The mood was calm and sober on the Howard University campus as people waited to hear Vice President kamala Harris Speech on Wednesday afternoon. An area that is usually the central hub of campus life, the Yard, was mostly filled with Harris campaign staff, media, and members of the public. The atmosphere was somber as the crowd anticipated the formal acknowledgment of defeat in the 2024 presidential election.
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The Concession Speech
Opening Remarks and Message of Unity
Harris appeared about 25 minutes after her scheduled time and opened with a message on unity, building community, and coalitions. “My heart is full today,” Harris said. “Full of heart for my country, and full of resolve.” She emphasized the importance of never giving up and continuing to fight for the ideals of America. “Hear me when I say that the light of America’s promise will always burn bright. As long as we never give up and as long as we keep fighting.”
Encouragement for Young People
Harris encouraged young people to acknowledge their power and to believe in the impossible. “At this time, it’s necessary that people not become complacent,” she added, “but to commit to organizing and mobilizing.” She urged her supporters to embrace “the light of optimism” and of service. “Hear me when I say that the light of America’s promise will always burn bright. As long as we never give up and as long as we keep fighting.”
Reactions from Supporters
Shock, Grief, and Disillusionment
Harris’s supporters expressed shock, grief, and disillusionment as they reflected upon the harrowing hours since the election was called for Republican candidate, Donald Trump. Instead of feeling galvanized to build resistance movements, voters said that they needed time to rest and reset before thinking of next steps after the election.
Personal Reflections and Fears
Janeen Davis, a 47-year-old county government employee, said, “It revealed to me the heart of us as a nation. It’s taking my pride away. Being an Indigenous person, it hits me hard. Our democracy is built upon our Indigenous ancestors … and so much has been torn from the Indigenous community, and so now that that’s at stake, it’s like there’s nothing left.” Davis also expressed fear of political violence from Trump supporters if his opponents resist his presidency now. “My personal opinion is because of how the transition happened last election,” Davis said, “the best thing that we can do is be still right now.”
Concerns for Immigrants and Foreign Policy
Patricia McDougall, a 63-year-old staff member at Howard University, felt sad. She believed that, had she won, Harris would have supported immigrants and helped fight for women’s reproductive rights. “As an immigrant myself [from Belize], I feel bad about the people who are going to be left behind,” McDougall said. “I thought that she was going to move the needle and help people.” As an ambassador for the United Nations, McDougall expressed anxiety about Trump’s foreign policy moves in the future, adding that his “mouth destroys him.”
The Conclusion of the Concession Speech
Call for Engagement and Hope
At the end of her concession speech, Harris encouraged people to “stay engaged for the sake of freedom and justice and the future.” She avoided direct criticisms of Trump but said: “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. 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.”
Official Statements and Transition
Harris Concedes the Race
Harris addressed the country Wednesday afternoon to formally concede the election to Trump at Howard University, thanking her family, the Bidens, Gov. Tim Walz, and her team and volunteers, saying she was “so proud of the race we ran and the way we ran it.”
Harris reiterated she had spoken to Trump and would engage in a peaceful transfer of power, and told her supporters “We must accept the results of this election.” She also said: “While I concede this election, I do not concede the fight that fueled this campaign. The fight for freedom, opportunity, for fairness and the dignity of all people, for the ideals at the heart of our nation, the ideals that reflect America at its best.”
Biden Congratulates Trump
President Joe Biden spoke to Trump over the phone Wednesday afternoon to congratulate him and invite him to the White House to discuss the transition of power, the Associated Press reported. Biden is expected to talk to the nation about the election and transition on Thursday.
Legal and Political Developments
DOJ Could End Trump Prosecutions
Special counsel Jack Smith is working with the Justice Department to potentially end his prosecutions of Trump for keeping classified documents and election interference in 2020, NBC reported. DOJ officials are looking to “wind down” the investigations to comply with a policy that sitting presidents can’t be prosecuted, according to CNN.
Harris Congratulates Trump
Harris called Trump to congratulate him on winning the presidential election, CNN and the Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday afternoon, citing a Harris aide. Harris talked with Trump about the “importance of a peaceful transfer of power and being a president for all Americans,” according to CNN.
