No Beyonce at DNC Chicago despite rumors of surprise guest to support Kamala Harris; ‘Freedom’ heard through loudspeakers

CHICAGO — Kamala Harris launched herself to the nation she hopes to steer within the climactic second of the Democratic nationwide conference on Thursday – and regardless of chatter about potential thriller friends, Beyoncé’s solely look was over the loudspeakers.

In the long run, it was essentially the most conventional of conference moments coming by means of tv screens: the candidate, her operating mate and their households bathed within the cheers of supporters, with balloons floating from the rafters.

There had been an anticipatory temper because the night time took form, and it wasn’t only for Harris. For days, there have been rumors of an look by mega-stars Taylor Swift or Beyoncé, whose music “Freedom” has been adopted by the vp as a marketing campaign theme.

“If she’s not, they higher give you one thing,” mentioned NBC Information’ Savannah Guthrie.

In search of the large star

An NBC reporter wandering the conference flooring requested delegates what they’d take into consideration a Beyoncé look. NBC’s Kelly O’Donnell, stationed to the facet of the stage, famous shortly earlier than Harris appeared {that a} curtain was blocking a view that she had all through the conference of people that had milled about backstage.

Rumors had been spreading on-line to the purpose the place Mitt Romney, the 2012 Republican presidential nominee, posted on X: “Opposite to false information posts, I’m not the shock visitor on the DNC tonight. My guess is that will probably be Beyoncé or Taylor Swift. So disappointing, I do know!”

Emmy Ruiz, the White Home director of political technique and outreach, posted a bee emoji on her X account earlier within the day. Was it a sign to the “Bey-hive”? She shortly wrote, “Sorry guys my 6 12 months previous took my telephone.”

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Perhaps it was all in enjoyable, however there was a hazard to it. Would folks tune in to the conference, hoping to see the famous person, and be upset if she wasn’t there? If she DID present up, wouldn’t it overshadow the Democratic presidential candidate on the most important night time of her skilled life?

In the long run, the Hollywood Reporter posted a narrative a couple of half hour earlier than Harris took the stage – with “Freedom” enjoying by means of the sound system – quoting a consultant for the singer saying, “Beyoncé was by no means scheduled to be there. The report of a efficiency is unfaithful.”

A mix of showbiz and politics

Leisure blended with political speeches all through the conference, with Stevie Marvel, Pink, John Legend, the Chicks, Lil Jon and Jason Isbell making appearances.

After per week wherein the Democrats’ headline audio system appeared after prime time (8 to 11 p.m.) ended for weary viewers on the East Coast, Harris appeared shortly after 10:30 and spoke for 37 minutes. It was an unstated distinction to opponent Donald Trump. The previous president accepted the GOP nomination final month with a 92-minute speech that ended previous midnight Japanese time.

A number of pundits later emphasised the muscular nature of Harris’ speech, notably on international coverage.

“Individuals have been speaking about her as a joyful warrior,” mentioned CNN’s Audie Cornish. “We heard extra warrior.”

Fox Information’ Brit Hume mentioned that it was a speech that President Biden might have made earlier than ending his bid for re-election, “however he couldn’t have delivered it with the drive of Harris. It was very robust.”

“Tonight you heard a lady impressed by her mom to dream large and by her father to be fearless,” mentioned ABC Information analyst Donna Brazile, a former Democratic Nationwide Committee chair.

Robert Costa of CBS Information agreed with Harris that it was a brand new chapter within the American story. “However we’re waiting for one thing that could possibly be tumultuous for the nation, because it offers with two events actually pulling on the definition of what it means to be an American.”

Trump, in the meantime, saved up a operating commentary on his Fact Social account as she spoke. “A number of discuss childhood, we have got to get to the Border, Inflation and Crime!” he wrote.

The video within the participant above is from a earlier report.