"Don't ever give up": Harris addresses nation after stunning loss to Trump
From the grounds of her HBCU alma mater, Vice President Harris on Wednesday appeared publicly for the first time hours after after President-elect Trump decisively reclaimed the White House. She committed to accepting the results of the election and offered the optimistic tone that underscored her accelerated campaign.
Why it matters: Harris' resounding loss to Trump has stunned the Democratic Party and minority of the overall electorate who voted for her.
The vice president told supporters in Washington, DC, that her "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."
Driving the news: "The outcome of this election is not what we wanted, not what we fought for, not what we voted for," Harris said during brief 15-minute remarks.
"But hear me when I say, the light of American's promise will always burn bright, as long as we never give up and as long as we keep fighting."
"While I concede this election, I do not concede the fight that fueled this campaign." Harris said that she has told Trump that she will help with a peaceful transfer of power. "We must accept the results of this election."
Zoom in: Addressing the young people in attendance, Harris said: "It is ok to feel sad and disappointed, but please know it is going to be ok."
"Here's the thing, sometimes the fight takes a while," she said. "That doesn't mean we won't win, the important thing is, don't ever give up, don't ever stop trying to make the world a better place."
State of play: Harris called her rival earlier on Wednesday to congratulate him, per a senior Harris aide.
President Biden also spoke via phone to Harris and Trump. The president invited Trump to the White House and committed to a smooth transition, per a pool report.
The big picture: Harris ascended to the top of the Democratic ticket over the summer after Biden suspended his campaign. She had already made history as the first woman and woman of color to serve as vice president.
Ultimately, her 100-day campaign blitz could not overcome the political realignment that dealt Democratic losses up and down the ballot -- and voters' intense desire for change, Axios' Zach Basu and Mike Allen report.
Axios Media, 2024