Harris concedes 2024 election, Biden, Trump speak for first time since Trump win

Following Donald Trump’s win in the 2024 presidential election and Vice President Kamala Harris’ concession speech on Wednesday night, America’s former presidents took to social media to express their opinions on the results and congratulate both nominees. 

President Joe Biden

“Selecting Kamala was the very first decision I made when I became the nominee for president in 2020,” President Biden wrote in a heartfelt post on X/Twitter.

“She will continue to be a champion for all Americans.”

Rona Kaufman, an associate professor of constitutional law at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, went to sleep before the election was called Tuesday and woke up on Wednesday relieved to learn of Trump's victory. 

"In all honesty, I had deep concerns about a Harris win and what that means for our country, and what that means for the future of Jewish security, both at home and abroad," Kaufman told The Post. "And I have more faith right now in the Republican Party to lead us in a better direction."

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed Iran with Donald Trump when he called to congratulate him on securing a second term as President of the United States following Tuesday’s election.

“The conversation was warm and cordial,” Netanyahu’s office said, noting that the Prime Minister was one of the first world leaders to call Trump.

Democratic candidate Vice President Kamala Harris delivered her concession speech on Wednesday following Republican candidate Donald Trump's win in the US presidential elections.

Harris acknowledged her loss in the election, saying, "While I concede this election, I do not concede the fight that fueled this campaign." The speech took place at Howard University, a historically black college.

"I am so proud of the race we ran," she continued, emphasizing that the results must be accepted.

The families of the American hostages are imploring President-elect Donald Trump and his transition team to work together with President Biden and his Administration officials to secure the immediate release of the hostages, according to a statement released Wednesday afternoon. 

"For 397 days, Americans– Omer, Edan, Judi, Gad, Keith, Sagui and Itay– have suffered at the hands of Hamas terrorists in Gaza," the statement said. 

"This is an urgent, catastrophic humanitarian crisis, not a partisan issue; our family members in captivity in Gaza need a bipartisan coalition of brave, committed leaders to bring them home," the families said, adding that the hostages cannot wait any longer. 

"They are depending on us and on Republican and Democratic leaders to seize this moment," the families said. 

In a separate statement, Liz Hirsh Naftali, the great aunt of four-year-old Abigail Mor Edan, who was taken hostage on October 7 and released 50 days later, told The Jerusalem Post on Tuesday that the president-elect and Biden must pressure Prime Minister Netanyahu, Ron Dermer and Israeli leadership to make a deal "that demonstrates their unachieved commitment for over a year for the hostage release."

"This is the greatest priority for the day after election 2024 as it relates to Israel and the hostages - make a deal to release all of the hostages, cease the fighting and bring humanitarian aid to Gaza," Naftali said. "Until then - everyone loses and sadly more hostages and innocent people will die."
 

US President Joe Biden is expected to speak to Donald Trump by phone on Wednesday and offer the Republican leader his congratulations over his projected presidential election victory, an ABC News reporter said in a post on X.

The reporter said Biden is planning to make public remarks on Thursday.

US Vice President Kamala Harris will deliver a speech conceding defeat in the presidential election to Donald Trump at 4 p.m.  on Wednesday, two sources told Reuters.

Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris called Donald Trump on Wednesday to congratulate the Republican leader on his US presidential election win, two aides to Harris said.

Harris, who is scheduled to make public remarks later on Wednesday, also "discussed the importance of a peaceful transfer of power and being a president for all Americans," a senior Harris aide said.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas extended congratulations to President-elect Donald Trump following his projected win on Wednesday, the Palestinian news agency WAFA reported. 

Abbas said he would cooperate with the new administration to reach regional peace.

"We will remain steadfast in our commitment to peace, and we are confident that the United States will support, under your leadership, the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people," Abbas said in a statement.

Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday to TASS that he was not aware of any plans by Vladimir Putin to congratulate Donald Trump on his election victory, and people should not forget that the United States is an unfriendly country towards Russia.