In a surprising turn of events, Vice President Kamala Harris made a call to President-elect Donald Trump to concede the 2024 presidential election, acknowledging his victory in a race that had captivated the nation. According to a senior Harris aide, the conversation between Harris and Trump was a sign of professionalism and a commitment to a peaceful transfer of power.
Jen O’Malley Dillon, who served as Harris’ campaign chair, shared details of the call in an email to campaign staff, which was obtained by NBC News. During the conversation, Harris expressed her willingness to work with President Biden to ensure a smooth transition of power, reflecting a stark contrast to the chaotic events that unfolded after the 2020 election.
“She also made clear that she hopes he will be a President for all Americans,” O’Malley Dillon stated. This statement underscored Harris’ commitment to unifying the country, a theme that was central to the tone of her campaign throughout the election cycle.
Trump’s campaign spokesman, Steven Cheung, responded to the conversation, highlighting that the president-elect acknowledged Harris for her strength, professionalism, and determination during the campaign. “Both leaders agreed on the importance of unifying the country,” Cheung said in a statement, further underscoring the mutual respect shared between the two political figures despite the bitter nature of the race.
As Harris worked on her concession speech, which she was scheduled to deliver at Howard University later that afternoon, it became clear that her campaign had been preparing for this moment. According to sources within her team, the preparation for the concession speech had been minimal up until the previous day. In fact, much of Harris’ team had focused on drafting a speech for a scenario in which the results of the race remained uncertain.
Despite the late hours of the race, where key battleground states were still up in the air, it was evident that Trump had secured a victory. Sources within Harris’ campaign revealed that preparations had been focused on an encouraging message for voters, urging them to “hold on” as they anticipated final results from swing states like Nevada, Michigan, and Arizona.
President Biden, meanwhile, was in regular communication with his vice president. On Wednesday, the White House confirmed that Biden had called Harris to congratulate her on her campaign and expressed gratitude for her efforts throughout the race. Biden also took the time to reach out to Trump, calling to offer congratulations on his victory.
A White House spokesperson shared that President Biden had emphasized his commitment to ensuring a peaceful transition and reaffirmed his dedication to working towards unifying the country in the wake of a divisive election. “He also invited President-elect Trump to meet with him in the White House, and staff will coordinate a specific date shortly,” the spokesperson added.
Biden is expected to address the nation on Thursday to discuss the election results and offer further details on the transition process. Additionally, the White House confirmed that Biden was prepared to attend Trump’s inauguration in January, marking a final act of unity for the country’s top leaders in what has been an unprecedented and contentious race.
NBC News made its official projection of Trump’s victory on Wednesday morning, shortly after 5:30 a.m. ET. With 276 electoral votes secured, Trump had achieved a slim but decisive victory over Harris, who captured 223 electoral votes.
Trump, who had been adamant about his electoral prospects, declared victory at around 2:30 a.m. ET in a speech to supporters gathered at his election party in Florida. While key states like Nevada, Michigan, and Arizona were still too close to call, Trump had made significant gains in several key battleground states. His success in Pennsylvania, Georgia, North Carolina, and Wisconsin, all of which had been fiercely contested, was enough to push him over the top.
In the aftermath of his victory, Trump’s team and supporters celebrated, and the former president’s speech became a rallying cry for his base, which had remained steadfast despite numerous legal battles and ongoing controversies surrounding his business dealings and actions surrounding the 2020 election.
Harris, 60, entered the race in July after President Joe Biden, 81, withdrew from the race. Biden had dropped out following his poor performance in a June debate against Trump. Following Biden’s decision, Harris emerged as the Democratic Party’s nominee, though she only had a few months to campaign ahead of the election. In contrast, Trump launched his re-election bid shortly after the 2022 midterm elections in November.
In the weeks leading up to the election, polling indicated a tight race, with both candidates neck-and-neck. One of the challenges Harris faced was a gender gap in support, with many white male voters favoring Trump over her. According to NBC News’ Exit Poll, 54% of male voters cast their ballots for Trump, while 44% supported Harris. This demographic shift had been a major concern for Harris’ team as they worked to expand their appeal to different voter groups.
Throughout the campaign, Harris had struggled to separate herself from Biden’s administration while also positioning herself as a candidate for change. Her campaign focused on issues such as creating an “opportunity economy” for the middle class, providing tax relief for the wealthy, and bolstering protections for reproductive rights through the codification of Roe v. Wade.
Harris also made a concerted effort to position herself as a strong counterpoint to Trump, accusing him of being “increasingly unstable” and “unhinged.” She warned voters that Trump posed a threat to democracy, describing him as a “fascist” and warning of the dire consequences should he return to the White House.
For his part, Trump, 78, presented himself as the candidate who could strengthen the economy and address international conflicts, particularly in Ukraine and the Middle East. Despite facing multiple legal challenges, including a conviction on 34 felony counts in connection with a New York hush money case and his role in the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack, Trump had maintained significant support from his base. His message resonated with many voters who felt disillusioned with the current state of affairs and saw him as the candidate best equipped to make bold changes.
As the dust settles on the 2024 presidential race, Trump’s victory marks a new chapter in American politics, one that is sure to shape the future of the Republican Party and the country as a whole. Harris, while conceding gracefully, has shown her resilience throughout the campaign and is poised to continue playing a key role in the political landscape moving forward.