President Joe Biden addressed the nation Thursday morning to discuss Vice President Kamala Harris’ loss of the 2024 presidential election and president-elect Donald Trump’s upcoming transition into power.
The speech came a day after Biden congratulated Trump on his victory over the phone Wednesday and invited him to the White House to discuss the presidential transition period – an offer Trump refused to extend to Biden after the 2020 race. A meeting date has not been revealed yet as staff coordinate one in the near future.
“President Biden expressed his commitment to ensuring a smooth transition and emphasized the importance of working to bring the country together,” the White House said in a statement.
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Biden’s address: Watch the full speech
Biden delivered his remarks after 11 a.m. EST following an announcement Thursday morning on social media site X.
You can rewatch the speech below or on USA TODAY’s YouTube channel.
In his remarks, which lasted about six minutes, Biden affirmed his commitment to a peaceful transition of power, lauded the the election as one that was free and fair, and praised poll workers for overseeing the voting process.
Addressing his cabinet, as well as Harris’ supporters following her defeat, Biden insisted: “setbacks are unavoidable, but giving up is unforgivable.”
Biden: Harris is ‘public servant full of integrity’
Biden’s address comes a day after he released a statement following Harris’ election loss calling his vice president “a tremendous partner and public servant full of integrity, courage, and character.”
In the statement, Biden said selecting Harris as his running mate in 2020 “was the very best decision I made” and said “her story represents the best of America’s story.”
“Under extraordinary circumstances, she stepped up and led a historic campaign that embodied what’s possible when guided by a strong moral compass and a clear vision for a nation that is more free, more just, and full of more opportunities for all Americans,” Biden said. “She will continue the fight with purpose, determination, and joy.”
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Harris, Trump deliver speeches after election results
Harris delivered her concession speech Wednesday at Howard University where she accepted that the results of the election were not in her favor. She encouraged supporters not to give into despair and instead mobilize.
“While I concede this election, I do not concede the fight that fueled this campaign,” she said. “We will continue to wage this fight in the voting booth, in the courts and in the public square, and we will also wage it in quieter ways, in how we live our lives, by treating one another with kindness and respect.”
Trump gave his victory speech at 2:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in Florida, where he promised voters his administration would not rest “until we deliver the strong, safe and prosperous America that our children deserve and that you deserve.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Biden full speech: Rewatch president address election results
