Vice President Kamala Harris spoke to a crowd of supporters and the nation on Wednesday at Howard University in Washington, D.C., after conceding the 2024 presidential election to former President Donald Trump. 

To begin her speech, Harris said her heart was full of gratitude. 

“The outcome of this election is not what we wanted, not what we fought for, not what we voted for,” Harris said. “But 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 expressed pride for the race she and her team ran and for the way the race was run. 

“Over the 107 days of this campaign, we have been intentional about building community and building coalitions,” Harris continued, “bringing people together from every walk of life and background, united by love of country with enthusiasm and joy in our fight for America’s future.”  

Harris acknowledged that people across the United States are experiencing a range of emotions, but she said that the country must accept the results of the election. She added that she called president-elect Trump to congratulate 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,” Harris said.

Harris said that a defining principle of democracy—and one that separates democracy from monarchy and tyranny—is that when a candidate loses an election, they accept the result. She added that anyone who seeks public trust must honor that trust when it is placed in them. 

“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 … to our conscience and to our God,” Harris said. “My allegiance to all three is why I am here to say while I concede this election, I do not concede the fight that fueled this campaign.”

Harris added that while she came up short, the fight for America’s future is one she will “never give up.” 

“I will never give up the fight for a future where Americans can pursue their dream, ambitions, and aspirations,” Harris continued, “where the women of America have the freedom to make decisions about their own bodies and not have their government telling them what to do.”

Harris said she will not give up the fight to protect American schools and streets from gun violence. Ultimately, she added the fight for democracy continues. 

“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,” Harris said.  

Harris said that the fight ahead will be hard work but that “the fight for our country is always worth it.” 

She then spoke to the young voters who supported our campaign. 

“It is okay to feel sad and disappointed, but please know it is going to be okay,” Harris said. “On the campaign, I would often say ‘When we fight we win.’ Sometimes, the fight takes a while, [but] that doesn’t mean we won’t win.”

Harris added that young voters should never give up the fight to make the world a better place.  

“You have power and don’t ever listen when anyone tells you something is impossible because it has never been done before,” Harris said. “You have the capacity to do extraordinary good in the world.” 

Harris then implored all viewers to not despair at the election results. 

“This is not a time to throw up our hands, this is a time to roll up our sleeves,” Harris said. “This is a time to organize, to mobilize and to stay engaged for the sake of freedom, justice, and the future that we all know we can build together.”

Toward the end of her speech, Harris alluded to her experience as a prosecutor.  

“Throughout my career, I saw people at some of the worst times in their lives—people who had suffered great harm and great pain,” Harris said. “And yet, [they] found within themselves the strength, courage, and resolve to take the stand to take a stand to fight for justice, for themselves, for others. Let their courage be our inspiration. Let their determination be our charge.” 

Harris ended her speech with a historical adage: Only when it is dark enough can you see the stars.

“I know many people feel like we are entering a dark time. For the benefit of us all, I hope that is not the case,” Harris said. “But, America, if it is, let us fill the sky with the light of a brilliant billion of stars.” 

She urged viewers to be guided “in the face of setbacks toward the extraordinary promise of the United States of America.”