The high-energy Democratic National Convention will conclude Thursday night with expected cameos from Pink, the (formerly Dixie) Chicks and celebrity host Kerry Washington. But after a surprise appearance from Oprah Winfrey on Wednesday night and online rumors that there may be an open block in the speaker schedule, speculation about whether an even bigger surprise special guest could appear has the internet buzzing.
Beyoncé’s song “Freedom” has become the Harris-Walz campaign’s fight song and Vice President Kamala Harris’ walkout anthem. Many have speculated since shortly after Harris was nominated that the Grammy Award-winning cultural icon could step on stage at the convention center to perform and publicly endorse the vice president, perhaps either immediately before or after Harris speaks.
The convention’s house band was heard practicing Beyoncé tunes Thursday as well, as shared by Democratic Rep. Fentrice Driskell:
Hopeful Swifties have pleaded for a cameo from Taylor Swift, who just finished the European leg of her tour earlier this week. Swift has occasionally weighed in on politics in the past, even endorsing the Biden-Harris ticket ahead of the 2020 election. Betting markets have also pointed to Swift as being the likeliest possibility, though the woman who labeled Harris “brat,” Charli XCX, comes in second.
However, she posted a statement this week acknowledging the cancellation of her Vienna shows following serious terror threats, saying she is “not going to speak about something publicly if I think doing so might provoke those who would want to harm the fans who come to my shows.” Though she has reportedly made it safely home to the United States and her tour has concluded, she may remain wary of speaking out politically at this time.
Others have theorized that there could be a major Republican still to be announced as a surprise speaker Thursday night, with frequently mentioned possibilities including Sen. Mitt Romney and even former President George W. Bush. Several other Republicans have taken the stage at this year’s DNC, but the 43rd president’s appearance would be the most notable endorsement to date. Bush has been noticeably silent about his opinion on former president and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.
🔥🚨BREAKING NEWS: Don Lemon just announced that his sources told him that George Bush, Beyoncé and Taylor Swift will be at the DNC in Chicago today if they have a special guest. It is worth noting that George Bush hasn’t been to a single RNC for Donald Trump. pic.twitter.com/64qnCy69hQ
— Dom Lucre | Breaker of Narratives (@dom_lucre) August 22, 2024
A performance by Pink is confirmed, and she was seen rehearsing at the United Center on Thursday afternoon. The Chicks are expected to perform the National Anthem on Thursday night. They were also spotted rehearsing at the convention center Thursday.
Among the more humorous suggestions of special guests making their way around social media: Australian viral Olympics breakdance performer Raygun and Anthony Hopkins, to troll Donald Trump repeatedly bringing up “the late, great Hannibal Lecter.”
Keep reading for more internet reactions and theories around the surprises in store for the final night of the DNC:
If it ends up being a Taylor/Beyonce duet, Kamala doesn't just win the election, she ushers in a new Age of Enlightenment. https://t.co/qQxCthOE0L
— Michael Ian Black (@michaelianblack) August 22, 2024
https://t.co/y4cexEoGjO pic.twitter.com/raq2Ir3k9Q
— Dave Itzkoff (@ditzkoff) August 22, 2024
https://t.co/Mb8K8yTdTK pic.twitter.com/YZ5GJhhWvL
— Robert Daniels @ Locarno (@812filmreviews) August 22, 2024
everyone is like "TAYLOR SWIFT?"
— Ben Dreyfuss (@bendreyfuss) August 22, 2024
But it's going to be something way worse than that. It will be like three former cast members of the West Wing reading the Bill of Rights or something. https://t.co/x2U6S0vyxP
Everybody being like “OMG ITS TAYLOR SWIFT” but if there’s one thing democrats have taught us it’s that 9 times out of 10 it’s literally going to be the cast of Hamilton… https://t.co/70QXXfY6d3
— ryan (@OhItsRyan) August 22, 2024
The DNC secret special guest pic.twitter.com/emTzS31LQW
— James Longman (@JamesAALongman) August 22, 2024
There’s no #Eras concert on the schedule tonight…it’s the last night of the #DNC and there’s allegedly a “special guest” coming…
— Brónagh Tumulty (@BronaghTumulty) August 22, 2024
…I’m no mathematician, but sometimes 2+2 might just equal @taylorswift13? pic.twitter.com/yh6LlINc8V
The secret DNC guest is the late, great, Dr. Hannibal Lecter.
— Matthew Gertz (@MattGertz) August 22, 2024
There are only three options for the “special surprise guest” at the DNC tonight:
— Matt Fotis (@mattfotis) August 22, 2024
1. Beyoncé
2. Taylor Swift
3. The late, great, Dr. Hannibal Lecter https://t.co/osFYnIxaBS
Pink and Kamala after her speech https://t.co/1QAm9JhTay pic.twitter.com/rXjcEIPVmi
— Karen Huger’s CVS Shoes (@spicykezzinnugg) August 21, 2024
If they get George Bush to come out there… the DNC will officially be regarded as the greatest of all time.
— Ron A (@roniscozy_) August 21, 2024
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