Kamala Harris has conceded the 2024 US presidential election to former president Donald Trump.
Harris publicly conceded the election Wednesday (November 6) while visiting her alma mater, HBCU Howard University, in Washington, D.C. She addressed the crowd, calling for a peaceful transition of power but not relinquishing “the fight for freedom.”
“Let me say, my heart is full today,” the vice president, 60, began shortly before 4:30 p.m. local time.
“Full of gratitude for the trust you have placed in me, full of love for our country, and full of resolve. The outcome of this election is not what we wanted, not what we fought for, not what we voted for. But hear me when I say, hear me when I say, the light of America’s promise will always burn bright,” she continued.
Harris expressed pride in what her coalition built in only 107 days on the campaign trail, thanking her family, President Joe Biden, her running mate, Gov. Tim Walz, her campaign team, and everyone who stood firm in their support.
“Now I know folks are feeling and experiencing a range of emotions right now, I get it,” she continued with a laugh.
“But we must accept the results of this election. Earlier today I spoke with President-elect Trump and congratulated him on his victory. I also told him that we will help him and his team with their transition. And that we will engage with a peaceful transfer of power.”
“A fundamental principle of American democracy is that when we lose an election, we accept the results. That principle, as much as any other, distinguishes democracy from monarchy or tyranny. And anyone who seeks the public trust must honor it,” Harris added, seemingly referencing the unrest that ensued after Trump lost the 2020 election.
She added that her loyalty to the Constitution, her conscience, and God is why she was standing on that stage and vowed to keep pushing for change.
“While I concede this election, I do not concede the fight that fueled this campaign — the fight for freedom, for opportunity, for fairness and the dignity of all people. A fight for the ideals at the heart of our nation — the ideals that reflect America at our best,” she said. “That is a fight I will never give up.”
She added: “To the young people who are watching, it is okay to feel sad and disappointed…sometimes the fight takes a while. That doesn’t mean we won’t win. The important thing is don’t ever give up.”
“I know many people feel like we are entering a dark time. But for the benefit of us all, I hope that is not the case. But here’s the thing, America, if it is, let us fill the sky with the light of a brilliant, brilliant billion of stars — the light of optimism, of faith, of truth and service… and may that work guide us even in the face of setbacks toward the extraordinary promise of the United States of America.”
The election was awarded to Trump on Wednesday after Wisconsin was called in favor of the former president, earning him the 270 electoral votes necessary to regain control of the White House.
Trigger-happy reports quickly declared the media personality-businessman victorious after he secured the highly coveted swing state of Pennsylvania, along with Georgia—both of which current President Joe Biden won in the 2020 election.
These wins confirmed his status as the returning commander-in-chief.
“I want to thank the American people for the extraordinary honor of being elected your 47th president and your 45th president,” Trump said at his election headquarters in Florida. “And every citizen, I will fight for you, for your family, and for your future. Every single day, I will be fighting for you with every breath in my body.”
