Vice President Kamala Harris is set to address an audience at Howard University today following her loss to Donald Trump in the 2024 election. This marks her first major public appearance since the election results. The setting at Howard University, her alma mater and a site where she previously launched her presidential bid, carries symbolic significance. With a speech scheduled for 4 p.m. EST, Harris’s remarks are anticipated by many, especially with questions swirling about whether she will formally concede to Trump.
Last night, her campaign refrained from a definitive concession statement, suggesting the race was still close in some states. Cedric Richmond, Harris’s campaign co-chair, spoke at Howard, indicating that they would “continue…to fight to make sure every vote is counted.” Richmond’s remarks reflect the campaign’s initial hesitation to concede, aligning with a strategy to ensure all votes are validated in close-call states. Despite the delay, however, Harris has reportedly reached out to Trump by midday to offer her congratulations on his victory, signaling a shift in tone and foreshadowing potential remarks in her upcoming speech.
As Harris prepares to speak, her appearance has drawn significant attention, not only as an address following a presidential loss but also as a testament to her long-standing connection to Howard University. This historically Black university is central to Harris’s identity, shaping her career as a leader and reinforcing her connection with voters from diverse backgrounds. The speech may also address the future of Democratic priorities, as supporters and party officials alike look to her to signal a path forward.
With Trump poised to take office again, Harris’s comments today will be widely scrutinized for insight into her reflections on the election and her hopes for the future. For Democrats and those who rallied behind her message of inclusivity and progress, her words may serve as a rallying cry and a call to action for the party in the coming years. Whether she chooses to focus on the concession or on broader issues, Harris’s speech promises to shape the post-election landscape, capturing the challenges and ambitions for the Democratic Party ahead.
