FORMER President of the United States of America (USA), Barack Obama, has congratulated Republican Donald Trump on his victory in the presidential election held on Tuesday, November 5.
Obama offered his congratulations in a joint statement with his wife Michelle on Wednesday, November 6.
According to Obama, it is not the outcome he had hoped for, given his profound disagreements with the Republican ticket on many issues.
“But living in a democracy is about recognising that our point of view won’t always win out and being willing to accept the peaceful transfer of power,” Obama stated.
He added that the USA had been “through a lot” over the last few years—from a historic pandemic and price hikes resulting from the pandemic to rapid change. According to him, the good news is that the problems are solvable – but only if they listen to each other and abide by the core constitutional principles and democratic norms that made America great.
“In a country as big and diverse as ours, we won’t always see eye-to-eye on everything. But progress requires us to extend good faith and grace even to people we deeply disagree with. That’s how we’ve come this far, and it’s how we’ll keep building a country that is fairer and more just, more equal and more,” the former president stated.
He commended Vice President Kamala Harris Democratic presidential contender, and his vice president, Tim Walz, the Democratic presidential contender, and Kamala Harris for running a ‘remarkable’ campaign.
In the closing days of the campaign, Obama firmly endorsed Democratic presidential contender Harris, saying she would defend the people.
Meanwhile, Harris has promised a peaceful transfer of power to Donald Trump.
The vice president said this on Wednesday, November 5, in a concession speech where she urged her supporters to “keep fighting” for their ideas.
“We must accept the results of this election. Earlier today, I spoke with President-elect Trump and congratulated him on his victory.”
“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.”
Harris said in a speech at her alma mater, Howard University, in Washington.
Harris opened her speech to a jubilant throng by imploring her supporters to continue fighting for their beliefs despite their deep loss a day after Trump’s resounding victory.
The ICIR reported on Wednesday that former President Trump declared victory in the 2024 US presidential election after leading in key states.
Trump, while addressing a jubilant crowd of supporters in Florida, claimed an “unprecedented and powerful mandate” after securing pivotal wins in battleground states Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Georgia, which left his opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, with limited options to reach the required electoral votes.
He was joined on the stage by many of his people, including his running mate JD Vance, his wife Melania Trump, and campaign staff.
As of press time on Wednesday, the BBC reported that Trump has garnered 68,769,655 popular votes, representing 51.1 per cent while Harris has polled 63,551,488 votes (47.2 per cent).
A reporter with the ICIR
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