Tim Walz steers clear of a major controversy facing his campaign during Democratic National Convention speech

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz called Republicans’ agenda weird and said he’s ‘ready to turn the page’ as he accepted the Democratic nomination for Vice President of the United States.

Kamala Harris’ running mate took the state on Night three of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago Wednesday as his wife Gwen and children Hope and Gus looked on, visibly emotional.

The crowd held red, white and blue signs that read ‘Coach Walz’ as the 60-year-old governor delivered a folksy speech where he focused on what it means to be a good neighbor and invoked a series of coaching references before also taking on his political opponents.

‘It’s the honor of my life to accept your nomination as the Vice President of the United States,’ Walz said to thunderous applause soon after taking the stage.

‘We love this country, so thank you to all of you here in Chicago and all of you watching at home tonight,’ Walz said ‘Thank you for your passion, thank you for your determination and most of all thank you for bringing the joy to this fight.’

Former President Donald Trump took aim on Wednesday at claims in a new biography of Queen Elizabeth II that she found him 'very rude' as the work of a 'sleazebag' with a book to sell.

Speaking exclusively to DailyMail.com, he said they had spent hours together and had warmed to each other during their meetings.

'I heard I was her favorite president,' he said.

The sensational claims are made in an upcoming biography, 'A Voyage Around the Queen,' by Craig Brown.

He writes how the late queen confided in another guest that she had 'particularly disliked' the way he looked over her shoulder as if in search of someone more interesting.

The Trump campaign trolled Oprah during her primetime Democratic National Convention speech.

She took a swipe at the former president telling the raucous crowd: 'We are beyond ridiculous tweets and lies and foolery. These are complicated times, and they require adult conversations.'

In response, the Trump campaign resurfaced a note that Oprah wrote to Trump in 2000:

Too bad we’re not running for office. What a team!

Oprah Winfrey chided J.D. Vance for his 'childless cat lady' comment during her appearance Wednesday night at the Democratic National Convention.

'We are not so different from our neighbors,' the longtime talk show host said.

'When a house is on fire, we don't ask about the homeowner's race or religion, we don't wonder who their partner is or how they voted, no, we just try to do the best we can to save them,' she said.

'And if the place happens to belong to a childless cat lady,' Winfrey continued. 'Well, we try and get that cat out too.'

Donald Trump chose to turn his fire on Josh Shapiro, the Pennsylvania governor, who spoke at the convention.

Trump posted on Truth Social:

The highly overrated Jewish Governor of the Great Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Josh Shapiro, made a really bad and poorly delivered speech talking about freedom and fighting for Comrade Kamala Harris for President.

Yet she hates Israel and will do nothing but make its journey through the complexities of survival as difficult as possible, hoping in the end that it will fail. Judge only by her actions!

He claimed Shapiro had ' for strictly political reasons, refused to acknowledge that I am the best friend that Israel, and the Jewish people, ever had.'

Democrats are tripping over themselves in an effort to be among the first to predict that Maryland Gov. Wes Moore will run for president one day.

Moore, 45, stole the show at the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday in a speech where he took aim at former President Donald Trump and listed his accomplishments – like becoming the first black governor of Maryland last year.

Despite first winning a race for public office in 2022, Moore has already been dubbed the 'next Obama.' He earned a coveted speaking slot at the Convention in Chicago after speaking at the 2007 event backing Barack Obama's first nomination.

Greeted by an enthusiastic crowd and delivering a series of zingers, Democrats are looking ahead to the future of the Party.

'Have had an opportunity to get to know Maryland Governor Wes Moore some and if there were Vegas odds on a future president, I'd put it on him. He's got the goods,' sports journalist Jemele Hill wrote on X.

Donald Trump's running mate J.D. Vance gave a brutal assessmnet of Tim Walz's speech at the Demcoratic National Convention on Wednesday night.

The Republican senator claimed the remarks made by Kamala Harris' running mate struck a 'dark and ominous' tone.

