Joe Biden vows to end Trump's 'season of darkness' in stirring DNC speech

Last night, Joe Biden capped off the final evening of the Democratic National Convention with a rousing speech that has won praise from the left and right... but not Donald Trump.

The 77-year-old Democratic presidential candidate spoke eloquently and optimistically about his promise for nation's future, telling viewers from the beginning that, "The current president has cloaked America in darkness for much too long. Too much anger. Too much fear. Too much division."

Biden continued: "Here and now, I give you my word: If you entrust me with the presidency, I will draw on the best of us not the worst. I will be an ally of the light not of the darkness.

"It's time for us, for We the People, to come together."

Biden's full speech can be seen below:

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Biden then told the people of the US that "united we can, and will, overcome this season of darkness in America."

During his address, Biden also tackled several ongoing and critical issues the nation is facing, describing the current climate as "one of the most difficult moments America has ever faced."

He continued: "The worst pandemic in over 100 years. The worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. The most compelling call for racial justice since the 60s. And the undeniable realities and accelerating threats of climate change.

"So, the question for us is simple: are we ready? I believe we are."

Per the John Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Center, there have been over 174,200 deaths as a result of COVID-19 - the highest of any country in the world.

And in an effort to connect with the millions that have been affected by the grief the disease has caused, Biden spoken openly about his own personal loss:

"I know how it feels to lose someone you love. I know that deep black hole that opens up in your chest. That you feel your whole being is sucked into it. I know how mean and cruel and unfair life can be sometimes.

"But I've learned two things.

"First, your loved ones may have left this Earth but they never leave your heart. They will always be with you.

"And second, I found the best way through pain and loss and grief is to find purpose.

"As God's children each of us have a purpose in our lives. And we have a great purpose as a nation."

Biden then tackled one of the nation's biggest open wounds - systemic racism and the rise of the Black Lives Matter Movement.

Recalling an interaction he had with George Floyd's daughter, Gianna, Biden swore to "root out our systemic racism. He said:

"I met with six-year old Gianna Floyd, a day before her Daddy George Floyd was laid to rest. She is incredibly brave.

"I'll never forget. When I leaned down to speak with her, she looked into my eyes and said 'Daddy, changed the world'.

"Her words burrowed deep into my heart.

"Maybe George Floyd's murder was the breaking point. Maybe John Lewis' passing the inspiration.

"However it has come to be, America is ready to in John's words, to lay down 'the heavy burdens of hate at last' and to do the hard work of rooting out our systemic racism."

Biden ended his speech by saying: "May history be able to say that the end of this chapter of American darkness began here tonight as love and hope and light joined in the battle for the soul of the nation."

And Biden's address certainly won praise from both sides of politics. Hilary Clinton tweeted to her followers:

"What a speech tonight! Congratulations to the man who has lived a determined life full of dignity and devotion to his family and to his country. @JoeBiden will lead us out of the darkness and restore the soul of America. Let’s go win this thing."

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Former national press secretary for Bernie Sanders, Briahna Joy Gray, also praised the evening as a whole, writing: "They did a really good job tonight for a party indifferent to the progressive vote."

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Several conservative commentators also praised Biden, with conservative host Laura Ingraham, speaking on Fox News, saying that despite being "devoid of any policy other than universal masking", Biden "delivered a good speech for what he was doing, it was very emotional stuff [...] It was very well delivered."

In addition, Fox News anchor Chris Wallace said Biden's "enormously effective" speech "blew a hole" in Trump's repeated characterization that he is a candidate in decline. Wallace added: "It seems to me that after tonight Donald Trump is going to have to run against a candidate, not a caricature."

But Donald Trump was not impressed...

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Tweeting to his followers, Trump said: "In 47 years, Joe did none of the things of which he now speaks. He will never change, just words!"