US Vice President Kamala Harris called Donald Trump on Wednesday to congratulate him for winning the 2024 presidential election, one of her senior aides said, following a bitter and contentious race.
Democrat Harris discussed with Trump the importance of a peaceful transfer of power and being president for all Americans, said the aide speaking on background, confirming that Harris will deliver remarks in Washington later Wednesday.
Jen O’Malley Dillon, who chaired Harris’ campaign, said in an email to campaign staff obtained by NBC News that Harris told Trump during the call that “she would work with President Biden to ensure a peaceful transfer of power, unlike what we saw in 2020.”
“She also made clear that she hopes he will be a President for all Americans,” she said. Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung said in a statement that, in their call, the president-elect “acknowledged Vice President Harris on her strength, professionalism, and tenacity throughout the campaign, and both leaders agreed on the importance of unifying the country.”
Two other Harris aides said Harris spent the morning and afternoon working on her concession speech that she will deliver this afternoon at 4 p.m. at Howard University, her alma mater.
President Joe Biden spoke by phone Wednesday with Harris and congratulated her on her campaign, the White House said. Biden also spoke to Trump and congratulated him on his victory.
“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. “He also invited President-elect Trump to meet with him in the White House. The staff will coordinate a specific date in the near future. Biden will address the nation on Thursday to discuss the election results and the transition, the White House said.
A White House official said that Biden was also planning to offer to attend his inauguration, the White House official said.