He told Fox News

What I found so odd about this entire speech & all of the things I heard from the convention speakers is they're painting this very dark & ominous portrait of the presidency of Donald Trump, when Donald Trump's presidency delivered peace and prosperity

I grew up in a very poor family. I was raised by my grandmother who didn't graduate from high school and I am proud of the fact that she worked her tail off and worked to her grave to give me opportunities... and I was able to live the American dream

It was an emotional moment for the Walz family as they watched their patriarch accept the Democratic vice presidential nomination.

Tim Walz's son Gus shed tears, while daughter Hope made the heart symbol and mouthed 'love you.'

'That's my dad,' Gus, 17, shouted as he stood up and pointed at his dad on the convention stage.

It was his tearful moment that captured hearts around the country and all over social media. The two kids sat in the front row of the convention with their mom Gwen as their dad made his debut on the national political stage.

Kamala: How are you feeling?

Walz: I am feeling great. How about you?

Kamala: I'm good. You're going to be fantastic tonight.

Walz: I'm ready. Thank you for the opportunity. It's going to be electric.

From Kelly Laco, executive editor of politics, at the DNC in Chicago:

Gus Walz, 17, burst into tears in a visibly emotional tribute to his father as he took the DNC stage.

He could be seen proudly yelling 'that's my dad' pointing at the Minnesota governor started the biggest speech of his political career introducing himself to America.

The touching moment on display quickly went viral online.

'Hope, Gus and Gwen, you are my entire world,' Walz said at the top of his remarks in a sentimental moment.

He went on to discuss the fertility struggles he went through with his wife Gwen.

He pointed out that his daughter, Hope, 23, was given her name after it took them years to get pregnant.

A visibly emotional Hope signed a heart with her hands to her dad as she brushed a tear off her face.

His wife Gwen could be seen hugging and smiling at their two children as her husband made the case for why Americans should elect him and Kamala Harris to lead the nation.

By Emily Goodin, senior White House correspondent in Chicago

Pete Buttigieg got a roar of applause with his introduction to delegates.

‘Here’s a sentence I never thought I’d say: I’m Pete Buttigieg and you might recognize me from Fox News,’ he said as the crowd screamed in approval.

‘I believe in going anywhere, anywhere, in service of a good cause and friends, we gather in a very good cause, electing Kamala Harris and Tim Walz,’ he added.

Buttigieg, who was a contender for Harris’ running mate, offered effusive praise to her and her vision for the country.

And he got in some digs at Republican vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance.

‘At least Mike Pence was polite,’ Buttigieg noted. Both he and Pence are from Indiana.

‘J.D. 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,’ he added.

John Legend and Sheila E take the stage at the Democratic National Convention for a Prince tribute honoring Governor Tim Walz's home state of Minnesota.

By Emily Goodin, senior White House correspondent in Chicago

Doug Emhoff watched the speeches at Wednesday night's convention from his skybox in the United Arena while Kamala Harris stayed back at the hotel the couple is staying in while they're in Chicago.

Emhoff was joined by Harris' sister Maya Harris and her niece Meena Harris. Emhoff's daughter Ella sat behind him.

The second gentleman was seen enthusiastically applauding speakers like Bill Clinton and Oprah Winfrey.

Harris is preparing to give her acceptance speech tomorrow night and resting her voice ahead of her big evening.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro took the stage at the Democratic National Convention Wednesday night where he called the Democratic party the party of ‘real freedom’ and urged the country to ‘get to work’ to elect Kamala Harris and Tim Walz.

‘Today, we find ourselves writing the next chapter. Will we be a nation defined by chaos and extremism or will we choose a path of decency, honor, and continued progress?’

He said the vice president has spent her entire career making progress and blasted Trump for wanting to take away rights and freedoms.

‘It’s not freedom to tell women what they can do with their bodies, and hear me on this, it sure as hell isn’t freedom to say you can go vote but he gets to pick the winner. That’s not freedom.’

Shapiro spoke of a child being able to get home safely, join a union, marry who she wants, start a family on her terms, breathe clean air, and worship who she wants as ‘real freedom.’

‘Real freedom, that comes when she looks at Madam President and knows that this is a nation where anything and everything is possible. That’s real freedom.’

‘Kamala’s and Tim’s names may be on the ballot, but… it’s our rights and our freedoms on the line,’ he said.

