US election 2016: Hillary Clinton calls loss painful, urges unity in concession speech

Wiping a tear from her eye, Mrs. Clinton thanked her supporters, said that she feels pride in the campaign that she ran.

On Trump

Of Mr. Trump, Mrs. Clinton said she hopes he “will be a successful president for all Americans,” and that she respects and cherishes the peaceful transition of power. She told her supporters that they must accept that Mr. Trump will be president. “We owe him an open mind and a chance to lead,” she said.

After a long campaign

After a long campaign, Mrs. Clinton acknowledged that the loss cuts deep. “This is painful, and it will be for a long time,” she said. She also expressed regret that she did not shatter the glass ceiling, but said, “Someday, someone will and hopefully sooner than we might think right now.”

Mrs Clinton said that she hopes citizens will still fight for the values that she promoted in her campaign and that “the American dream is big enough for everyone.” However, she acknowledged that the country was more divided than she realised.

To women supporters

To the women who supported her, Mrs. Clinton said that “nothing has made me prouder than to be your champion.”

To Running mate, Senator Kaine

Senator Tim Kaine, who spoke first, said “I’m proud of Hillary Clinton because she has been and is a great history maker,” pointing to her long career of public service. He saluted her for winning the popular vote in the election, drawing cheers.

Mr Kaine acknowledged the painful defeat that he and Mrs Clinton suffered, but said that the words of William Faulkner gave them hope. “They killed us but they ain’t whupped us yet,” Mr Kaine said, noting that the work and dreams of empowering children and families remains.