Author: Hannah Thomas

Day 2 of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) featured speeches from the descendants of prominent political figures, as well as key speakers including the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama, and former First Lady Michelle Obama. The speeches touched on various themes such as reproductive rights, climate change, Project 2025, and freedom. Below is a summary of key points from some of the speakers, with their quotes included:

Jason Carter – Grandson of Jimmy Carter

Jason Carter, grandson of Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States, expressed admiration for his grandfather and noted qualities he sees in Kamala Harris. Carter described his grandfather as having “a commitment to loving their neighbors as themselves” and being a man for whom “it was never about fame, recognition, accolades, or awards.” He stated that Kamala Harris carries on his grandfather’s legacy and concluded by sharing that his grandfather is hopeful and eager to vote for Harris.

Jack Schlossberg – Grandson of John F. Kennedy

Jack Schlossberg, grandson of John F. Kennedy, spoke about his grandfather’s inspiration for a new generation to ask “what they could do for their country.” Schlossberg suggested that Kamala Harris embodies this spirit, noting her dedication to public service and belief in America. He highlighted Harris’s commitment to defending freedoms regarding healthcare, voting rights, and combating gun violence, urging viewers to vote for her and stating that “history is watching.”

Mitch Landrieu – DNC Day 2 Co-Chair

Mitch Landrieu, Co-Chair of DNC Day 2, criticized JD Vance and Donald Trump, accusing them of wanting to “rip away our rights, crush the middle class, and destroy our democracy.” He expressed belief that they are targeting “books and human bodies” and stated that Kamala Harris and Tim Walz have a “vision where every American has a fair shot at the American dream.” Landrieu concluded with “we are not going back.”

Malcolm Kenyatta – Pennsylvania State Representative

Malcolm Kenyatta, Pennsylvania state representative, expressed his discontent with Project 2025, describing it as a “radical plan to drag us backwards, bankrupt this middle class, and raise prices on working families like yours and mine.” He shared a story about his grandmother, Muhammad I. Kenyatta, expressing regret over past challenges and emphasized that it is “our turn to stand up for working people and stand up for our nation’s promise.” He concluded by saying it is “our time to make history our friends by electing Kamala Harris.”

Ana Navarro – Co-Host of The View

Ana Navarro, co-host of The View, addressed comparisons of Kamala Harris to communist leaders, stating, “I know communism, I fled communism from Nicaragua and do not take it lightly.” She argued that communist leaders attack the press, place unqualified individuals in power, and refuse to accept legitimate elections, suggesting that these characteristics do not apply to Harris. Navarro expressed her support for Harris.

Chuck Schumer – Senate Majority Leader

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer started by stating that only one candidate will move America forward. He noted achievements under the Biden administration, such as lower drug costs and job creation. Schumer praised Kamala Harris as a fearless leader focused on important issues like neighborhood safety and building an economy that offers everyone a chance at the American Dream. He expressed confidence that Democrats will retain the Senate and highlighted discrepancies in actions by JD Vance and Donald Trump, citing their absence or opposition to certain measures.

Bernie Sanders – Senator

Senator Bernie Sanders outlined the challenges faced in recent years, including the pandemic and economic issues. He praised the Biden administration for passing the American Rescue Plan, expanding benefits, and providing emergency assistance. Sanders called for renewed political will to address ongoing struggles and emphasized the need to “stand up to wealth and power and deliver justice for people at home and abroad.” He also advocated for a ceasefire in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and criticized corporate greed. Sanders urged support for Kamala Harris to “move forward and create the nation we know we can become.”

Angela Alsobrooks – U.S. Senate Candidate

Angela Alsobrooks, a U.S. Senate candidate from Maryland, shared her personal journey of overcoming challenges and being inspired by figures like her grandmother and Kamala Harris. She recounted how Harris’s work as a district attorney in Prince George’s County and her efforts to address violent crime were impactful. Alsobrooks expressed confidence that Harris will help keep criminals out of office and urged support for her in the upcoming election, stating, “we stand with Kamala and we are not going back.”

