The DNC jokes: Taunts about “crowd size” and “a black man’s job” top the list

The 2024 Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago was not only politically charged, but also full of a lively mix of powerful and inspiring speeches as well as moments of genuine humor.

From jokes about Donald Trump's obsession with crowd size to Michelle Obama's sharp criticism of Trump's racist rhetoric, these moments provided a lighter, yet still pointed, counterbalance to the event's more serious discussions.

As the fourth and final night of the DNC in Chicago draws to a close, with Vice President Kamala Harris accepting the party's nomination for president, we look back at some of the most humorous moments.

Michelle Obama on Trump’s “Black Jobs”

“I want to know who is going to tell him that the job he is looking for might be one of those black jobs.”

Former first lady Michelle Obama took aim at Trump, referring to a comment Trump made as part of his address to black voters that immigrants were taking “black jobs.” Her speech on Tuesday was a notable departure from her now-famous line, “When they go low, we go high.”

Barack Obama and the “Crowd Size” joke

“There are the childish nicknames, the crazy conspiracy theories. This weird obsession with crowd sizes.”

Former President Barack Obama's speech on the second night of the DNC was a mix of inspiration and humor. In his charismatic style, he delivered some memorable lines, including a jab at former President Donald Trump's well-known obsession with crowd sizes. At one point, Obama moved his hands closer together and then further apart, recalling Florida Senator Marco Rubio's infamous 2016 jab about Trump's “small hands” when both Rubio and Trump were vying for the Republican nomination.

Hillary Clinton’s response to “lock him up” calls

“Donald Trump fell asleep during his own trial, and when he woke up, he made history in his own way: he was the first presidential candidate to be convicted of a serious crime 34 times!”

The first night of the DNC was marked by an emotional return to the stage by former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, where she delivered a speech mocking former President Donald Trump's legal challenges.

As she spoke, the crowd began chanting “Lock him up” – a stark reversal of the chants Trump supporters famously directed against her during the 2016 presidential campaign when she ran against Trump.

Clinton tried to speak over the crowd, but then smiled and nodded as the crowd grew louder.

Doug Emhoff’s ‘rambling’ voicemail to Kamala

“I got Kamala's voicemail and just started chatting. 'Hey, this is Doug. I'm on my way to an early meeting. Again, this is Doug.'”

Doug Emhoff, husband of Vice President Kamala Harris, took a lighter, more personal tone to his speech on the second night. His story of leaving Harris a confused voicemail after their first phone call, which she plays for him every year on their anniversary, was met with hearty laughter from the crowd.

Kenan Thompson Mocking Project 2025

“Have you ever seen a document that could kill a small animal and democracy at the same time?”

Comedian Kenan Thompson took the microphone on the third night of the DNC in what looked like a “Saturday Night Live” stunt to both make a joke about Project 2025 and give voters a serious education about it. The actor asked from the stage while holding a massive bound version of the plan, which was drawn up by a group of Republicans and is intended to be a blueprint for Donald Trump's potential second term.

Encouraging speech by Tim Walz

“I haven't given many big speeches like this, but I have given a lot of motivational speeches. So let me close with this, team: It's the fourth quarter, we're down a field goal, but we're on offense and we have the ball.”

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz positioned himself as an advocate for personal freedoms in his speech, summing it up with the words: “Mind your own damn business.” Walz recalled his time as a coach and argued that the Democrats “have something better to offer the American people.”

Bill Clinton criticizes Donald Trump’s age

“Two days ago I turned 78. The oldest living man in my family. And the only personal vanity I would like to claim is that I am still younger than Donald Trump.”

Former President Bill Clinton made a pointed joke at the Democratic National Convention, poking fun at former President Donald Trump's age. This joke came after President Joe Biden's age had been under scrutiny for months, a topic that has been a constant source of concern and debate throughout his term in office and ultimately contributed to his decision to drop out of the race.

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