Tony Goldwyn had never met Vice President Kamala Harris until Monday night at the 2024 Democratic National Convention.
And what an introduction it was.
Goldwyn, serving as host of the first night of the DNC, took to the stage after Harris made a surprise appearance. “Welcome to the first night of the Democratic National Convention,” Goldwyn said to the fired-up crowd. “Now, how was that for an opening act?”
The DNC announced on Sunday that Goldwyn and his “Scandal” co-star Kerry Washington along with Mindy Kaling and Ana Navarro will be hosting the convention, which runs until Thursday. Following Goldwyn on Monday, Navarro will host on Tuesday with Kaling on Wednesday. Washington will take the reins on Thursday, the final night of the convention when Harris is expected to formally accept the nomination.
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“I met President Biden several times. I’ve been involved in Democratic politics for quite a while now, but I never met the vice president,” Goldwyn told me Tuesday morning. “I spoke to Doug Emhoff on the phone a couple months ago about helping out with the campaign, but we finally met last night. It was thrilling. I met her afterwards. She came up to me and thanked me.”
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How did your hosting gig come about?
I was offered to be a surrogate for the campaign, particularly when President Biden made the decision to step down, and Kamala was stepped up and there was just this tremendous surge of energy. I said, “Whatever you guys need to do.” They asked if I wanted to come to the convention and I said, if my work schedule allows and what are you thinking? And they said, “Well, we have an idea. How would you like to host the first night?” Luckily, my work schedule allowed it.
What was it like walking onto that stage?
Honestly have never felt energy like that. It was like walking onto a giant wave. I was very honored to be asked to do it. It was a long night, but a really fun one.
I will say you that watching you last night that I got a little teary-eyed for “Scandal.” It felt like I was watching President Grant up there.
You’re right. When I told Shonda Rhimes I was doing it, I told her that life imitates her art.
You and Kerry are bookending the convention with you on the first night and Kerry the last night. Does this mean we’re getting closer to a “Scandal” reunion or movie?
This has nothing to do with “Scandal” [Laughs]. We’re just two very concerned citizens of the United States of America.
Is there a chance that you and Kerry will walk out on the convention stage together at some point this week?
I would say those chances are slim. But if Kamala asked us to, I suppose we would.
How confident are you that Kamala will win?
I’m optimistic. I don’t dare be confident. We all lived through 2016 and there’s PTSD. There’s a lot of work to do because half the country is for President Trump. He has a lot of very committed voters. I think there are a lot of voters who need to get to know her. You can see what’s happening in the polls — as people get to know her, they like what they see. I’m highly optimistic and feeling the energy. The fact that all President Trump has been able to do is question her race and her origins, and going back to that kind of birther thing shows that he’s really struggling to find a way to attack her. I think our job is to just keep helping tell her story and let people get to know her.
What was it like watching President Biden deliver his speech?
It was very emotional. It was such an adoring crowd. You could tell because the audience barely let him speak. From my perspective, history is going to bear him out as an incredibly consequential president. He’s a guy who has never been able to make that big a deal out of himself because it’s not in his nature.
And now I have one of the most important questions for you – do you know if Taylor Swift or Beyoncé are going to be at the convention?
You know what, I’m so sorry, but I’m too old to have the inside scoop on that one [Laughs].
How significant do you think a Taylor or Beyoncé endorsement would be?
I think this one is going to be won on the margins so every bit helps. I really hope they do come out for her because from what I read and can see Kamala’s values align with theirs. They’re incredibly powerful women and I think it could be significant. I don’t know if many people vote based on how their music icons vote but just as in sports, momentum is everything. If you can add to that momentum, it’s only to the good.
Are you brat?
I haven’t a clue [Laughs]. I heard about brat and I’m like, “What does that even mean?” In my generation, it was a bad thing, but I think it’s a good thing now?
I’m going to say you are brat.
I’ll take that as a compliment.
This Q&A has been edited and condensed.
