Defiant Harris Vows to fight for democracy as she accepts defeat

Kamala Harris struck a defiant tone last night, saying she conceded the US election but not the fight for freedom, fairness and dignity of all people.

- Anna Betts

Donald Trump's victory, announced early yesterday morning, was a political comeback that has sent shock waves around the world.

Speaking at her alma mater in Washington DC, Howard University, the vice president told a crowd of supporters that the outcome was "not what we wanted, not what we fought for, not what we voted for".

"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," she said.

"A fundamental principle of democracy is that we must accept the results. We owe loyalty to the constitution of the United States, to our conscience, and our God."

Entering a defiant mode, Harris added: "The fight for the heart of our nation, that reflect America at our best. That is a fight I will never give up."

Democrats across the country were left in disbelief and searching for answers as they confronted the reality of another Trump presidency.

Staffers and strategists expressed their disappointment and were already beginning to pick apart what went wrong for Harris and the Democratic party.

The Democratic pollster Paul Maslin argued Harris did as well as she could have, given the environment and circumstance. Harris "did a really good job", Maslin told Politico, but "this race was unwinnable".