The evening will culminate with a prime-time speech from Vice Presidential nominee Governor Tim Walz, who will formally accept his nomination.
The most important moment of the convention is expected to be Thursday night, when Vice President Kamala Harris will take the stage to formally accept the presidential nomination. Her speech, titled “For the Future,” will be the highlight of the evening and is expected to outline her vision for the nation. Alongside Harris, other prominent figures such as former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former First Lady Michelle Obama, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries will also address the convention throughout the week.
The convention won’t just feature politicians; it will also spotlight everyday Americans, including some who voted for Trump in previous elections. This approach aims to highlight the broad coalition the Democratic Party is hoping to build for the upcoming election.
In addition to political figures, the convention is expected to attract a number of celebrities. While it’s still unconfirmed whether mega-stars like Beyoncé and Taylor Swift will attend, the event is set to be a star-studded affair. In previous conventions, celebrities such as Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Eva Longoria, Elizabeth Banks, and America Ferrera have made appearances, adding glamour and drawing attention to the event.
As with any major political event, protests are expected outside the DNC venue. This year, many of the demonstrations are centered around opposition to U.S. support of Israel’s actions in Gaza. Organizers anticipate as many as 10,000 people may participate in these marches, which have sparked negotiations with the city of Chicago over where they can legally demonstrate.
For those who can’t attend in person, major TV networks will provide extensive coverage of the convention’s speeches and events. Additionally, for the first time, the convention will offer vertical streams of the events on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, making it easier for viewers to follow along on their phones.
