Vice President Kamala Harris Concedes Presidential Election to Donald Trump
Speech Excerpts
Kamala Harris, the Democratic vice president, delivered a concession speech on Wednesday, acknowledging her loss to Donald Trump in the presidential election. The speech was delivered at Howard University, her alma mater.
Full Transcript
Good afternoon. Thank you all. So let me say, and I love you back, and I love you back.
So let me say, my heart is full today. My heart is full today, 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, as long as we never give up and as long as we keep fighting.
Recognition and Appreciation
To my beloved Doug and our family, I love you so very much. To President Biden and Dr. Biden, thank you for your faith and support. To Governor Walz and the Walz family, I know your service to our nation will continue. And to my extraordinary team, to the volunteers who gave so much of themselves. To the poll workers and the local election officials. I thank you. I thank you all.
Reflection on the Campaign
Look, I am so proud of the race we ran and the way we ran it. Over the 107 days of this campaign, we have been intentional about building community and building coalitions, bringing people together from every walk of life and background, united by love of country, with enthusiasm and joy in our fight for America’s future, and we did it with the knowledge that we all have so much more in common than what separates us.
Call to Action
Now, I know folks are feeling and experiencing a range of emotions right now. I get it, 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 in a peaceful transfer of power.
Accepting the Results
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. At the same time, in our nation, we owe loyalty not to a president or a party but to the Constitution of the United States, and loyalty to our conscience and to our God.
The Fight Continues
My allegiance to all three is why I am here to say, while I concede this election, I do not concede the fight that fueled this campaign. The fight, 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. That is a fight I will never give up.
Conclusion
So let us continue to wage this fight in the voting booth, in the courts and in the public square. And we will also wage it in quieter ways: In how we live our lives; by treating one another with kindness and respect; by looking in the face of a stranger and seeing a neighbor; by always using our strength to lift people up to fight for the dignity that all people deserve.
Final Thoughts
The fight for our freedom will take hard work, but like I always say, we like hard work. Hard work is good work. Hard work can be joyful work. And the fight for our country is always worth it. It is always worth it.
To the Young People
To the young people who are watching. It is OK to feel sad and disappointed, but please know it’s going to be OK. On the campaign, I would often say, when we fight, we win. But here’s the thing, here’s the thing, sometimes the fight takes a while. That doesn’t mean we won’t win. That doesn’t mean we won’t win.
Final Message
Don’t ever give up. Don’t ever give up. Don’t ever stop trying to make the world a better place. You have power. You have power. And don’t you ever listen when anyone tells you something is impossible because it has never been done before. You have the capacity to do extraordinary good in the world. And so to everyone who is watching, do not despair. This is not a time to throw up our hands. This is a time to roll up our sleeves. This is a time to organize, to mobilize and to stay engaged for the sake of freedom and justice and the future that we all know we can build together.
Conclusion
May God bless you and may God bless the United States of America.
FAQs
Q: What was the outcome of the presidential election?
A: Donald Trump was elected as the next President of the United States.
Q: What did Kamala Harris say in her concession speech?
A: She acknowledged her loss, praised her supporters, and encouraged them to continue fighting for their beliefs. She emphasized the importance of accepting the results of the election and pledged to help with the transition.
Q: What was the tone of Kamala Harris’s speech?
A: The tone was conciliatory, encouraging, and optimistic, with a focus on the importance of democracy and the need to keep fighting for what is right.
Q: What did Kamala Harris say about the future of the country?
A: She expressed her faith in the country’s promise and encouraged her supporters to keep fighting for freedom, opportunity, and fairness.
