DNC live updates: Tim Walz’s family weeps as he accepts Democratic nomination for vice president

Tim Walz’s family wept as he accepted the Democratic nomination for vice president on Wednesday, as he told them: “Hope, Gus and Gwen – you are my entire world and I love you.”

Walz beamed as he took to the stage at the convention, where he was met with chants of “Coach! Coach! Coach!” After thanking running Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden, the crowd roared as he told them “never underestimate a public school teacher.

He ended his speech on familiar ground, with an extended football metaphor.

“It’s the fourth quarter, we’re down a field goal, but we’re on offense and we have the ball, we’re driving down the field and boy do we have the right team... Kamala Harris is ready! Our job for everyone watching is to get in the trenches and do the blocking and the tackling,” he said.

Walz’s family joined him onstage after the speech, where they hugged and held hands.

Day three of the convention in Chicago also saw speeches from Bill Cinton, Nancy Pelosi, Oprah Winfrey and performances from Stevie Wonder and John Legend.

On Thursday Kamala Harris will formally accept the Democratic nomination for president.

Key Points

  • Tim Walz takes the stage for VP acceptance speech

  • Pete Buttigieg lays into Trump running mate JD Vance

  • Oprah Winfrey takes the stage at the DNC

  • Bill Clinton calls Kamala Harris 'the president of joy'

Wednesday 21 August 2024 22:50 , Oliver O'Connell

Wednesday 21 August 2024 23:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Meet the Swiftie taking the DNC by storm

How Tim Walz gave his queer high school students a refuge: ‘I knew who I could go to’

Wednesday 21 August 2024 23:20 , Oliver O'Connell

Former students of Tim Walz tell Alex Woodward about their unlikely ally, and why dozens are now campaigning for him.

‘I knew who I could go to’: How Tim Walz gave queer high school students a refuge

DNC viewing figures spike at 20.6 million on day two of convention

Wednesday 21 August 2024 23:40 , Mike Bedigan

Viewership of the DNC spiked slightly on its second night, peaking at an average of 20.6 million viewers, up from 20 million on Monday, according to Nielsen.

Like the night before, the measurements were taken from 12 TV networks: ABC, CBS, NBC, Scripps News, CNN, CNNe, FOX Business, FOX News Channel, MSNBC, Newsmax, NewsNation and PBS.

Tuesday’s coverage featured speeches from Barack and Michelle Obama. During the former president’s address, according to Nielsen, viewership jumped above the night’s average to reach 21.6 million.

The first night of the DNC averaged 20 million viewers across 13 networks, and surpassing the audience for the initial day of the Republican National Convention, according to Nielsen.

Oprah Winfrey to appear at DNC on day three

Thursday 22 August 2024 00:00 , Mike Bedigan

Oprah Winfrey will appear at the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday evening, according to CNN.

The US chat show host will be speaking onstage, the outlet reported.

She joins other famous faces already seen at the convention on Wednesday, including actress and Veep star Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who earlier hosted a panel of all-female Democratic governors.

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(Getty Images)

One of the first gay couples to be legally married in California send video message to DNC

Thursday 22 August 2024 00:20 , Mike Bedigan

In a video message, Kris Perry and Sandy Stier — one of the first gay couples to get legally married in California in 2013, a ceremony officiated by Kamala Harris at San Francisco City Hall — said that the vice president “believes in family and we can’t wait to meet madame president next.”

The couple had successfully led a legal challenge against California’s ban on same-sex marriages in Proposition 8, and one hour after a federal appeals court lifted the ban, then state attorney general Harris officiated their marriage.

Kelley Robinson, president of the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest LGBT+ civil rights group, said “Donald Trump wants to erase us.”

“But we’re not going anywhere. We are not going back,” she said, echoing the slogan that has come to define Harris’s campaign so far.

Colorado Governor quotes Taylor Swift in DNC remarks.

