‘Sweet promise of tomorrow’: Watch Oprah Winfrey’s speech at the 2024 DNC convention

Television host and megastar Oprah Winfrey spoke at the Democratic National Convention Wednesday night, calling on independents and undecideds to vote with their values and choose Vice President Kamala Harris.

During her address, she praised the work of Michelle Obama, who gave a speech the previous night, and the late civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis. She also took a jab at JD Vance’s childless cat lady comments. Many thought Winfrey could make the jump from stardom into politics to rival former President Donald Trump’s rise to power.

“Let us choose the sweet promise of tomorrow over the bitter return to yesterday,” Winfrey said.

The convention is happening Monday through Thursday at Chicago’s United Center. The star-studded lineup includes speakers Former President Bill Clinton, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, and performers including John Legend and Stevie Wonder.

Watch Oprah Winfrey’s full DNC convention speech

Watch: Oprah Winfrey full speech at 2024 DNC convention

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Oprah Winfrey at the 2024 DNC

• Who is she? A TV personality and interviewer
• What role does she play? Many believe she had the widespread popularity to run for office but has yet to do so. She said she is a registered Independent during her speech.
• Key quotes: “The work will never be done, because freedom isn’t free. America is an ongoing project. It requires commitment. It requires being open to the hard work and the hard work of democracy and every now and then, it requires standing up to life’s bullies,” she said. “So I’m calling on all you independents and all you undecideds…I’m telling you the truth, that values and character matter most of all in leadership and in life, and more than anything, you know, this is true, that decency, and respect are on the ballot in 2024,” she said. “Common sense tells you that Kamala Harris and Tim Walz can give us decency and respect.”

When and where is the DNC

The Democratic National Convention will take place from August 19-22 in Chicago, Illinois.

The United Center, home of the Chicago Bulls and Blackhawks, will be the main venue for the DNC.

Chicago has hosted the Democratic Convention 11 times, most recently in 1996 when the United Center saw President Bill Clinton was nominated for a second time.

How to watch and stream the 2024 DNC

The convention will air live on its website, from the United Center in Chicago between 6:15 p.m. and 11 p.m. Eastern (5:15 p.m. to 10 p.m Central) on Monday, and 7 p.m to 11 p.m. Eastern (6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Central) the other days.

USA TODAY will provide livestream coverage on YouTube each night of the DNC, Monday through Thursday.

What are the themes for each night of the DNC?

The DNC announced nightly themes for the convention. The title of the convention is “For the People, For Our Future.”

Here are the themes for each night:

• Monday: “For the People”
• Tuesday: “A Bold Vision for America’s Future”
• Wednesday: “A Fight for our Freedoms”
• Thursday: “For our Future”