"America, we will never give up the fight for our democracy"— Key takeaways from Kamala Harris' Concession speech

Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris formally conceded the 2024 elections in a speech after losing to Donald Trump. She addressed the nation from Howard University, her alma mater, in Washington D.C., on Wednesday, November 6, 2024.

She began her speech by thanking all those who supported her and conceding the elections. Affirming that she would not give up the "fight for freedom," she said:

"I am here to say, while I concede this election, I do not concede the fight that fueled this campaign—the fight: 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.

"And America we will never give up the fight for our democracy, for the rule of law, for equal justice, and for the sacred idea that every one of us, no matter who we are or where we start out, has certain fundamental rights and freedoms that must be respected and upheld."

The Associated Press declared Republican nominee Donald Trump as the winner of the 2024 elections earlier in the day after Wisconsin was called in his favor, earning him the 270 electoral votes needed. He would serve his second term as the 47th President of the United States.

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"We will engage in a peaceful transfer of power"— Kamala Harris congratulated Donald Trump on his victory

Wednesday morning saw the Howard University campus in a celebratory mode, but as the day progressed, it grew somber as it became clear that the elections would favor the Republican ticket. The audience included Kamala Harris' running mate, Tim Walz, Nancy Pelosi, and other politicians. Despite her defeat, her oration was met with cheers from the crowd, many chanting her name.

In her concession speech, Kamala Harris said she spoke to "President-elect Trump" and congratulated him on his victory.

"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."

She told the people that despite the outcome not favoring the Democrats, as long as people didn't give up and kept fighting, "the light of America's promise will always burn bright."

She expressed her gratitude to her husband, Doug Emhoff, her family, President Joe Biden, and her running mate, Tim Walz, and his family. She also thanked her team, those who volunteered for her campaign, and local poll workers and election officers.

Kamala Harris noted that while her campaign was short, just 107 days long, she was proud of her team's effort. She explained that they focused on "building community and building coalitions, bringing people together from every walk of life and background." She asserted that they believed Americans had "more in common" than "what separate(d) (them)."

The Democratic candidate also acknowledged that people must be "feeling and experiencing a range of emotions." But explained that everyone must accept the results, saying it was what distinguished "democracy from monarchy or tyranny."

"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," she said.

Harris assured the people that she would continue to fight for a future where everyone could "pursue their dreams, ambitions, and aspirations," where women have reproductive rights, and a future without gun violence.

"The fight for our freedom will take hard work. But, like I always say, we like hard work. Hard work is good work. Hard work can be joyful work. And the fight for our country is always worth it. It is always worth it. To the young people who are watching, it is okay to feel sad and disappointed. But please know it's going to be okay."

Kamala Harris asserted they would wage the "fight" not only in the polling booths, courts, and the public square but also in "quieter ways" of how everyone leads their lives. She explained that sometimes winning a fight "takes a while," but that didn't mean people should give up.

Kamala Harris concluded her speech on a hopeful note, urging people not to despair or give up. She explained that it was not a time to "throw up our hands" but to "roll up our sleeves." She said that it was time to organize and mobilize for the future.

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Kamala Harris is not the only candidate to concede the election. In 2016, Hilary Clinton, who lost to Trump, urged Americans to welcome him with an open mind. Trump, for his part, didn't concede the election in 2020.