Image copyright Getty Images US Democrats have kicked off their party convention to politically crown Joe Biden as their White House candidate for November’s election.
The first night saw stinging attacks on President Donald Trump from disaffected members of his Republican party and former US First Lady Michelle Obama.
The four-night jamboree will culminate in Mr Biden’s speech on Thursday in a mostly empty ballroom in Delaware.
Mr Trump, who trails Mr Biden in opinion polls, hit back at Democrats.
Democrats scrapped plans for a crowded party extravaganza with balloon drops and all the other political razzmatazz in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, because of the pandemic.
But it is unclear whether the largely virtual schedule of pre-recorded speeches with no live audience can generate the same level of enthusiasm as pre-pandemic gatherings of the party faithful.
Republicans will face the same challenge as they make their case for four more years in the White House at a drastically scaled-down convention next week.
What did Michelle Obama say?
Mrs Obama, who recorded her keynote address before Mr Biden announced his running mate, Senator Kamala Harris, six days ago, launched a fierce attack on Mr Trump.
“You simply cannot fake your way through this job,” she said, wearing a necklace that said “Vote” and sitting in a living room.
She added: “Our economy is in shambles because of a virus that this president downplayed for too long.”
Mrs Obama added: “Stating the simple fact that a black life matters is still met with derision from the nation’s highest office.
“Because whenever we look to this White House for some leadership, or consolation or any semblance of steadiness, what we get instead is chaos, division and a total and utter lack of empathy.”
She described the Democratic White House nominee as a “profoundly decent man”, touting Mr Biden’s experience as vice-president under her husband, President Barack Obama, who will address the convention on Wednesday.
“He was a terrific vice-president. He knows what it takes to rescue an economy, beat back a pandemic and lead our country,” Mrs Obama said.
What else happened on Monday?
The opening night of the convention, which was compered by former Desperate Housewives actress Eva Longoria Baston, was titled by party organisers “We the People”.
John Kasich, a former Ohio governor who ran against Mr Trump in 2016, recorded a message calling on Americans to deny the president a second term in office.
Media playback is unsupported on your device
Mr Kasich endorsed Mr Biden, saying: “We can all see what’s going on in our country today and all the questions that are facing us, and no one person or party has all the answers.
“But what we do know is that we can do better than what we’ve been seeing today, for sure.”
Bernie Sanders, the left-wing Vermont senator who was Mr Biden’s fiercest competitor during the Democratic party’s contest to pick a challenger to Mr Trump, also recorded a message.
He said: “My friends, I say to you, and to everyone who supported other candidates in this primary and to those who may have voted for Donald Trump in the last election: The future of our democracy is at stake. The future of our economy is at stake. The future of our planet is at stake.”
He added: “Nero fiddled while Rome burned – Trump golfs.”
Media playback is unsupported on your device
Along with Mr Kasich, three other high-profile Republicans recorded messages for the convention’s opening night: California businesswoman Meg Whitman, former New Jersey Governor Christine Whitman and former New York congresswoman Susan Molinari.
While their inclusion left the Biden team claiming a broad coalition, some Democrats grumbled that the Republicans used up precious time that could have benefited progressive speakers or lesser-known rising stars.
But Cedric Richmond, a Louisiana congressman and Biden campaign co-chair, rejected that idea, saying, “remember tonight’s theme is ‘We the People,’ not ‘We the Democrats’.”
The opening night also featured pre-recorded messages from everyday Americans, including repentant former Trump voters and a woman who blamed her father’s death of Covid-19 on the president.
Media playback is unsupported on your device
How did President Trump hit back?
Speaking to the BBC on Air Force One as he flew back from a trip to the presidential swing-voting states of Minnesota and Wisconsin, Mr Trump lashed out at Mr Kasich.
“He was a loser as a Republican, and he’ll be a loser as a Democrat,” the president said on Monday. “The guy was a major loser as a Republican.”
During a campaign speech earlier in the day in Mankato, Minnesota, Mr Trump warned that if Mr Biden won in November, news outlets would lose their audiences.
“Nobody’s going to want to cover sleepy Joe,” Mr Trump said. “We will end up with one very boring socialist country that will go to hell.”
He also said the coronavirus-crippled US economy was a heaven-sent test for him.
“That’s God testing me,” Mr Trump said. “He said, ‘You know, you did it once.’ And I said, ‘Did I do a great job, God? I’m the only one that could do it.’
“He said, ‘That you shouldn’t say. Now we’re going to have you do it again.’ I said, ‘Okay, I agree. You got me.'”
Mr Trump on Monday also confirmed he would accept the Republican nomination for a second term during a live speech at the White House next week.
His plans have been criticised by Democrats and even some fellow Republicans.
How to follow the convention
You can follow the action and reaction from Monday’s speakers on our live page.
All the latest developments will also be tweeted @BBCNorthAmerica
You can also watch the convention on the DNC website (sessions from 21:00-23:00 ET (01:00-03:00 GMT the next day) every night between 17 and 20 August).
More on Joe Biden and the 2020 election
BIDEN ON KEY ISSUES: What the US presidential hopeful wants to do
POLLS: Who is ahead – Trump or Biden?
US ELECTIONS 2020: A really simple guide to the US election
ELECTORAL COLLEGE: What is it?
ONE-STOP-SHOP: All our US election coverage
The US election process can be confusing. The BBC is here to help make sense of it. Please put your questions below.
In some cases, your question will be published, displaying your name, age and location as you provide it, unless you state otherwise. Your contact details will never be published. Please ensure you have read our terms & conditions and privacy policy.
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Tumblr
RSS