Election Results and Political Landscape
Senate Race in Wisconsin
The Associated Press called the Senate race in Wisconsin Wednesday afternoon for incumbent Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin. Baldwin beat Republican millionaire businessman Eric Hovde, and her win will help Democrats tighten the majority Republicans will have in the Senate—as of just before 2 p.m. EST, Democrats had 43 seats, Republicans had 52, and five had yet to be called.
Michigan Called for Trump
The Associated Press called Michigan early Wednesday afternoon, giving Trump another 15 electoral votes from the swing state Biden won in 2020 and Trump claimed in 2016. The Associated Press called the race when 98% of votes were counted and Trump had 49.8% compared to Harris’ 48.3%, and it brought Trump’s electoral vote total to 292.
Notable Reactions and Statements
RFK Jr on Vaccines
Robert F. Kennedy Jr, Trump supporter and former independent candidate, told NPR he may be appointed to a Senate-confirmed position and the administration will recommend removing fluoride from drinking water. Kennedy, a notable anti-vaxxer, also said he will not take vaccines away but promote more informed choices.
McConnell’s Reaction
Sen. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell congratulated the Trump campaign on “running a sharper campaign this time” and said “this is certainly a happy day for the GOP.” McConnell also said “one of the most gratifying results” of the election is that “the filibuster will stand.”
Nikki Haley Congratulates Trump
Former presidential candidate Nikki Haley congratulated Trump on his victory and called on Harris to concede. In a post on X, she said, “Now, it’s time for the American people to come together, pray for our country, and start the process of a peaceful transition.”
Economic and Global Reactions
Stock Markets Soar
The S&P 500 rose 1.95%, the NASDAQ was up 1.79%, and the DOW rose 3.07% at opening Wednesday, the first time the DOW rose more than 1,000 points in a day since November of 2022. Bitcoin also hit an all-time high.
Russia Comments on Trump Victory
The Kremlin released a statement Wednesday morning saying it is under “no illusions” about a Trump victory and that any ruling political party in the U.S. is “anti-Russian.” The statement did not congratulate Trump.
Harris Hasn’t Called Trump
Neither Harris nor Biden had called Trump as of 10:30 a.m. EST, Trump campaign spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said, but Harris is expected to call him later today to concede the election, according to NBC News.
Trump on Track for Popular Vote
Trump is likely to be the first Republican to win the nation’s popular vote since George W. Bush in 2004. Despite winning the electoral college victory in 2016, Trump lost the popular vote by about 3 million that year and by about 7 million in 2020.
Abortion Rights and Border Policies
Abortion Rights Protected in Seven States
Voters approved measures to protect abortion rights in seven of the 10 states that proposed them this election cycle, the Associated Press has reported. Arizona, Colorado, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, and New York all voted to either protect or expand abortion access, while bans and restrictions will remain in Florida, Nebraska, and South Dakota.
Strong Border Policies
In an interview on “Good Morning America” Wednesday, Trump senior adviser Jason Miller said the same border policies Trump had in place during his first term would be reinstated on his first day back in office. Trump Press Secretary Karoline Levitt told Fox News Wednesday that Trump will “launch the largest mass deportation operation of illegal immigrants.”
International Reactions
Canadian Prime Minister Reacts
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who has been the subject of harsh criticism from Trump, congratulated him on his victory and called the friendship between Canada and the U.S. “the envy of the world.” When Trump was president, he called Trudeau “weak” and “dishonest.”
Pro-Russia Leaders Congratulate
Prime Minister Robert Fico of Slovakia, known for his pro-Russian views, congratulated Trump and called his victory “a defeat of liberal and progressivist ideas.” Viktor Orbán, prime minister of Hungary, called Trump’s victory “the biggest comeback in US political history” and “a much needed victory for the world.”
Russia Calls U.S. “Unfriendly”
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov early Wednesday said he did not know if Russian President Vladimir Putin planned to congratulate Trump on his victory and called the U.S. an “unfriendly” country.
