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

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

KABC logo
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.
ABCNews logo
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.

ABCNews logo
Aug 20, 2024, 2:53 AM GMT

'Trump's a scab': UAW president

United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain took the stage and began by thanking President Joe Biden for joining the picket lines during their strikes against the major auto companies last year.

Fain praised Vice President Kamala Harris for her years of supporting the UAW and for fighting for workers' rights.

"It's real simple. Kamala Harris is one of us. She's a fighter for the working class. And Donald Trump is a scab," Fain said to the crowd who chanted "Trump is a scab."

Shawn Fain, president of the United Automobile Workers, speaks during the Democratic National Convention Monday, Aug. 19, 2024, in Chicago.
Shawn Fain, president of the United Automobile Workers, speaks during the Democratic National Convention Monday, Aug. 19, 2024, in Chicago.

Fain revealed a shirt with that statement along with "Vote Harris" midway through his speech citing Nelly's 2002 song "Hot in Here."

"It's hot in here because you're fired up and you're fed up and the American working class is fired up and fed up," he said.

United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain took the stage and began by thanking President Joe Biden for joining the picket lines during their strikes against the major auto companies last year.

Fain also called out Trump's rhetoric blaming economic problems on several groups including immigrants and LGTBQ groups.

"Trump is pushing divide and conquer tactics of the rich. It's the oldest trick in the book," he said.

"They do that because they want working-class people to be divided into focus and keep the focus off the one true enemy: corporate greed. The rich think we're stupid, but working class Americans see this for what it is," Fain added.

ABCNews logo
Aug 20, 2024, 1:56 AM GMT

NBA coach Steve Kerr greeted with applause

Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr got a standing ovation when he walked on stage, just over a week after he coached the U.S. Olympic men's basketball team won gold.

Chants of "USA" stretched across the convention floor as he started speaking.

Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr got a standing ovation when he walked on stage, just over a week after he coached the U.S. Olympic men's basketball team won gold.

"It was the proudest moment of my life," he said, recounting the team's victory in Paris earlier this month.

Kerr called the audience to action -- asking the country to follow in the footsteps of the American basketball team's gold medal performance in Paris.

"After the results are tallied [on election] night, we can, in the words of the great Steph Curry, we can tell Donald Trump, 'night-night.'"

ByMaryAlice Parks and Isabella Murray ABCNews logo
Aug 20, 2024, 1:37 AM GMT

Protests expected inside convention hall during Biden's remarks

Convention staff is preparing for possible disruptions over Gaza during President Joe Biden's keynote speech.

ABC News has heard from staff and activists that they likely won't come from uncommitted delegates on the convention floor, but are expected to come from activists who have passes into the arena who are in sections higher up.

ABCNews logo
Aug 20, 2024, 1:35 AM GMT

Harris gets raucous ovation in brief appearance

Harris sent the crowd into a frenzy when she walked onto the stage at the United Center, with attendees jumping to their feet in surprise.

"It is so good to be with everyone this evening in this hall and everyone at home. This is going to be a great week," she said to more applause.

Harris also gave Biden his flowers, sparking chants of "USA!"

Harris sent the crowd into a frenzy when she walked onto the stage at the United Center, with attendees jumping to their feet in surprise.

"And I want to kick us off by celebrating our incredible president, Joe Biden, who will be speaking later tonight," she said. "We are forever grateful to you."

Harris walked off to her campaign anthem, Beyonce's hit song "Freedom."