Thursday 22 August 2024 00:34 , Mike Bedigan

Colorado Governor Jared Polis described himself “Redditor, gamer, entrepreneur and Swiftie” – then proved it!

After giving short remarks in which he blasted the controversial Project 2025 plan, which has been linked to Donald Trump, Polis declared: “We are not going back, ever, ever, ever!” – a reference to Taylor Swift’s hit song We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together.

Minnesota AG uses DNC remarks to demand for Gaza ceasefire

Thursday 22 August 2024 00:44 , Mike Bedigan

Keith Ellison, who has been Minnesota’s attorney general since 2019, was the first Muslim elected to Congress and the first Black representative from the state.

He used his DNC remarks to tell wary voters that Kamala Harris and Tim Walz are listening to demands for a ceasefire in Gaza.

“They fight for the people, and they also listen,” he said. “They’re listening, friends. They agree with us. … If you wanna know where they stand on some of the most urgent issues … let me assure you, Kamala and Tim hear you. They listen, they care, and everyone is included in their circle of compassion.”

On Monday, he joined ceasefire supporters to hear a panel discussion on Palestinian human rights, the first such event to ever be on the DNC’s schedule.

Democratic convention second-night ratings far surpass Trump’s RNC following speeches from Obamas

Thursday 22 August 2024 00:50 , Mike Bedigan

Viewership of the Democratic National Convention spiked on its second night and peaked at an average of 20.6 million viewers, up from 20 million on Monday, according to Nielsen.

Read more here:

Democratic convention night-two ratings far surpass Trump’s RNC following Obamas

DNC 2024 is the first after a lot of things...

01:42 , Mike Bedigan

The Indpendent’s Alex Woodward notes:

This year’s DNC is the “first” Democratic convention after… a lot of things, including January 6. This is the first time we’re seeing footage from the Capitol attack at this year’s event.

Audio of Trump promising to pardon rioters and calling them “peaceful” is playing over footage of them attacking law enforcement and breaking into the building.

Chants of “Lock Him Up” played after clips of the video, produced by ex-ABC News boss James Goldston, were played.

In pictures: Parents of Hersh Goldberg-Polin address DNC

01:25 , Mike Bedigan

Rachel Goldberg, mother of Hersh Goldberg-Polin who is being held hostage in Gaza, reacts next to her husband Jon Polin as they take the stage on Day 3 of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago on August 21 (REUTERS)
Rachel Goldberg, mother of Hersh Goldberg-Polin who is being held hostage in Gaza, reacts next to her husband Jon Polin as they take the stage on Day 3 of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago on August 21 (REUTERS)
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Republican Lt Gov tells DNC that GOP is a ‘cult that is worshipping a felonous thug’

01:45 , Mike Bedigan

Georgia’s former Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan — a Republican — said Trump lost his vote when he discovered he was “willing to lie, cheat and steal to try and overturn the 2020 election.”

Trump and his allies are facing criminal charges in the state for trying to unlawfully overturn the state’s election results through a pressure campaign targeting state officials and election workers.

Trump is a “a direct threat to democracy and his actions disqualified him from ever, ever, ever stepping foot in the Oval Office again,” Duncan said.

The GOP is now more like a “cult” that is “worshipping a felonous thug,” he said, adding: “Let me be clear to my Republican friends at home watching. If you vote for Kamala Harris in November, you’re not a Democrat, you’re a patriot!”

Duncan also shared his family’s motto – “Doing the right thing will never be the wrong thing.”

Influencer Olivia Julianna introduces Stevie Wonder

01:49 , Mike Bedigan

Here’s Olivia Julianna, who raised millions of dollars for abortion funds after Matt Gaetz attacked her for blasting his misogynistic remarks in 2022. Gaetz said women who “look like a thumb” have the “least likelihood of getting pregnant” and have no reason to support abortion rights.

