Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff was seen fighting back tears as a devastated Kamala Harris conceded election defeat to Donald Trump.
The 60-year-old was seen being hugged by his daughter Ella as his wife said: “To my beloved Doug and our family, I love you so much.”
His running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, patted him on the heart and appeared to hold back tears as the current vice president thanked him and his family.
Emhoff proceeded to pat Walz on the back as the crowd gathered at his alma mater, Howard University in Washington, D.C., cheered.
The emotional Walz at one point bowed his head as Harris spoke and clasped his hands together.
The Second Gentleman, seen here with his son and daughter Cole, Ella, and Governor Walz, is seen wiping away a tear as his wife speaks.
The 60-year-old was seen being hugged by his daughter Ella as a somber-looking Governor Walz bowed his head.
Harris thanked President Joe Biden, his family, his staff and his supporters. He also expressed pride in his campaign.
Harris told dozens of tearful supporters who had gathered at the school that “this is not what we wanted,” taking the stage 12 hours after officials called the race.
He vowed to help with the peaceful transfer of power even as he said he would continue his battle after Trump’s dominant victory.
As of Wednesday afternoon, the former president had swept five of the seven swing states and was on the verge of surpassing 300 Electoral College votes.
“While I recognize this election, I do not recognize the fight that fueled this campaign,” he said.
His voice shook at times as he addressed a massive crowd of supporters at his alma mater.
‘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 determination,’ she said in her first appearance since voters rejected her vision of America.
“The outcome of this election is not what we wanted, what we fought for, or what we voted for, but hear me when I say, hear me when I say, the light of America’s promise will always shine,” he said. .
Harris thanked President Joe Biden, his family, his staff and his supporters. He also expressed pride in his campaign.
‘Look, I’m very proud of the race we ran. And the way we execute it,” he said.
‘I now know that people are feeling and experiencing a variety of emotions right now. I understand. But we must accept the results of these elections,” he said.
Harris’ running mate Tim Walz and his wife Gwen are seen here Wednesday night as she conceded the election.
‘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 his transition and that we will participate in a peaceful transfer of power.” He said he would respect the results.
Harris’ campaign aides stood to the side of the stage as she spoke and exchanged hugs, including Jen O’Malley Dillon, David Plouffe and Brian Fallon.
Even though a DJ blasted party music featuring Beyoncé and other hits, the atmosphere of the event was dour. The followers cried. Many hugs were exchanged.
Before her speech, Harris called Trump congratulating him and urging him for a peaceful transfer of power and encouraging him to be a president for all Americans.
Then President Joe Biden called Trump and invited him to the White House just as they called Michigan: the fifth swing state to lean in favor of the Republican.
Trump is the first president in more than 130 years, and only the second in history, to win a second non-consecutive term.
Throughout the night, the campaign highlighted data that could mean surprise good news for Harris: higher-than-expected turnout in Philadelphia, votes still to be counted in Detroit.
But in the end Harris did not improve on President Joe Biden’s performance against Trump four years ago.
Democrats were counting on keeping the three states (Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania) to give Harris the White House. Biden won them in 2020.
But Trump won them, giving him 292 electoral votes to Harris’ 224. It takes 270 to win the presidency.
Harris is now on track to do worse than Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election. She might even be on track to get the worst Electoral College showing of any Democrat since the 1988 race.
Trump is the first president in more than 130 years, and just the second in history, to win a second non-consecutive term.