John Giles – Mayor of Mesa, Arizona

John Giles, a Republican mayor, began by noting that he feels more at home at the DNC than in today’s Republican Party. He called for an “adult” in the White House and criticized Donald Trump for failing to deliver on promises. Giles praised Joe Biden and Kamala Harris for their efforts, referencing John McCain’s example of putting country over party. He concluded by urging voters to “put our country first.”

Tammy Duckworth – DNC Committee Chair

Tammy Duckworth, a veteran and DNC Committee Chair, expressed her personal commitment to protecting freedoms and criticized Donald Trump’s stance on reproductive rights. Duckworth shared her experience with infertility and the importance of reproductive care, stating that removing it would be “punishing our heroes for their willingness to serve.” She concluded by saying, “every American deserves to be called mommy or daddy without being treated like a criminal” and urged voters to elect Kamala Harris.

Doug Emhoff – Husband of Kamala Harris

Doug Emhoff, husband of Kamala Harris, expressed gratitude for Harris’s leadership and her ability to rise to challenges. He described her as a “joyful warrior” who is ready to lead and emphasized her commitment to justice and support for his faith. Emhoff highlighted Harris’s role in fighting against anti-Semitism and her focus on positive, meaningful change.

Michelle Obama – Former First Lady

Michelle Obama opened her speech by stating, “hope is making a comeback” and reflected on her own grief and her mother’s values. She emphasized the importance of not squandering the sacrifices made for future generations and praised Kamala Harris for embodying these values. Obama described Harris as a dignified leader who understands the unseen labor that contributes to America’s greatness and called on viewers to “do something.”

Barack Obama – Former President

Barack Obama criticized Donald Trump for focusing on personal gain and neglecting the concerns of the middle class. He highlighted Trump’s failure to support bipartisan solutions and his disregard for issues like reproductive rights. Obama argued that “we do not need four more years of chaos” and endorsed Kamala Harris as a capable leader who has demonstrated a commitment to justice and progress. He also expressed support for Tim Walz and concluded by calling on Americans to vote for Harris.

Day 4 of the RNC Convention marks the final day and featured one of the longest acceptance speeches in history. The event included speeches from various Republican delegates and speakers, such as well-known wrestler Hulk Hogan and Linda McMahon, wife of the former CEO of WWE. Common themes among the speeches were the need for America to regain its strength, the belief that Donald Trump was saved by divine intervention from an assassination attempt, and the idea that the American dream needs to be saved, with Donald Trump being presented as the person capable of doing so. Below is a summary of some of the speakers’ speeches, presented in a non-partisan, unbiased manner.

Diana Hendricks – ABC Supply Owner
Diana Hendricks, the owner of ABC Supply, expressed her concern for what she sees as the “American dream under threat.” She stated that under the Biden administration, prices, taxes, and regulations have increased. As a business owner, Diana shared her worries for aspiring entrepreneurs, noting that high interest rates make it difficult for them to secure loans. She emphasized the need for a “builder” in the White House and believes that person is Donald Trump.

Linda McMahon- Former Small business Administrator Of The USA

Linda McMahon, former Small Business Administrator of the United States, voiced her dissatisfaction with the Biden administration’s handling of small business affairs. She believes that the current administration aims to “penalize” small businesses by raising taxes. In contrast, she highlighted Donald Trump’s promise to make tax cuts permanent if re-elected, along with other proposed policies such as no taxes on tips and increased tariffs on China. McMahon called Trump the “champion of the forgotten man and woman” and urged listeners to vote for him.

Mike Pompeo- Former Secretary Of State

Mike Pompeo, former Secretary of State, expressed his displeasure with the Biden administration’s handling of foreign affairs. He said that under Trump’s administration, religious freedom was secure, the people of Israel were protected, and there was progress towards an honorable exit in Afghanistan. Pompeo criticized Biden’s withdrawal from Afghanistan, the security of the southern border, and the handling of conflicts in the Middle East and the war between Russia and Ukraine. He accused the Biden administration of “selling out citizens, security, and sovereignty” and emphasized his belief that Donald Trump will put America first.

Tucker Carlson- Host of “Tucker on Twitter”

Tucker Carlson, host of “Tucker on Twitter,” expressed his belief that Donald Trump is the leader the country needs. He described a leader as someone who is “the bravest of men,” and praised Trump for demonstrating this bravery, particularly in light of the assassination attempt he survived. Carlson emphasized that a leader’s duty is “to his people, his country, and to no other,” and asserted that Trump exemplifies this principle. He criticized the Biden administration’s performance and urged voters to support Trump in the upcoming election.

