In what was anticipated to be a close race, Donald Trump has emerged victorious in the 2024 presidential election. After securing 267 electoral votes, the Republican candidate declared himself the winner and delivered a speech from Florida, calling for unity. The loss seems to have shocked many in Harris’s world who thought she had a chance of winning at least one of the seven key swing states. She is behind in all seven, but Arizona and Nevada have yet to be called.

As races in the five other states began to be called, Donald Trump surpassed the magic number of 270.

Vice President Harris was scheduled to speak early Wednesday morning at Howard University. However, following the disappointing election results, her campaign announced to attendees and the media that she would not be making the speech. It was later revealed that the Democratic candidate would address the nation that afternoon.

During her speech, the vice president said that she had called and spoken with President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday to congratulate him on his victory. The two also discussed the transition, and she affirmed that the Biden-Harris administration would cooperate with the incoming White House.

Kamala Harris admits defeat: “We must accept the outcome of this election”

At Howard University, where Harris was scheduled to speak on election night, the vice president thanked those present and those who voted for her for their support. She also thanked her husband, family, President Joe Biden, and First Lady Jill Biden. Harris joined the presidential race in July after President Joe Biden dropped out of the race following a disastrous showing in the first presidential debate with Donald Trump.

During the speech, Harris explained that American democracy only works if the losing side accepts the outcome and moves on. However, for Harris, moving on does not mean giving up the fight and she encouraged her supports to continue fighting, a factor that could become critical as Donald Trump prepares for his return to the White House.