WASHINGTON, USA: Vice President Kamala Harris addressed her supporters at Howard University following Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 U.S. presidential election, emphasizing resilience and hope.
Acknowledging disappointment, Harris admitted, “The outcome of the election is not what we wanted, not what we fought for, not what we voted for.” Nonetheless, she assured the crowd that this moment marked a chapter in an ongoing struggle, stating, “The light of America’s promise will always burn bright as long as we never give up and as long as we keep fighting.”
Harris’s speech, filled with humor and encouragement, resonated deeply with those gathered. The vice president acknowledged the emotional toll of the election, telling supporters, “It’s OK to feel sad and disappointed. Please know it will be OK.” Her concession came after Trump crossed the 270 Electoral College vote threshold, reclaiming the presidency he lost in 2020. The scene outside Howard University was one of both solemnity and hope, shifting to cheers as Harris spoke.
In her remarks, Harris highlighted the importance of accepting electoral outcomes, contrasting Trump’s previous refusal to acknowledge defeat in 2020. “It’s a fundamental principle of a democracy that when we lose an election, we accept the result,” she said pointedly. However, Harris made it clear that conceding did not equate to abandoning the ideals that fueled her campaign. “While I concede this election, I do not concede the fight that fueled this campaign,” she vowed.
In her first public address since losing the 2024 US election, Kamala Harris said that while she concedes this year’s presidential election, she does 'not concede the fight that fuelled this campaign.' https://t.co/kNmyeuBsi3 pic.twitter.com/eVRnNtPnQ1
— Financial Times (@FT) November 6, 2024
Harris’s campaign, energized by themes of unity and progress, had sought to contrast Trump’s rhetoric with messages of economic and social renewal. Her advocacy for women’s reproductive rights was particularly poignant, following the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. While this stance resonated with many young and progressive voters, exit polls indicated that economic concerns, including inflation and high living costs, swayed key demographics toward Trump.
Trump’s campaign promise to revive what he termed a “golden age of America” appeared to tap into widespread voter discontent. His victory shifted battleground states decisively in his favor, solidifying his comeback. Harris, who took over the Democratic campaign after President Joe Biden’s withdrawal in July 2024 due to age-related concerns, was seen as a potential beacon for her party. Yet, voter frustration over inflation and immigration challenges proved too formidable.
Harris concluded her speech with a call for persistence, urging her supporters to maintain hope and commitment. “On the campaign, we say when we fight, we win—sometimes the fight takes a while,” she said. While overseeing the peaceful transfer of power to Trump, Harris’s resolve underscored a belief in continued progress. Both she and President Biden affirmed their intention to attend Trump’s inauguration on January 20, 2025, reinforcing their commitment to democratic norms, unlike Trump’s absence at Biden’s 2021 swearing-in.
