In a live address at Howard University on Wednesday afternoon, Vice President Kamala Harris conceded the presidential election to president-elect Donald Trump.
Harris stepped out onto the podium and welcomed the crowd at 4:25 p.m. EST with a smile on her face. Her appearance comes 16 hours after her campaign announced Harris would not be speaking on Tuesday night.
“My heart is full today. Full of gratitude, for the trust you have placed in me. Full of love for our country, and full of resolve,” Harris said.
The crowd erupted in a roar of cheers and chants reciting Kamala’s name. The audience included Howard students and media outlets.
Howard student and attendee Jordyn Sowell, a senior studying international business, said emotions were intense yet excited on campus in anticipation of Harris’s arrival.
“It’s electric. There’s so much pride in the air right now. People are excited, but it’s also a moment of reflection and a sense of belonging,” Sowell said.
Starting her campaign in July, Harris arrived late to the presidential race following President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the race as the Democratic candidate. Harris led a social media campaign that focused on promoting education, pro-choice policies and healthcare reform throughout her platform.
“I am so proud of the race we ran,” she said. “We have been intentional about building community and building coalitions, bringing people together from every walk of life and background, united by the love of country through enthusiasm and joy in our fight for America’s future.”
During her speech, Harris addressed her family, team, volunteers, poll workers, election officials, Tim Walz and Joe Biden, thanking her community for the abundance of support during her campaign.
Harris assured a cordial congratulations for the 47th president and a smooth transition of leadership as positions of power shift in the coming weeks.
“Earlier today, I spoke with 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.
Drawing upon her previous experience as a prosecutor, Harris conceded the presidential race but did not declare an end to the fight for equality.
“While I concede this election, I do not concede the fight that fuelled this campaign. The fight for freedom, for opportunity, for fairness and the dignity for all people.”
Howard student Angel Ngunjiri, a freshman studying nursing, called Harris’s presence “a powerful, exciting energy on campus.”
“She is truly such an inspiration and a reminder to Howard University students that we are all fit and built to make a difference in this country,” Ngunjiri said.
Toward the end of her speech, Harris echoed words of motivation and addressed the mixed emotions of the crowd, seeking to maintain hope and promise for the future of the nation.
“To the young people who are watching, it is okay to feel sad and disappointed,” the vice president said. “But please know it’s going to be okay.”
Tamara Almoayed contributed to the reporting of this article.