Kamala Harris concedes US presidential election to Donald Trump

Lauren Fedor and James Politi reporting from Washington

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On Wednesday afternoon, Kamala Harris reached out to Donald Trump to acknowledge his victory in the 2024 presidential election, as the former Republican president achieved an impressive win that guarantees him another four years in office.

A top advisor from Harris's campaign confirmed that the Democratic vice president reached out to the president-elect to offer her congratulations.

The assistant shared limited information about the conversation, mentioning merely that Harris talked to Trump about the significance of a smooth transition of power and emphasized the need for a president who represents all Americans.

Trump's campaign also acknowledged the discussion, stating that both candidates recognized the significance of bringing the country together.

In a statement, spokesperson Steven Cheung mentioned that Trump acknowledged Harris’s "strength, professionalism, and determination during the campaign."

Harris is set to speak to the country from Howard University, her former school in Washington, DC, later on Wednesday.

The vice president was initially anticipated to address a significant gathering of supporters at the historically Black college on Tuesday evening. However, she did not show up at her own election night celebration when the vote counts indicated that she was likely to be defeated by her Republican opponent.

On Wednesday morning, Trump was announced as the victor after achieving significant victories in key regions in the southern states and the industrial Midwest, successfully obtaining the 270 electoral college votes required for the presidency. Additionally, he was also poised to win the popular vote, a feat that Republican candidates haven't accomplished in the last twenty years.

In his victory speech early Wednesday morning, Trump stated, "The American people have granted us an extraordinary and strong mandate," as he envisioned a "golden era" for the United States with him at the helm.

Harris wasn't the only Democrat to face losses in the elections on Tuesday. The Democratic Party will lose its hold on the US Senate, as Republicans managed to take three seats in West Virginia, Ohio, and Montana.

The outcome of the House of Representatives is still uncertain, with many races yet to be decided. However, Republicans are optimistic about their prospects of maintaining control of the lower chamber of Congress.

This would provide Trump's party with a "unified government," giving them authority over the White House, the Senate, and the House of Representatives, along with significant freedom to advance the president-elect's policy initiatives.

The White House announced that President Joe Biden, who won against Trump four years ago but decided to drop out of his own re-election campaign earlier this summer, reached out to the Republican president-elect on Wednesday to offer his congratulations and extend an invitation for a meeting at the White House. Biden is also anticipated to speak to the nation on Thursday.