By Emily Goodin, senior White House correspondent in Chicago

Nancy Pelosi praised Joe Biden profusely in her remarks to the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday, thanking him for his service.

The words were notable from the former speaker after she played a large role in convincing Biden to exit the presidential race.

‘He established one of the most successful presidencies of modern times,’ she said. ‘Thank you Joe.’

Delegates have acknowledged her influence by wearing pins with her image labelled ‘the Godmother.’

Actress Mindy Kaling, who is MCing the evening, introduced Pelosi as ‘mother of dragons,’ referring to the powerful Queen on the TV show Game of Thrones.

After her praise of Biden, Pelosi pivoted to describe Harris as a ‘leader of strength and wisdom.’

I have known Kamala Harris for decades. Personally, I know her a person of deep faith. Which is reflected in her community care and service. Officially, she is a leader of strength and wisdom and eloquence on policy. Most recently, demonstrated fighting for a woman's right to choose. Politically, she is a astute and strategic in winning difficult elections, quickly securing the nomination with dignity.

Pelosi also praised Tim Walz, whom she served in the House with.

She then switched tracks yet again to talk about the attack on the Capitol on January 6th and to slam Donald Trump.

Let's not forget who assaulted democracy on January 6. He did. But let's not forget who saved democracy that day. We did.

She concluded her short remarks to the election ahead: ‘Onward to victory.’

By Morgan Phillips, Congress Reporter at the DNC in Chicago:

'Trump is like an old boyfriend who you broke up with, but just won't go away,' the House Democratic leader said in his DNC address.

'He has spent the last two years spinning the block trying to get back into a relationship with the American people. Bro, we broke up with you for a reason.'

He then ticked off the 'struggles' of Americans: 'People in our great country, they are struggling to live paycheck to paycheck, and as a result of the American Dream is out of reach.'

And even though Democrats currently control the White House and the Senate, he blamed Republicans.

'Republicans don't care about everyday Americans. They only care about themselves. Our approach, led by Kamala Harris and coach Walz is very different.'

'We care about you, the American people, and we will fight hard to make sure that the American Dream is alive and well in every single community. Now, the road will not be easy,' he went on, urging Americans to get out and vote.

By Katelyn Caralle, Senior U.S. Political Reporter in Chicago, Illinois

Mindy Kaling joined a stacked lineup of celebrities to grace the Democratic National Convention stage in Chicago on Wednesday.

The actress and comedian cracked a few zingers and also voiced her unequivocal backing of Vice President Kamala Harris for president.

Kaling, who is also Indian, jokingly threw out a bid for the spot of U.S. Ambassador to Italy in a Harris administration:

I am so proud to be here supporting my friend. But the real reason I am here is that deep down, I truly believe that as a woman of color and as a single mother of three, it is incredibly important that I be appointed ambassador to Italy.

Kaling came out for a second appearance a little later in the program where she was wearing a different outfit and spoke mostly about Massachusetts, which is her home state.

She listed what she loves about the northeastern state, and referenced Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck's break up.

I love you Massachusetts. Everyone is always hating on us but they just don’t get it! Go Sox! Go Jayson Tatum! Ben Affleck, hang in there!”

American comedian and actor Kenan Thompson took the stage on Night 3 of the Democratic National Convention to talk about Project 2025.

The SNL star walked out into the United Center with a large copy of the book.

Project 2025 is a conservative political initiative published by the Heritage Foundation.

Thompson was joined by a number of Americans on the screen behind him including a married lesbian woman, a woman on insulin and an educator.

He then read parts of the book about what the political initiative could mean for their lives. It comes as Democrats are warning Donald Trump would use Project 2025 should he return to the White House.

Stevie Wonder took the stage at the Democratic National Convention where he gave remarks before launching into a performance of the song 'Higher Ground.'

'We need to choose joy over anger, kindness over discrimination and peace over war every time,' Wonder said after a thunderous welcome.

'Are you ready ready ready to reach a higher ground?' he asked the crowd.

He called on people to 'do the right thing.'

The crowd at the Democratic Convention gave some of its biggest applause Wednesday night to a Republican, as former Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan described the threats against his family while he was vouching for the integrity of the state elections that went for Joe Biden.

