Trump won. Harris lost.
In Harris’ concession speech she said, “While I concede this election, I do not concede the fight that fueled this campaign.”
Other aspects of her speech share similar sentiments to the themes of her campaign.
Harris, speaking directly to young people, said, “It is okay to feel sad and disappointed, but please know it’s going to be OK.”
Harris was speaking to her base, specifically those who were disheartened by the 2024 presidential election outcome, but also to the country as a whole.
The vice president emphasized how losing in the initial stages of a fight does not mean that the fight is lost.
She also added that courage, determination and support for one another are vital aspects of the democratic process and fight for justice.
“There’s an adage a historian once called a law of history, true of every society across the ages. The adage is, “Only when it is dark enough, can you see the stars,” said Harris as she closed her speech. “But here’s the thing, America, if it is [a dark time], let us fill the sky with the light of a brilliant billion of stars. The light of optimism, of faith, of truth and service.”
Harris walked off stage holding hands with her husband, Second Gentleman Doung Emhoff, and to the sound of cheers and her campaign theme song “Freedom” by Beyonce.
Jon Karl, ABC News’ chief Washington correspondent, said, “I think it was one of the best speeches of her entire campaign.”
In Trump’s victory speech, he spoke about his vision for the country and what he will do to help “heal” the country.
“We have a country that needs help, and it needs help very badly. We’re going to fix our borders,” said Trump Wednesday morning from the West Palm Beach County Convention Center. “We’re going to fix everything about our country…”
While declaring victory, Trump talked about making history as the greatest political movement ever and leading the “golden age of America” that is “strong, safe and prosperous” for future generations.
Trump said, “We will make America safe, strong, prosperous, powerful and free again. And I’m asking every citizen all across our land to join me in this noble and righteous endeavor.”
Trump thanked people like J.D. Vance, his vice-presidential running mate, for going into “enemy camp” like CNN and MSDNC (a parody of MSNBC to highlight how the network is more moderate) and “absolutely obliterates them.”
Trump also thanked Elon Musk and Dana White.
Trump was joined on stage by his family, Vance’s family and others who contributed to his campaign.
Like many of his speeches, Trump’s remarks were filled with coded language, but that is a normal America has obviously come to accept.
What Trump’s speech demonstrates is his ability to play to a market —to adjust his tone depending on who is listening.
His victory speech had an optimistic tone that greatly differed from the rhetoric he said the previous day.
In his last speeches before polls opened, Trump insulted Nancy Pelosi, saying, “She’s an evil, sick, crazy.”
He followed these comments by sounding out the first letters of an obscene phrase before stopping himself; he said, “It starts with a B, but I won’t say it. I wanna say it.”
In his closing speeches, he also shared his plans for improving Detroit, handling migrant gangs and taxing Mexico for sending over criminals, illegal immigrants and drugs.
These remarks are quite different from the uplifting, celebratory tone of his victory speech.
The contradictions between Trump’s two speeches illuminate who Trump is at his core.
Harris’ concessions speech was authentic and comforting.
Their speeches, though some would argue were similar in tone, could not show more how different the two are.
They both shared visions for the next four years, but only one was believable. And for the next four years, the 72,752,226 million Americans who voted for Trump and the rest of the country, will have to live with the morals, principles and policies of a convicted felon.
