US election: Kamala Harris concedes defeat, voters explain how President-elect Donald Trump got it right

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Vice President Kamala Harris fronted the American people with a “full heart”, 14 hours after the election was called for President-elect Donald Trump, conceding defeat at her alma mater Howard University on Wednesday afternoon.

The mood was sombre, with the vastly Black American crowd packing the event feeling a heady mix of emotions: fear, a feeling of defeat but also pride. It was this last emotion that the Democratic presidential candidate sought to tap into.

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“My heart is full today. Full of gratitude for the trust you have placed in me. Full of love for our country, and full of resolve,” Ms Harris said.

“The outcome of this election is not what we wanted, not what we fought for, not what we voted for.

“But hear me when I say the light of America’s promise will always burn bright as long as we never give up and as long as we keep fighting.”

Ms Harris confirmed she had called Mr Trump to congratulate him on his victory. However, it was hard not to miss the reference to her rival’s actions after his 2020 election loss when she added: “We must accept the results of the election.”

“I also told him that we would help him and his team in his transition. When we lose an election, we accept the results. That principle, as much as any other, distinguishes democracy from monarchy or tyranny.

Ms Harris finished with an adage: “Only when it is dark enough can you see the stars.”

“Many people feel like we are entering a dark time. I hope that is not the case.

“Let us fill the sky with the light of a brilliant, brilliant billion of stars. The light of optimism, of faith, of truth and service.

“And may that work guide us even in the face of setbacks toward the extraordinary promise of the United States of America.”

Despite her eloquent address, the election outcome - and the magnitude of Trump’s win - appears to have deeply shocked Ms Harris and her campaign. Emails have already been sent encouraging supporters to mourn this loss deeply with their families and friends and that it’s time to start “protecting America from the impacts of a Trump presidency”.

Predicted polls throughout the campaign were consistently tight, with many believing Ms Harris was as likely to win as she was to lose. All she needed to do was retain the wins secured by President Joe Biden in 2020.

However, Mr Trump claimed a clear and strong victory with the electoral college and popular vote.

As Americans came to terms with the outcome, many were at pains to explain why one side got it so right and the other so wrong.

How Kamala Harris got it wrong

“Kamala is professional and did not criticise people,” university student Tanisha said. She added that Ms Harris also withheld criticism of President Joe Biden for staying in the race so long, and was relatively light on directly condemning Donald Trump, instead saying it was “time to turn the page”.

Fellow student Jada expressed her disappointment after “looking forward to change” beginning in America.

“Kamala was trying to appease people who would never vote for her,” Jada said. She criticised Ms Harris campaigning on the idea of being “a president for everyone”, a move that instead made her a president for no one.

Meanwhile Nick, a dedicated Trump supporter, said: “The left doesn’t care about America”.

Adding Trump’s message to “Swamp the vote” finally got Ms Harris and “Sleepy Joe” out of the White House.

“Kamala has been there for four years. She doesn’t work.”

Another local, Katie was blunt on where the Democrats got it wrong: “Joe Biden should have left earlier.”

Indeed, the President’s reluctance to exit the presidential election until his disastrous debate performance sparked a crisis within the party meant Ms Harris only had 107 days to secure the support of Democrat - and crucial swing - voters.

“She didn’t have the same amount of time that other people had,” Jada said. Adding: “Kamala went to work with what she had.”

Although the campaign for Ms Harris was short, she had been the Vice President for over three years when she was finally pushed atop the ticket. But throughout her tenure, Ms Harris failed to garner respect from Americans.

Maya believes Ms Harris was in a near-impossible position coming in so late, saying “It was a combination of trying to still maintain her role as VP but also promote herself as a leader.”

However Ms Harris raised a record-breaking amount of money to support her breakneck campaign and hit the road hard. If you followed the Vice President on social media over the election, you would likely have seen that she was “live” on platforms a number of times. The view count started to shrink more and more as the election went on.

Ms Harris was tireless when it came to campaign rallies with an army of volunteers door knocking, calling and fundraising. In the crucial swing state of Pennsylvania, which still eventually went to Trump, she was going door-to-door herself.

“It could have been overwhelming,” Jada said.

“When I saw her knocking on doors in Pennsylvania I thought wow, I have never seen that.”

One volunteer who had spent weeks door-knocking said she told voters that Mr Trump was creating a “vacuum” that would make the country susceptible to China and Russia. It’s uncertain whether such views would have had the desired effect with still-undecided voters.

A local director at a Harris campaign centre explained they had more volunteers than doors to knock on.

Despite failing to win, the director said almost everyone involved hoped that Ms Harris would run again.

Kamala Harris’ interview on The View

Continuity could be a sore point for the Democratic Party given the VP’s now-infamous interview on the popular TV show The View, which dogged the presidential candidate throughout her campaign.

While appearing on the show in the lead-up to the US poll, co-host Sunny Hostin asked Ms Harris: “What, if anything, would you have done differently than President Biden during the past four years?”

Ms Harris paused with a confused look on her face, before replying: “There is not a thing that comes to mind.”

Within hours, the footage was part of one of the most used ads of Mr Trump’s campaign. Coupled with news reports featuring Americans who lost their lives due to war, immigration and crime, the video painted the picture of a candidate happy to stick with the status quo.

But “the same” was what the US refused this election. Post-COVID, America has changed. Many complain the economy has not recovered, nor have their bank accounts.

Looking at Mr Trump’s “America first” second term presidency, it’s easy to see how his “drill baby drill” slogan, his stance on immigration and his promises for the “golden age” of the American economy rallied voters to him.

And with Mr Trump in charge, the idea of the US being the unapologetic leader of the free world is suddenly back in vogue.