Matt Gaetz confronted by activist he body-shamed at State of the Union

Tim Walz slammed by GOP veterans in letter over his ‘misrepresentations’ of service

01:55 , Mike Bedigan

Ahead of Tim Walz’s DNC address on Wednesday a group of 50 Republican veterans have written a letter to the Minnesota governor, accusing him of “egregious misrepresentations” when discussing his military service.

Read more here:

Tim Walz slammed by GOP veterans in letter over his ‘misrepresentations’ of service

Stevie Wonder performs ‘Higher Ground’ at DNC

02:00 , Mike Bedigan

Stevie Wonder has got the DNC crowds on their feet!

The award-winning US artist geed up the crowds, asking them “are you ready to reach your higher ground?” before launching into his hit song of the same name.

“It’s time to get up and go vote - the choice is clear... we need to choose joy over anger, kindness over recriminations, and peace over war - every time!” he said.

“We must chose to be above the words, the hateful anger and the division those words and anger create. We must keep on keeping on until we truly are a United people of these United States.”

“And then we will reach our higher ground - are y’all ready to reach your higher ground!”

SNL star Keenan Thompson slams Project 2025 at DNC

02:05 , Mike Bedigan

SNL star Keenan Thompson walked onstage carrying a large tome – emblazoned with the title Project 2025, encouraging the crowds to boo the book.

“You ever see a document that could kill a small animal and democracy at the same time, this is it!” he said, prompting laughter.

Thompson conducted several video interviews and referencing parts of the controversial blueprint, which he warned would take America “right back to the stone age.”

“You can stop it from ever happening by electing Kamala Harris as the next president of the United States!” he said.

Watch: Stevie Wonder preforms on third night of DNC

02:10 , Mike Bedigan

Trump accuses Democrats of suffering from TDS...

02:20 , Mike Bedigan

 (@realDonaldTrump/ Truth Social)
(@realDonaldTrump/ Truth Social)

Watch: Kenan Thompson brings Project 2025 book up on DNC stage

02:25 , Mike Bedigan

Bill Clinton tells DNC ‘I’m still younger than Donald Trump'

02:29 , Mike Bedigan

Former president Bill Clinton began his speech by praising the service of Joe Biden, but couldn’t resist a jab at Donald Trump.

On Biden, he said: “I want to thank him for his courage, compassion and class, his service, his sacrifice. He kept the faith and he’s infected a lot of the rest of us.”

He added: Now let’s cut to the chase. I am too old to gild the lily – two days ago I turned 78, the oldest man in my family... and the only personal vanity I want to assert is that I’m still younger than Donald Trump.”

The quip drew wild cheers and laughter from the DNC crowd.

Trump is also 78 years old, but had his birthday back in June.

Trump names ‘nastiest speaker’ at Democratic National Convention, slamming her ‘total hatred’ with ‘no bounds

02:30 , Mike Bedigan

Donald Trump revealed on Wednesday who he thinks has been the “nastiest speaker” at the Democratic National Convention so far.

Click through to find out who!

Trump names ‘nastiest speaker’ at DNC slamming her ‘total hatred’ with ‘no bounds’

Bill Clinton jokes about his love of McDonald’s

02:36 , Mike Bedigan

Bill Clinton joked about his love of McDonald’s as he heaped praise on Kamala Harris during his remarks at the DNC.

“When she was young she worked at McDonald’s,” he said. “And she greeted every person with that thousand watt smile and said ‘how can I help you? Now she’s at the pinnacle of power and she’s still asking ‘how can I help you?’”

He continued: “I will be so happy when she actually enters the White House as president, because she will break my record for the president that spent the most time at McDonalds.”

Following laughter from the crowd, he added: “But we got an election to win, and remember we got a guy who is pretty good at what he does.

“Donald Trump has been a paragon of consistency, he’s still dividing, he’s still blaming, he’s still belittling other people. He creates chaos and then he sort of curates it, as if it was precious art.”

Bill Clinton has no idea why Trump keeps bringing up Hannibal Lecter either...

