President Joe Biden addressed the nation following Donald Trump’s election victory, describing Vice President Kamala Harris’s defeat as a “setback.” Biden called for unity, saying, “Setbacks are unavoidable, but giving up is unforgivable… A defeat does not mean we are defeated.” He emphasized acceptance of the election results: “We accept the choice the country made. You can’t love your country only when you win. You can’t love your neighbor only when you agree.”
Biden assured Americans of a “peaceful and orderly transition” and invited Trump to meet at the White House. He reiterated the importance of respecting democracy, stating, “For over 200 years, America has carried on the greatest experiment in self-government… where the will of the people always prevails.” He expressed pride in Harris’s campaign, remarking, “She has a backbone like a ramrod, great character, true character… she and her entire team should be proud.”
Reflecting on the integrity of the electoral process, Biden added, “I also hope we can lay to rest the question about the integrity of the American electoral system—it is honest, it is fair, and it is transparent.”
