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DNC 2024 Day 2 live updates: Obama says with Trump, 'the sequel's usually worse'

Barack Obama is the keynote speaker in his native Chicago.

Last Updated: August 20, 2024, 6:45 PM EDT

After an emotional tribute to President Joe Biden Monday night, the scene at the Democrats' gathering on Tuesday shifts to appearances by former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama.

In their highly anticipated prime-time speeches, the Obamas are expected to help clearly "pass the torch" to Kamala Harris, who will be holding a rally in Milwaukee this evening ahead of her acceptance speech Thursday night.

6:33 PM EDT

Night 2 of the DNC kicks off

The second night of the DNC is officially underway in Chicago.

Tonight's theme is "A bold vision for America's future" and will feature a keynote address by former President Barack Obama.

Co-Chair and Committee Co-Chair Mitch Landrieu appears on stage on Day 2 of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Aug. 20, 2024.
Mike Segar/Reuters

The convention will also hold a ceremonial roll call for Harris, who became the official Democratic presidential nominee following a virtual roll call earlier this month.

6:32 PM EDT

Israeli American Council hosts 'Hostage Square' art exhibition just blocks from United Center

A group of Israeli and American artists showcased their work throughout the day Tuesday to draw attention to the more than 100 hostages still being held by Hamas in Gaza.

The Israeli American Council (IAC), a nonprofit organization that advocates for the Israeli American community, held the pop-up exhibition it called "Hostage Square" in an empty lot about five blocks east of the United Center, where the DNC is being held through Thursday.

A person holds a representation of milk carton with hostage photos as the Israeli-American Council hosts an event to launch "Hostage Square Chicago", in Chicago, Aug. 20, 2024.
Eduardo Munoz/Reuters

All the art was created in response to the Oct. 7 attacks in Israel, said Jeff Aeder, a Chicago-based real estate investor who put the exhibition together over the last four weeks.

The show "is a much more effective way at looking at a different narrative, opposed to two groups yelling at each other, to highlight the plight of the hostages and the trauma that has been felt by the Jewish world," he said. "Art is a good way for people to tell these stories."

Throughout the day Tuesday, about a thousand people visited the exhibition, according to Aeder, including Michael Herzog, Israeli ambassador to the U.S., and families of several hostages.

Aeder said he is determining if the art will travel to different locations. He said he is realistic, knowing "it's very hard" to summon change through artwork. But he hopes the exhibition is one of "a thousand different points of contact" with the public to create awareness about the plight of the hostages and their families.

"We need to continually do everything we can to bring attention to it, because we never know what’s going to touch somebody," he said. "Being silent is not an option."

-ABC News' Mark Guarino

6:22 PM EDT

Bernie Sanders to discuss economy in prime-time speech

Sanders is slated to speak in the 9 p.m. ET hour tonight, and according to released excerpts of his speech, he will focus on the economy.

The independent senator worked with the Biden-Harris administration to achieve price negotiations with Medicare on commonly used prescription drugs. The administration announced last week that a deal was reached to lower the cost of 10 medications.

"When the political will is there, government can effectively deliver for the people of our country," Sanders will say. "We need to summon that will again -- because too many of our fellow Americans are struggling every day to just get by -- to put food on the table, pay the rent, and get the health care they need."

"These oligarchs tell us we shouldn’t tax the rich; we shouldn’t take on price gouging; we shouldn’t expand Medicare to cover dental, hearing and vision; and we shouldn’t increase Social Security benefits for struggling seniors," he'll go on to say. "Well I’ve got some bad news for them. That is precisely what we are going to do, and we're going to win this struggle because this is precisely what the American people want from their government."

-ABC News' MaryAlice Parks

5:31 PM EDT

Emhoff, Schumer, Sanders and more will speak tonight

Before the Obamas take the stage Tuesday, the DNC will feature speeches from second gentlemen Doug Emhoff, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Sen. Bernie Sanders, according to the convention's schedule.

Maryland Senate candidate Angela Alsobrooks will deliver the keynote remarks.

Remarks are also expected from former Trump White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham, as well as Jason Carter and Jack Schlossberg, the grandsons of former Presidents Jimmy Carter and John F. Kennedy, respectively.

An attendee wears a hat on the opening night of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Aug. 19, 2024.
Caroline Brehman/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock