US election live: Kamala Harris says ‘do not despair’ in concession speech; Trump to meet Biden at White House, campaign says

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Australian ambassador to US deletes posts critical of Trump

The former Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd, who is now ambassador to the US, has deleted social media posts critical of president-elect Donald Trump to avoid the comments “being misconstrued”, officials confirmed.

An official with Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said a statement from Rudd’s private office account confirmed the “past commentaries” had been removed from his personal website and social media channels “out of respect” for the office of president of the United States and following the election of Trump.

The statement, which was read out, said:

This has been done to eliminate the possibility of such comments being misconstrued as reflecting his positions as ambassador and, by extension, the views of the Australian government. Ambassador Rudd looks forward to working with President Trump and his team to continue strengthening the US-Australia alliance.

This morning, Australia’s prime minister, Anthony Albanese, said Rudd was doing a “terrific job” as ambassador.

“It says a lot about how important we regard the relationship with the United States that we appointed a former prime minister,” he said.

In a now-deleted tweet, Rudd called Trump “the most destructive president in history” and that he “drags America and democracy through the mud”.

In an interview in March, Trump called Rudd “nasty” and claimed he “won’t be there long” as ambassador.

While Donald Trump and the GOP have won the White House and control of the Senate, the Democrats are celebrating several historic wins.

In Delaware, Sarah McBride became the first transgender person elected to Congress. With the Senate wins of Lisa Blunt Rochester in Delaware and Angela Alsobrooks in Maryland, the US will have two Black women serving as senators for the first time in history. And Andy Kim’s win in the New Jersey Senate race made him the first Korean American elected to Congress’s upper chamber.

More here in this video on the historic first:

California leaders say they are 'ready' for Trump

California is expected to be a leader in resisting Donald Trump’s extremist conservative policies, as it during his first administration, and Democratic leaders in the country’s most populous state are now saying they are “ready” for the Republican’s return to the White House.

After Kamala Harris’s concession speech, California’s governor, Gavin Newsom, released a brief statement that praised the vice president’s campaign and said:

Karen Bass, the mayor of Los Angeles and a former member of Congress, said Harris had “inspired millions all over the country”, adding in a message to Angelenos:

No matter where you were born, how you came to this country, how you worship, or who you love, Los Angeles will stand with you. This is not a time for despair, this is a time for action. I’ve spoken with leaders across the city, the state and the country. We are ready.

Rob Bonta, the state’s attorney general, who could play a pivotal role in the expected legal battles over Trump’s policies, said in a post: “California will continue to move forward driven by our values and the ongoing pursuit of progress. And I’ll use the full force of the law and the full authority of my office to ensure it. I’ve got your back. I promise.”

'America is bigger than the results of any one election', Clintons say after Harris's defeat

In a joint statement, Bill and Hillary Clinton wished Donald Trump and JD Vance well after winning the election, and acknowledged the disappointment of those who did not support them:

Hillary Clinton was the first woman nominated for president by a major party, but lost to Trump in 2016, just as Kamala Harris did eight years later.

New Zealand prime minister Christopher Luxon has congratulated Donald Trump and said he looks forward to closer relations with the incoming administration.

Luxon said the relationship between the US and New Zealand is “strong and enduring” and he hopes the two nations will continue to advance its shared interests: “The US is one of our most important partners, our second largest export destination, and a major source of global innovation and growth. Our long-standing cooperation both bilaterally and in our region has helped ensure our prosperity and security.”

The prime minister also recognised Joe Biden:

“I would like to commend the vibrant relationship between our two countries and the breadth of cooperation we have enjoyed during President Biden’s tenure. I admire his dedication to public service and the American people.”

Trump campaign says White House meeting with Biden 'will take place shortly'

Donald Trump’s campaign said the president-elect had spoken to Joe Biden, and accepted his invitation for a meeting to discuss transitioning between administrations at the White House.

“President Joe Biden called President Donald J Trump to congratulate him on his victory and extended an invitation to the White House to ensure a smooth transition between the current administration and the incoming administration. President Trump looks forward to the meeting, which will take place shortly, and very much appreciated the call,” communications director Steven Cheung said.

Biden calls Harris 'tremendous partner and public servant' after election loss

Joe Biden, who ended his campaign for a second term in July and endorsed Kamala Harris, only to see her lose to Donald Trump yesterday, paid tribute to his vice-president in a just-released statement.

“What America saw today was the Kamala Harris I know and deeply admire. She’s been a tremendous partner and public servant full of integrity, courage and character,” Biden said, shortly after Harris had publicly conceded the race to Trump in a speech to supporters in Washington DC.

The president signaled that he believed Harris would continue as a champion for the issues she had campaigned on:

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.

As I’ve said before, selecting Kamala was the very first decision I made when I became the nominee for president in 2020. It was the best decision I made. Her story represents the best of America’s story. And as she made clear today, I have no doubt that she’ll continue writing that story.

She will continue the fight with purpose, determination, and joy. She will continue to be a champion for all Americans. Above all, she will continue to be a leader our children will look up to for generations to come as she puts her stamp on America’s future.

Summary

Here’s where things stand the day after the election as the world processes Donald Trump’s decisive win and imminent return to the White House:

• Kamala Harris conceded at Howard University, where she had originally hoped to deliver a victory speech, telling supporters, “While I concede this election, I do not concede the fight that fueled this campaign.”

• As votes continue to be counted, the margins in swing states appear to show a decisive victory for the Republican.

• Trump has won every key swing state that has been called – Georgia, Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania. Nevada and Arizona haven’t been called yet but appeared to be leaning Republican.

• Republicans now have a Senate majority, which will give Trump far more leverage to enact his legislative agenda and, crucially, confirm judicial and executive nominees.

• Control of the US House of Representatives remains unclear, with many of the most competitive races still uncalled.

• Initial analysis suggests that Black women remain the most reliable Democratic voters while Harris suffered significant losses among both Latino women and men.

• Special counsel prosecutors will shut down their criminal cases against Donald Trump before he takes office, according to two people with direct knowledge of the matter.

• Abortion rights supporters celebrated a handful of victories on Tuesday night, as several states voted to enshrine protections for the procedure into their constitutions.

• Trump has received calls and congratulations from across the globe, including from Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron and Benjamin Netanyahu.

• The Obamas, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren and other high-profile Democrats and progressives have released statements addressing the stunning loss.

Donald Trump wins Alaska

Donald Trump has also officially won the state of Alaska, as expected, expanding his electoral college lead by three votes, the Associated Press reports.

As of around 6pm, the Republican had secured 295 electoral college votes, compared to Kamala Harris’s 226.

The key swing states of Arizona and Nevada have yet to be called, as votes are still being processed, but appeared to be leaning toward Trump.

Elizabeth Warren on Trump's win: 'The far right wants us to feel powerless'

Massachusetts senator Elizabeth Warren, a progressive Democrat, has released an emotional video response to Donald Trump’s victory, acknowledging the deep pain of this outcome and reminding supporters of the successes of grassroots movements under Trump’s first presidency.

“I will not ask you to look for any silver linings,” she began her video. “I will not ask you to feel anything but grief right now. Donald Trump won the election, and the consequences will be real and devastating.”

Warren said there will be “opportunities to fight back” moving forward:

The far right wants us to feel powerless. Extremists are counting on apathy, cynicism, heartbreak, or all of the above as their rocket fuel. They are counting on us to point fingers at each other and to lose trust in our ability to ever, ever make change. I absolutely refuse to give them that satisfaction.

When Republicans took power eight years ago, she recalled, it seemed the Affordable Care Act was doomed, but “the American people rose up … and saved healthcare for millions of families”. She also recounted Democratic successes in 2018, 2020 and 2021 elections: “Don’t let anyone tell you that those victories didn’t make a real difference.”

She continued, “We need each other. We take care of each other. And please take care of yourself. Take the time you need right now to be angry, hurt, confused. Hold your loved ones close. Find opportunities to be in community with others.”

Her comments come soon after Bernie Sanders, the independent senator and leading progressive voice in Congress, issued a sharp repudiation of the Democratic party, saying the failure to embrace policies that would help average Americans led to the terrible performance on Tuesday.

The Obamas address supporters: 'Our point of view won’t always win'

Barack and Michelle Obama, who had been rallying for Kamala Harris in the final stretch of the campaign, have issued a statement congratulating Donald Trump and JD Vance on their victory.

The statement says, in part:

Their statement also implored supporters extend “good faith and grace” to people they disagree with, and praised Harris and Tim Walz as “extraordinary public servants who ran a remarkable campaign”.

Their statement comes more than eight years after Trump helped build his political career by spreading the racist “birther” conspiracy theory that Barack Obama was not born in the US.

Keir Starmer speaks to Donald Trump, offering 'hearty congratulations'

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer told president-elect Donald Trump he looks forward to working closely together “across all areas of the special relationship” as he congratulated him on his election victory, Downing Street said.

A Downing Street spokeswoman said: “The Prime Minister spoke to president-elect Donald Trump this evening to congratulate him on his historic victory.

“The Prime Minister offered his hearty congratulations and said he looked forward to working closely with president-elect Trump across all areas of the special relationship.

“From defence and security to growth and prosperity, the relationship between the UK and US was incredibly strong and would continue to thrive for many years to come, the leaders agreed.

“The Prime Minister also reflected on the situation in the Middle East and underscored the importance of regional stability … The leaders fondly recalled their meeting in September, and president-elect Trump’s close connections and affinity to the United Kingdom and looked forward to working with one another.”

Former VP Pence congratulates Trump on his election victory

Donald Trump’s former vice-president Mike Pence, who fell out with the then-president after the January 6 insurrection, has congratulated him on his election victory:

Pence made a brief and unsuccessful run for the Republican nomination, where he criticized Trump for his “reckless” conduct on January 6. He later said he would not endorse his former boss, who had shown little concern as a mob of his supporter attacked the Capitol while Pence was inside, but did not rule out voting for him.

Harris just wrapped up her speech by saying that even if the country struggles in the years to come, it will emerge stronger:

There’s an adage an 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. I know many people feel like we are entering a dark time, but for the benefit of us all, I hope that is not the case. But here’s the thing, America, if it is, let us fill the sky with the light of a brilliant, brilliant billion of stars.

The light, the light of optimism, of faith, of truth and service … and may that work guide us, even in the face of setbacks, toward the extraordinary promise of the United States of America.

Her husband, Doug Emhoff, then appeared at her side, and the couple waved at the crowd before heading off stage to the sound of Beyoncé’s Freedom, a staple at events in her unsuccessful campaign for president.

Supporters at Harris’s speech. Photograph: Charly Triballeau/AFP/Getty Images

Harris tells supporters: 'Do not despair'

With a nod to future elections that could help Democrats regain political power, Kamala Harris urged her supporters to stay engaged in the democratic process.

“The fight for our freedom will take hard work, but like I always say, we like hard work. Hard work is good work. Hard work can be joyful work. And the fight for our country is always worth it,” Harris said.

She also made a point of addressing young people, who broke for Donald Trump in surprisingly large numbers in the election.

To the young people who are watching, it is OK to feel sad and disappointed, but please know it’s going to be OK. On the campaign, I would often say, ‘When we fight, we win.’ But here’s the thing, here’s the thing, sometimes the fight takes a while. That doesn’t mean we won’t win. That doesn’t mean we won’t win. The important thing is, don’t ever give up.

Many Democrats dread Trump returning to office, but Harris encouraged them not to be overcome by grief:

So, to everyone who is watching, do not despair. This is not a time to throw up our hands. This is a time to roll up our sleeves. This is a time to organize, to mobilize and to stay engaged for the sake of freedom and justice and the future that we all know we can build together.

Harris makes her concession speech. Photograph: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

Harris concedes election to Trump, vows to keep fighting

Kamala Harris made her concession to Donald Trump official, but vowed to keep fighting for the issues that she campaigned on.

“While I concede this election, I do not concede the fight that fueled this campaign,” the vice-president said.

“The fight for freedom, for opportunity, for fairness and the dignity of all people, a fight for the ideals at the heart of our nation, the ideals that reflect America at our best. That is a fight I will never give up.”

Harkening back to some of the promises of her failed campaign, Harris said:

I will never give up the fight for a future where Americans can pursue their dreams, ambitions and aspirations, where the women of America have the freedom to make decisions about their own body and not have their government telling them what to do.

We will never give up the fight to protect our schools and our streets from gun violence and, America, we will never give up the fight for our democracy, for the rule of law, for equal justice and for the sacred idea that every one of us, no matter who we are or where we start out, has certain fundamental rights and freedoms. That must be respected and upheld.

Harris calls on supporters to accept election result, promises 'peaceful transfer of power'

Kamala Harris said she had spoken to president-elect Donald Trump, and would work with him to peacefully transfer power.

“Now, I know folks are feeling and experiencing a range of emotions right now. I get it, but we must accept the results of this election,” the vice-president said.

“Earlier today, I spoke with president-elect Trump and congratulated him on his victory. I also told him that we will help him and his team with their transition and that we will engage in a peaceful transfer of power.”

That would be a shift from when Trump lost to Joe Biden in 2020, and tried for weeks to block the Democrat from taking office, culminating in the January 6 attack on the US Capitol.

Kamala Harris at Howard University in Washington on Wednesday. Photograph: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

Harris then thanked everyone who worked for her campaign, which lasted just over three months.

“To my beloved Doug and our family, I love you so very much. To President Biden and Dr Biden, thank you for your faith and support. To Governor Walz and the Walz family, I know your service to our nation will continue, and to my extraordinary team, to the volunteers who gave so much of themselves to the poll workers and the local election officials. I thank you. I thank you all,” Harris said.

Election result 'not what we wanted', Harris says after losing to Trump

Kamala Harris acknowledged the disappointment of her election loss to Donald Trump yesterday, but called on her supporters to “keep fighting”.

“My heart is full today. Full of gratitude for the trust you have placed in me, full of love for our country and full of resolve,” the vice-president said.

“The outcome of this election is not what we wanted, not what we fought for, not what we voted for, but hear me when I say, hear me when I say, the light of America’s promise will always burn bright, as long as we never give up, and as long as we keep fighting.”

A Harris supporter at the speech in Washington. Photograph: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters