Election 2024: Trump wins second term as president: NPR

Democratic presidential candidate U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris waits to speak at a campaign rally on August 8, 2024 in Wayne, Michigan.

Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

Hide caption

Toggle label

Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

Vice President Harris called President-elect Donald Trump to congratulate him on winning the presidential election, a senior Harris adviser told reporters Wednesday afternoon.

The aide said Harris spoke about the importance of a peaceful transfer of power and being a president for all Americans.

The Trump campaign confirmed the call in a statement.

“President Trump recognized Vice President Harris for her strength, professionalism and tenacity throughout the campaign, and both leaders agreed on the importance of uniting the country,” Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung said in a statement afterwards.

The call came hours before Harris was scheduled to address the American people.

The White House said she will speak at 4 p.m. ET at Howard University in Washington, D.C. — her alma mater and the site where her victory celebration would be held Tuesday night.

A video of Harris' remarks will be available here later this afternoon.

The Associated Press declared the race for Trump in the early hours of the morning after he won the key swing states of Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. As of midday Wednesday, he had received 292 electoral votes – well above the 270 needed for the presidency – compared to Harris' 224.

News of Harris' call to Trump came shortly after the AP called Michigan for Trump.

Trump will have a Republican-controlled Senate and could also have control of the House of Representatives, although that chamber is too close to call at this point, according to the AP.