ABC News(NEW YORK) — Hillary Clinton formally and publicly conceded to Donald Trump Wednesday morning after an upset defeat in the presidential election.
“Last night I congratulated Donald Trump and offered to work with him on behalf of our country. I hope that he will be a successful president for all Americans,” she said Wednesday morning.
“This is not the outcome that we wanted…. and I’m sorry that we did not win this election,” she added. “This is painful and it will be for a long time.”
At one point, Clinton spoke to her younger supporters, saying that they may have career setbacks later, but to carry on.
“This loss hurts but please never stop believing that fighting for what’s right is worth it,” she said.
Clinton also addressed her female supporters, who had hoped that she would make history by being elected the first female president.
“To all the women and especially the young women who put their faith in this campaign and in me, I want you to know that nothing has made me prouder than to be your champion. Now, I know, I know we have still not shattered that highest and hardest glass ceiling, but some day, someone will,” she said.
That echoes her concession speech during the 2008 Democratic primary when she dropped out when it became clear that then-Sen. Barack Obama would be the party’s nominee.
On Tuesday night, Trump praised Clinton in his victory speech, saying the former secretary of state had called to concede. But she had not made any public statements prior to Wednesday morning’s speech.
Instead of addressing her crowd of supporters who had waited for hours at the Javits Center Tuesday night, Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta made a brief statement shortly after 2 a.m., saying the race in several states was “too close to call” and telling supporters to go home.
Clinton’s running mate Sen. Tim Kaine introduced her on Wednesday and said why he is “excited and proud” of Clinton, citing the fact that “last night she won the popular vote of Americans.”
“That is an amazing accomplishment,” she said.
Clinton staffers and donors gathered for her speech at The New Yorker hotel, about a half mile from where she had been planning to celebrate a historic victory Tuesday night.
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