Ashley Biden, the 43-year-old daughter of President Biden, emerged from her usual low profile to introduce her father on the opening night of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Delivering what is expected to be one of his last significant speeches as president, she portrayed him not only as a pivotal leader but also affectionately as the “OG girl dad.”
In her heartfelt address, Ashley Biden reflected on the support and encouragement her father provided throughout her life. “He told me I could be anything and I could do anything,” she stated, emphasizing his respect for women and the importance he placed on family, including how he valued his mother, sister, and her mother’s career.
As she recounted personal memories, Ashley Biden shared how on her eighth birthday, her father, then a U.S. senator, took the Amtrak train from Washington, D.C., to Delaware just to celebrate with her. She also described her wedding reception held in her parents’ backyard and noted how emotional her father became on that day.
“Dad, you are still my best friend,” she said, highlighting their close bond.
Ashley Biden also spoke about the loss of her brother Beau, who passed away from brain cancer in 2015, and how their father managed to support them during their grief. She suggested that Beau was present in spirit during the event, stating, “I know Beau is with us tonight, as he is always with us.”
She urged the audience to rally together with renewed determination, saying, “So tonight, I am asking you if you stood with us in 2020, call upon your courageous heart. Stand with us today. Work harder than you have ever worked before in your life. This is the fight of our lifetime.”
After her moving speech, President Biden was visibly emotional, briefly wiping his eyes before praising his daughter as “incredible.” Earlier this year, Ashley was also seen as a consistent presence during her brother Hunter’s trial related to federal gun charges. Hunter Biden joined his father and children towards the end of the president’s speech.