President Joe Biden addressed the nation on Thursday, following former President Donald Trump’s victory over Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election.
“We accept the choice the country made,” said Biden, speaking from the White House Rose Garden. “Campaigns are contests of competing visions. The country chooses one or the other.”
Biden said he spoke with Trump, who is president-elect for a second time, and ensured cooperation with the incoming administration.
“I assured him that I would direct my entire administration to work with his team to ensure a peaceful and orderly transition,” the president said.
Biden said he also spoke with Harris, and he praised her campaign efforts, despite the defeat.
“She has a backbone like a ramrod. She has great character, true character,” said the president. He acknowledged that the loss was a setback, but urged their supporters to keep fighting. “We need to stay engaged. We need to keep going. And above all, we need to keep the faith,” he said.
Harris conceded the election on Wednesday afternoon, speaking at Howard University, her alma mater. “Sometimes the fight takes a while,” she told her supporters. “That doesn’t mean we won’t win.”
The president also used the moment to tout his administration’s accomplishments over the last four years, in particular $1 trillion worth of infrastructure projects that he says will increase the quality of life for American citizens. He also acknowledged that he has only 74 days to reach more of his goals before Trump is sworn in for his second term.
Trump currently has 295 Electoral College votes, with an expected 17 to be added after Arizona and Nevada finish counting ballots for their respective U.S. Senate races.
As results currently stand, Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz) is expected to defeat Republican challenger Kari Lake for independent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema’s seat, while Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) looks to be holding off Sam Brown, a former military officer and veteran of the War in Afghanistan running for the Republicans. In Pennsylvania, where 99 percent of the votes have been reported, it appears that Republican businessman Dave McCormick will defeat three-term Sen. Bob Casey Jr. (D-Pa.).
Republicans will have a 53–47 advantage in the Senate chamber if these projected results stand. Republicans are also projected to maintain control of the House of Representatives and keep the gavel in the hands of current Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.)