Democratic convention live: Harris ready to take US to 'new heights', says Pelosi as Bill Clinton urges people to vote for 'president of joy' (2024)

The Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz has arrived on stage to deliver his headline address.

As the Minnesota governor walks out, the crowd goes wild, chanting "Walz".

He formally accepts his party's vice presidential nomination and thanks Kamala Harris for putting her trust in him and inviting him to be part of an "incredible campaign".

The former teacher also thanks US President Joe Biden for his "strong, historic leadership".

"We're all here tonight for one beautiful, simple reason - we love this country," he tells the crowd.

In a personal touch, he reflects on his childhood in a small town in Nebraska, saying it taught him to take care of others.

"The family down the road, they may not think like you do, they may not pray like you do, they may not love like you do, but they're your neighbours. And you look out for them, just like they do for you," he says.

Talking about his love of teaching, he says it was his students that first inspired him to run for Congress.

As he moves on to discuss his political career, he says he first ran in a deep-red district in Minnesota with "zero political experience" and "no money".

"Never underestimate a public school teacher," he laughs. "I represented my neighbours in Congress for 12 years, and I learned an awful lot."

John Legend appears on stage full of energy to perform his tribute to "two Minnesota icons" - vice presidential candidate Tim Walz and singer prince.

He sings Let's Go Crazy alongside singer and drummer Sheila E, with the crowd cheering and dancing along.

The song originally appeared on Prince's album Purple Rain in 1984.

Host and actress Mindy Kaling describes the performance as "incredible".

"I just want to say I feel so motivated after tonight," she adds.

Oprah Winfrey has turned up at the Democratic convention as a surprise guest tonight.

She takes the stage, telling the crowd they should "fired up" after hearing the Michelle and Barack Obama's speeches last night.

"We can't wait to leave here and do something," the talk show host says.

"What we're going to do is elect Kamala Harris as the next president of the United States."

She warns that there are "people who seek to first divide and then to conquer" in the US, and who would have others "believe that books are dangerous and assault rifles are safe".

'Freedom isn't free'

She quotes the late congressman John Lewis, saying: "No matter what ship our ancestors arrived on, we are on the same boat now."

She says Mr Lewis "knew very well how far this country has come because he was one of the brilliant Americans who helped to get us where we are."

"But he also knew the work is not done. The work will never be done because freedom isn't free," she adds.

"Every now and then it requires standing up to life's bullies."

Winfrey moves on to discuss reproductive rights, which has been a hot topic tonight.

Tapping her hands with her body, she says: "If you do not have autonomy over this... there is no American dream."

Looking ahead, she says "decency and respect" are on the ballot in the November election, and "common sense" tells people that Kamala Harris and Tim Walz will deliver that.

"Let us choose common sense over nonsense because that's the best of America," she adds.

"We won't be set back... we're not going back."

Former Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi is addressing the Democratic National Convention.

The 84-year-old was reportedly one of the key players who helped convince Joe Biden to drop out of the presidential race.

Harris will take US to 'new heights'

She starts by saying Biden's administration "was one of the most successful presidencies of modern times".

"Thank you, Joe," she adds, before saying Kamala Harris is ready to take the US to "new heights".

"I've known Kamala Harris for decades. Personally, I know her as a person of faith which is reflected in her community care and service," she says.

"Officially, she is a leader of strength, and wisdom and eloquence on policy.

"Politically, she is astute and strategic in winning difficult elections, quickly securing the nomination with dignity and grace."

Talking about vice presidential candidate Tim Walz, she says she had the "honour" of working with him in congress for 12 years.

Trump 'brazenly assaulted the bedrock of democracy'

Ms Pelosi also criticises Donald Trump over the January 6 Capitol riot.

"Never before had a president of the United States so brazenly assaulted the bedrock of our democracy, so gleefully embraced political violence, so wilfully betrayed his oath of office," she says.

"Let us not forget who assaulted democracy on January 6 - he did."

She adds that the choice for president "couldn't be clearer".

"Those leaders are Vice President Harris and Governor Walz," she says.

Former president Bill Clinton is addressing the Democratic convention.

He appears on stage to a loud round of applause and asks the crowd if they are proud to be a Democrat.

