What to know about Kamala Harris’s concession speech

Kamala Harris delivered a speech conceding defeat in the presidential election to Donald Trump on Wednesday afternoon. Earlier in the day, she called Trump to congratulate him on his electoral victory.

Here’s what to know.

Where did Harris deliver her concession speech?

Continuing a longstanding US tradition, Harris called Trump to congratulate him on recapturing the White House. Joe Biden also issued congratulations and “expressed his commitment to ensuring a smooth transition”, according to the White House.

Harris appeared at Howard University, her alma mater, in Washington DC to deliver a concession speech on Wednesday.

On election night, supporters gathered on the historic campus were in a celebratory mood earlier in the evening, but as the likelihood of a Democratic victory dimmed, the mood grew somber.

Related: Harris voters mourn loss after sobering concession speech: ‘There’s nothing left’

Harris was scheduled to address the crowd on election night, but did not appear. Instead, the campaign co-chair Cedric Richmond took the stage to address supporters.

The mood during her speech on Wednesday was calm and sober, with some Harris supporters saying they need time to recover from Trump’s win before contemplating next steps after the election.

Harris also launched her unsuccessful 2020 campaign for the Democratic nomination at Howard and used the campus to prepare for her August debate against Trump.

In past elections, when has the losing candidate conceded?

In 2016, Hilary Clinton gave a concession speech on Wednesday morning. “Donald Trump is going to be our president,” she said in Manhattan. “We owe him an open mind and a chance to lead.”

In both 2012 and 2008, the election was called for Barack Obama before midnight.

In 2020, Trump refused to concede the US election to Joe Biden. He has not admitted publicly that he lost.

How to watch Harris’s concession speech

The Guardian covered the speech as it happened. A replay is now available.

What to know about Trump’s victory speech

Appearing with his family, close aides and his running mate, JD Vance, before supporters in Florida on election night, Trump called his victory the “greatest political movement of all time”.

“There’s never been anything like this in this country and now it’s going to reach a new level of importance, because we’re going to help our country heal,” Trump said.

“We’re going to fix our borders. We’re going to fix everything about our country … I will not rest until we have delivered the strong, safe and prosperous America that our children deserve, this will truly be the golden age of America.”

What happens next?

Harris will preside over a joint session of Congress in January to certify the results of the election. Trump will be sworn in as the 47th US president on 20 January 2025.

Read more of the Guardian’s 2024 US election coverage