Harris And Trump On Post-Election Transition Plans

Donkey and elephant shadows on American flag.

Kamala Harris graciously conceded the 2024 presidential election to Donald Trump, emphasizing the importance of a peaceful transition of power.

At a Glance

Harris called Trump to congratulate him on his victory, acknowledging his 292 electoral votes to her 224
Both leaders agreed on the importance of unifying the country during their phone conversation
President Joe Biden called Trump to congratulate him and invited him to the White House for transition talks
Harris delivered her concession speech at Howard University, urging supporters to continue fighting for their vision
Trump is on track to win the popular vote for the first time in his three campaigns

Harris Concedes, Emphasizes Peaceful Transition

In a display of political decorum, Vice President Kamala Harris reached out to President-elect Donald Trump to concede the 2024 presidential election. The call came approximately 12 hours after major media outlets declared Trump the winner. During their conversation, Harris congratulated Trump on his historic victory and stressed the importance of a smooth transfer of power, a cornerstone of American democracy.

Trump’s campaign spokesperson, Steven Cheung, reported that the President-elect acknowledged Harris’s strength, professionalism, and tenacity throughout the campaign. Both leaders found common ground in their commitment to unifying the country after a divisive election.

We must accept the results of this election.

Earlier today, I spoke with President Trump and congratulated him on his victory. I told him that we will help him and his team with that transition, and we will engage in a peaceful transfer of power.

— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) November 6, 2024

Election Results and Voter Turnout

As of 3:30 p.m. ET on election day, Donald Trump secured 292 electoral votes compared to Kamala Harris’s 224, with four states still undeclared. The popular vote count showed Trump leading with 72 million votes to Harris’s 67.2 million. This marks the first time Trump is poised to win the popular vote in his three presidential campaigns, despite past controversies.

Exit polls indicated that Harris underperformed with women and minority voters compared to Biden’s 2020 performance. The campaign faced criticism for not expanding on a clear economic message amid rising inflation concerns, which may have contributed to the outcome.

Harris’s Concession Speech and Democratic Response

Vice President Harris delivered her concession speech at Howard University, her alma mater. She thanked her running mate, campaign staff, supporters, poll workers, and election officials. While acknowledging the disappointment of the loss, Harris remained optimistic and reassured her supporters.

“It is OK to feel sad and disappointed, but please know it’s going to be OK,” said Harris.

President Joe Biden praised Harris for her determination and leadership in a statement following her speech. He emphasized her continued role as a champion for all Americans and a leader for future generations. Biden also called Trump to congratulate him and invited him to the White House to discuss the transition process, setting a collaborative tone for the coming weeks.

Looking Ahead: Challenges and Opportunities

Harris’s defeat marks the end of Democratic hopes to rescue their chances after President Biden’s reelection effort stalled. The party now faces the challenge of regrouping during a second Trump presidency, with Harris’s future role in the party uncertain. Despite the loss, Harris urged her supporters to continue fighting for their vision of the country, emphasizing resilience and hope.

“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,” Harris said.

As the nation prepares for another Trump administration, both parties will need to address the issues that resonated with voters, including economic concerns and inflation. The peaceful transition of power, as demonstrated by Harris and Biden, sets a positive tone for the challenging work of governing and unifying a divided electorate in the months ahead.