In a poignant and dignified address, Vice President Kamala Harris conceded the 2024 U.S. presidential election to President-elect Donald Trump at her alma mater, Howard University.
The speech, delivered to a crowd of supporters, marked a significant moment in American politics as Harris emphasized the importance of a peaceful transfer of power and continued advocacy for key democratic values.
Harris began her speech by congratulating President-elect Trump on his victory, underscoring her commitment to the democratic process and the principles of American democracy.
She acknowledged the emotional weight of the loss for her supporters but urged them to remain resilient and continue the fight for the core issues that drove her campaign.
“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,” Harris said passionately.
“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.”
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According to her, “We must accept the results of this election and respect the will of the American people,” Harris stated, drawing a contrast to the contentious aftermath of the 2020 presidential election.
“Our loyalty is to the Constitution, to our conscience, and to the ideals that have always defined us as a nation.”
Harris’s speech was characterized by her trademark passion and determination.
She reiterated her commitment to women’s rights, the rule of law, equal justice, and other pivotal issues that were central to her campaign.
Despite the outcome, Harris vowed to continue advocating for these causes, encouraging her supporters to do the same.
“To my supporters, I want to say thank you. Thank you for your love, your energy, and your unwavering commitment to our shared values,” Harris said.
“We will continue to fight for freedom, opportunity, and fairness. We will continue to lift each other up and to treat each other with kindness and respect.”
The concession speech was met with applause and tears from the audience, many of whom were visibly moved by Harris’s words.
Her address served as a reminder of the importance of grace and dignity in the face of defeat, as well as the enduring power of democratic principles.
As the nation prepares for the transition of power, Harris’s commitment to a peaceful and orderly process sets a significant precedent.
Her speech will be remembered as a testament to her leadership and her unwavering dedication to the values that underpin American democracy.
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Below is the full text of Kamala Harris’s concession speech:
Good afternoon. Thank you all. So let me say, 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: the light of America’s promise will always burn bright, as long as we never give up and as long as we keep fighting.
To my beloved Doug and our family, I love you so very much. To President Biden and Doctor 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.
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.
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.
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 honour 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.
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 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.
I will never give up the fight for a future where Americans can pursue their dreams, ambitions, and aspirations, where the women of America have the freedom to make decisions about their own bodies and not have their government telling them what to do.
To the young people who are watching, it is okay to feel sad and disappointed. But please know it’s going to be okay. On the campaign, I would often say, ‘when we fight, we win.’ But here’s the thing: sometimes the fight takes a while. That doesn’t mean we won’t win. The important thing is don’t ever give up. Don’t ever stop trying to make the world a better place. You have power. And don’t you ever listen when anyone tells you something is impossible because it has never been done before.
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.
We will continue to wage this fight in the voting booth, in the courts, and in the public square. Sometimes the fight takes a while. That doesn’t mean we won’t win. The important thing is don’t ever give up… Don’t ever stop trying to make the world a better place.
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. America, if it is, let us fill the sky with the light of a brilliant, billion stars. The light of optimism, of faith, of truth, and service.
Thank you.
