President Biden took the stage at the Democratic National Convention, delivering a highly anticipated speech that tackled a range of pressing issues from international conflicts to domestic political tensions. Speaking to a packed crowd at Chicago’s United Center, Biden addressed the recent conflict between Israel and the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip, offering a nuanced perspective on the situation.
“A lot of innocent people are being killed on both sides,” Biden said, acknowledging the pain and suffering faced by both Israelis and Palestinians. His remarks came after anti-Israel protesters marched on the convention, calling for an end to U.S. support for Israel. Biden emphasized that his administration is working tirelessly to alleviate the suffering of civilians in Gaza, vowing to bring about a ceasefire and deliver humanitarian aid. “We’re working around the clock,” he stated, “to end the civilian suffering of the Palestinian people and finally, finally, finally deliver a ceasefire and end this war.”
In addition to addressing international affairs, Biden used the opportunity to launch a strong critique of former President Donald Trump. The President reiterated a claim that has been a focal point in his political narrative: Trump’s infamous statement about “fine people on both sides” during the 2017 Charlottesville protests, a comment that has been widely debunked by fact-checkers. Biden’s criticism of Trump didn’t stop there; he lambasted the former president for his stance on abortion, particularly the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Warning of the political power women will wield in the 2024 election, Biden painted Trump and his supporters as being on the wrong side of history.
“Now, where Trump is a MAGA Republican, right-wingers seek to erase history,” Biden declared. “We Democrats continue to write history and make more history. I’m proud. I’m proud to have kept my commitment to appoint the first Black woman to the United States Supreme Court, Ketanji Brown Jackson. A symbol for every young woman in America that you can do anything.”
The President didn’t shy away from revisiting one of the most controversial allegations against Trump: the claim that Trump referred to fallen military members as “suckers” and “losers.” Although this accusation has been denied by Trump and others who were present, Biden made it clear that he found the alleged comments deeply offensive. “Who in the hell does he think he is?” Biden asked, his voice filled with emotion. “There’s no words for a person like that. There are no words for a person not worthy of being Commander-in-Chief. Period. Not then, not now, and not ever.”
Biden’s speech wasn’t just about criticizing his predecessor, though. He took time to praise Vice President Kamala Harris, describing her as one of the best decisions of his political career. “Selecting Kamala was the very first decision I made before I became our nominee, and it was the best decision I made my whole career,” Biden said. He lauded Harris for her toughness, experience, and integrity, calling her story “the best American story.”
In an emotional moment, Biden also reflected on the January 6th Capitol riots, describing them as a near-catastrophic event for American democracy. As the first presidential election since that day approaches, Biden reminded his supporters of the ongoing threat posed by those who seek to undermine democratic institutions. He warned that Trump could potentially refuse to accept the election results if he loses again, a scenario that Biden described as dangerous and alarming. “He’s probably seeing a bloodbath if he loses,” Biden said, referencing Trump’s rhetoric. “In his words, he’ll be a dictator on day one. In his own words, by the way, this sucker means it. No, I’m not joking. Think about it.”
Closing his speech, Biden urged his supporters to recognize the power they hold in shaping America’s future. Drawing on his own life story as a child from Scranton, Pennsylvania, who rose to the highest office in the land, Biden emphasized that the future of the country lies in the hands of ordinary Americans. “History is in your hands,” Biden said, his voice full of conviction. “It’s in your hands. America’s future is in your hands. And because of this, nowhere else in the world could a kid with a stutter and modest beginnings in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and Claymont, Delaware, grow up to sit behind the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office.”
The President’s speech, though delivered late into the night, resonated deeply with the audience, setting the tone for what promises to be a contentious and high-stakes election season.
