On Monday, President Joe Biden gave a heartfelt speech, looking back on his political journey and supporting his vice president as the next leader of the Democratic Party.

Biden emphasized that the 2024 presidential election is an opportunity for Americans to “vote for freedom” and democracy. He highlighted various achievements of his administration, such as the forgiveness of student debt and reductions in healthcare costs for seniors.

As the crowd in Chicago erupted in chants of “Thank you, Joe!”, Biden acknowledged his fellow party member, saying, “Thank you Kamala, too.”

The following day, some of the most influential figures in the Democratic Party will present their vision for the future. Former First Lady Michelle Obama will speak in support of Kamala Harris and her running mate, Tim Walz, with former President Barack Obama set to be the main attraction during the primetime segment.

Stay updated with the YSL News Network’s live covering of the Democratic convention in Chicago.

Harris and Walz Plan Rally in Milwaukee on Tuesday Night

On Tuesday, Kamala Harris and Tim Walz will travel to Milwaukee to host a rally as their representatives speak at the second night of the Democratic convention in Chicago.

The rally will take place at the Fiserv Forum, the same venue where Donald Trump accepted the Republican nomination just over a month ago. It is expected to conclude at 9 p.m. CT, overlapping much of the second-day events at the convention, which will continue until 10 p.m. CT.

— Maia Pandey and Karissa Waddick

Trump: No Debate on Sept. 4, Instead a ‘Tele-Town Hall’

Donald Trump confirmed that there will not be a Trump-Harris debate on Fox News scheduled for Sept. 4.

Instead, Trump announced late Monday on his Truth Social platform that he will host a “Tele-Town Hall” with Fox News anchor Sean Hannity in Pennsylvania.

Initially, Trump suggested a Sept. 4 debate as part of a series of three debates when Harris entered the presidential race. However, there was never a viable chance that the new Democratic nominee would agree to such an early debate, particularly on Fox.

Harris and her team indicated that Trump should honor his commitment to a Sept. 10 debate, which he had agreed upon with President Joe Biden before exiting the race.

Negotiations are also underway for a potential second debate in October between the Trump and Harris campaigns.

— David Jackson

What to Expect from Barack and Michelle Obama at the Democratic National Convention Tonight

This evening promises to be one of the most exciting moments of the 2024 Democratic convention, with Barack and Michelle Obama taking center stage in their political hometown.

Two decades ago, Obama, then a little-known Illinois Senate candidate, made history with a speech that still resonates today.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday evening, Obama expressed, “It’s good to be home in Chicago.”

The 44th president anticipates joining party supporters to discuss “what’s at stake in this election” and why Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Governor Walz from Minnesota, deserve to be elected.

“President Obama believes this is a crucial moment for everyone to step up, and he is dedicated to doing all he can to support Vice President Harris and Democratic candidates nationwide,” stated Eric Schultz, a senior advisor to Obama.

Obama’s strategy this fall will focus on where he can impact Democratic voters and undecided individuals, especially in critical states. Therefore, he plans to use a mix of traditional and innovative approaches to engage voters ahead of Nov. 5.

Read more about what to expect from the former president’s speech tonight.

— Phillip M. Bailey

Schedule for the 2024 Democratic National Convention

Barack and Michelle Obama are among the key Democratic figures set to speak on Tuesday, which marks the second day of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

Here’s the complete schedule for Tuesday’s events at the 2024 DNC:

Note: All times are listed in Central Time.

• 7 a.m.-9:30 a.m.: Delegation breakfasts
• 9 a.m.-10 a.m.: Morning press briefing
• 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.: Women’s Caucus meeting
• 12 p.m.-1:30 p.m.: Disability Caucus meeting
• 12 p.m.-1:30 p.m.: Youth Council meeting
• 12 p.m.-1:30 p.m.: Rural Council meeting
• 1:45 p.m.-3:15 p.m.: Veterans & Military Families Council meeting
• 1:45 p.m.-3:15 p.m.: Poverty Council meeting
• 1:45 p.m.-3:15 p.m.: Interfaith Council meeting
• 6 p.m.-10 p.m.: Main programming

Comparison of Campaigns: Pop Stars, Large Crowds, and Historic Moments

Barack Obama introduced himself as “a skinny kid with a funny name,” quickly emerging as a prominent figure.

He captivated swing voters at the Democratic convention in Boston 20 years ago with a compelling message of inclusivity in a nation with a history of slavery.

Obama made history four years later by becoming the first Black president of the United States, rallying a diverse coalition that painted much of the Midwest — including Indiana, Iowa, and Ohio — blue, along with several southern states.