Our US partner NBC News has been told that he tore up his a draft version of his speech after hearing Monday night's convention speeches.

He begins by thanking US President Joe Biden for his "courage, compassion, his class, his service and his sacrifice" while in office.

Praise for Kamala Harris's McDonalds record

Looking forward, he says Kamala Harris is a "clear choice" for president.

"When she was a student, she worked at McDonald's. She greeted every person with that thousand-watt smile and said, 'How can I help you?' And now, at the pinnacle of power, she's still asking 'How can I help you?'" he says.

"I'll be so happy when she actually enters the White House because, at last, she'll break my record as the president who has spent the most time at McDonald's."

Trump 'mostly talks about himself'

Taking aim at Donald Trump, he says he is like a tenor who warms up by singing "me, me, me".

"What does Donald Trump do with his voice? He mostly talks about himself … his vengeance, vendettas, complaints, his conspiracies," he says.

"The next time you hear him, don't count the lies - count the I's.

"When Kamala Harris is president, every day will begin with you, you, you, you."

'You should never underestimate your adversary'

Mr Clinton says the Democrats have already seen one election "slip away" when they thought it couldn't happen.

"You should never underestimate your adversary, and these people are really good at distracting us," he adds.

"We Democrats have a lot of hay in the bar. We've got massive achievements, massive advances, but there are still a lot of slips between today and election day that we have to navigate," he says.

He laughs as he mistakenly says he has been to every DNC since 1976, before correcting himself to say 1972 and warning that he doesn't know how many more he will be able to come to.

"We need Kamala Harris, the president of joy, to lead us," he says

"I'll see you when we are making a really joyful noise when the votes are counted," he concludes.

Donald Trump is "like an old boyfriend who you broke up with but just won't go away", the Democratic House minority leader tells the DNc.

Taking the stage to a round of applause after being introduced by actress Mindy Kaling, Hakeem Jefferies says the former president 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," he laughs, sparking cheers from the crowd.

He also calls him a "chaos agent" who tried to "destroy our democracy".

"There is no reason for us to ever get back together. Been there, done that and we're not going back," he adds.

Praising Kamala Harris, he lists a number of things she will do including putting people over politics, lowering costs for the middle class, protecting affordable care, and combatting the climate crisis.

The crowd erupts into applause and chants of "USA".

After sending a message of joy to the Democratic National Convention, Stevie Wonder performed his hit song Higher Ground.

Legendary singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder urges the crowd to "choose joy over anger" during his DNC speech.

"Now is the time to understand where we are and what it will take to win," he says.

He says the US must "choose courage over complacency" and the choice for president is clear...

"We need to choose joy over anger, kindness over recrimination, and peace over war every time," he adds.

"We must keep on, keeping on until we truly are a united people of these United States and then we will reach a higher ground."

He adds: "You know we need Kamala Harris."

With an energised crowd, he breaks out into a performance of his hit song Higher Ground.

The convention centre has erupted into chants of "Lock him up" after a video showed violent scenes from the January 6 attack interspersed with Donald Trump's comments praising the rioters.

The clips ended with text on a screen that highlights the indictments Mr Trump faces for his actions on that day.

Shortly after, a former police officer who helped protect the US Capitol during the riot takes the stage.

Aquilino Gonell says nothing could have prepared him for that attack.

"We were beaten and blinded," he adds. "President Trump summoned our attackers. Incited with them. He betrayed us."

Still traumatised by what happened three years ago, he sees only one path forward: "Elect Kamala Harris, our first female commander in chief."

Voters have been urged to "dump Trump" by a Republican former lieutenant governor.

Taking to the Democratic convention stage, Geoff Duncan tells the crowd the Grand Old Party has become "more like a cult worshipping a felonious thug".

He says he is endorsing Kamala Harris despite not agreeing with all of her policies.

"You don't have to agree with every policy position of Kamala Harris, I don't, but you do have to recognise her prosecutor mindset that understands right from wrong," he says.

"She's a steady hand and she'll bring leadership to the White House that Donald Trump could never do."

Appealing to Republicans at home, he says they will be "patriots" by voting for Ms Harris.

"Our party is not civil or conservative. It's chaotic and crazy, and the only thing left to do is to dump Trump," he adds.