- Harris formally accepts party's nomination for president.
- US Vice President attacks Donald Trump as Democratic National Convention closes four days.
- He says building a middle class is “the defining goal of his presidency.”
Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris said in her speech at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) on Thursday that as president she will seek to pass a tax cut for the middle class, as she formally accepted her party's nomination for president.
Harris, 59, while seeking to draw a contrast with her opponent on broad economic policies, specifically tariffs and taxes, said Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump was not concerned about the middle class.
“Instead of Trump's tax hike, we will pass a middle-class tax cut that will benefit more than 100 million Americans,” Harris said in her speech, without giving further details.
Harris argued that the former Republican president's tariff plan will serve as a price hike. Trump has threatened to use tariffs to achieve what he calls fair trade relations and agreements with other countries.
Harris said building the middle class was “a defining goal of her presidency” and pledged that if elected she would create an “economy of opportunity” where “everyone has the chance to compete and the chance to succeed.”
Last week, Harris outlined proposals to cut taxes for most Americans, ban “price gouging” by supermarkets and build more affordable housing.
His agenda could face resistance from both corporations and the U.S. Congress, which rejected similar proposals when they came from Democratic President Joe Biden.
Harris calls for an end to the war in Gaza
After days of protests by Palestinian supporters who were disappointed they had not gotten a speaking slot at the convention, Harris vowed to protect Israel, bring hostages back to Gaza and end the war in the Palestinian enclave.
“Now is the time to reach an agreement on the hostages and a ceasefire,” she said to cheers. “And I want to be clear: I will always defend Israel's right to defend itself and I will always ensure that Israel has the ability to defend itself.”
“What has happened in Gaza over the past ten months is devastating. So many innocent lives have been lost, desperate and hungry people are fleeing again and again in search of safety. The scale of the suffering is heartbreaking,” he said.
“President Biden and I are working to end this war so that Israel is safe, the hostages are freed, the suffering in Gaza ends, and the Palestinian people can exercise their right to dignity, security, freedom and self-determination.”
Harris emerged as the Democratic nominee just over a month ago, when allies of President Joe Biden, 81, forced him out of the race. If successful, she could make history as the first woman elected president of the United States.
He described the November 5 election as a “precious and fleeting opportunity to leave behind the bitterness, cynicism and divisive battles of the past. A chance to chart a new path forward.”
Harris highlighted the Supreme Court's recent ruling on presidential immunity and the risks that would arise if Trump returned to power.
“Imagine Donald Trump without guardrails,” he said.
Trump, who had promised to respond to Harris' speech in real time, posted a series of messages on Truth Social as she spoke about him, including: “She represents incompetence and weakness. Our country is being mocked around the world!” and “The tyrants of the world will never respect her!”
