PHILADELPHIA, United States (AFP) — Millions of Americans have tuned in to watch this month’s party conventions, with the Democratic confab ahead in the ratings — prompting Donald Trump’s Republicans to urge supporters not to watch Hillary Clinton’s landmark speech on Thursday night.
Data compiled by ratings agency Nielsen show the Democratic event in Philadelphia outperforming the Republican convention in Cleveland all three nights so far.
Clinton will accept the White House nomination later Thursday on the gathering’s final night, but Trump’s team exhorted Republicans to steer clear.
“Unless you want to be lied to, belittled and attacked for your beliefs, don’t watch Hillary’s DNC speech tonight,” Trump’s campaign said in a fundraising email.
“Instead, help Donald Trump hold her accountable, call out her lies and fight back against her nasty attacks.”
On the opening day, Democrats drew nearly 26 million viewers, compared to 23 million for the Republicans. Day two saw the Democrats earn 24.7 million viewers, almost five million more than the GOP, according to Nielsen.
Democrats drew 24.4 million viewers on day three, one million more than the Republican convention.
Some of the biggest names in pop music including Katy Perry, Lenny Kravitz and Paul Simon have headlined the event in Philadelphia.
The Democratic events has more political star power too, although that was expected given that their party occupies the White House. President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden went to bat for Clinton Wednesday night, while her husband Bill, himself a former president, delivered the keynote speech on Tuesday and First Lady Michelle Obama spoke Monday.
The performances come in stark contrast to the previous week’s Republican convention which had few famous entertainers despite billionaire nominee Donald Trump’s boast that he would bring some showbiz pizzazz.
But the higher Democratic ratings are still seen as a surprise, given that Trump has been such a consistently strong media draw throughout the presidential campaign.
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