Ashley Biden Makes Father Joe Biden Cry in Touching DNC Tribute: ‘The O.G. Girl Dad’

Mar. 15, 2025

Ashley Biden’s remarks introducing her fatherJoe Bidenat theDemocratic National Conventionmoved the president to tears.

On Monday, Aug. 19, Ashley, 43, gave an emotional speech highlighting Joe’s courage and resilience throughout his career, along with moments where he was a thoughtful father.

The social worker began herspeechwith an anecdote about her 8th birthday, when her father, now 81, was stuck working in Washington, D.C.

On that day, Ashley said her mom,Dr. Jill Biden, asked her and her brothers to get in the car for a surprise. They then drove to the Wilmington Amtrak station, where Joe was waiting to greet her. He had traveled all the way out to sing “Happy Birthday” around her cake, then hopped right back on a train to D.C. to finish up his urgent Senate business.

Ashley and Joe Biden.Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty

Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty

“Joe Biden is the O.G. girl dad,” she said. “He wasn’t just a girl dad. I could see that he valued and trusted women. How he listened to his mother, how he believed in his sister. And most of all, how he respected my mother’s career.”

Ashley also spoke about how emotional Biden was on her wedding day, along with the work he put into the details of setting up the wedding at their home — all of which happened while he was serving as vice president.

“Before he walked me down the aisle, he turned to me and said he would always be my best friend. All these years later, Dad, you are still my best friend.”

President Joe Biden wipes tears after daughter Ashley Biden lovingly introduced him at the DNC on Aug. 19, 2024.Kevin Dietsch/Getty

Kevin Dietsch/Getty

Elsewhere, the social worker told crowds about Joe’s resilience. “He taught me that everyone deserves a fair shot and that we shouldn’t leave anyone behind. That’s what you learn from a fighter who has been underestimated his entire life.”

“When I look at Dad, I see grace, strength and humility,” Ashley continued. “I see one of the most consequential leaders ever in history.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Ashley also noted that her father is constantly thinking about the American people. “About your dreams, about your dignity, about your opportunities, about your family,” she said, before mentioning how Joe absorbed her andbrother Hunter’s grief when theirolder brother Beau died in 2015.

“After Beau passed, I got this tattoo on my wrist. It says, ‘courage, dear heart’ — a reminder to myself to keep going, to get back up, like my dad has always done,” Ashley told the crowd.

“He has taught me that a courageous heart is a miraculous thing. A courageous heart can heal a family. A courageous heart can heal a nation and maybe even the world.”

She concluded her remarks with a shoutout to Vice PresidentKamala Harris, the 2024 Democratic presidential nominee.

“In 2020, my dad selected Kamala Harris to beatDonald Trump, and he knows in 2024, she will beat Donald Trump again,” Ashley said. “So tonight, I am asking you, if you stood with us in 2020, call upon your courageous heart. Stand with us today.”

Upon taking the stage forhis own emotional torch-passing speechto Harris, 59, Joe wiped tears away with a tissue and embraced Ashley.

source: people.com