President Biden delivered a speech from the Rose Garden on Thursday following Vice President Kamala Harris's concession of the 2024 presidential election to President-elect Trump. Biden revealed that he had a conversation with Trump on Wednesday to congratulate him on his victory and ensure a smooth transition of power.
Biden emphasized the importance of a peaceful and orderly transition, stating that it is what the American people deserve. He commended Harris for her inspiring campaign, praising her character and resilience.
Focusing on unity, Biden described political campaigns as a clash of different visions, acknowledging that the country makes a choice and it must be respected. He urged Americans to view each other not as adversaries but as fellow citizens, regardless of their political affiliations.
The president expressed hope that the 2024 election would dispel any doubts about the integrity of the American electoral system, emphasizing its honesty, fairness, and transparency.
Following Harris's concession on Wednesday, her campaign manager and Biden ally, Jen O'Malley Dillon, described the defeat as 'unfathomably painful' in a staff memo. Dillon pledged to begin the work of safeguarding America from the impacts of a Trump Presidency immediately.
This televised address comes in the wake of Harris's loss in the presidential election to Trump earlier this week. The situation continues to evolve, and updates will be provided as new information becomes available.
