Kamala Harris delivers concession speech after losing to Donald Trump in US presidential election

Kamala Harris has addressed her supporters after being defeated by Donald Trump in the 2024 US presidential election.

The Democrat candidate, 60, had hoped to become the first female leader of the nation after taking over from Joe Biden in July, but her opponent managed to triumph after winning over key swing states such as North Carolina, Wisconsin, Georgia, and Pennsylvania.

Trump didn't hang about when it come to claiming his victory, and took to the stage at his campaign's watch party in West Palm Beach after taking the lead in a series of strongholds across the US.

The businessman gave himself a pat on the back for achieving the 'greatest' ever political comeback before vowing to help the country 'heal' as he takes up office for a second time as the 47th president.

The jubilant businessman, 78, said his gig in the White House is the 'most important job in the world' and explained his government will be ran on the motto: "Promises made, promises kept."

Trump has made plenty of big promises about what will unfold over the next four years, including revisiting his idea to erect a wall along the US' border with Mexico.

While he smugly basked in the glory of his victory, Harris, on the other hand, was nowhere to be seen.

The Vice President has now spoken publicly to concede defeat, after phoning president-elect Trump earlier in the day, speaking outside of her alma meter Howard University, Washington DC.

Addressing the crowd, a defeated Harris told her supporters to 'never give up', adding that she was 'full of gratitude for the trust you have placed in me, full of love for our country and full of resolve'.

She then issued thanks to her family: "To my beloved Doug and our family - I love you so very much," before also thanking the current President Joe Biden and First Lady Dr Jill Biden, for their 'faith and support'.

Harris turned her attention to her team, saying: "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."

The 60-year-old confirmed that she called the President elect today too, explaining: "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,

"A fundamental principle of American democracy is that when we lose an election, we accept the results.

"That principle, as much as any other, distinguishes democracy from tyranny."

Conceding the election, she said she will not 'concede the fight', adding: "The fight for freedom, for opportunity, for fairness, and the dignity of all people. All 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."

She issued a message to young people, saying that things will be 'okay', signing off by saying: "Only when it is dark enough can you see the stars."

Kamala Harris adds: "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 if it is, let us fill the sky with the light of a brilliant, brilliant billion of stars [sic], the light of optimism, of faith, of truth, and of service."

Harris was supposed to make an appearance at Howard University in Washington DC, which is where she studied as an undergraduate, until her rival began to earn a huge chunk of the votes.

However, it was announced shortly after midnight that she would no longer be addressing her supporters, even though her campaign staff pointed our there were still 'votes to count'.

Throughout the day, the former prosecutor is believed to have stayed out of the spotlight while she was working on her concession speech.

More to follow.