In an emotional moment at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) on Monday, US President Joe Biden was met with a lengthy and heartfelt ovation from the crowd. As Biden took the stage for his farewell speech, the audience showed their appreciation with an impressive four-minute standing ovation, accompanied by chants of “Thank you Joe.”
Visibly moved by the support, Biden responded with a simple but poignant, “America, I love you.” The touching tribute was widely shared on social media the following day.
This heartfelt farewell comes as Biden prepares to step down from his role, having announced that he will not seek reelection in the 2024 US Presidential Elections. His departure was met with significant sentiment, particularly following a mid-campaign shift and growing pressure from within his party to reconsider his candidacy.
The Chicago convention, held on Monday night, served as a fitting tribute to Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Harris made a surprise appearance to honor Biden, describing him as an "incredible" president. Dressed in a tan suit and accompanied by Beyoncé's "Freedom," Harris expressed the party’s deep gratitude, stating, “We are forever grateful to you.”
The convention marked a moment of high spirits for the Democrats, who are now cautiously optimistic about their prospects for the upcoming November elections, a stark contrast to the uncertain mood following Biden's earlier debate performance against Trump. The opening night in Chicago was a powerful and emotional experience for many involved.
Last month, under mounting pressure from Democratic leaders and following a challenging debate performance, President Joe Biden endorsed Kamala Harris as his successor on the Democratic ticket. His formal withdrawal from the race paved the way for Harris, who, along with her husband Doug Emhoff, joined Biden and First Lady Jill Biden on stage immediately after his farewell speech, creating a moment of surprise and unity.
During his address, Biden highlighted his achievements over nearly four years in office and emphasized that Harris, alongside her running mate Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, shared the same values and vision needed for future Democratic policies. "I vow to be the best volunteer the Harris-Walz campaign has ever had," he declared.
Biden also used the occasion to reflect on his rivalry with former President Donald Trump, whom he defeated in the 2020 election. Despite technical delays and rescheduling due to extended applause and the enthusiastic response from the crowd, the event managed to capture the high-energy spirit of the convention.
Convention officials explained that the unexpected applause caused delays, which led to some program elements being skipped to ensure Biden could address the American people. They expressed pride in the "electric atmosphere" and the representation of the diverse coalition supporting the Harris-Walz ticket.
In his speech, Biden celebrated key accomplishments of his administration, including the successful passing of a major infrastructure bill, a bipartisan gun safety law, and efforts to reduce prescription drug costs. As he praised Harris’s role in these achievements and the 2022 clean energy bill, the crowd responded with chants of "Thank you, Joe," to which Biden responded with, "Thank you, Kamala, too."
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