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Harris concedes to Trump, vows to continue fight for ‘America’s promise’

Updated Nov 6, 2024, 4:54pm EST
Vice President Kamala Harris
Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters
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The News

US Vice President Kamala Harris officially conceded the 2024 presidential race to Donald Trump on Wednesday, before later giving a speech at her alma mater, Howard University, telling disappointed supporters they “must accept the results of this election.”

Harris had called Trump to concede earlier in the day after the Republican candidate was declared the election’s winner, a senior Harris aide said. 

Harris “called President-elect Trump to congratulate him on winning the 2024 presidential election,” the aide said. “She discussed the importance of a peaceful transfer of power and being a president for all Americans.”

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The theme of unity was top of mind in her Howard speech, with the vice president admitting that though the race had not ended the way she had hoped, she would continue fighting for abortion rights, gun control, and protections for democracy and the rule of law.

“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 … the light of America’s promise will always burn bright as long as we never give up,” Harris said.

“While I concede this election, I do not concede the fight that fuels this campaign,” Harris added.

Harris also said that she told Trump that the White House would help with the transition and “engage in a peaceful transfer of power.”

The remarks were her first public speech since Trump declared victory in the early hours of Wednesday morning; Harris left her Election Night party at Howard without addressing supporters on Tuesday night.

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Harris’ concession will cap off a whirlwind campaign that began less than four months ago following President Joe Biden’s decision to not seek reelection. Trump’s victory — which was decisive — immediately led to finger-pointing among Democrats, with many Harris allies blaming her loss on Biden and his late decision to exit the race.

“Joe Biden is the singular reason Kamala Harris and Democrats lost tonight,” one Harris aide told Politico.

Republicans captured both the White House and the Senate in Tuesday’s elections. As of Wednesday afternoon, control of the House of Representatives was still up in the air, though Republicans looked increasingly likely to hold onto the chamber.

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