Kamala Harris concedes to Trump

Vice President Kamala Harris officially conceded the 2024 presidential race to Donald Trump on Wednesday evening, addressing a crowd of supporters at her alma mater, Howard University, in Washington, DC. “My heart is full today,” she began, expressing gratitude, love for the country, and a deep resolve despite the unexpected outcome.

In her heartfelt remarks, Harris admitted that the election outcome was not what her campaign had hoped for. “The light of America’s promise will always burn bright,” she affirmed, calling on her supporters to stay resilient and committed to their causes. Harris noted that she had spoken with Trump earlier in the day, congratulating him on what his team described as a “historic victory.” Trump, according to his communications director Steven Cheung, acknowledged Harris’s “strength, professionalism, and tenacity,” underscoring the need for unity in the country.

As Harris pledged a “peaceful transfer of power,” she implicitly contrasted this moment with the turbulent 2020 election aftermath. She highlighted the importance of accepting electoral results, calling it a “fundamental principle of American democracy.” Her words served as a reminder of the Constitution’s primacy over any individual or party.

Although she conceded the race, Harris encouraged supporters to remain hopeful, especially young Americans watching her journey. “To the young people… it is OK to feel sad and disappointed. But please know it’s going to be OK,” she said. Harris, who would have been the first woman president, urged her audience not to give up on what seems difficult or unprecedented.

Harris concluded her speech with her campaign anthem, “Freedom” by Beyoncé, as a testament to her unyielding spirit and to inspire those who had stood by her. In her 12-minute address, she expressed an unwavering commitment to continue the fight for the causes she championed during her campaign.