He said he focused his remarks on ‘the millions of Republicans, Independents that are at home that are sick and tired of making excuses for Donald Trump.’

‘If you vote for Kamala Harris in 2024 you are not a Democrat – you are a patriot,’ he told the crowd, earning a huge round of applause.

He described his own efforts, which drew attacks from Donald Trump, and mentioned a family motto. ‘Doing the right thing will never be the wrong thing,’ he said, holding up a coaster he said he had once given his kids that said the same.

The parents of Israeli-American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin got a standing ovation at the Democratic convention on Wednesday night.

The arena was silent as Rachel and Jon spoke.

‘Stay strong. Survive,’ was Rachel’s message for her son.

‘Anyone who is a parent, or who has had a parent, can try and imagine the pain and misery that Jon and I and all of the hostage families are enduring,’ she said.

‘Bring him home, Bring him home,’ the crowd in the arena shouted.

Rachel cried at the reception she received.

Their American-born son was kidnapped from the Nova music festival during Hamas’ attacks on Israel, and in April, a video of their son was released by Hamas — the first sign since the attack that he was still alive.

'I’ve got a message for the Republicans and the Justices of the United States Supreme Court, you can pry this wedding band from my cold, dead, gay hand,' Michigan AG Dana Nessel said at the DNC.

'And I'm retaining water right now so good luck!' she added.

Sen. Josh Hawley is demanding answers from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on the nearly 300,000 unaccompanied migrant children it 'may have lost track of' within the U.S.

The agency's internal watchdog warned of an 'urgent issue' with how immigration officials have been handling the cases of migrant minors and found that more than 32,000 children had failed to show up for immigration summonses and ICE was 'not able to account' for their locations.

For more than 291,000 unaccompanied immigrant minors, ICE had not bothered to serve them court dates, according to the watchdog, two-thirds of the migrant children who have made their way into the U.S.

'Unaccompanied migrant children are some of the most vulnerable individuals in America. They are routinely trafficked for sex, forced into illegal labor, burned with chemicals, and subjected to countless other atrocities by cartels,' Hawley, R-Mo., wrote.

From Morgan Phillips, congressional reporter, at the DNC in Chicago:

Typically the sign of a bad party is one where all of its guests are glued to their phones. One post-convention gathering in Chicago aimed for exactly that.

Late Tuesday night another niche, identity-driven group of liberals gathered at an exclusive and carefully curated event: the Hotties for Harris after-party.

The party centered around feminism, sex and its after-effects. Encompassed in pinks and brat-greens, messages that adorned the walls were designed to shock: the exact type of content that does well on platforms like TikTok.

The morning-after emergency contraceptive bill was being distributed out of a gumball machine. 'Plan B, nom nom nom,' the machine read. In fact early pregnancy tests, morning-after pills and UTI medication were distributed in every room of the event.

By Emily Goodin, senior White House correspondent in Chicago

Kamala Harris’ campaign manager downplayed any concerns over Robert F. Kennedy Jr. exiting the presidential race and throwing his support to Donald Trump.

‘We are very confident that the vice president is going to win whether she’s running against one candidate or multiple candidates,’ Jen O’Malley Dillon said at the CNN-Politico Grills, an event held on the sidelines of the Democratic National Convention.

‘I don’t think it’s really going to interfere with the race too much,’ she noted.

She pointed out Harris carries the support of the Kennedy family, many of whom disavowed RFK’s independent bid.

He will announce his exit on Friday during a speech in Phoenix, per reports.

One Kennedy family member, Jack Schlossberg, grandson of former President John F. Kennedy, spoke at the Democratic convention earlier this week.

From Nikki Schwab, Chief Campaign Correspondent at the DNC in Chicago:

Veep star Julia Louis-Dreyfus took a swipe at the Republican who wants that job during an event with female Democratic governors on Wednesday.

'This is so cool,' the actress said as she appeared alongside every single female Democratic governor in the United States at an event held in conjunction with the Democratic National Convention.

'We are very honored to have eight highly intelligent, highly capable women leaders for the 21st century with us,' she said.

Onstage was Oregon Gov. Kotec, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Maine Gov. Janet Mills, Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs, Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey and Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly.

'Or what J.D. Vance might call a coven of semi-menstruating witches,' Louis-Dreyfus smarted.

