President Joe Biden Speaks Out After Kamala Harris Defeated By Donald Trump 

President Joe Biden will forever be grateful for Kamala Harris.  

After Vice President Harris lost the 2024 U.S. Presidential election to Donald Trump, Biden shared how proud he was of his 2020 running mate, who accepted the nomination after he exited the race in July. 

"What America saw today was the Kamala Harris I know and deeply admire," Biden said in a Nov. 6 statement. "She's been a tremendous partner and public servant full of integrity, courage, and character."

The 46th president added how amazed he was by Harris, who "stepped up and led a historic campaign that embodied what's possible when guided by a strong moral compass and a clear vision for a nation that is more free, more just, and full of more opportunities for all Americans."

Biden noted that selecting her as his VP "was the very first decision" he made when he ran in 2020, and he considers it "the best decision I made."

"She will continue the fight with purpose, determination, and joy," he said. "She will continue to be a champion for all Americans. Above all, she will continue to be a leader our children will look up to for generations to come as she puts her stamp on America's future."

Ahead of Biden's statement, Harris conceded the race in a heartfelt speech at her alma mater Howard University in Washington D.C., where she told the assembled crowd, "The outcome of this election is not what we wanted, not what we fought for, but hear me when I say: the light of America's promise will always burn bright as long as we never give up and as long as we keep fighting."

And the 60-year-old further detailed her conversation with Trump earlier in the day. Sharing that she "congratulated him on his victory," Harris added, "I told him that we will help him and his team with that transition and we will engage in a peaceful transfer of power."

With the 270 electoral votes necessary to win the election, Trump will become the 47th president of the U.S. in January, serving alongside running mate JD Vance. He previously served as the 45th president with Vice President Mike Pence from 2017 to 2021. (He is also the first impeached president to seek re-election.)

Shortly before NBC News projected his win, the 78-year-old shared how grateful he was to those who had supported his candidacy.

"I want to thank the American people for the extraordinary honor of being elected your 47th president and your 45th president," the former reality star said at a Nov. 6 campaign party at Florida's Palm Beach Convention Center, per NBC News. "This was a movement like no one has ever seen before. Frankly, I believe this was the greatest political movement of all time."  

VP-elect Vance was equally thankful, telling his running mate, "I appreciate you allowing me to join you on this incredible journey."

The 40-year-old added, "I think we just witnessed the greatest political comeback in the history of the United States of America."

(E! and NBC News are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)