Kamala Harris officially conceded the election to Donald Trump on Wednesday, urging her supporters to “not despair” and to stay engaged in the ongoing fight to protect democracy. In a heartfelt speech at Howard University in Washington, her alma mater, she addressed a crowd under a dramatic yellow sky, with chants of “Kamala!” echoing through the grounds.

“While I concede this election, I do not concede the fight that fueled this campaign,” Harris said, her voice hoarse after a whirlwind 13-week campaign. “The light of America’s promise will always burn bright, as long as we never give up.”

Earlier, Harris had called Trump to congratulate him and pledged to ensure a peaceful transfer of power. As vice president, she will play a ceremonial role in overseeing the certification of Trump’s victory in January.

"In our nation, we owe loyalty not to a president or a party, but to the Constitution of the United States," Harris said, drawing loud applause as she committed to assisting Trump’s team in the transition to the White House.

Harris acknowledged the concerns of her supporters, who feared for the future of American democracy. “This is a time to organize, to mobilize, and to stay engaged for the sake of freedom and justice and the future that we all know we can build together,” she stated.

The concession marked the end of a contentious election that spanned just over 100 days. Trump had won several key battleground states, securing the electoral votes needed for victory. Unlike in 2016, Trump is returning to power with a popular vote win, which he declared as an “unprecedented and powerful mandate.”

Republicans also gained control of the US Senate and were close to holding onto the House, consolidating their power across the federal government.

Harris’s speech followed a night of hope turning into disappointment. Earlier in the day, supporters had gathered at a watch party, but were instead informed by a campaign co-chair that Harris would not be addressing them.

Many of her supporters, some in tears, said goodbye to her historic candidacy and the hope that she might break barriers as the first woman president. “I really thought we were going to do it,” said Joanne Howes, a member of Emily’s List, a group supporting Democratic female candidates.

Throughout her campaign, Harris focused on themes of freedom, unity, and justice. She visited battleground states, participated in phone banking, and knocked on doors to engage voters. Her campaign, however, ultimately faced a strong backlash against the incumbent party, as many Americans, dissatisfied with the status quo, turned to Trump for change.

Standing before the Frederick Douglass Memorial Hall, Harris addressed young Americans, telling them, “Sometimes the fight takes a while. That doesn’t mean we won’t win.”

Concluding her speech, she invoked a hopeful message, quoting the adage, “Only when it is dark enough can you see the stars.”

With Beyoncé’s "Freedom" playing, Harris left the stage, her words leaving a lasting call for resilience and hope.