02:44 , Mike Bedigan

Bill Clinton admitted that he was just as puzzled by Donald Trump’s constant reference to fictional cannibal killer Hannibal Lecter as anyone else.

“When you send a signal to other countries, they want to know that you’re on the level and what you believe,” he told crowds at the DNC. “What are they supposed to make of these endless tributes to ‘The Late Great Hannibal Lecter’?”

Trump has made multiple reference to Dr Lecter in campaign rallies as far back as May, with seemingly no clear or coherent reason why.

Clinton continued: “President Obama once gave me the great honor of saying I was the ‘Explainer-In-Chief’. Folks, I’ve thought about it... and I don’t know what to say.”

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Trump pulls out of interview after paper questions his dubious claims about crime rate

02:45 , Mike Bedigan

Donald Trump backed out of an interview after a local paper asked him for data to back up his continued baseless claims that crime is on the rise under President Joe Biden.

Katie Hawkinson has the full story:

Trump pulls out of interview after paper questions dubious claims about crime rate

Bill Clinton: ‘We need Kamala Harris – the president of joy'

02:52 , Mike Bedigan

Bill Clinton finished his remarks by telling crowds by declaring: “We need Kamala Harris – the president of joy to lead us” and urging people to do their part in November.

“We’ve seen more than one election slip away form us when we thought it couldn’t happen, when people got distracted by phoney issues, this is a tough business,” he said. “I want you to be happy. One of the reasons that president to be harris is doing so well is that we’re all so happy.

“But you must never underestimate your adversary and these people are really good at distrating us, at triggering doubt, at triggering buyers remorse. As the Obamas said so eloquently last night – they are human you know - they’re bound to make a mistake now and then. We gotta be tough.”

He added: “If you can get [Harris and Walz] elected and let them bring in this breathe of fresh air you will be proud of it for the rest of your life. Your children will be proud of it. Your grandchildren will be proud of it.”

Tim Walz’s students introduce America to their teacher and coach at the DNC: ‘Best people for the job’

02:55 , Mike Bedigan

Jacob Retain founded the first-ever, gay-straight alliance at Mankato West High School in the late 1990s. Tim Walz was the group’s faculty adviser.

When he takes the stage at the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday, former students of Tim Walz and his wife Gwen Walz will be watching from inside the school.

The Independent spoke to Retain at the DNC, who is there in person. Read more here:

Tim Walz’s students introduce America to their teacher, coach and ally

George and Kellyanne Conway debate each other live on Instagram: ‘This is why I divorced you’

03:05 , Mike Bedigan

George and Kellyanne Conway, the now-divorced, political power couple, debated on their daughter Claudia's Instagram livestream on the second night of the Democratic National Convention.

Read more about the weird interaction here...

George and Kellyanne Conway debate on Instagram: ‘This is why I divorced you’

Nancy Pelosi describes January 6 attack as a ‘parable’

03:14 , Mike Bedigan

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi described January 6 as a “parable” that reminds us of the fragility of American democracy.

“Never before had a president of the United States so brazenly assaulted the bedrock of our democracy, so gleefully embraced political violence, so willfully betrayed his oath of office,” she said.

“January 6 was a perilous moment for our democracy,” she added. “Let us not forget who assaulted democracy on January 6. He did. … Let us not forget who saved democracy that day. We did. And thank God we had a democratic House of Representatives that day.”

She urged support for Harris-Walz, a ticket that will “reject autocracy,” and to elect Democrats to the House, where she backs current minority leader Hakeem Jeffries as House Speaker.

From The Independent, live at the DNC

03:16 , Mike Bedigan

In pictures: Bill Clinton and Nancy Pelosi hit the DNC

03:20 , Mike Bedigan

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Watch: Former students share their favorite memories of Tim Walz

03:30 , Mike Bedigan

Oprah Winfrey takes the stage at the DNC

03:31 , Mike Bedigan

Oprah Winfrey has taken to the stage in Chicago.

The Independent’s Andrew Feinberg reports that the US TV talk show host received the loudest cheer of the night, and a standing ovation.

