Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris has officially conceded the United States presidential election to her Republican rival, Donald Trump.
Harris, aged 60, formally conceded the 2024 presidential election on Wednesday, encouraging her supporters to remain hopeful despite Trump’s clear victory in the Electoral College, and to “never give up the fight for our democracy.”
“The outcome of this election is not what we wanted, not what we fought for, not what we voted for,” Harris said. “But 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.”
Harris delivered her concession speech at Howard University, her alma mater in Washington, D.C., where supporters had hoped to celebrate her victory just one day earlier.
According to a senior aide in Harris’s campaign, Harris made a congratulatory phone call to Trump on Wednesday, 6 November, acknowledging his success and stressing the importance of a “peaceful transfer of power.”
She took the stage in a dark suit, accompanied by Beyoncé’s “Freedom” and loud cheers from the crowd, which gathered to hear her final remarks as the Democratic candidate in this year’s presidential race.
From start to finish, Harris’s speech maintained an upbeat tone. She thanked her family and the families of President Biden and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, and she praised her team and volunteers for their dedication, calling the campaign “a race to be proud of.”
“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,” Harris said. “And we did it with the knowledge that we all have so much more in common than what separates us.”
The Associated Press officially called the race for Trump early Wednesday morning after he won key swing states Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, securing a total of 292 electoral votes—well over the 270 required for the presidency—while Harris garnered 224.
Emphasising the importance of accepting the result, Harris described it as “a fundamental principle of American democracy,” rooted in loyalty to the U.S. Constitution, conscience, and God.
“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,” Harris declared. “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 our best—this is a fight I will never give up.”
Harris spoke of her vision for the future, one where women have full bodily autonomy, communities and schools are safe from gun violence, and all individuals, regardless of their background, enjoy certain fundamental rights and freedoms.
She outlined that this ongoing fight would continue in the voting booth, the courts, the public square, and even in smaller, everyday interactions—treating others with respect and lifting each other up. Harris acknowledged that progress could be slow but assured her supporters that “sometimes the fight takes a while — that doesn’t mean we won’t win.”
Speaking directly to young people, she encouraged them to remain engaged and to “never stop trying to make the world better.”
“You have power, and don’t you ever listen when anyone tells you something is impossible because it has never been done before,” said Harris, the nation’s first female vice president. “This is not a time to throw up our hands; this is a time to roll up our sleeves.”
She called on Americans to mobilise, organise, and stay active, even through difficult times, invoking an old adage: “Only when it is dark enough can you see the stars.”
“I know many people feel like we are entering a dark time, but for the benefit of us all, I hope that is not the case,” Harris added. “But here’s the thing, America: If it is, let us fill the sky with the light of a brilliant, brilliant billion of stars—the light of optimism, of faith, of truth, and service. And may that work guide us, even in the face of setbacks, toward the extraordinary promise of the United States of America.”
Trump’s victory has brought him back to the White House four years after losing to current President Joe Biden in 2020.
Trump’s success in securing the presidency comes despite his recent felony conviction, with the former president comfortably surpassing the 270 Electoral votes needed for victory.
He is scheduled to be inaugurated as the 47th US president on 20 January 2025, re-entering office with a promise to steer the country back to a “golden age.”
His campaign capitalised on voter discontent over economic issues, including high inflation, rising food prices, and housing affordability concerns, which appeared to resonate strongly in key battleground states, shifting them decisively towards the Republican side.
Harris took the reins of the Democratic campaign following Biden’s withdrawal from the race on 21 July, citing health concerns and his stumble in a debate against Trump, as well as after considerable persuasion from Democratic leaders and donors.
Biden, who would be 86 at the end of a potential second term, endorsed Harris as his successor, transferring his campaign’s momentum to the then-vice president.
As the first Black woman and the first person of South Asian descent to seek the nation’s highest office, Harris was seen by many as a transformative figure within the Democratic Party and a symbol of hope for future generations.
Her campaign highlighted themes of inclusivity, economic recovery, and women’s reproductive freedom, appealing to young voters who rallied to her message.
This election marked the first presidential race since the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, which had provided federal protections for abortion rights.
Harris’s campaign platform emphasised a renewed commitment to women’s rights, a stance intended to energise female voters across the nation.
However, these priorities struggled to offset the economic concerns felt by many Americans, with exit polls indicating voter frustration over inflation and immigration. Trump’s promises to restore what he called the “golden age” of America resonated strongly, appealing to a significant portion of the electorate and resulting in a decisive outcome.
Pundits have criticised Harris’s campaign decision to focus on attacks against Trump in the lead-up to the polls, following her stellar performance in the televised debate with the Republican candidate, which ultimately failed to sway voters.
As the sitting vice president, Harris is expected to oversee the ceremonial certification of Trump’s Electoral College win before Congress. President Biden has confirmed that he will attend Trump’s inauguration in January, in a gesture of political unity.
This act contrasts with Trump’s own refusal to attend Biden’s inauguration in 2021, when Trump contested the election results and declined to participate in the peaceful transfer of power.
Harris’s concession and pledge to support a smooth transition signal a conclusion to a highly polarised election cycle.
Her campaign brought pressing social issues to the forefront, including racial equity and reproductive rights; however, the election ultimately underscored voters’ economic priorities amid inflationary pressures and concerns over immigration.
Additionally, her stance on the Gaza conflict, which aligned with the Biden administration’s position, became a focal point for many Democratic voters who struggled with their support for her.