Hulk Hogan- Former Wrestler & Entertainer 

Hulk Hogan, former wrestler and entertainer, voiced his support for Donald Trump and expressed dissatisfaction with the past four years under the Biden administration. Hogan highlighted what he saw as successes during the Trump administration, including a “thriving economy, strong borders, safe streets, and peace and respect around the world.” He contrasted this with what he perceives as a deterioration of these conditions under Biden. Hogan asserted that Donald Trump is the person capable of addressing these issues and improving the country.

Dana White- CEO of UFC

Dana White, CEO of UFC, conveyed his belief that Donald Trump is deeply committed to helping people. White criticized the media for promoting a narrative about Trump that he considers false, describing Trump as a fighter who “fights harder the higher the stakes.” He noted that Trump’s decision to run for president again was driven by his love for America, rather than necessity. White urged voters to support Trump in the upcoming election.

Donald Trump- Presidential Candidate 

Donald Trump, the presidential candidate, accepted his nomination for President of the United States. He expressed gratitude to the American people for their support following his assassination attempt, and extended his thoughts and prayers to the victims of the incident—one of whom passed away, and two others who were critically injured but are now recovering. Trump reflected on the assassination attempt, asserting that he felt divine support and reaffirmed his unbroken resolve to continue his campaign. He called for national unity, emphasizing that “now is the time to remember that we are all fellow citizens.” Trump criticized Democrats for what he perceives as the weaponization of the justice system and the labeling of political opponents as “enemies of democracy.” He expressed enthusiasm for his newly announced running mate, J.D. Vance, and praised him as a great choice for Vice President.

Trump promised that, if elected, he would secure borders, boost the economy, and address the illegal immigration crisis. He described the current administration as leading a nation in decline and pledged to tackle inflation, reduce interest rates, and lower energy costs. He also vowed to end international conflicts he believes the current administration has created.

Day three of the RNC convention featured speeches from Texas Governor Greg Abbott and the newly announced vice presidential candidate, J.D. Trump. These speeches shared several common themes, including concerns about national security, border control, energy policies, and the current administration’s approach. This event marked the first public appearance of the newly announced vice presidential candidate, J.D Vance, and his wife, Usha. Below is a summary of key points from some of the speakers, presented in a non-partisan manner.

Jim and Sue Colton – Arizona Residents
Jim, a fifth-generation rancher from Arizona whose property lies along the Arizona-Mexico border, expressed significant concerns about border security during his speech. He emphasized, “Joe Biden’s open border policy is our country’s greatest national security threat,” and cited incidents including “our house being broken into twice” and “a border control agent being shot five times by drug smugglers on our ranch.” Jim noted that during the Trump administration, construction of a border wall on his property was nearing completion but was halted under the Biden administration, which he claimed led to a reported five-fold increase in unauthorized crossings.

Peter Navarro
Peter Navarro, former U.S. Trade and Manufacturing Policy Director, was recently imprisoned in Miami for defying a subpoena. He claimed that Joe Biden and his Department of “Injustice” were responsible for his imprisonment. Navarro warned, “If they can come for me, if they can come for Donald Trump, be careful, they will come for you.” He expressed his disappointment in the Biden administration, criticizing what he perceives as corruption in all three branches of government, as well as Biden’s border policy, economic management, and belief in the “Green New Scam.”

David Lara
David Lara, an Arizona resident, expressed concern over border control, stating that “small towns like mine bear the brunt of the chaos.” He called for the Biden-Harris administration to put “Americans first” and criticized them for neglecting his town of San Luis, saying, “They have done nothing to stop it, and everything to make it worse.” Lara expressed appreciation for Donald Trump visiting his town and “believing in borders.”

Greg Abbott
Greg Abbott, governor of Texas, expressed his views on border security. He believes that “America needs a president that will secure our border” and that the president’s most sacred duty is to secure the country. He criticized Joe Biden’s border policy, stating that it has allowed “rapists, murderers, and terrorists” into the country. Abbott mentioned his initiative to bus illegal immigrants to D.C. until “we secure the border,” and expressed confidence that Donald Trump will enforce immigration laws, including arresting or deporting illegal immigrants.

