The Democratic National Convention (DNC) gets underway on Monday, August 19 in Chicago with some political heavyweights slated to headline the four-day gathering.
While the DNC is first and foremost a presidential nominating convention, Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate Tim Walz are already officially on the party’s ticket after a five-day round of online voting from delegates wrapped on August 5.
As many as 50,000 visitors are now expected to descend on the Steven Spielberg-coordinated convention at the United Center including 5,000 delegates from 50 states and territories, plus 15,000 members of the media and tens of thousands of guests.
A schedule for the event has been released. The main programming portion of the evening is expected to begin at 5.30pm (Central Time) and will continue until 10pm each night.
Here’s what we know so far.
Joe and Jill Biden
Just a few weeks ago, the president was expected to take to the DNC stage to deliver his headline speech as the party’s 2024 presidential nominee.
After bowing out of the race last month, Biden will instead deliver a message of unity as the outgoing president.
“He will certainly speak at the DNC convention, and I think there’ll be a lot of excitement. I think folks are going to be, again, excited to see the President next week,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said.
Biden will headline on Monday. Jill Biden will also speak on Monday night as will the Bidens’ daughter, Ashley Biden.
Hillary and Bill Clinton
Former First Lady and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is slated to speak on Monday while her husband, 42nd President Bill Clinton, is due to take the stage ahead of Walz on Wednesday.
Barack and Michelle Obama
Barack Obama and Michelle Obama are each set to deliver separate speeches on Tuesday. August 20.
The Obamas first endorsed Harris four days after Biden’s departure on July 26, news delivered in a phone call that was filmed and went viral when posted by Harris’s campaign team on X. The Obamas said Harris possesses the “strength that this critical moment demands.”
Doug Emhoff
Also due to take the stage on Tuesday is Harris’s husband Doug Emhoff.
The second gentleman is likely to highlight the historic possibility of becoming the first-ever first gentleman in history.
Tim Walz
As is customary, Harris’s running mate will take to the podium on day three: Wednesday, August 21.
Walz will formally accept the party’s nomination just 15 days after he was unveiled as Harris’s pick.
Jason Carter
Former president Jimmy Carter’s grandson Jason Carter is expected to speak on the 39th president’s behalf, a source close to the family confirmed to NBC News.
Kamala Harris
As is tradition, Harris will wrap up the final day of the convention on Thursday night as she formally accepts the nomination to be the Democratic party’s 2024 presidential candidate.
In addition to Harris, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries are expected to speak, according to Politico.
Others
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is expected to join the roster of speakers Monday, while Illinois Governor JB Pritzker is set to take the stage on Tuesday.
Wednesday is set to see former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and transport secretary and former Harris VP hopeful Pete Buttigieg deliver remarks.
Former Republican congressman Adam Kinzinger, who voted to impeach Donald Trump following the January 6 riots at the US Capitol, is also said to be speaking at the DNC.
The president of the United Auto Workers union Sean Fain is also set to speak on Monday as are Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Jamie Raskin, Jasmine Crockett, Grace Meng, Kentucky Governor and former VP contender Andy Beshear, and Senators Raphael Warnock of Georgia and Chris Coons of Delaware.
Other speakers on Monday include the chair of the 2024 Democratic National Convention Committee Minyon Moore, the chair of the Democratic National Committee Jaime Harrison, the Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota Peggy Flanagan, Representative Lauren Underwood, former Trump voter Rich Logis, Representative Robert Garcia, Michigan State Senator Mallory McMorrow, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, New York Governor Kathy Hochul, and Representative James Clyburn.
A number of union leaders will also give joint remarks on Monday, as will Texans Amanda and Josh Zurawski and Kaitlyn Joshua of Louisiana and Hadley Duvall of Kentucky.
Nightly themes
Monday: “For the People”
Biden will speak and will focus on the accomplishments of his administration and on how a Harris administration would continue his work, according to DNC officials.
Tuesday: “A Bold Vision for America’s Future”
The theme on Tuesday will emphasize Democrats’ goals and pushing back against Trump’s messaging that the nation is in decline.
Wednesday: “A Fight for Our Freedoms”
The theme will focus on recapturing rights that Democrats say Republicans have stripped away.
Thursday: “For Our Future”
Harris will detail her proposed presidential priorities and paint a contrast between her vision for a “bright, more hopeful” future and Trump’s messaging.
How to watch
- C-SPAN will broadcast the full convention without interruption
- CBS News will cover the convention in its primetime slots between Monday and Thursday from 8-11pm ET.
- ABC News will carry one hour of the convention from 10-11pm ET on Monday and Tuesday, and then will carry two hours on Wednesday and Thursday between 9-11pm ET.
- Fox News will air a nightly special called “Fox News Democracy 2024: The Democratic National Convention” Monday through Thursday from 10pm until 11pm.
- CNN will be covering the DNC nonstop during the week, and will air live coverage every night from 8pm until midnight ET under the title “CNN Democratic National Convention.”
- NewsNation’s “Decision Desk 2024: The Democratic National Convention,” will air each day of the convention from 8pm until midnight ET.