Clinton says Democrats have outperformed Republicans on jobs front
Bill Clinton tonight touted the nation's job numbers over the past 35 years, saying Democrats have done better than Republicans.
"Since the end of the Cold War in 1989, America has created about 51 million new jobs," Clinton said. "What's the score? Democrats, 50; Republicans, 1."
'I want to thank him for his courage': Clinton praises Biden
Clinton evoked “thank you, Joe” chants from the crowd as he praised Biden’s policy accomplishments during his presidency and his decision to voluntarily give up political power by relinquishing his re-election bid in what Clinton said was a “very hard” decision that will “enhance Joe Biden’s legacy.”
Biden’s “selfless” decision was a “stark contrast to what goes on in the other party,” Clinton said.
Clinton pointed to Biden’s leadership during the tumultuous early years of his presidency, when he was tasked with leading the country out of the Covid pandemic and responding to the Ukraine-Russia war. Clinton then moved on to the latter years, saying Biden strengthened U.S. alliances for peace and security and is fighting for a “cease-fire in the Middle East.”
“I want to thank him for his courage, compassion, his class, his service, his sacrifice,” Clinton said. “He kept the faith.”
Clinton makes a joke about his old McDonald's habits
In paying tribute to Harris, Clinton gave a nod to her work experience at McDonald's — and his own previous penchant for the fast-food joint.
If elected, “she will break my record for the president who has spent the most time at McDonald's," he quipped.
The Clintons exchange a kiss behind stage before Bill's speech
The Clintons exchanged a moment of affection before Bill Clinton took the stage. Hillary Clinton spoke Monday.
Bill Clinton takes a jab at former president's age: 'I’m still younger than Donald Trump'
Bill Clinton began his remarks by joking about his age and taking a dig at Trump's.
“Let’s cut to the chase; I am too old to gild the lily,” said Clinton, who turned 78 this week. “The only personal vanity I want to assert is that I’m still younger than Donald Trump."
Trump turned 78 in June.
Celebrities preach ‘courage over complacency’
It's another big night for celebrities, with legendary musician Stevie Wonder, "Saturday Night Live" star Kenan Thompson and actor/writer/producer Mindy Kaling taking the stage.
Before he performed his classic hit, "Higher Ground," Wonder encouraged the crowd to keep fighting and "choose joy over kindness over recrimination and peace over war, every time."
"We must choose to be above the ugly words, the hateful anger and the division those words and anger create," he said. "We must keep on keeping on until we truly are a united people of these United States, and then, and then, we will reach a higher ground."
Thompson took on Project 2025, calling on voters to talk about various parts of the controversial agenda, like banning abortion nationwide and raising the prices of prescription drugs.
“These are the terms and conditions of a second Trump presidency. You vote for him. You vote for all of this,” he said before launching into the specifics.
He recalled a woman named Becky who has been with her wife for about eight years.
“That’s amazing. Very, very cute,” he said. “But I have got some bad news for you: On page 584, Project 2025, calls for the elimination of protections for LGBTQ+ Americans.”
Next was Kaling, who talked about sharing an Indian ancestry with Harris, jokingly referring to herself as "the woman who courageously outed Kamala Harris as Indian in an Instagram cooking video."
Both of their mothers were immigrants who passed down "optimism and fearlessness” to their daughters, Kaling said.
“Kamala Harris cares deeply about other people. She will fight to protect our freedoms, because those are the values that her mother passed down to her," she said.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries: Trump is 'like an old boyfriend'
House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries laid into Trump, describing him as an "old boyfriend."
"Donald Trump is like an old boyfriend who you broke up with, but he just won’t go away," said Jeffries, D-N.Y. "He has spent the last four years spinning the block, trying to get back into a relationship with the American people. Bro, we broke up with you for a reason."
Jeffries praised Harris as "a courageous leader, a compassionate leader and a commonsense leader who will deliver real results for everyday Americans."
He also thanked Biden for his service, saying the president "selflessly passed the torch" to Harris.
"Over the last few years, House Democrats have been hard at work, and we could not have asked for a better leader to partner with than President Joseph Robinette Biden, who will go down as one of the most consequential presidents of all time," Jeffries said.
Former President Clinton scrapped original draft of speech, plans to 'have fun' in address
Former President Bill Clinton tore up his draft remarks that he was set to deliver, a Clinton aide familiar with the process said.
After hearing Monday night's speeches, Clinton was moved by the energy and enthusiasm in Chicago and wanted to reflect that spirit in his speech, the aide added.
It will not be a policy-heavy speech — instead, Clinton is looking forward to “having fun” with the newfound energy Democrats have tapped into in recent weeks, the aide said.
“It was clear to him that, in the spirit of Mario Cuomo, we needed more poetry, not prose,” the aide said.
Clinton's wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, delivered a rousing speech Monday night.
Clinton's speech tonight will be his 12 consecutive Democratic convention speech since his first in 1980, when he was 33 years old.
Rep. Andy Kim says Capitol was 'strewn with the chaos' of Trump after Jan. 6 riot
Rep. Andy Kim, D-N.J., tonight contrasted his experience as a kid visiting the Capitol, which his parents taught him was "sacred ground, a symbol of our democracy," with the aftermath of the Jan. 6 riot.
Kim said he was taken aback by an "unimaginable" scene after the 2021 riot.
"That night, I walked into the rotunda, the floor was covered in broken glass and garbage — strewn with the chaos unleashed by Donald Trump. And I thought to myself, 'How did it get this bad?' So I did the only thing I could think of: I grabbed the trash bag and started cleaning up," Kim said. "What I learned on Jan. 6th is that all of us— all of us— are caretakers for our great republic. We can heal this country, but only if we try."
Kim is running for a Senate seat in New Jersey. He initially launched a primary challenge against Sen. Bob Menendez after Menendez was indicted on bribery charges. Kim is in a strong position to win in the Democratic-leaning state now that Menendez has dropped his bid to run for another term as an independent. Menendez resigned from the Senate this month after a jury found him guilty on felony charges.
Pro-Palestinian march ends peacefully
Tonight's march has ended peacefully. Many protesters seem to have gone home — though several hundred remained scattered in different corners of the park as night falls.
Some continued chanting and beating drums, while many others were sitting in the grass.