Economic and Market Reactions
Dollar Value Spikes
Ten-year treasury bond yields soared 16 basis points to a four-month high of nearly 4.5% Wednesday morning, while the dollar rose by its steepest margin since June 2016.
Tesla Stock Soars
Shares of Tesla were up 12% in premarket trading Wednesday after Trump was reelected and used his victory speech to praise the company’s founder, Elon Musk, on stage as a “super genius” following months of financial and public support from the billionaire.
State-Specific Developments
Missouri Overturns Abortion Ban
Voters in Missouri became the first to overturn a state-specific abortion ban put in place after Roe v. Wade was overturned. Amendment 3 will allow for access to abortion until fetal viability, after which the state could regulate the procedure “except to protect the life or health of the woman.”
Election Results and Projections
AP Calls Race for Trump
Trump will become the 47th President of the United States after winning Wisconsin’s 10 electoral votes at 5:34 a.m. EST Wednesday, according to The Associated Press, bringing his overall electoral tally to 277—shutting out all of Harris’ paths to victory.
Stock Futures Surge
Dow and S&P 500 futures spiked over 2% early Wednesday, as Trump appeared to be closing in on a victory in the presidential race.
Trump Up Over 100,000 In WI, MI
Just after 5 a.m., Trump leads Harris in the key swing states of Michigan and Wisconsin by about 110,000 votes apiece, with upwards of 90% of the vote counted—making a Harris win very unlikely. Either of those states would put Trump over the 270 electoral votes he needs to win the race. The Associated Press still hasn’t called a winner in either state due to outstanding votes in Milwaukee and Detroit.
AP Explains Lack of Race Call
The Associated Press said early Wednesday it hasn’t formally called Trump the 2024 election winner because of outstanding votes in two states that could put him over 270 electors. The AP is waiting for updates from the Democratic strongholds of Wayne County in Michigan, home to Dearborn and a large portion of Detroit, and Milwaukee County in Wisconsin, noting they “present Harris’ only path to win either state.” Approximately 58% of votes had been counted in Wayne County as of 4 a.m. EST, while 69% were counted in Milwaukee County, where totals were delayed as officials recounted more than 30,000 ballots due to issues with more than a dozen tabulator machines.
World Leaders Congratulate Trump
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and French President Emmanuel Macron congratulated Trump in tweets early Wednesday, with Netanyahu calling his win “history’s greatest comeback” and Macron writing that he is “ready to work together as we were able to do during four years.” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also congratulated him (a winner hasn’t been declared yet by The Associated Press).
Trump Declares Victory
Trump declared victory early Wednesday, moments after the Associated Press called Pennsylvania for him—putting him on the verge of clinching the White House. He told supporters from his election night headquarters in Palm Beach, “this was a movement like nobody’s ever seen before, and frankly, I believe this was the greatest political movement of all time,” flanked by his wife Melania, children, and running mate, Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio. The Associated Press has not declared an overall winner.
Trump Praises Vance
Trump praised Vance, saying he “turned out to be a good choice,” adding that “I took a little heat in the beginning . . . I knew the brain was a good one.” Referring to news networks like CNN and MSNBC as the “enemy camp,” Trump said Vance agreed to interviews on the networks on his behalf and absolutely “obliterated them.”
Trump Hails ‘Super Genius’ Musk
Trump heaped praise on billionaire Elon Musk in his victory speech, and said a “new star is born.” Trump talked extensively about SpaceX’s rockets and hailed Musk as a “super genius” adding that “we need to protect our super geniuses.”
Trump Wins Pennsylvania
Trump won Pennsylvania’s 19 electoral votes just before 2:30 a.m. EST Wednesday, according to the Associated Press, giving him a total of 267 electoral votes—three shy of the presidency—and essentially erasing any path to victory for Harris, making him all but certain to win the White House. Alaska’s three votes would clinch his victory—the AP hasn’t called the state for him yet, but he’s favored.
