TLDR:
• Harris plans to concede election
• Trump declared victory, cites mandate
• Concession speech planned at Howard
WASHINGTON, D.C. (The Thursday Times) — Vice President Kamala Harris will address the nation on Wednesday afternoon, in what is expected to be a concession speech concluding a hard-fought campaign against former President Donald J. Trump. According to a senior official briefed on her plans, Harris is slated to speak at 4 p.m. Eastern time from her alma mater, Howard University, a historically Black institution in Washington. This venue, which had been prepared for a victory celebration the previous night, instead serves as a setting for her formal concession as Trump’s lead solidified in the final election results.
Ms. Harris, set to call Mr. Trump shortly before her public address, will acknowledge his victory, marking an end to one of the most intense races in recent US history. In a statement to supporters, the Harris campaign expressed “deep appreciation” to her supporters, honouring their dedication throughout her campaign. Harris has often spoken of Howard University as a place of formative influence, noting it shaped her worldview and commitment to public service, making this address particularly symbolic.
Trump claims victory with strengthened mandate
As Trump’s supporters celebrated his return to the White House, the former president himself addressed a packed crowd in West Palm Beach, Florida, in the early hours of Wednesday morning. Declaring a decisive victory, Trump portrayed his win as evidence of a resounding public mandate, hailing the strength and resilience of his political base. “We overcame obstacles that nobody thought possible,” Trump said in his victory speech, referencing what he called “the greatest political movement of all time.”
The announcement confirmed Trump had surpassed the necessary 270 Electoral College votes, a reality that set the tone for Harris’s impending concession. Trump’s supporters view this victory as a critical affirmation of his brand of leadership, promising an administration marked by renewed assertiveness and what he described as an “unprecedented and powerful mandate.”
Harris addresses supporters in symbolic gesture
Harris’s choice of Howard University as the location for her concession speech resonates deeply within her campaign and among her supporters. The university, which she has credited with shaping her political identity, was initially intended as the backdrop for a potential victory address. The decision to return here for her public statement reflects a full-circle moment, underscoring her connection to the historically Black college and its community.
In Washington, Harris’s supporters gathered for the event following a message from the campaign, thanking them for their “dedication and faith” throughout the campaign. The speech marks the end of a historic bid for the White House, representing a closing chapter for Harris in this cycle, even as her supporters look ahead with hope for future opportunities.