Kamala Harris formally accepts Democratic nomination at DNC

Vice President Kamala Harris accepted her party's presidential nomination on Thursday, as she delivered the most important speech of her political career.

In a roughly 40 minute speech at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago's United Center, the vice president promised to "be a president for all Americans."

"I will be a president who unites us around our highest aspirations," she pledged. "A president who leads — and listens. Who is realistic. Practical. And has common sense. And always fights for the American people."

She continued: "There are people of various political views watching tonight. And I want you to know: I promise to be a president for all Americans."

In her remarks, Harris repeatedly mentioned former President Trump, the Republican nominee, and warned Americans against re-electing him. 

"In many ways, Donald Trump is an unserious man," the vice president argued. "But the consequences of putting Donald Trump back in the White House are extremely serious."

Fox News' Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report.

Former President Barack Obama took to X to applaud current Vice President and 2024 Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris after she gave the keynote address on the final night of the Democratic National Convention.

"Tonight, @KamalaHarris showed the world what I have known to be true. She is ready on day one to be President and represents the best of America," the former president wrote of Harris, who he previously described as a "friend."

He added: "Let’s get to work."

Obama was quick to endorse Harris after Democratic Party leadership forced his former running mate, current President Biden, out of being the Democratic nominee.

On July 26, Obama shared on X that he personally called Harris to express his and former first lady Michelle's support for her presidential bid.

"Earlier this week, Michelle and I called our friend Harris," he wrote. "We told her we think she’ll make a fantastic President of the United States, and that she has our full support. At this critical moment for our country, we’re going to do everything we can to make sure she wins in November. We hope you’ll join us."

Both Obamas spoke at the Democratic National Convention earlier in the week, although Biden and Harris were not in attendance for their remarks.

Former President and GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump in an interview with Fox News following Vice President Kamala Harris' address at the DNC Thursday said she was 'a horrible person' and pressed on why things she promised to do in her speech weren't already done while she's been in office the last 3 years.

On immigration, Trump said "they don't need bills. They don't want to close the border."

"She's not having success. I'm having success," Trump said of his support for a second term in the Oval. "I'm doing great with the Hispanic voters. I'm doing great with black men. I'm doing great with women because women want safety."

Trump also hinted at possibly "meeting" with Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. as the two will both be holding separate events in Arizona on Friday. Kennedy is rumored to be planning to endorse Trump.

"I've had a great relationship with him over the years, I respect him. He respects me. I have no idea if he's going to endorse me. I know he's got a news conference. We happen to be in the same state, Arizona. We'll be in the same state, but in quite different parts of the state. But it's possible we will be meeting tomorrow and we'll be discussing it," Trump said.

Vice President and Democratic candidate for President Kamala Harris praised U.S. troops and touted her own record in the Biden-Harris administration on military engagement, without mentioning the disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal that lead to the fall of 13 Americans.

"As Vice President, I have confronted threats to our security, negotiated with foreign leaders, strengthened our alliances and engaged with our brave troops overseas. As Commander in Chief, I will ensure America always has the strongest, most lethal fighting force in the world and. And I will fulfill our sacred obligation to care for our troops and their families," Harris promised.

"And I will always honor and never disparage their service and their sacrifice," Harris said.

But Harris failed to mention the 13 service members that were killed in an attack at the Kabul Airport in Afghanistan after President Biden ordered that troops withdraw from the region in 2022.

Harris has reportedly boasted that she was the “last person in the room” with President Biden as he solidified his plans to withdraw troops which also resulted in roughly $7 billion in American military equipment and weapons left behind.

In an interview with CNN, when a reporter asked if she felt "comfortable" with how the withdrawal was conducted, she said "I do."

Vice President and Democratic nominee for president Kamala Harris railed on her opponent former President Donald Trump, calling him "an unserious man."

"But the consequences, but the consequences of putting Donald Trump back in the white House are extremely serious," Harris said.

"And how he would use the immense powers of the presidency of the United States? Not to improve your life, not to strengthen our national security, but to serve the only client he has ever had -- himself," Harris said.