Trump Has Significant Lead In PA
Trump is ahead by nearly 200,000 votes in the crucial swing state that would almost certainly put him over the 270 electoral vote threshold to win the presidency, with 95% of votes counted. Unless something significant changes, Trump appears poised to flip Pennsylvania after Biden beat him there in 2020, and unofficial vote totals show he’s outperforming his 2020 margins in Philadelphia and its four collar counties. The Associated Press has not called a winner in the state.
Trump Ahead In All 7 Swing States
After winning North Carolina and Georgia, according to the Associated Press, Trump is ahead by two points in Georgia with 94% of votes counted, three points in Pennsylvania with 94% of votes counted , six points in Michigan with 68% counted, four points in Wisconsin with 89% counted and four points in Nevada with 78% counted.
Trump Leads In Nevada
Trump is up three points in Nevada just after 1 a.m. EST Wednesday, with 75% of votes counted, according to the Associated Press. The state is the last battleground to begin reporting results and the latest to indicate Trump has a significant advantage over Harris, as the AP has called North Carolina and Georgia for the former president and he leads in every other swing state.
Trump Claims Second Swing State
Trump leaped closer to victory just after 1 a.m. EST Wednesday when the AP called Georgia for the former president, giving him 16 more electoral votes, for a total of 247, hours after he won the first swing state, North Carolina. Trump’s path to 270 electoral votes has widened as he is leading in four other battlegrounds, including Pennsylvania, with 90% of votes counted in the state that would put him over the electoral vote threshold to win the White House.
Trump Leads In Arab-American City
Trump has secured a major lead in Dearborn, Michigan, which is home to a large group of Arab-American voters, where the Biden administration’s handling of the war in Gaza has been extremely unpopular. According to data released by the city’s election office, Trump has secured 46.1% of the vote, compared to Harris’ 31%, with nearly 40% of the ballots counted. Green Party candidate Jill Stein, who has courted the “Uncommitted” movement in the city, is at 19.5%.
Harris Addressing Supporters Wednesday
Harris will not address her supporters on election night, but will speak later Wednesday, Harris campaign co-chair, former Rep. Cedric Richmond, D-La., told Harris supporters gathered at her alma mater, Howard University, on Tuesday. Her path to the presidency appears to have narrowed with Trump winning North Carolina and leading in five other battlegrounds. Richmond, notably, did not express any sense of optimism but said “we will continue overnight to fight to make sure that every vote is counted, that every voice has spoken.”
Republicans Win Senate
The GOP will regain control of the Senate the Associated Press projected Tuesday, flipping seats in West Virginia and Ohio—where Trump ally Bernie Moreno ousted three-term incumbent Sen. Sherrod Brown—and fending off competitive challengers in Nebraska, Texas and Florida to win the upper chamber for the first time in four years. Democrats held a narrow 51-49 seat majority for the past two years.
Harris Camp: ‘We Feel Good’
Harris Campaign Chair Jen O’Malley Dillon expressed optimism about Harris’ chances of winning the northern battleground states in an email to staff obtained by Forbes and sent just before 11 p.m. Tuesday, prior to The Associated Press calling North Carolina for Trump. O’Malley Dillon said the campaign has “known all along” that the blue wall—Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania—was their “clearest path.” She said Harris’ campaign anticipates higher-than-expected turnout in Philadelphia and strong turnout in Detroit, but doesn’t expect results from Wisconsin until after 3 a.m. Wednesday, insisting “the closeness of the race is exactly what we prepared for.” Harris trails Trump in all three northern battleground states, but the AP has not called a winner yet.
Trump Wins North Carolina
Trump has won North Carolina, the first swing state race called by The Associated Press Tuesday at 11:20 p.m., taking North Carolina’s 16 electoral votes and bringing Trump’s total count to 230 while Harris has 187—and ending Harris’ gambit to become the first Democrat to win the state since 2008.
Trump Leads In Most Swing States
As of 11 p.m., Trump has taken narrow leads in Pennsylvania (67% of votes were counted), Wisconsin (59% counted), Michigan (27%), Georgia (90%), Arizona (50%) and North Carolina (86%). Results in Nevada are still pending. The Associated Press has not called winners in any swing states.