Now, Obama and a loyal base return to Chicago, hoping to again make history by supporting the election of the first woman of color to the highest office in the land.

Read more about the parallels between the two campaigns.

— Phillip M. Bailey and Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy

Key Insights from the DNC: Biden’s Farewell, Protests in Chicago

As Democrats gathered at the United Center, home of the Chicago Bulls and Blackhawks, they expressed a more hopeful outlook regarding their prospects of keeping the White House. Harris is gaining momentum.

Trump remains a significant figure in several competitive states, according to recent polls.

The upcoming convention will primarily emphasize enthusiasm while Democrats address issues such as reproductive rights, reducing costs for everyday Americans, and confronting Trump’s character.

However, demonstrations outside the venue may overshadow the unity celebration among progressives, as activists are urging Vice President Harris and the Democratic Party to take stronger action to stop Israel’s attacks on Gaza, which have escalated due to the conflict with Hamas following the terrorist attack on October 7, 2023.

Here’s a summary of key points from Day 1.

• ‘Thank you, Joe’: Biden’s farewell launches DNC 2024: Democrats honored Biden’s impressive fifty-year career on Monday evening, which started in the Nixon era when he became the youngest senator and culminated as the oldest president.
• Biden’s departure from the DNC marks a new chapter: After his speech, President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden promptly left Chicago for Santa Ynez, California, for a vacation in wine country, meaning they won’t be present for the remainder of the convention.
• ‘Abandon Harris’: Protests erupt in Chicago during the convention: One of the most anticipated protests began at Union Park, about half a mile from the convention center, with slogans like “free, free Palestine.” The crowd grew to approximately 1,000 individuals as they made their way to the United Center.
• AOC, Beshear, and other rising Democratic stars stand out: Among the speakers at the convention were Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez from New York, Senator Raphael Warnock from Georgia, and Representative Jasmine Crockett from Texas.

Explore more highlights from the start of the Democratic convention.

— Phillip M. Bailey and Joey Garrison

Biden sought to make his DNC speech a launchpad, but it became farewell.

The applause for President Joe Biden as he took the stage during the Democratic National Convention Monday night was so loud that it shook the rafters of the United Center in Chicago, honoring his half-century in politics, a critical win in 2020, and nearly four strenuous years in the presidency that followed.

And applauding him for his decision to step away.

His closing remarks on the convention’s opening night marked a remarkable shift in an election cycle already filled with numerous upheavals, such as the unique criminal conviction of a former president and his defiant reaction to an assassination attempt.

Read more insights on Biden’s speech from Monday’s convention.

— Susan Page

When did Joe Biden announce his decision to not run?

On Sunday, July 21, Joe Biden declared that he would not pursue reelection after facing immense pressure from Democratic leaders who were concerned that his chances of defeating Donald Trump in November had diminished.

“Serving as your President has been the greatest honor of my life,” Biden expressed in a letter to the American people. “Although I had intended to run for reelection, I believe it is in the best interests of my party and my country for me to step back and concentrate on fulfilling my presidential duties for the remainder of my term.”

—YSL News Network

Who were the speakers at the DNC last night?

The opening night of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago featured a distinguished group of speakers, including Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Steve Kerr. Here are some memorable moments.

• Read the full speech by President Joe Biden from DNC night one
• ‘Donald only cares about himself’: Watch Hillary Clinton’s speech at the DNC
• Coach Steve Kerr supports Kamala Harris for President and tells Donald Trump ‘night night’

What is the agenda for the DNC?

In contrast to the RNC, the DNC opted to confirm their nominee through a virtual roll call on August 5 to ensure compliance with ballot deadlines in various states. A news release stated that 99% of the participating delegates supported Harris in this virtual roll call, and both Harris and Walz accepted the nomination the following day.

Meanwhile, Democratic delegates still have much to accomplish. The DNC provides an opportunity for them to create and unify a cohesive party platform, addressing matters such as reproductive rights, immigration policies, and economic issues. They will also cast a ceremonial vote for Harris, although her nomination is already settled.

Updates from the Democratic Party on the convention will be available on their website at demconvention.com.

— Maya Homan

Where is the DNC taking place?

The convention is being held in Chicago, located just 90 miles south of Milwaukee, where the Republican National Convention recently occurred.

The Democratic Party has held a national convention every four years since 1832 to select its candidates, and Chicago has a rich history of hosting political conventions on both sides, dating back to 1860 when Abraham Lincoln was nominated.

As reported by the Chicago Sun-Times, this marks the Windy City’s 26th time hosting a political convention.

—Maya Homan