From Nikki Schwab, Chief Campaign Correspondent at the DNC in Chicago:

Pink has reportedly been tapped to provide entertainment for the final night of the Democratic National Convention.

CNN first reported that Pink would perform Thursday night in Chicago.

Convention organizers have been tight-lipped about celebrity appearances and musical acts - with rumors flying that Beyonce could make a Thursday appearance.

Pink's support of Democratic nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris, was already well known as she made an appearance during last month's massive 'White Women For Kamala' Zoom call.

Charlie Spiering, Senior Political Reporter

When Vice President Kamala Harris graduated law school in 1989, young poet Lisa B. Thompson wrote and performed a dramatic poem marking the occasion.

The Daily Mail obtained a copy of the poem that was published by the University of California Hastings Law School.

'Law school is only the middle passage there are those who jumped ship to swim back home or who drowned in the cruel waters of exams, outlines, performance anxiety, and financial sobriety,' she wrote.

Read more about it here:

Charlie Spiering Senior Political Reporter

Former President Donald Trump said Wednesday that former President Barack Obama was 'nasty' to him on Tuesday, during his Democratic National Convention speech.

'He was very nasty last night,' Trump said about Obama's speech.

He ridiculed his advisors who keep telling him not to get personal with Vice President Kamala Harris.

He took a vocal 'poll' of his audience by asking them to cheer the idea of 'getting personal' with attacks on Democrats or not.

'I don't know. My advisors are fired,' he joked, after the audience clearly favored more personal attacks.

'We'd rather keep it on policy, but sometimes its hard when you're attacked from all ends,' he added. 'I try and be nice to people, you know? But it's a little tough when they get personal.'

Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama launched several attacks against Trump during their speeches at the DNC.

'It has been a constant stream of gripes and grievances that’s actually been getting worse now that he is afraid of losing to Kamala,' Obama said. 'There’s the childish nicknames, the crazy conspiracy theories, this weird obsession with crowd sizes.'

Charlie Spiering, Senior Political Reporter

Former President Donald Trump stepped away from the protective slabs of bulletproof glass on Wednesday after a supporter had a medical emergency.

Trump paused the rally after he saw the commotion around the person who likely fainted and called for medical to assist.

'It is very hot here, I noticed,' Trump said. 'Take your time doctor, thank you.'

After waiting for a few moments, Trump descended the stage and walked over to the crowd to check on the situation.

After the supporter was revived, Trump gave the person a hug as the crowd cheered before returning to the stage to finish his speech

The FBI has launched an investigation into whether maggots were deliberately slipped into the breakfasts of delegates at the Democratic National Convention.

Law enforcement swarmed the Fairmont Hotel in downtown Chicago on Wednesday following reports of the insect attack.

Indiana delegate Tracy Boyd told WGNTV: 'They protected us, of course, and turned it around in minutes.'

She said her group was notified that breakfast service would be briefly delayed due to the incident.

'I really do want to give a shout-out to the hotel staff and leadership,' she added.

All Americans have the right to peaceful protest, but ugly attacks like this have no place in our democracy,' said Indiana Democratic Party spokesperson Sam Barloga.

'We thank the security team for responding swiftly,' he said.

Former President Donald Trump is now facing Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming election, but he apparantly could not resist taking a shot at President Joe Biden for leaving on vacation after his speech at the Democratic National Convention.

'Where's Biden what happened to Biden?' Trump asked during his rally in North Carolina on Wednesday. 'He's on the beach.'

'You know he's got somebody that thinks he looks great in a bathing suit. He likes to go to a beach, how do you leave here and go on a beach?' he added.

Biden is currently on vacation with his family in Santa Ynez, California, not far from the coast.

Earlier this month, Biden also spent time on the beach with his wife Dr. Jill Biden and family members in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.

'You can't do it,' Trump added. 'There are things that you just don't do. People don't want to see you in a bathing suit.'

Trump also referred to a video clip of Biden struggling to drag a beach chair in the sand.

'Walks badly, it's hard to walk in the sand, you know, he has a hard time lifting his feet in the sand,'

'The chair is meant for old people to lift and young kids to lift, like four year old kids right? And he can't lift it, he needs a little help,' he said.