Trump, responded to her criticisms live on his social media platform Truth Social, saying, "IS SHE TALKING ABOUT ME?"

"She said, 'Chart a new way forward,' but she’s had three and a half years, and has done nothing but HARM!" Trump posted.

"She’s talking about the Middle Class, but she’s the one who broke the Middle Class, and made it UNSAFE AND UNAFFORDABLE!" he continued.

"No specific programs, ALL TALK, NO ACTION — Why didn’t she do it three and a half years ago?" he said.

Vice President Kamala Harris, in her speech to the Democratic National Convention, praised the "extraordinary" President Biden -- as she accepted the Democratic Party's 2024 nomination.

"To our President, Joe Biden, 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, and Doug and I love you and Jill and are forever thankful to you both," she said.

Biden backed Harris as his successor when he stepped down as the Democratic nominee last month.

The 2020 DNC was marred by the COVID-19 pandemic, with delegates and speakers appearing remotely for public safety reasons -- but it did not stop the convention from taking place.

Speakers at the convention included then-vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris, as well as other big Democratic hitters including Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., former First Lady Michelle Obama, former President Barack Obama, former President Bill Clinton, then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi and then-presidential nominee Joe Biden.

It also saw former nominee Hillary Clinton speak, along with governors including California Gov. Gavin Newsom, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo -- and former GOP Gov. John Kasich.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, former nominee John Kerry, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-NY, businessman Andrew Yang  and Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., were among some of the other speakers at the virtual event.

Tonight, Vice President Kamala Harris will take the main stage to speak to the Democratic National Convention and formally accept her party's nomination.

Tim Walz is the current 41st governor of Minnesota, a former member of the House of Representatives, a former schoolteacher, a former non-commissioned officer in the Army National Guard, and presidential candidate Kamala Harris’ running mate for vice president.

Walz was born in Nebraska and joined the National Guard after high school before leaving to become a social studies teacher and football coach. He was first elected to the House in 2006 and served five terms before being elected governor in 2018.

Walz's first term as governor was defined by the death of George Floyd and the destructive riots that followed. Walz activated the National Guard, receiving praise from then-President Trump, and later convened a special legislative session to try and pass police reform.

In 2023, Walz held one of the most consequential legislative sessions in Minnesota’s history. Abortion was codified, free school meals were mandated, universal gun background checks were implemented, and marijuana was legalized. Walz described the session as the “most productive” in Minnesota’s history. 

Walz spoke to delegates and politicians at the 2024 Democratic National Convention last night.

President Biden has posted a picture to X of him and First Lady Jill Biden watching the Democratic National Convention -- ahead of Vice President Kamala Harris' acceptance speech later this evening.

"Jill and I just spoke to @KamalaHarris — we can’t wait to watch her accept this historic nomination," he said in the post.

"Kamala and Tim will inspire a generation and lead us into the future."

Vice President Kamala Harris' running mate, Gov. Tim Walz, D-Minn., met with progressive megadonor George Soros's son and heir to his enterprise, Alex Soros, during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Illinois.

Soros shared a post on X with photos of his meeting with Walz on Thursday. Former Clinton aide Huma Abedin, also Soros' fiance, was also present.

His post came after Walz's speech at the DNC on Wednesday night, officially accepting the vice presidential nomination and formally introducing himself to the American people.

The meeting with Soros comes as critics continue to slam Harris' selection of Walz, given his left-wing record while in office.

Former Obama speechwriter Jon Favreau on Thursday called Vice President Kamala Harris a "mainstream" Democrat a few years after he had dismissed the idea that she was a "moderate."

In 2020 Favreau chided the media's coverage of the then-California senator.

"It was hilarious to me that she's being called in all of this coverage a 'moderate.' Like, 'Joe Biden has found a fellow moderate or centrist,'" Favreau began. "She supports something extremely close to Medicare-for-all, which [Sen.] Bernie Sanders acknowledged in his statement supporting her. She's for the Green New Deal. She has one of the most liberal records in the U.S. Senate!"

