Associated Press (AP) called the results of the 2024 presidential race in the early morning of Nov. 6, 2024, after Donald Trump won the battleground states of Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. By that evening, he had 295 electoral college votes, far over the 270 threshold he needed to win. Before Kamala Harris’ speech, she had called the Republican president-elect to congratulate him on his victory and to concede the race.
That afternoon, Harris stepped onto the platform built for her victory speech at Howard University, her alma mater, that instead served as the site for her concession speech. Harris marched down the stage with a smile on as she waved to the crowd of adoring supporters. Tears flowed and people chanted as Harris reached the podium and thanked everyone who attended, supported and voted for her.
A notable quote from this speech that has gained momentum on social media and throughout the news that Harris stated was, “while I concede this election, I do not concede the fight.”
Throughout the six-minute long speech, Harris encouraged supporters to continue the fight for their agenda, that being “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.”
A little over a week after the election, social media has swarmed with Harris supporters who have expressed their concerns over president-elect Trump’s victory, noting a fear of loss for bodily autonomy, increase in gun violence and even a threat towards democracy.
“The outcome of this election is not what we wanted, not what we fought for, not what we voted for,” Harris said.
While the numbers show a consensus of support for a Trump administration over a Harris administration, even in the midst of loss, Harris concluded that she and the Biden administration will ensure their help in a smooth transition of power.