From Kelly Laco, executive editor of politics at the DNC in Chicago:

Mayor of Richmond, Virginia, Levar Stoney, gushed over the new wave of enthusiasm on display at the DNC.

He said that although Virginia is considered a purple state, there was a 'four-alarm fire' when Trump was up in polls in the commonwealth in a matchup with Joe Biden.

That all changed when Biden stepped down and Kamala Harris rose to the top of the ticket.

Stoney, who is running for Lt. Governor, told attendees at the American Association of Political Consultants lunch in Chicago:

Now, fast forward a month later, there's smiles on everyone's faces all across the commonwealth, and I think there is a, certainly an injection of new energy and enthusiasm in our party.

But also, just, you know, I've been with the delegation for the last couple days, and I see the energy, I see the enthusiasm, but I see something different as well. You look into the eyes of these delegates and these Democrats folks are acting with a businesslike approach to this.

We're here to celebrate. We're here to get energized up while folks are ready to go back to the states and get this thing done.

I've been involved in Virginia politics for 20 years. I've not seen this type of votes from Democrats in a long, long time, [probably not since] 2008 with President Obama. They are focused like no other.

But what I'm hearing from Democrats, because they want to win, we want to win because I don't want to see another four years of Donald Trump.

Charlie Spiering Senior Political Reporter

Former President Donald Trump kicked off his rally in North Carolina by questioning the dramatic revision in jobs numbers just prior to the 2024 election.

'The Harris-Biden has been caught fraudulently manipulating job statistics to hide the true extent of the economic ruin that they've inflicted on America,' Trump said.

The Labor Department revealed Wednesday that there was 818,000 fewer jobs created than was reported the previous year.

The lower jobs tally may influence the Federal Reserve's decision of whether to cut interest rates.

Trump described the revised job numbers a 'major scandal' and a 'total lie' from the administration.

'The real numbers are much worse than that and Comrade Kamala, you know, she's comrade, the most radical leftist to run for political office in our country,' he said.

Democrats continue to add celebrity and entertainment star power to their convention – with singer John Legend set to perform a tribute to Prince.

The crooner and producer was on hand for soundcheck at the United Center on the night Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is set to deliver his big speech.

Prince is a home-state hero, and Walz and Harris have spoken about their love for the late singer. ‘I feel like a trip to Paisley Park is going to happen here,’ Walz said in a youtube video with Harris, who told him a visit Prince’s mansion is ‘on my bucket list.’

Attendees and viewers should expect a screaming guitar solo from the house band – which includes two drum kits – during one Prince hit. The convention featured earlier performance of Jason Isbell, Mickey Guyton, and an appearance by Lil Jon.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has announced an 'address to the nation' on Friday as speculation mounts over whether he'll drop out of the presidential race and endorse Donald Trump.

He will speak at 11am (PT) in Phoenix, Arizona, hours before the Republican nominee holds a rally nearby.

The independent candidate's running mate Nicole Shanahan has already admitted they are considering their future in the campaign.

Shanahan appeared on an episode of Tom Bilyeu's Impact Theory and said she and RFK Jr. have two options - they could stay in the race and hope to get 5 percent of the vote to officially start a new political party.

'But we run the risk of a Kamala Harris and Walz presidency,' the former Democrat said. 'Because we draw votes from Trump or we draw somehow more votes from Trump.'

Charlie Spiering, Senior Political Reporter

Secret Service deployed a more vigourous and visible display of security in and around former President Donald Trump's rally in North Carolina on Wednesday.

Attendees spotted Secret Service agents around the perimeter and even teams of countersnipers on sloped rooftops.

This is Trump's first outdoor political rally since he was shot in the ear five weeks ago by gunman Thomas Crooks in Butler, Pennsylvania.

Today, Secret Service installed bulletproof glass around the podium to protect Trump and his running mate JD Vance, who kicked off the rally earlier this afternoon.

Trump fans recognized the countersnipers, taking photos of security personnel as they waited for the formper president to appear.

Trump is offering counter-programming this week to the spectacle in Chicago at the Democratic National Convention for Vice President Kamala Harris' nomination.

