President Biden gives live speech on threat of Trump’s influence on America

Hecklers heard during Biden's remarks

For much of the speech Biden appeared to be sticking resolutely to the pre-written speech, but he did deviate for a moment to pass comment on the pro-Trump hecklers heard somewhere in the distance. 

As the shouting subsided and police sirens faded, Biden said of those interrupting his speech, "good manners is nothing they've ever suffered from."

Biden's speech, in a nutshell

President Biden was on stage at Philadelphia's Independence Hall for close to 30 minutes, but much of what he said could have been boiled down to a single sentence. Fortunately, his official Twitter account was on hand to do exactly that, setting the scene for the Democrats' midterm campaign slogan in 15 words. 

Biden responds to MAGA hecklers in Philadelphia

During parts of Biden's 'battle for the soul of the nation' address this evening, the sound of his political opponents could be heard faintly in the background. However, far from knocking him off his stride, Biden used their unwelcome interruption to deliver one of the most memorable lines of the night. 

White House points fingers in response to Biden's speech

President Biden seemed eager to avoid making too many specific references to individuals during his speech, aside from one very clear mention of former President Donald Trump. However the White House official Twitter account has pointed to comments made by a series of "MAGA Republican elected officials". 

"Democracy. Thank you."

The final words of President Joe Biden's Philadelphia address certainly got to the heart of his message tonight. Speaking out against the actions and principles of MAGA Republicans and Donald Trump, Biden called for a return to the democratic ideals that founded the nation. 

'We The People' evoked by Biden

One key thread running through the entirely of President Biden's speech in Philadelphia tonight is the central point of the Constitution; 'We The People'. 

Speaking from the hall where the Constitution was discussed and written, Biden is attempting to evoke one of the most well-known and dearly-loved expressions of American liberty and will hope to paint MAGA Republicans as oppositional to that principle. 

Biden: Trump represent an extremism in US

"Equality and democracy are under assault. We do ourselves no favor to pretend otherwise.

"So tonight, I come to this place where it all began to speak as plainly as I can to the nation... Trump and the MAGA Republicans represent an extremism."

Biden criticises the GOP's "MAGA agenda"

He had said that tonight's address would not be a political speech, but Biden has turned his attention on the legislative work done by Republicans. He has made reference to abortion rights, equality in marriage and the Right to Contrception Act, highlighted what he believes will be key social issues to be addressed in the coming months. 

Biden in the spotlight

President Biden is giving what could be one of the most consequential speeches of his Presidency in Philadelphia. He has criticised those in the United States who would resort or encourage any form of political violence, painting the Republican politicians who helped fanned the flames as enemies of democracies. 

Biden: Not all Republicans are MAGA Republicans

Biden recounts fond memories of working with Republicans in Congress, but decries Trump's self-styled brand of Republicanism as a clear and present threat to American democracy and American principles. 

What has Biden said about Trump?

Biden goes live from Philadelphia

The President starts by point out that tonight's venue, the Independence National Historical Park, was also the place where the Constitution was written. 

A powerful start. No prizes for guessing where he's going...

Why is President Biden giving a speech tonight?

Former Democratic Congressional candidate David Yankovich looks to Biden's speech this evening to define the rest of his presidency, and perhaps the future of the country. We'll be live from the ground shortly...

Biden arrives at Independence National Historical Park

The President has arrived at Philadelphia's Independence National Historical Park for a speech warning of the risk that the "MAGA Republicans" pose to American democracy. Trump may have left the White House but his influence remains strong in the party nationally. 

Reporters await Biden's Philadelphia speech

We could see a significant moment in the Biden Presidency tonight with a prime time speech from Philadelphia this evening. Biden is looking to set the agenda ahead of the November midterms, now just two months away, and building on the back of recent successes in Congress. 

Biden speech excerpts show what to expect tonight

The White House has released snippets from the President's address ahead of time, giving a little flavour of what to expect. Biden has been bouyed by a string of legislative and economic successes and looks to take aim at "MAGA Republicans" in a speech from Philadelphia. 

Earlier today a White house official confirmed that Biden “will talk about the direct threats to democracy from MAGA Republicans and the extremism that is a threat right now to our democratic values.”

We will be showing the full live video of Biden's speech as it happens. 

Rep. Boebert has little time for Biden's speech

Predictably, one TV set which will not be tuned in to President Biden speech will be the one housed in Rep. Lauren Boebert's front room. The outspoken Congresswoman is a devout follower of Trump's brand of MAGA Republicanism and continues to peddle the election fraud lie pushed by the former President. 

How can I watch Biden's speech tonight?

President Biden will give an address on the 'battle for the soul of the nation' tonight. Starting at 8pm (ET), the President will have a prime time audience for a key speech from the  Independence National Historical Park, Philadelphia

We will be providing live footage and minute-by-minute coverage of the speech right here on AS USA. Just stay tuned and the live video will appear at the top of the page once Biden takes to the stage!

What to expect from Biden's prime time speech

The President will speak on the "battle for the soul of the nation" in an address coming up shortly from Philadelphia. His polling numbers have been bouyed in recent weeks by the passage of a major climate change and economic bill and the lowering inflation rate. Biden apeears set to go on the offensive and will warn of the dangers that so-called "MAGA Republicans" represent to the future of AMerican democracy. 

Biden's team insists this is not a speech about a party

In the build up to the addres, President Biden's team have been eager to stress that they are not targeting the Republican Party as a whole, but rather the extremist elements of it. Despite no longer holding any official role in the GOP, former President Donald Trump continues to set the agenda for millions of Republican supports across the nation. Quite how Biden will tread that line in tonight's speech remains to be seen. 

How to watch Biden's soul of the nation speech

Tonight's address will be coming live from Philadelphia’s Independence National Historical Park and is expected to be used by Biden to set up the Democrats' messaging for the midterms. The speech will be broadcast live on the White House's various social media channels, and we will be sharing live footage of the event right here on AS USA!

Welcome to AS USA

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of President Biden's address from Philadelphia. The President will warn of the theat posed to democracy by the "MAGA Republican" movement which continues to hold huge sway, even after former President Trump has left office. 

In excerpts released earlier today, the White House has revealed that Biden will describe MAGA as "a movement that increasingly is talking about violence in response to actions that they don’t like or don’t agree with, which is not the way democracies behave.”