Profile: Catherine Cortez Masto – one of Kamala Harris’ BFF

03:36 , Mike Bedigan

How Kamala Harris’s oldest friend could deliver Nevada for her

Josh Shapiro trots out his 'freedom line'

03:44 , Mike Bedigan

From The Independent’s Eric Garcia, live at the DNC in Chicago:Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro spoke during prime time. Vice President Kamala Harris notably passed over Shapiro as her running mate when many speculated that he might by her choice.

"It’s not freedom to tell our children what books they’re allowed to read," he declared, using a line which he has previously touted against Republicans – who frequently talk about "freedom" – before he listed other freedoms Democrats support, such as the freedom to marry whom they love, to join a union, seek abortion care or breathe clean air.

Shapiro began first trotting this out during his landslide victory campaign for governor in 2022, when he defeated a Trump-endorsed Republican candidate. Other Democrats, included Harris, have sought to tie use this framing.

Indeed, Harris has made Beyoncé's "Freedom" her campaign theme song.

Throughout the evening, the Democratic National Committee has openly courted former Republicans disgusted with Trump. The freedom framing is just the latest piece of this closing argument.

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Oprah praises women who shared their stories of life-threatening pregnancies and abortion and miscarriage care

03:47 , Mike Bedigan

Oprah hailed the appearances of Amanda Zurawski, Kaitlyn Joshua and Hadley Duvall at this year’s DNC — three women who shared their devastating stories about life-threatening pregnancies and abortion and miscarriage care.

Their anti-abortion states sought to “deny them the abortion their doctor explained was medically necessary,” she said.

They spoke out “to keep from what happened to them from happening to anyone else,” she added.

“When you do not have autonomy over this, or you cannot control when and how you choose to bring your children into this world, and how they are raised and supported, there is no American dream,” Winfrey said.

Anti-abortion lawmakers seek to bring America back to a “time of desperation and shame,” while women like Zurawski, Joshua and Duvall “are the new freedom fighters and make no mistake they are the best of America.”

Winfrey also paid tribute to six Black children who were the first to integrate New Orleans schools in 1960, and faced death threats because of it.

Oprah: The Independent team notes

03:50 , Mike Bedigan

The Independent team notes:

“Oprah is in her hometown but, despite her epic television career, she has never addressed a major political convention” – Alex Woodward, senior reporter

“Ironically, Trump said that at one point, he would consider Oprah to be his running mate,” – Eric Garcia, DC bureau chief

“Oprah is speaking but I checked under my seat and there isn’t a new set of car keys. Sad!” – Andrew Feinberg, White House correspondent

Oprah Winfrey arrives to speak on the third day of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, on August 2 (AFP via Getty Images)
Oprah Winfrey arrives to speak on the third day of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, on August 2 (AFP via Getty Images)

Maryland Wes Moore praises Biden-Harris administration over handling of Key Scott Bridge collapse

03:56 , Mike Bedigan

Maryland Governor Wes Moore began by speaking about the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore on March 26, praising Vice President Kamala Harris for the Biden administration’s support during the crisis.

“A port that drives 13 percent of our state's economy was now closed. Thousands of workers were hours away from waking up and realizing they no longer had a job,” he said of the night when the ship slammed into the bridge this spring.

“Six Marylanders who had been on the bridge in the middle of the night fixing potholes lost their lives, and one of the first phone calls that I got that morning started with these three words, ‘Gov. It's Kamala,’” he added.

Quoting the vice president, Moore said Harris told him: “I want you to know we are here with you every step of the way.”

DNC rejects Uncommitted call for Palestinian speaker on the stage

03:59 , Mike Bedigan

Uncommitted delegates at the DNC said they were denied their request to Kamala Harris’s campaign that a Palestinian American speak on stage during this week’s convention.

