CHICAGO — Democrats are teeing up a dizzying final night of action at their national convention while former President Donald Trump treks to Arizona for border-centric counter-programming.
Outside the convention hall, anti-Israel demonstrators are gearing up for a grand finale of sorts, with the March on the Democratic National Convention 2024 set to parade down blocks away from the United Center, where the night’s festivities will take place.
It will also be a star-studded night, with Pink scheduled to perform. More celebrities may show, too, as various stars — such as Oprah, Lil Jon and John Legend — have made surprise appearances throughout the week.
There are just 74 days left from Thursday until election night. APVice President Kamala Harris will, of course, deliver the headliner speech of the evening to cap off the star-studded convention. Thursday’s theme is “For our Future.”
“We’ll use the final light in the United Center to show the American people how Vice President Harris and Governor Walz are committed to fighting for a brighter future for everyone,” teased Alex Hornbrook, the convention’s executive director.
The programming continues a consistent theme of “joy and vibes” that has frustrated Republicans who say Harris should be talking policy instead.
Speakers for the evening will include a slew of governors and members of Congress: Sens. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Bob Casey Jr. (D-Pa.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healy, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, and Reps. Lucy McBath (D-Ga.), Joe Neguse (D-Calif.), Elise Slotkin (D-Mich.), Colin Alred (D-Texas) and Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.).
Other speakers to take the stage include former Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.), former Rep. Gabby Giffords (D-Ariz.), Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, as well as former Department of Housing and Urban Development Marcia Fudge, according to the Harris-Walz campaign.
President Biden is over 2,000 miles away in California on the last day of the convention, which just over a month ago was supposed to celebrate his ascension to the Democratic nomination. But he ultimately dropped out on July 21.
Democrats are feeling more upbeat and optimistic about their prospects, in sharp contrast to the somber tone of a month ago. Tamara Beckwith
Donald Trump and his campaign have done counter-programming in a bid to take attention away from the Democratic convention. REUTERSMeanwhile, Trump is focused on policy, trekking down to Montezuma Pass, Ariz., for a border-focused event, while his running mate, JD Vance, has another immigration event planned in Valdosta, Ga.
“I’m grateful that Democrats appear to now agree with Donald Trump’s policy of building a wall,” Trump surrogate Vivek Ramaswamy chided during a press conference at Trump International Hotel and Tower in Chicago.
“If only they cared as much about keeping illegals out of our country as they do keeping their own left-wing protesters out of their own convention, our border crisis would actually be behind us,” he added.
Oprah Winfrey was one of the celebrities to address the convention. REUTERSThe Harris campaign claims she will draw a sharp contrast with Trump and outline her competing vision for the future. Organizers teased that she is planning to lay out an “optimistic” and forward-looking agenda.
“I am an OG joy guy. It’s something I’ve been talking about for a very long time, and this convention has been the greatest gift that I could ever have,” Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) said of the convention vibe while previewing Harris’ marquee address.
“It’s almost like weeping has endured through the night, but joy cometh in the morning, and in many ways, we see a new day dawning in America,” he added, referencing a Bible verse, Psalm 30:5.
