In his first post-election speech, President Joe Biden acknowledged that Donald Trump had defeated Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential contest. He called the result a “setback,” highlighting the fact that although setbacks are inevitable in life, quitting up is not an option. “A defeat does not mean we are defeated,” Biden declared, reiterating his will to continue and accept the election’s outcome.
Biden asked Americans to see each other as fellow citizens rather than adversaries and appealed for national unity in his speech. “One cannot truly love their country only when they win, and one cannot truly love their neighbors only when they follow suit,” he stressed. “Bring down the temperature,” he went on, urging a more unified approach after a highly contentious election.
Given the shift in leadership, Biden gave the country his word that his administration would collaborate closely with the new team to guarantee a “peaceful and orderly transition.” He reflected on America’s long history of self-government and emphasized the peaceful nature of the democratic process, which preserves the will of the people via free and fair elections.
The president paused to commend Harris’ campaign, describing it as “inspiring” and praising her moral fiber. “She has a backbone like a ramrod,” he added, adding that she and her staff should be proud of their efforts because she gave the campaign everything she had. Biden reiterated his opinion that one of his better choices was to choose Harris as his running partner.
Biden was a reelection candidate before he resigned and backed Harris. He is now preparing to hand the reins over to Trump. In reference to Trump’s and other Republicans’ baseless claims regarding the legitimacy of the 2020 election, Biden said he is hopeful that the election’s outcome will dispel any lingering doubts about the legitimacy of the American political system, regardless of the outcome.
“I also hope we can put to rest the question regarding the integrity of the American electoral system,” Biden stated. “It is transparent, equitable, and honest. Win or lose, you can rely on it. His remarks served as a direct refutation of persistent disinformation about the election process.
Biden met with Harris on Wednesday, congratulating her on her campaign in spite of the defeat. Choosing Harris as his running companion was a choice he would always support, he said in a statement, referring to it as “the best decision I made.”
Trump was also contacted by Biden, who invited the president-elect to come to the White House. The former president commended Biden for extending the invitation, which Trump’s staff accepted. Biden tried to facilitate a peaceful handover of power despite their intense hostility, particularly after the 2020 election.
Biden has used their past differences, including Trump’s unwillingness to recognize the results of the 2020 election, to paint a possible Trump comeback as a threat to democracy throughout the campaign. Because Trump continued to have a significant impact on American politics, this made the atmosphere more heated.
Harris formally conceded the race in a speech Wednesday afternoon at Howard University, her home mater, and emphasized the need of accepting election results as a cornerstone of American democracy. “When we lose an election, we accept the results,” she said categorically, setting democratic procedures apart from those of monarchy or autocracy.
Even though Harris conceded the election, she made it clear that she would not “concede the fight” that had driven her campaign. She reiterated her commitment to continue advocating for change by saying she still supports the causes she backed during her campaign.
Harris underlined in her speech that a fundamental aspect of democracy is the peaceful transfer of power, which sets democratic nations apart from despotic ones. Notwithstanding the election’s acrimony, she reaffirmed her commitment to ensuring a seamless handover of power.
In an attempt to mend the nation’s political divisions by emphasizing shared values and the importance of preserving the election process, Biden’s call for unity echoed throughout his speech after Harris withdrew from the race. Despite their briefness, Biden’s remarks established the tone for the country’s post-election future.
