President Joe Biden took the Democratic National Convention stage past scheduled prime time to close out the night with a celebration of his own accomplishments.

The Democratic National Convention was significantly delayed, with the president pulled from primetime speaking slots and appearing close to midnight on the East Coast. The first night of the convention was packed with speakers talking about Biden's four years in office, his decision to select Vice President Kamala Harris as his running mate, and his choice to forgo reelection in 2024. An emotional Biden himself touched on the theme throughout his speech, praising Harris despite being repeatedly interrupted by “Thank you, Joe” calls.

“It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve as your president. I love the presidency, but I love my country more. It's not true that I'm angry at those who say I should step down. I love my country more, and in 2024 we need to defend our democracy. I need your vote. Keep the Senate and the House. And above all, defeat Donald Trump,” Biden said before ending his speech just after midnight, which lasted nearly an hour.

As the scheduled speech ahead of Biden dragged on, there was much speculation about why the president had been pushed aside to speak at a time when many Americans were already asleep.

“This is awful. He literally launched a campaign and handed it over to them. Now they have to take him out of prime time?” one longtime Biden aide said. Text Message Axios reporter Alex Thompson.

We are 90 minutes behind schedule.

It is unfair that President Biden's speech will be delivered at midnight Eastern time.

We should postpone future plans and send the President there immediately.

— Christopher Hale (@chrisjollyhale) August 20, 2024

They stripped him of the nomination and now they've kicked him out of prime time.

— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) August 20, 2024

First Lady Jill Biden and her life in the White House were also prominent throughout the evening. Delegates throughout the United Center held up “JILL” signs whenever the first lady was mentioned. The first lady briefly warmed up the audience for her husband's speech just after 11 p.m., about an hour after she was originally scheduled to take the stage.

“When he stands on the ropes to see someone who is grieving and needs to know that one day it's all going to be okay, or when he encourages a child who stutters to find the confidence he needs, I'm reminded of all he's done for something bigger than himself – from humbly accepting the Medal of Freedom to placing his hand on the family Bible to take the oath of office,” the first lady said.

“Then a few weeks ago, we saw him dig deep into his soul and decide not to run for reelection and to support Kamala Harris,” she continued. The remarks lasted just five minutes, and it was widely reported that Biden had in fact been forced out of the presidential race by Democratic elders such as Nancy Pelosi.

The first night of the DNC is running significantly behind schedule, with the president in a precarious position nearing midnight ET. pic.twitter.com/qmnFn3SO3u

— David Catanese (@davecatanese) August 20, 2024

Biden is scheduled to speak after 11 a.m. ET, when most Americans on the East Coast will be asleep.

— Josh Kraushaar (@JoshKraushaar) August 20, 2024

The calls for Biden to drop out of the presidential race began after he stumbled over his answers and appeared disoriented onstage during a debate with former President Donald Trump on June 27. Democratic lawmakers responded to the debate with concerns about the 81-year-old Biden's health and ability to see out a second term.

In the weeks following the debate, stories leaked about the president's health, his medical appointments, and his behind-closed-doors gaffes and missteps. A White House aide told Axios that the president was “definitely focused” between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., but was prone to “verbal gaffes” and fatigue outside of those hours.

Prominent pollster Nate Silver was among many who speculated that Biden's speech was delayed to lower his name profile as the party's focus shifts to Harris.

“While the media has been very East Coast focused, it would be pretty naive to think that tonight's DNC dragged on for any reason other than to undermine Biden's name recognition,” Silver said. Tweeted.

But the media has been so focused on the East Coast that it would be pretty naive to think that tonight's Democratic National Convention dragged on for any reason other than to lower Biden's name profile. https://t.co/LSd5DJzrON

— Nate Silver (@NateSilver538) August 20, 2024

Four weeks after being forced to resign under mounting pressure from allies, the president took to the convention stage to thunderous applause as he endorsed Harris in her bid for the White House. (Related: 'Biden is furious': Ex-CNN analyst says President's departure from DNC after speech was 'highly revealing')

Chants of “Thank you, Joe” erupted again after Biden listed his administration's accomplishments. “Thank you, too, Kamala!” Biden added. (RELATED: Kamala plans to distance herself from Biden, days after KJP called them “critical partners”)

“Let me myself listen you. teeth you Ready To Select Kamala Harris and Tim As soon as he took the stage, Biden asked the delegates, “What do you think, Walz?”