J.D. Vance said Kamala Harris explains foreign policy like a 'third grader' in remarks criticizing her response to global crises worldwide.

'It's hard to make sense of Kamala Harris' foreign policy especially when she explains it like a third grader who didn't study for a class presentation,' he told a crowd in Asheboro, North Carolina.

Donald Trump holds his first open-air rally on Wednesday since being shot, but will deliver his speech from behind bullet-proof glass.

Shipping containers were stacked two high around the perimeter of the site at the North Carolina Aviation Museum in Asheboro, obscuring the line of sight to the podium where the former president will address supporters.

He is making his third appearance of the week as he seeks to draw the spotlight away from the Democratic Party's convention in Chicago and restart a campaign that has stuttered ever since Joe Biden dropped out of the race to be replaced by Vice President Kamala Harris.

Trump is expected to hit Harris and lay out his national security plans for a second term.

'Since weak, failed, and dangerously liberal Kamala Harris took office America has become a global laughingstock,' the Trump campaign said.

Donald Trump's running mate J.D. Vance tore into Kamala Harris' record on immigration at a rally in North Carolina on Tuesday.

'If we give Kamala Harris a promotion and make her the president of the United States the Southern border is going to look like Walmart on Black Friday.'

By Geoff Earle, Deputy U.S. Political Editor for DailyMail.com in Chicago

Former President Donald Trump hit back after getting tormented by the Obamas at Tuesday night’s Democratic National Convention in Chicago, calling the spectacle ‘sad.’

He made the comments on the Hugh Hewitt show, where the host asked him if ‘lawfare’ and other attacks contributes to the ‘climate’ that let to the assassination attempt against him at a Pennsylvania rally.

‘Well, it could. You know, I was mentioned at the Democrats’ little party that they have going on in Chicago, and it’s pretty sad,’ Trump responded.

‘I was mentioned, I think, almost 200 times. And they mentioned the economy about five times. They mentioned the border maybe none. They mentioned crime almost none.’ He called the Democrats ‘out of control,’ saying they’re ‘ruining our nation.’

It came after former President Barack Obama ridiculed Trump for having a ‘weird obsession with crowd sizes,' then used his hands to make a gesture that some commentators took as suggestive and that drew loud laughs from the convention crowd.

And former first lady Michelle Obama uncorked her own 'small' attack on Trump in her barnburner convention speech. 'Demonizing our children for being who they are and loving who they love, look, that doesn’t make anybody’s life better. Instead, instead, it only makes us small. And let me tell you this: Going small is never the answer. Going small is the opposite of what we teach our kids. Going small is petty. It’s unhealthy. And quite frankly, it’s unpresidential.'

In an online post, a day after offering a rare tip of the hat to the Obamas, Trump weighed in on who he considers the ‘nastiest’ speaker: New York Gov. Kathy Hochul. He called her ‘very unpopular’ and said her ‘total hatred, and statements made about me, had no bounds.’

‘Unfairly, I am before a very biased and hateful New York Judicial System that is appointed and largely controlled by the Governor. With the vitriol displayed by her on Monday night, it is no wonder that the Judges have treated me so badly,’ he said.

Hochul said in her convention speech that Trump was ‘born a New Yorker, but ended up a fraud, a philanderer and a felon.’ She added, ‘He wasn’t raised with the New York values that I know. He never had to worry about child care costs, or groceries, or rent. He never had to worry about anything — or anyone — but himself.’

Hochul told DailyMail.com the attacks on the GOP nominee and Florida transplant are fair game. 'It is what you do to draw the contrast, remind people that this is not our first viewing of the Trump travesty. This is Part II, so we know what we're in for,' she said.

Trump campaign adviser and conservative radio host Steve Cortes tried and failed to get an illegal migrant into the DNC.

'Whey is Kamala enforcing the rules at her convention but not at our border?' he questioned on X.

It comes as Republicans are ramping up their counter-programming to the DNC today.

Joe Biden approved in March a highly classified nuclear strategic plan that focused on China's quickly growing arsenal, the New York Times reported.

The plan also seeks to prepare the U.S for possible coordinated nuclear challenges from China, Russia and North Korea.