Roughly three dozen uncommitted delegates — who were sent to the DNC by voters in Democratic primaries who selected “uncommitted” in protest of the Biden administration’s support for Israel’s war in Gaza — have been trying to wrangle Harris delegates this week to support their demands for a ceasefire and an arms embargo.

But Uncommitted National Movement leaders announced on Wednesday that the DNC rejected their request for a speaking slot.

“This is not over,” Uncommitted National Movement co-founder Abbas Alawieh said.

The delegates said they plan to stage a sit-in protest outside the convention hall until DNC officials reverse their decision.

Pete Buttigieg lays into Trump running mate JD Vance: ‘At least Mike Pence was polite’

04:05 , Mike Bedigan

Pete Buttigieg used his remarks to lay into Donald Trump as well as his running mate JD Vance, saying: “At least Mike Pence was polite.”

“Darkness is what they are selling,” he said. “The thing is, I just don’t think that America today is in the market for darkness,” he said.

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John Legend and Sheila E perform at DNC

04:07 , Mike Bedigan

EGOT winning artist John Legend and Sheila E have got the DNC dancing.

The pair played a rendition of Let’s Go Crazy, from the 1984 debut album by Prince.

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Buttigieg peppers DNC speech with jokes

04:10 , Mike Bedigan

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg started his speech with a joke: “Here is a sentence I never thought I'd hear myself saying, I'm Pete Buttigieg, and you might recognize me from Fox News.”

Buttigieg said he believes in going “anywhere in the service of a good cause” particularly electing Harris and Walz.

“Donald Trump rants about law and order as if he wasn't a convicted criminal running against a prosecutor, as if we were going to forget that crime was higher on his watch,” he added. “Talks about the forgotten man, hoping we'll forget that the only economic promise that he actually kept was to cut taxes for the rich.”

“And don't even get me started on his new running mate,” he said before going on to mock Ohio Senator JD Vance. “At least Mike Pence was polite.”

“JD Vance is one of those guys who thinks if you don't live the life that he has in mind for you, then you don't count,” Buttigieg said.

04:15 , Mike Bedigan

Amy Klobuchar takes a swipe at Vance as she introduces Walz for acceptance speech

04:16 , Mike Bedigan

Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar took a swipe at JD Vance as she introduced Tim Walz for his acceptance speech.

“Who better to find common ground than a guy with midwestern common sense?” she told the DNC, to cheers. “A former football coach knows how to level the playing field, and a former public school teacher knows how to shcool the likes of JD Vance.”

Tim Walz’s 1999 state championship winning high school football team introduce him onstage at DNC

04:22 , Mike Bedigan

Members of Tim Walz’s 1999 state championship winning footaball team took to the stage moments before he took to the stage to accept the Democratic nomination for vice presidential candidate.

Ben Ingman, who lived next door to and was taught and coached by Walz, welcomed the members of the Mankato West Scarlets – now fully grown men – who all wore their team colors.

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Tim Walz takes to the stage to shouts of “Coach! Coach! Coach!"

04:27 , Mike Bedigan

Tim Walz beamed as he took to the stage at the DNC, where he was met by a sea of banners reading “Coach Walz.”

“Thanks first of all to vice president Harris, for putting your trust in me... and thank you to Joe Biden for four years of strong, historic leadership,” he said.

“It’s the honour of my life to accept your nomination for vice president of the United States. We’re all here tonight for one beautiful simple reason – because we love this country.”

He added: “Thank you for your passion, thank you for your determination, and most of all, thank you for bringing the joy to this fight.”

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Walz gets roars from DNC crowds: 'Never underestimate a public school teacher’

04:31 , Mike Bedigan

Tim Walz produced roars from the DNC crowds as he discussed his entry into politics.

“So there I was, a 40-something high school with little kids, zero political experience, and no money running in a deep red district,” he said.

“But you know what? Never underestimate a public school teacher!”

Members of Tim Walz’s family in tears at his acceptance speech

04:37 , Mike Bedigan

Tim Walz’s family wept as he expressed his love for them on stage, telling them: “Hope, Gus and Gwen you are my entire world and I love you.”

