Biden’s Valedictory Address at the Democratic National Convention

President Joe Biden took to the stage on Monday night for his valedictory address at the Democratic National Convention, a moment filled with emotion as he proclaimed, “I gave my best to you.” The audience responded with a prolonged ovation that underscored the energy released by his decision to pass the torch to Vice President Kamala Harris. At the age of 81, Biden was welcomed like a hero, just weeks after pressure from many within his party compelled him to withdraw from the race for reelection following a challenging debate performance against Donald Trump.

This first night of the Chicago convention was strategically designed as a farewell for the incumbent president, allowing him to celebrate his achievements while simultaneously launching Harris into the spotlight as she prepares for her confrontation with Trump — a figure many Democrats view as a significant threat to the future of American democracy.

Biden, in his speech, expressed that he held no resentment about the conclusion of his presidency, urging his party to unite behind Harris. With clarity and vigor, he seized the opportunity to defend his record, advocate for his vice president, and take a stand against Trump. His delivery was reminiscent of the confident Biden who won in 2020, contrasting sharply with the hesitant and at times disjointed persona he had displayed during the debate that marked the downward spiral of his reelection campaign.

Upon taking the stage, Biden was met with an overwhelming four-minute-long ovation, accompanied by chants of “Thank you, Joe.” He responded warmly, saying, “America, I love you.” He celebrated his decision to select Harris as his running mate four years prior, calling it “the very first decision I made when I became our nominee, and it was the best decision I made my whole career.” He praised her qualities, saying, “She’s tough, she’s experienced, and she has enormous integrity — enormous integrity. Her story represents the best of the American narrative.” Adding a personal touch, he remarked, “And like many of our best presidents, she was also vice president.”

Harris, along with her husband, second gentleman Doug Emhoff, took the stage after Biden’s address to embrace him and his family. “Joe, thank you for your historic leadership, for your lifetime of service to our nation, and for all you’ll continue to do,” she expressed earlier that evening. Biden’s address, a highlight of the evening, was unfortunately delayed, causing convention organizers to cancel a scheduled performance by the legendary musician James Taylor.

In his speech, Biden highlighted the accomplishments of his administration, such as the significant increase in infrastructure spending and the cap on insulin prices. He pointed out that his funding initiatives benefited Republican-leaning states as much as Democratic ones, asserting, “The job of the president is to deliver for all of America.” First Lady Jill Biden remarked on her husband’s difficult choice to step back from the election, stating that she fell in love with him anew when she witnessed him “dig deep into his soul” and endorse Harris.

Among those present to commend Biden was 2016 Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, who reflected on her own loss to Trump, despite winning the popular vote. “Something is happening in America,” she declared. “You can feel it. Something we’ve worked for and dreamed of for a long time. First, though, let’s salute President Biden. He has been democracy’s champion at home and abroad.” Former President Barack Obama also expressed his admiration for Biden in a post on social media, stating, “What I admire most about Joe is his decency, his resilience, and his unshakable belief in the promise of our country.” He added, “Over the last four years, those are the values America has needed most. I am proud to call him my president, and I’m so grateful to call him my friend.”

Focusing on the Future

Amid these celebrations, Democrats remained committed to keeping the focus on Trump, highlighting his criminal convictions and asserting that he was only fighting for his own interests, rather than “for the people,” which was the theme of the night. Michigan State Senator Mallory McMorrow dramatically displayed an oversized copy of “Project 2025,” a blueprint for a potential second Trump term crafted by the Heritage Foundation and a coalition of far-right thinkers.

Biden also addressed the ongoing war in Ukraine, criticizing Trump’s allegedly favorable relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin. “Just as no Commander-in-Chief should ever bow down to a dictator, the way Trump bows down to Putin, I never have,” he asserted. “And I promise you, Kamala Harris will never do it, will never bow down.” He emphasized that Europe and NATO “were in tatters” during Trump’s presidency, but have since become more united than ever, thanks to the inclusion of Finland and Sweden in NATO and Ukraine’s resilience against Russian aggression.

Throughout the evening, Democrats emphasized the importance of abortion access, betting it would be a key issue for voters, especially in light of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade two years ago. Speakers included women whose healthcare had been adversely affected by that ruling, as well as a woman who was raped and became pregnant by her stepfather, who criticized Trump for attempting to roll back abortion rights. The convention program also featured a video of Trump boasting about his role in dismantling Roe.

The program also paid homage to the civil rights movement, featuring appearances from the Reverend Jesse Jackson, a longtime advocate for racial equality and a two-time presidential candidate. There were numerous references to Fannie Lou Hamer, the late civil rights leader who delivered a historic speech at the Democratic National Convention in 1964. Hamer, a former sharecropper, was instrumental in the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party, which contested the seating of an all-white Mississippi delegation at the 1964 convention. Hamer’s impactful speech occurred on August 22, 1964, exactly 60 years before Harris is set to publicly accept the Democratic nomination, making her the first Black woman and the first person of South Asian descent to be nominated for president by a major party.