"If you want to call Kamala Harris' record in the Senate and the policies that she's supporting now 'centrist' or 'moderate,' great!" Favreau continued. "If that's where the Overton window has moved, then congratulations to all the progressive activists because you have f---in' moved the s--- out of that window! That supporting the Green New Deal and basically Medicare-for-all is now moderate and centrist! Fantastic!"

But, speaking to Fox News' Jesse Waters on Thursday, he called her a "mainstream" Democrat.

"She's progressive, right? She's like a Democrat. She's not like center of the spectrum, like I said, She's a mainstream Democrat," he said.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom sat down with Fox News' Special Report anchor Bret Baier in Chicago Thursday night and pressed the Democrat governor on his support for Vice President Kamala Harris.

Baier referenced a recent poll that said 25.3% of Americans think the country is moving in the right direction, and 64.8% believe it's headed in the wrong direction.

"We've been polarized and traumatized. The last three and a half years have been difficult," Newsom said.

"That's the Biden-Harris administration," Baier interjected.

"...The Trump administration, covid," Newsom said. "We're just coming out of this recession. We're finally taming inflation."

"You hear what you're saying?" Baier pressed. "You're erasing the last 3 and a half years."

"I think it's more directional. I think it's been a challenging time for this country for many, many years, even before Biden and Harris were elected," Newsom replied.

"And they couldn't get it done, to change the tide," Baier stated.

Vice President Kamala Harris will call for a "New Way Forward" for the United States in her speech to the Democratic National Convention on Thursday, according to prepared remarks.

"With this election, our nation has a precious, fleeting opportunity to move past the bitterness, cynicism, and divisive battles of the past. A chance to chart a New Way Forward," she will say. "Not as members of any one party or faction, but as Americans.

"I will be a President who unites us around our highest aspirations. A President who leads -- and listens. Who is realistic. Practical. And has common sense. And always fights for the American people. From the courthouse to the White House, that has been my life’s work," she will say.

Harris will speak at the event in Chicago on the last night of the convention, and will officially accept the Democratic Party nomination.

She will talk about her own background, pay tribute to her mother, and also use the speech to attack former President Trump's agenda.

"We know what a second Trump term would look like. It’s all laid out in 'Project 2025.' ... In many ways, Donald Trump is an unserious man. But the consequences of putting Donald Trump back in the White House are extremely serious," she will say.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., was given a raucous ovation as she began to speak at the Democratic National Convention on Thursday -- and was moved to tears by the reception she received.

The liberal firebrand spoke ahead of Vice President Kamala Harris' appearance later this evening on the last night of the convention.

But as she took to the podium, the applause and cheers she received sparked an emotional response from the senator.

The president of the largest teachers' union, who was mocked over the weekend for giving an "off-the-rails" speech, spoke at the Democratic National Convention this evening.

Rebecca "Becky" Pringle, who delivered a viral speech in July that drew intense criticism, will speak on the final night of the convention in Chicago.

During NEA's Annual Meeting and Representative Assembly (RA) in Philadelphia last month, Pringle called for transformative social justice change in the education system in the pursuit of equity. 

"To unite not just our members, but the nation to reclaim public education as a common good, as the foundation of our democracy, and then transform it into something it was never designed to be—a racially and socially just and equitable system," Pringle said. 

"We worked hard to rid ourselves of a tyrannical, deceitful, and corrupt White House, but the reality is that the seeds that were sown during that horrible season continue to germinate," she said, referring to the Trump administration.

She continued by vowing to "protect public education" and said, "We will fight privatization. We will fight vouchers. We will fight any and all schemes to drain resources from our beloved public schools," appearing to refer to school choice.

Pringle previously faced backlash during the pandemic when she raked in over $500,000 while her teachers' union was pushing for schools to remain closed and teachers were making a fraction of her high salary.

Fox News' Cameron Cawthorne and Andrew Mark Miller contributed to this report.

On Thursday, the final night of the Democratic National Convention, Vice President Kamala Harris will formally accept her party's nomination for president, just over a month after President Joe Biden dropped out of the race.

