The 2024 Democratic National Convention at Chicago’s United Center was an electrifying event that featured several prominent and powerful speeches. From Vice President Kamala’s closing address to DL Hughley’s public apology, here are the best speeches from the DNC so far.
Vice President Kamala Harris calls Trump an “unserious man”
Harris made history as this country’s first Black woman to receive the presidential nomination from a major party. During her acceptance speech at the DNC, Harris used the momentum in the arena to reintroduce herself to the American public and to separate herself from her Republican opponent Donald Trump.
“I will never hesitate to take whatever action is necessary to defend our forces and our interests against Iran and Iran-backed terrorists. I will not cozy up to tyrants and dictators like Kim Jong Un, who are rooting for Trump,” the VP stated.
She continued by boldly stating that even though Trump is a joke, he’s also very dangerous.
“In many ways, Donald Trump is an unserious man. But the consequences of putting Donald Trump back in the White House are extremely serious. Consider not only the chaos and calamity when he was in office, but also the gravity of what has happened since he lost the last election.”
D.L. Hughley issued VP Harris a very public apology
During his time at the podium, comedian and actor D.L. Hughley admitted that he never thought he would be supporting a prosecutor and teacher in their quest for the White House. However, he acknowledged the unwarranted scrutiny he placed on Harris with his radio platform.
“I’m here apologizing to the whole damn world,” Hughley stated.
He also used his time to critique Trump by saying that Kamala has been Black longer than Trump has been a Republican. In addition, he reminded attendees that Harris has incited a movement.
“Kamala is getting broad support,” Hughley pointed out. “They got Black men for Kamala, white men for Kamala, Latinos and Asians for Kamala. They even have Republicans for Kamala.”
Maya Harris lovingly honors her oldest sister and their late mother
Harris’ younger sister, Maya, gave a moving speech about Kamala on the convention’s final night. She talked about how proud their late mother, Shyamala Gopalan, would be of her oldest daughter accepting the Democratic Party’s nomination for president.
“Mommy understood the power and the possibility that comes with knowing and showing who you truly are. She knew we could be the authors of our own stories, just as she’d been the opportunity that she wanted for Kamala and me. That’s a distinctly American story,” Maya said.
“I could just see her smiling saying how proud she is of Kamala. And then, without missing a beat, she’d say, ‘That’s enough. You have work to do.’”
Former First Lady Michelle Obama stopped “going high”
One of the absolute most memorable speeches at the DNC came courtesy of former First Lady Michelle Obama. During her address, she called out Donald Trump’s attacks on her as well as former President Barack Obama.
“For years, Donald Trump did everything in his power to try to make people fear us,” Michelle said.
“See, his limited, narrow view of the world made him feel threatened by the existence of two hard-working, highly educated, successful people who happen to be Black.”
Even though she coined the phrase “When they go low, we go high” in reference to dealing with vicious hate from the right, Michelle seemingly abandoned that notion when she asked one question.
“I want to know — I want to know — who’s going to tell [Trump], who’s going to tell him, that the job he is currently seeking might just be one of those Black jobs?”
Hakeem Jeffries uses apt analogy to say Trump is bad at taking a hint
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) held nothing back during his remarks at the DNC when he compared former President Donald Trump to an ex-boyfriend trying to reconcile his relationship with Americans as he desperately seeks a second term. What made it even better was Jeffries’ sense of humor as he presented his case.
“Donald Trump is like an old boyfriend who you broke up with, but he just won’t go away,” Jeffries said. “We broke up with you for a reason...Donald Trump can spin the block all he wants, but there’s no reason for us to ever get back together. Been there, done that. We’re not going back.”
Raphael Warnock turns the stage into a pulpit
Georgia Sen. Raphael Warnock indulged his pastor side when he preached to DNC attendees about unifying for the greater American good. His passion made for one of the best moments from the convention.
“I’m convinced tonight that we can lift the broken even as we climb. We can heal the wounds that divide us. We can heal a planet in peril. We can heal the land,” he stated.
Warnock also called out the culture of MAGA and its followers’ attack at the U.S. Capitol building in 2021.
“The line of logic of Jan. 6 is a sickness, is a kind of cancer metastasized into dozens of voter suppression laws all across our country. And we must be vigilant tonight, because these anti-democratic forces are at work right now in Georgia and across the country.”
Rep. Jasmine Crockett puts Donald Trump’s “rap sheet” on display
U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett — who has a history of going viral — compared Vice President Kamala Harris’ record to that of her presidential opponent Donald Trump.
“She became a career prosecutor while he became a career criminal — with 34 felonies, two impeachments and one porn star to prove it!” Crockett said.
“She’s lived the American dream while he’s been America’s nightmare. America, looking at the two choices before you, who would you hire? Donald Trump or Kamala Harris? Kamala Harris has a résumé — Donald Trump has a rap sheet.”
Crockett remarks received raucous cheers from the Chicago audience and she continued with full steam.
“The question before us is: Will a vindictive vile villain violate voters’ vision for a better America or not? I hear alliterations are back in style.”
Barack Obama uses his hands to hit Trump where it hurts
This nation’s first Black president delivered his remarks with his signature charm and cool. However, he had no problem calling out Donald Trump for exactly what it is.
“This is a 78-year-old billionaire who hasn’t stopped whining about his problems since he rode down his golden escalator nine years ago,” he said.
“It’s been a constant stream of gripes and grievances that’s actually gotten worse now that he’s afraid of losing to Kamala. The childish nicknames and crazy conspiracy theories and weird obsession with crowd sizes.
Obama said the aforementioned remarks while making a gesture with his hands to mock Trump and hit him where it hurts.
Oprah takes a swipe at JD Vance before literally singing Kamala’s praises
“Who says you can’t go home again?” Winfrey stated at the beginning of her surprise appearance. Her long-running eponymous talk show, which ended in 2011, was based in Chicago and convention attendees couldn’t be more thrilled by her presence. Oprah urged unity, how having Kamala Harris as President would bring joy to our nation and that it’s imperative for us to vote.
She also childed JD Vance’s remark about “childless cat ladies” and sung Kamala’s name as she ended her speech.
“Here’s the thing: when we stand together, it is impossible to conquer us,” she said.