November 7th, 2024
In a Rose Garden address on Thursday, President Joe Biden publicly acknowledged the results of the 2024 presidential election and committed to a peaceful transition of power to President-elect Donald Trump. This came after Vice President Kamala Harris formally conceded the election to Trump a day prior.
Speaking with measured optimism, Biden shared that he had personally congratulated Trump on his win during a phone call on Wednesday. He assured the public that his administration would support Trump’s team to “ensure a peaceful and orderly transition,” adding, “That’s what the American people deserve.”
Reflecting on Harris’s campaign, Biden lauded her efforts, calling her campaign “inspiring” and praising her “great character” and “backbone like a ramrod.” He affirmed his unwavering support for his vice president, whom he described as a leader with “unmatched integrity.”
A Tumultuous Campaign Season
Trump’s victory marks a historic comeback as he returns to the White House with over 72 million votes, securing at least 295 Electoral College votes. Meanwhile, Harris garnered 226 Electoral College votes and at least 68 million votes in her bid to become the first female president. Ballots are still being counted in some states, but Trump’s win has been decisive.
The election followed a turbulent campaign season for the Democrats. Biden initially led the party as the incumbent in the primaries, but his faltering performance in a June debate against Trump led to calls from within the party for him to step aside. After much deliberation, Biden withdrew from the race, allowing Harris to step in as the Democratic nominee without facing primary challengers.
During their campaign, both Biden and Harris warned of the potential dangers posed by a second Trump presidency, repeatedly describing him as a “fascist” and arguing that his policies could endanger democracy. However, following Trump’s victory, Biden shifted his tone, emphasizing the importance of unity.
Calls for Unity and Integrity
Biden described the 2024 election as “a contest of competing visions” and said that Americans must accept the results, regardless of political allegiance.
“A country chooses one or the other,” Biden stated. “We accept the choice the country made. I’ve said many times, you can’t love your country only when you win. You can’t love your neighbor only when you agree. Something I hope we can do, no matter who you voted for, is to see each other not as adversaries, but as fellow Americans.”
In addition, Biden expressed hope that the election’s outcome would affirm the integrity of the U.S. electoral system. “It is honest, it is fair, and it is transparent, and it can be trusted. Win or lose,” he said.
Harris’s Concession and Vow to Continue the Fight
Vice President Harris, in her concession speech at her alma mater, Howard University, on Wednesday, urged her supporters to accept the results but remained firm in her commitment to the causes she championed during the campaign.
“While I concede this election, I do not concede the fight that fueled this campaign,” Harris said, calling for continued efforts in addressing the issues that drove her campaign, from healthcare to social justice.
Her campaign manager, Jen O’Malley Dillon, acknowledged the emotional toll of the loss, stating in a memo to staff that the defeat was “unfathomably painful,” while vowing that efforts to address the impact of a Trump presidency would continue.
Biden’s Message of Resilience
In closing his address, Biden shared a message of resilience, encouraging Americans to persist in their efforts toward progress despite setbacks.
“We all get knocked down. But the measure of our character, as my dad would say, is how quickly we get back up. Remember, a defeat does not mean we are defeated. We lost this battle. The America of your dreams is calling for you to get back up,” he said, urging supporters to carry on the work that began with Harris’s campaign.
With the Biden administration pledging full support for the transition, the nation now looks ahead to the inauguration of President-elect Trump in January, marking the return of a familiar, if divisive, leader to the Oval Office.