His son, Gus got to his feet clapping exuberantly before shouting “That’s my dad!” and pointing to the stage.

Walz ends acceptance speech with football coach metaphors

04:42 , Mike Bedigan

Tim Walz ended his uproarious acceptance speech on familiar ground, with an extended football metaphor.

“You know you might not know it but I haven’t given a lot of big speeches like this,” he said. “But I have given a lot of pep talks.”

“Let me finish with this team; it’s the fourth quarter, we’re down a field goal, but we’re on offense and we have the ball, we’re driving down the field and boy do we have the right team!

“Kamla Harris is top, Kamala Harris is experienced and Kamala Harris is ready! Our job for everyone watching is to get in the trenches and do the blocking and the tackling.”

Walz’s family joined him oinstage where they hugged and held hands.

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Trump accuses Obamas of getting too ‘personal’ with their attacks

05:01 , Mike Bedigan

Donald Trump is complaining that Barack and Michelle Obama got a bit too personal with their attacks against the former president in their Tuesday night speeches at the Democratic National Convention.

Find out why, here:

Trump accuses Obamas of getting too ‘personal’ with their attacks

Watch: Tim Walz's family in tears as he talks about fertility treatment at DNC

05:30 , Mike Bedigan

Democrats go all-in on Veterans as Republicans impugn his military record

06:00 , Mike Bedigan

The Independent’s Eric Garcia writes:

Ahead of Tim Walz's address as Kamala Harris's vice presidential nominee at the Democratic National Committee, Democrats put forward some of their young veterans on the front lines as Republicans attacked the Minnesota Governor’s record.

Maryland Governor Wes Moore, an Army veteran, talked about how, like Walz, he joined the armed service at a young age. "I joined the Army when I was 17," he said. "In fact, I had to ask my mom to sign the paperwork for me because I don't have bone spurs."

Similarly, Pete Buttigieg, the former presidential candidate and retired Navy intelligence reserve offficer, swiped at Trump's running mate JD Vance attacking people without children.

"When I deployed to Afghanistan, I didn't have kids then," he said. “Many of the men and women who went outside the wire with me didn't either. But let me tell you, our commitment to the future of this country was pretty damn physical."

This comes as many Republicans have accused Walz of "stolen valor" for his time in the Army National Guard. Earlier on Wednesday, the Trump-Vance campaign released a letter of Republican elected officials who served in the military accusing Walz of "misrepresentations."

In pictures: Tim Walz’s DNC acceptance speech

06:30 , Mike Bedigan

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Feds investigating whether women slipped maggots into delegates’ breakfast at DNC

07:00 , Mike Bedigan

Feds investigating whether women slipped maggots into delegates’ breakfast at DNC

Watch: Oprah says to choose ‘common sense over nonsense' in fiery DNC speech

07:30 , Mike Bedigan

Clinton slams Trump as selfish, vengeful - and old: ‘Do you want to spend four years counting the crowd size?’

08:00 , Mike Bedigan

Bill Clinton tore into Donald Trump while touting Kamala Harris’s leadership on Wednesday at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago - in a speech seeking to help shepherd his party into a new era.

Clinton leaned heavily into the role of elder statesman in his remarks while describing Trump as self-centered and positioning Harris, the Democratic nominee, as the natural opposite.

John Bowden watched the whole thing:

Bill Clinton slams Trump as selfish, vengeful and old in DNC speech

Tim Walz’s students introduce America to their teacher and coach at the DNC: ‘Best people for the job’

08:30 , Mike Bedigan

Former students of Tim Walz and his wife Gwen Walz watched from inside the school as he took the stage at the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday, to accept the party nomination for vice president.

Some also watched from inside the United Center in Chicago, where Mankato West alumni traveled to support their former teachers.

Read more here from Alex Woodward and Julia Saqui:

Tim Walz’s students introduce America to their teacher, coach and ally