Kamala Harris Concedes 2024 Presidential Election To Donald Trump, Calls for Resilience and Hope: 'Don't Ever Give Up'
Kamala Harris concedes 2024 presidential election to Donald Trump, urges unity, hope, and resilience in her speech. Read on to know the details.
Kamala Harris delivers a heartfelt speech urging for resilience and unity amid disappointment over the close presidential race in 2024 as she concedes to Donald Trump. In what is arguably her toughest moment in politics, Harris, after suffering a loss on November 6, addressed the nation while standing outside Howard University in Washington, D.C.
The Democratic nominee and former Vice President Harris was reflecting on a close contest in which Donald Trump was able to secure the 270 electoral votes needed to win. Harris had entered the race in July after Joe Biden officially endorsed her and stepped down.
Harris began her address by thanking every one of her supporters and her team for their assistance and campaign while stating that the team’s performance in its 107 days of campaigning was commendable, irrespective of the outcome. She extended thanks to her relatives, campaign helpers, and a network of supporters while declaring her allegiance to the fundamental democratic rights of the American nation.
She said, "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 also expressed concern about Trump’s remarks, stating she offered her congratulations to the victor and assured him that the transition would respect him. According to Harris, it is a democratic norm to recognize election outcomes, and she particularly noted that this is one of the defining characteristics of American democracy: a peaceful transfer of power from one president to another.
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During her address, Harris emphasized that her values, her loyalty to the Constitution, or her faith would not allow her to rest her case in the fight for freedom, equality, and opportunity. She added, "While I concede this election, I do not concede the fight that fueled this campaign—the fight for freedom, for opportunity, for fairness and for the dignity of all people. A fight for the ideals at the heart of our nation—the ideals that reflect America at its best. That is a fight I will never give up."
As she was giving her concession speech, she reiterated that her poise would not change. Speaking to the many young people in the audience, who many feel were let down in their first major election, Harris reassured them to keep up the fight for change in the face of adversity. She said, "Sometimes the fight takes a while. That doesn't mean we won't win. The important thing is don't ever give up."
Kamala Harris concluded by acknowledging that the future, as many Americans do, could be quite dark. She reminded the audience to respond with hope, optimism, and faith. It was a tight election contest, with Trump seeking a non-consecutive second term in the White House.