Most Swing State Polls Close
Nevada was the last swing state to close its polls at 10 p.m. EST Tuesday, but results in all seven battlegrounds were still pending. Trump has taken a narrow lead in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, with 54% and 48% of votes counted, while Harris slightly leads in Michigan and Arizona (20% and 48% counted, respectively). Trump also leads in North Carolina and Georgia, which have counted most of their ballots but are still too close to call. Meanwhile, Some polls in Arizona were extended to 11 p.m. EST after printer and voting machine malfunctions, and voters remain in line in parts of Nevada.
Trump Wins 18th State
Trump now has a 188-99 lead in the electoral college, as The Associated Press called Missouri for Trump just before 10 p.m. EST—but all seven crucial battlegrounds are too close to call.
Voting Hours Extended At Some AZ
Nine polling locations in Apache County, Ariz., will stay open two hours longer, until 9 p.m. MST, a state judge ruled Tuesday after reported printer and voting machine failures earlier in the day.
kamala Harris Speech Wins Fewer Latinos Than Biden
Latino voters favored Harris at the polls, but less so than Biden, according to a CNN exit poll that found slightly more than half of Latino voters cast their ballots for Harris, compared to 65% for Biden—while Trump won Latino men, a demographic Biden won in 2020.
Trump Passes 75% On Betting Market
Trump’s odds of winning according to betting site Polymarket have soared above 75%—though it remains to be seen if the site will be predictive of the winner.
PA Bomb Threats
A building in Bellefonte, Pa., that houses the Centre County Elections Office was temporarily evacuated after the elections office received a bomb threat that was deemed non-credible, officials said, noting it’s one of roughly a dozen Pennsylvania counties to receive bomb threats Tuesday. Polling places in several other swing states have faced non-credible bomb threats, which the FBI blamed on actors in Russia.
Eight More States Called
Trump won Texas, Ohio, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Louisiana and Wyoming, and Harris won New York in the AP’s latest round of calls made at about 9 p.m. EST.
GOP’s Robinson Loses N.C. Gov. Race
Democrat Josh Stein beat Trump-backed Republican Mark Robinson to succeed term-limited Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper, according to the Associated Press. Robinson came under fire in September when CNN reported he made a string of racist and sexually graphic remarks on a pornographic website chat forum before his entrance into politics, including referring to himself as a “black NAZI” (Robinson has denied the allegations).
Harris Wins Illinois
Harris claimed the state’s 19 electoral votes, the AP said at 8:38 p.m. EST.
Trump, Harris Pick Up More States
Trump now leads the electoral map 101-52 as of 8:30 p.m. EST, as The Associated Press called Florida, South Carolina, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Oklahoma and Arkansas for Trump, and Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maryland, New Jersey and Delaware for Harris. None of these results are surprising, and the AP has not made any calls in competitive states.
West Virginia Called For Trump
The Associated Press declared Trump the winner of West Virginia around 7:30 p.m. EST, the third state called for Trump—another expected result.
Republicans Pick Up A Senate Seat In West Virginia
Gov. Jim Justice decisively beat Democrat Glenn Elliott to fill the seat held by retiring Democrat-turned-independent Sen. Joe Manchin, according to the Associated Press, an expected pick-up for Republicans in the upper chamber that puts the GOP within striking distance of taking a Senate majority.
First States Called
As expected, The Associated Press called Vermont for Harris, and Kentucky and Indiana for Trump, just after 7 p.m. EST Tuesday.
Trump Selling Merch On Election
A Trump-linked entity emailed supporters on Election Day to sell Trump-themed merchandise, Forbes reports.
More Bomb Threats
Voting has been suspended at five polling locations in DeKalb County after receiving bomb threats and they will seek to extend voting hours there, the county confirmed Tuesday night, after other bomb threats—linked to Russia—were reported in the state earlier in the day. Arizona officials said threats were also reported at four locations in Navajo County, which officials said they believed were linked to Russia.