As the final night of the DNC kicks off, social media and newsrooms are abuzz with expectation, but its not Harris everyone is talking about -- instead it's who tonight's rumored special guest will be.

Music artist Pink is scheduled to perform, along with the The Chicks. But the DNC's programming reportedly has a gap for a surprise special guest. Beyoncé and Taylor Swift are among the A-list names fans are speculating could make an appearance.

Newsweek even floated the two powerhouse women as possibilities. Politico reported that the DNC's house band was rehearsing Beyoncé songs earlier in the day.

Harris, who has never won a presidential primary, will have the opportunity tonight to establish herself, and her candidacy, after a whirlwind month since taking the top spot on the Democratic ticket. She's not yet sat down for media interviews or outlined specifics of her policy plans.

According to Variety more than 20 million Americans will be tuning in Thursday night, if not for Harris, then for the star power the DNC recruited to help her win.

President Joe Biden’s declining health, put on full display during his July debate performance against Donald Trump, has continued to put the octogenarian president under scrutiny.

“It’s possible, depending on Biden’s true capacities, that by rights he should have resigned and Harris should be president already — which probably would have put her in a better position to win the election even than her current honeymoon does," New York Times columnist Ross Douthat wrote in a recent Saturday column.

Ross even predicted the possibility of a major Biden health “crisis” in the next few months, which he argued would make Democrats wish he had resigned, not just given up his bid for reelection.

Concern over Biden’s health has continued following his disastrous debate performance particularly due to reports that some of his closest advisers and family members worked to hide the true nature of Biden’s physical and cognitive deficiencies from the public.

Just days before Biden announced he would not seek reelection, for example, White House senior deputy press secretary and deputy assistant to the president, Andrew Bates, called speculation that Biden faced a medical emergency while traveling to Las Vegas “100% false.” However, recordings from Las Vegas police released this week by the Heritage Foundation’s Oversight Project show that Biden was experiencing a sudden illness after canceling a speaking engagement he had planned in Sin City that day.   

Since announcing that he would not be running for reelection on July 21, Biden has held only six public events, according to his publicly available schedule.       

The president spoke earlier this week at the Democratic National Convention.

Then-Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., used her 2020 Democratic National Convention speech to hit out at “structural racism” as she accepted the vice presidential nominee.

"That I am here tonight is a testament to the dedication of generations before me," Harris, D-Calif., said. "Women and men who believed so fiercely in the ​promise​ of equality, liberty, and justice for all. They ​organized​, marched​, and ​fought​—not just for their ​vote​, but for a ​seat​ at the table."

She paid tribute to her Indian immigrant mother for raising her and her sister to be "proud strong Black women." 

She also stressed that racism was still present in the U.S. and said the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic had exposed racial inequalities.

"While this virus touches us all, let’s be honest, it is not an equal opportunity offender," Harris said. "Black, Latino and Indigenous people are suffering and dying disproportionately.

"This is not a coincidence. It is the effect of structural racism."

Harris said the racial inequities are evident throughout the U.S, including in education and healthcare.

"And let’s be clear—there is no vaccine for racism," Harris said.

Harris will give a highly anticipated speech tonight at the finale of the 2024 DNC.

In a 1988 interview with Oprah Winfrey, the celebrity talk show host appeared to be amazed at Americans’ "fascination" with Donald Trump and even described him as a "folk hero" for being so popular. 

"Various celebrities in New York, because it was the opening concert in New York, and there were all kinds of celebrities – very, very famous people coming in to be seated. When you were seated, you got the loudest applause.

People stood up and roared and cheered when you walked in," Winfrey said during the interview. "Why is that? What is this fascination?""I don’t know, maybe I should be a rockstar," Trump replied.

"They thought you were going to moonwalk," Oprah quipped. After Trump pondered his popularity with Oprah, she also referred to him as a "folk hero."The unearthed interview came to light a day after Winfrey made a surprise appearance at the Democratic National Convention Wednesday night, during which she railed against Trump, her former friend. 

Read more from Alec Schemmel on Oprah's former friendship with Trump.