Kamala Harris delivered her first significant address as the Democratic presidential nominee, weaving together a personal narrative of her middle-class upbringing with a forceful case against Donald Trump. She described Trump as an “unserious man,” cautioning that his return to the White House would have “serious consequences.”
Harris’s speech came after an animated three-day Democratic convention and followed a turbulent political landscape that shifted dramatically after President Biden’s disappointing debate on June 28. Just weeks prior, Democrats were bracing for potential losses in the upcoming elections, but Biden’s withdrawal from the race, coupled with his endorsement of Harris, reshaped the 2024 race.
Against a backdrop of enthusiastic supporters wearing white in honor of the women’s suffrage movement, Harris took the stage at Chicago’s United Center, receiving a thunderous ovation. In her roughly 40-minute address, she positioned herself as a transformative leader, stating that the upcoming election offers the nation a “precious, fleeting opportunity” to move beyond divisiveness.
While praising Biden’s “extraordinary” record, Harris focused on her own agenda, emphasizing a vision based on middle-class tax cuts and an “opportunity economy.” She promised to revive a bipartisan border security bill that Trump had previously attempted to block.
Throughout her speech, she warned of the risks to American freedoms if Trump were re-elected, referencing the January 6 Capitol insurrection and highlighting Trump’s intentions to free violent extremists and suppress dissent. Harris argued that Trump’s tenure could lead to severe cuts to Medicare, Social Security, and the elimination of the Department of Education and the Affordable Care Act.
In a strong stance on reproductive rights, she criticized Trump for his role in appointing judges who overturned Roe v. Wade and asserted that the current GOP plans were “out of their minds.”
Harris also aimed to solidify her position as a capable commander-in-chief, contrasting her approach to foreign relations with Trump’s by vowing not to align with dictators and reaffirming her commitment to U.S. democracy. She expressed strong support for Israel while acknowledging the humanitarian situation in Gaza, advocating for a peace deal that respects the rights of Palestinian people.
In an emotional moment, Harris reflected on her background, paying tribute to her mother, who immigrated from India. She reinforced her commitment to advocating for the people, drawing on her experience as a prosecutor.
In response to Harris’s speech, Trump took to social media questioning if she was referring to him. Former Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger also spoke during the convention, emphasizing the importance of democracy in light of the threats posed by Trump’s potential return to power.