Kamala Harris Set to Concede at Howard University After Shocking Election Loss

Vice President Kamala Harris’s concession speech will finally come today after she ghosted her supporters waiting at Howard University on election night.  It is set to finally address her supporters at Howard University today, delivering a concession speech after her embarrassing defeat in the 2024 presidential election. This comes after a personal phone call to Donald Trump. Kamala Harris congratulated him on his victory and promised to work with President Biden to ensure a peaceful transition of power. This speech is poignant as Kamala Harris, the first woman of colour to lead a major party’s presidential ticket, acknowledges her loss to the former president. However, in the days to come, she will have to face a lot of fingers pointed at her for the loss, even the lack of the primary process as she won the nomination defacto.

The concession speech, scheduled for 4 p.m. ET, follows a sombre election night where Kamala Harris’s supporters had anticipated a celebration at her alma mater. Instead, they were left waiting, with Harris absent from the event—a move reminiscent of Hillary Clinton’s quiet retreat after her 2016 loss. Cedric Richmond, Harris’s campaign co-chair, took the stage to inform the gathered crowd that she would not be speaking that night, casting a shadow over what was supposed to be a historic moment. Harris’s decision to address her supporters today at Howard University reflects her commitment to showing up for those who stood by her campaign.

Kamala Harris Ghosts Her Supporters on Election Night—Déjà Vu of Hillary Clinton’s 2016 Heartbreak

According to her campaign chair, Jen O’Malley Dillon, Harris’s call to Donald Trump was professional and gracious. During the conversation, Harris hoped that Trump would serve as a unifying leader for all Americans. Donald Trump reciprocated by recognizing Harris’s resilience and hard work throughout the campaign, signalling a rare moment of bipartisan acknowledgement amid a divisive race.

Leading up to today, her campaign team had not anticipated a need for a Kamala Harris concession speech, having prepared instead for a message urging patience as the results came in. However, Trump’s strong performance in key battleground states—such as Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Wisconsin—secured him a decisive path to victory, with a projected 276 electoral votes. As early as 5:30 a.m. on Wednesday, news outlets declared Trump the winner, leaving Kamala Harris’s team scrambling to pivot from a hopeful to a conceding stance.

Kamala Harris’s concession speech this afternoon also holds special significance. She will address her supporters at a place that has been central to her identity and career. Howard University, where she began her journey in public service, is not just a symbol of her roots but also of her aspirations to lead. By choosing this venue for her concession, Harris signals a return to her foundational values while acknowledging the journey her campaign has taken over the past months.

President Biden also spoke to Harris, praising her campaign and pledging his support during the transition. Biden later contacted Trump to congratulate him and extend an invitation to the White House, reaffirming his commitment to a respectful and orderly transition of power. In a planned address on Thursday, Biden is expected to speak about the importance of unity and the smooth transfer of power, underscoring his dedication to fostering stability in the country.

Today’s concession speech serves as both a closing chapter for Harris’s presidential bid and a poignant moment for her supporters. Although her campaign faced significant challenges—running against a well-funded and experienced opponent and facing scrutiny on her relationship with Biden’s administration—Harris’s speech aims to offer solace, gratitude, and perhaps a roadmap for the future.