Harris Gives Defiant Concession Speech after Stunning Trump Win
US Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at Howard University in Washington, DC, on November 6, 2024 ©Angela Weiss / AFP

Donald Trump's crushing presidential victory heralded a new era of upheaval for the United States and the world Wednesday, as defeated Democrat Kamala Harris gave a defiant concession speech, while promising to help his transition.

An emotional vice president Harris told cheering supporters in Washington "do not despair" and she urged them to "keep fighting."

But her pledge to ensure a peaceful handover of power stood in stark contrast with Trump's unprecedented refusal four years ago to concede defeat to Joe Biden, culminating with the violent attack by his supporters on the US Capitol.

"While I concede this election, I do not concede the fight that fueled this campaign," Harris said in her short, powerful speech at Howard University, her former college.

"I know many people feel like we are entering a dark time," she said, her voice hoarse as she made her first public remarks since Trump's surprisingly heavy victory. "But for the benefit of us all, I hope that's not the case."

Harris -- who had blasted Trump as a threat to democracy during her failed tilt to become America's first woman president -- earlier called him to concede and offer her congratulations, a senior aide said.

Trump sealed his historic comeback to the White House overnight, cementing what is set to be more than a decade of US politics overshadowed by his hardline, disruptive right-wing politics.

The 78-year-old won wider margins than before, despite a criminal conviction, two impeachments while in office and warnings from his former chief of staff that he is a "fascist."

Exit polls showed that voters' top concern remained the economy and inflation that spiked under Biden in the wake of the Covid pandemic.

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