Sarah Phillips
Sarah Phillips, a petroleum engineer, expressed her support for Donald Trump’s energy policies. She stated, “Trump is high energy and supports energy, while Biden is low energy and is against energy.” Phillips criticized Biden’s approach, referring to the Green New Deal as a “scam” and accusing Biden of declaring “war” on the oil and gas industry from day one. She emphasized the importance of fossil fuels, stating, “Our society and standard of living could not exist without fossil fuels.” Phillips believes that under Trump’s administration, “America’s great economic revival will be powered by American energy.”

Trent Conaway
Trent Conaway, governor of East Palestine, Ohio, criticized what he perceives as Joe Biden’s lack of response and action when a train derailed, spilling chemicals in his town. He stated that the White House was silent on the matter and that he did not hear from Vice President Kamala Harris. Conaway praised Donald Trump for visiting and “caring” and “listening to us,” while contrasting this with Joe Biden’s visit, which he described as “forced and scripted.” He labeled the Biden administration as a “train wreck” and called for action, stating, “Before President Biden derails our nation, we need to act.”

Kimberly Guilfoyle
Kimberly Guilfoyle, Trump campaign advisor and fiancée of Donald Trump Jr., views the upcoming election as pivotal for the future of the United States. She argues that the choice is between “safety and chaos,” urging voters to elect Donald Trump for what she describes as his vision of ‘American greatness’ versus Joe Biden’s ‘visions for American weakness.’ Guilfoyle criticizes Biden’s leadership capabilities, claiming he ‘cannot even lead himself off of stage.’ She opposes what she perceives as the indoctrination of children in schools and the inclusion of ‘“biological men” in girls’ sports, advocating instead for a return to national pride, where “freedom of speech is respected” and “cancel culture is ended”.

Shabbos Kestenbaum
Shabbos Kestenbaum, a first-generation Jewish Harvard alumni, is a plaintiff in a lawsuit against Harvard, alleging a failure to combat anti-Semitism. He contends that Harvard students are taught “not how to think but what to think.” As a registered Democrat, Kestenbaum expresses concern that “the far left has abandoned not only the Jewish people but also the American people.” He criticizes what he sees as ideological poisoning within the Democratic Party, particularly impacting young American students. Kestenbaum denounces what he terms as ‘radicalism’ on American campuses and streets, asserting that such movements lack legitimacy.

Michael Waltz
Michael Waltz, the first Green Beret ever elected to Congress and former White House advisor, highlighted differences between administrations in his speech. He praised the Trump administration for its actions against ISIS, policies towards Iran, and support for Israel. He contrasted this with what he sees as President Biden’s focus on issues such as pronouns, base renaming, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and military technologies like electric tanks. Waltz criticized Biden’s decision to withdraw troops from Afghanistan, calling it ‘disgraceful’ and a “stain on our national conscience.” He emphasized his belief in achieving peace “through American strength” during the Trump administration.

Donald Trump Jr.
Donald Trump Jr., son of Donald Trump, expressed his admiration for his father, describing him as having “a heart of a lion” and showing resilience after an assassination attempt. He honored the life of Corey Compertore, who died during a recent rally. Trump Jr. criticized the Democrats, accusing them of lying about Joe Biden’s fitness for office and Hunter Biden’s laptop. He claimed that under the Biden administration “nothing is built, nothing is back, and nothing is better.”

J.D. Vance
J.D. Vance, the vice presidential candidate, shared his belief that Donald Trump did not need to run again, stating that “he didn’t need the politics, but the country needed him.” He posed a question to the audience about the importance of being governed by a party that debates ideas and seeks the best solutions. Vance accepted the vice presidential nomination and shared personal details about his childhood, including being raised by his grandmother in a small rural town, enlisting in the Marines after 9/11, attending Ohio State University, and then Yale Law School, where he met his wife. He emphasized the need for a leader who “fights for the people who built this country” and opposes the Green New Deal. Vance concluded his speech by expressing his hope for the nation to “thrive for centuries to come.”