First Votes Coming In
The first election results of the presidential race are coming in from Indiana and Kentucky, after polling closed in only some precincts at 6 p.m. EST. Early results show Trump with a commanding lead in the GOP-leaning states, per the Associated Press, though with only 5% or less of the estimated total votes counted, it’s still too early to predict how the results will pan out.
Milwaukee Recounting Ballots
Election results in Milwaukee are expected to be delayed, as the city’s election commission said it will recount 31,000 ballots. The ballots—representing approximately a third of all mail-in ballots in the city—are being recounted out of an abundance of caution after workers noticed doors on the tabulation machines weren’t properly closed, The New York Times reports.
Trump’s Fraud Claims Struck Down
Philadelphia City Commissioner Seth Bluestein and District Attorney Larry Krasner struck down Trump’s claims on Truth Social on Tuesday that there’s “a lot of talk about massive CHEATING in Philadelphia,” as the ex-president and his allies have pushed numerous false fraud claims in the state. “There is absolutely no truth to this allegation,” Bluestein said, calling voting in the city “safe and secure,” while Krasner said there’s “no factual basis whatsoever within law enforcement to support this wild allegation.”
White Voters Move On From Trump
NBC’s exit polling suggests white voters are moving away from supporting Trump while minority voters are doing the opposite. White voters went from 57% supporting Trump in 2020 to 49% now, while Latino voters went from 38% to 42% and Black voters from 10% to 14%. More voters are also now in favor of deporting “most” undocumented immigrants relative to 2016, NBC found, going up from 25% support to 39%.
First Exit Poll Data Comes In
NBC News and CNN released their first exit poll results, with both networks finding that voters’ most important issue is democracy (35%), followed by 31% prioritizing the economy and 14% choosing abortion. Both networks also found voters had a pessimistic view of the state of the nation, with approximately 40% telling CNN they’re dissatisfied and 43% saying the same to NBC, with 29% saying they’re “angry.”
Trump Blocks Reporter Access
Reporters from multiple news outlets including Politico, Axios, Mother Jones and Puck were denied credentials or had their credentials revoked for Trump’s election night event in West Palm Beach, Florida. The denials came after the outlets published critical coverage of the former president, according to CNN. Other outlets are still expected to attend the event.
Michigan Polling Place Closes
A polling place in the swing state of Michigan was closed Tuesday afternoon following reports of a natural gas leak, according to the Associated Press. Voters were sent to different area precincts to cast their ballots.
Georgia Polling Place Evacuated
A polling location in the suburban Atlanta area of Gwinnett County was closed for about an hour Tuesday afternoon due to a non-credible bomb threat, CNN reported. The Georgia Secretary of State’s office has filed with a judge to extend polling hours at the swing state voting location to make up for the lost time.
Man Arrested Over Attack Threat
A 25-year-old man was arrested and federally charged in Michigan on Tuesday after threatening to attack conservatives with a “stolen” automatic weapon if Trump wins the 2024 election, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan.
Conclusion
The Kamala Harris speech marked a somber moment in the 2024 presidential election, as the vice president formally conceded to Donald Trump. The speech emphasized unity, optimism, and the importance of staying engaged for the sake of freedom and justice. Harris’s supporters expressed shock, grief, and disillusionment, reflecting on the harrowing hours since the election was called for Trump. The concession speech also highlighted the need for a peaceful transfer of power and the continuation of the fight for the ideals that reflect America at its best.
The election results and subsequent reactions have sparked various discussions and developments, including the potential end of Trump prosecutions, the impact on abortion rights, and the future of border policies. The international community has also reacted to Trump‘s victory, with leaders from various countries congratulating him. The economic and market reactions have been positive, with stock markets soaring and the dollar value spiking.
The state-specific developments, such as the overturning of the abortion ban in Missouri and the extension of voting hours in some areas due to bomb threats, have added complexity to the election process. The first exit poll data has revealed voters’ priorities and their views on the state of the nation.
As the dust settles on the 2024 presidential election, the focus shifts towards the transition of power and the future of the United States under a Trump presidency. The Kamala Harris speech serves as a reminder of the importance of unity, optimism, and continued engagement in the democratic process.
