Harris promises peaceful power transfer in concession speech

Vice President Kamala Harris formally conceded the 2024 presidential election late Wednesday afternoon while addressing supporters gathered at her election headquarters at Howard University in Washington D.C. She congratulated President-elect Donald Trump on his win earlier in the afternoon and promised to facilitate his return to the Oval Office. Accepting election results is a fundamental principle of American democracy even when one loses, she told the crowd. Many read the comment as a jab at Trump, who never accepted the 2020 election results or formally conceded from the race.

At one point she addressed her young supporters, assuring them that everything was going to be okay. She encouraged supporters not to give up fighting for their beliefs, saying that change takes time. Though conceding the election, she said she would not concede the ideals that fueled the campaign.

How did the Trump campaign respond to the formal concession? Trump acknowledged Harris’ strength and tenacity throughout the campaign while speaking with the vice president, according to a statement from Trump Campaign Communications Director Steven Cheung. Both also agreed on the importance of unifying America, Cheung added.

Dig deeper: Read Carolina Lumetta’s report for more insight on Trump’s comeback campaign.