Responding to the report a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman said: 'The U.S. is peddling the China nuclear threat narrative, finding excuses to seek strategic advantage.'

The White House said the classified nuclear strategic plan approved by Biden is not a response to a single country or threat.

The U.S. has consistently pointed to China's growing nuclear weaponry.

An annual report by the Pentagon last October said China had more than 500 operational nuclear warheads in its arsenal, and will probably have over 1,000 warheads by 2030.

By Geoff Earle, Deputy U.S. Political Editor for DailyMail.com

Senator Gary Peters says former President Donald Trump shouldn’t have campaigned in Howell, Michigan – in his home state – citing its ‘very checkered history in the past.’

‘In fact, recently there were folks there that were involved in white supremacist type movements. I think I would have, if I were Donald Trump, I would have picked a different place to campaign in, given the sensitivity that Howell has for many people in the state of Michigan,’ Peters told DailyMail.com inside the Democratic convention Tuesday night.

He spoke on a day the Kamala Harris campaign hit Trump for ‘choosing to rally in a town that was historically known as “the KKK capital of Michigan,”’ in part due to meetings that former Michigan Grand Dragon of the klan Robert Miles used to hold at his farm there decades ago. Trump and his campaign hit back by noting that President Joe Biden himself had visited Howell during a 2021 event. Trump held his event inside the Livingston County Sheriff’s office where he was flanked by law enforcement officers.

Peters, who heads the Senate Democratic campaign arm, wouldn't say if Trump was sewnding a deliberate signal, despite the Harris camp calling the visit a 'dog whistle,' instead taking a dig at Trump. 'I don't want to get inside Donald Trump's head. I think there's a lot going on there in a very small space. And so I don't want to say what he was thinking.'

Democrats at the DNC in Chicago showed up to the Windy City sporting creative fashion choices to try and stand out among the crowd of over 50,000.

Kamala Harris fans turned the United Center into their own runway with a sea of stars and stripes and the expected red white and blue, but also a whole lot more.

'Brat' green made a major splash as sparkles and sequins dominated. The main theme: the more over-the-top, the better.

Attendees celebrated the historic moment of nominating the first woman of color to the top of the presidential ticket with tributes to other trailblazers. A Taylor Swift inspired ensemble made a splash among other tributes to female legends.

Catch the most creative and patriotic apparel of the DNC:

Speeches by Vice Presidential nominee Tim Walz and former President Bill Clinton will be the highlights of the third night of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

Organizers are dubbing it 'Walz Wednesday,' where the Minnesota governor and former member of Congress will introduce himself to America.

It's the penultimate night of the convention nominating Vice President Kamala Harris.

Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota will introduce Walz. Walz' wife Gwen will also speaking.

Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi and current Democratic leader in the House Hakeen Jeffries will also address the crowd. As will Senators Chris Murpy and Cory Booker.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shaprio, a finalist for the running mate slot, will also address the convention, as will Maryland Gov. Wes Moore. As will some Never Trumper Republicans like Rep. Adam Kinzinger. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg will also speak.

Comedian Theo Von told Donald Trump about how cocaine addiction had turned him into a 'damn owl'.

The podcaster was interviewing the former president, and they were discussing alcohol abuse, when Von described how he would 'just do cocaine.'

'That’s down and dirty, right?' the former president responded, adding: 'But you don’t anymore?'

'No, I don’t do it anymore, man. And I’m not doing it,' Von said.

Trump asked him: 'Is it too much? Too much to handle?'

Von said: 'Some of the stuff started to get a real rattle in it. I don’t know where we were even getting it from in this country, but it started to make me feel like I was a mechanic or something.”

Trump asked 'So the thing you go back to then is alcohol for the most part?' and Von said 'Yeah, but what I want probably is cocaine.'

Trump asked: 'Is cocaine a stronger up?”

Von replied: 'Yeah. so you’re way up with cocaine more than anything else you can think of. Cocaine will turn you into a damn owl, homie. You know what I’m saying? You’ll be out on your own porch. You’ll be your own street lamp. You’re freaking...'

Trump said: 'And is that a good feeling?'

Von answered: 'Well, it’s a miserable feeling, but you do it anyway, just like the guy you’re saying with the scotch.'