DNC Day 1: President Biden says 'America is winning' and Trump is a 'loser'

President Joe Biden will be Monday night's keynote speaker.

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Last updated: Tuesday, August 20, 2024 7:00AM GMT
Biden delivers rousing speech on 1st night of DNC as Dems look forward
Biden delivers rousing speech on 1st night of DNC as Dems look forwardPresident Joe Biden took the stage at the DNC Monday night to cheers and chants as he gave the keynote speech on the convention's first night.

CHICAGO -- The Democratic National Convention is set to begin Monday, Aug. 19 in Chicago -- during which Democratic Party delegates are set to support Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz after their unconventional path to the party's nomination.

During the four-day convention, Democratic heavyweights are set to fire up the base and rally behind Harris, who was officially certified as the Democratic presidential nominee earlier this month after getting the vast majority of delegate votes in a virtual roll call.

ABC News will have special coverage of the DNC -- including primetime coverage from 10 p.m. until 11 p.m. ET on ABC every day of the conventions, and on ABC News Live from 7 p.m. until 12 a.m. ET.

Key Headlines

Here's how the news is developing.
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Aug 19, 2024, 8:21 AM

How can I watch the DNC?

The DNC will stream on multiple platforms -- including TikTok, Instagram and YouTube. The official live stream of the 2024 Democratic National Convention will be available on its website.

Prime-time programming will air live from 6:30 p.m.-11 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m.-10 p.m. CT on Monday and 7 p.m.-11 p.m. ET/6 p.m.-10 p.m. CT on Tuesday-Thursday, according to the DNC.

ABC News will have special coverage of the DNC -- including primetime coverage from 10 p.m. until 11 p.m. ET on ABC every day of the conventions, and on ABC News Live from 7 p.m. until 12 a.m. ET.

Hulu will also have live reports available all day, and ABC News Live will have robust coverage each day of the convention.

ABC News Digital and 538 will live blog the latest from the convention and provide analysis as the convention events unfold.

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Aug 20, 2024, 4:45 AM GMT

Biden joined by Jill Biden, Kamala Harris after speech

After giving remarks for roughly an hour, Biden was joined by first lady Jill Biden on stage as the song "Higher Love" blared throughout the stadium.

They were soon joined by Vice President Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff, both of whom exchanged hugs with Biden.

Other Biden family members also embraced him, including his son Hunter Biden and several of his grandchildren.

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Aug 20, 2024, 4:28 AM GMT

DNC program over planned time

Monday night's DNC programming was scheduled to wrap over an hour ago, by 11 p.m., as Biden continues his keynote speech.

DNC officials addressed the length, blaming the "raucous applause" for going over the time.

"Because of the raucous applause interrupting speaker after speaker, we ultimately skipped elements of our program to ensure we could get to President Biden as quickly as possible so that he could speak directly to the American people," convention officials said in a statement. "We are proud of the electric atmosphere in our convention hall and proud that our convention is showcasing the broad and diverse coalition behind the Harris-Walz ticket throughout the week on and off the stage."

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Aug 20, 2024, 4:17 AM GMT

Biden on Trump: 'He's the loser'

Biden had pointed words for Trump.

"Donald Trump calls America a failing nation. He says we're losing," Biden said. "He's the loser. He's dead wrong."

"America's winning, and the world's better off for it," Biden continued.

President Joe Biden delivers the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention, Monday, Aug. 19, 2024, in Chicago.
President Joe Biden delivers the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention, Monday, Aug. 19, 2024, in Chicago.
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Aug 20, 2024, 4:01 AM GMT

Biden touts accomplishments, paints them as Harris' wins too

Biden took time to tout his administration's work on COVID, the economy and health care.

"Because of you, we've had one of the most extraordinary four years of progress ever, period. And when I say 'we,' I mean Kamala and me," Biden said.

President Joe Biden delivers the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention, Monday, Aug. 19, 2024, in Chicago.
President Joe Biden delivers the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention, Monday, Aug. 19, 2024, in Chicago.

Biden pointed to the recent agreement reached by the government and Medicare to lower the prices of 10 commonly used prescription drugs -- a result of the Inflation Reduction Act.

"And guess who cast the tie breaking vote? Vice President, soon to be President Kamala Harris," Biden said.