Hillary Clinton publicly conceded the presidential race to opponent Donald Trump in a final speech Wednesday morning.
Before Clinton spoke, her running mate, Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine, applauded Clinton for her role as “history maker.” Kaine also quoted William Faulkner, claiming, “They kilt us, but they ain’t whupped us yit.”
During her speech, Clinton said she congratulated Trump, adding she “hopes [Trump] will be a successful president for all Americans”:
Last night, I congratulated Donald Trump and offered to work with him on behalf of our country. I hope that he will be a successful president for all Americans.
This is not the outcome we wanted or worked so hard for, and I am sorry I am sorry that we did not win this election for the values we share and the vision we hold for our country, but I feel pride and gratitude in this wonderful campaign that we built together. This vast, diverse, creative, unruly, energized, campaign. You represent the best of America and being your candidate has been one of the greatest honors of my life.
Clinton then said her campaign wasn’t about her, but rather about “building a country” centered on the principle of inclusion:
I know how disappointed you feel because I feel it too. And so do tens of millions of Americans who invested their hopes and dreams in this effort. This is painful, and it will be a long time.
But I want you to remember this: our campaign was never about one person or even one election. It was about the country we love and about building an America that’s hopeful, inclusive, and big hearted.
Clinton encouraged her supporters to give Trump a “chance to lead”:
Donald Trump is going to be our president. We owe him an open mind and the chance to lead. Our constitutional democracy enshrined the peaceful transfer of power, and we don’t just respect that, we cherish it. It also enshrines other things: the rule of law, the principle that we are all equal in rights and dignity, freedom of worship and expression, we respect and respect these values too and we must defend them.
Clinton included a joke about her email scandal, mentioning volunteers who posted in “secret private Facebook sites” helped her in the campaign.
The former First Lady paid particular tribute to women in her concession speech. She referenced shattering the glass ceiling, which many people expected her predicted win to do. In fact, the Javits Center, where Clinton’s victory party was to be held Tuesday night, featured a literal glass ceiling that was meant to be symbolic:
And to all the women, and especially the young women, who put their faith in this campaign and in me, I want you to know that nothing has made me prouder than to be your champion. Now I know we have still not shattered that highest and hardest glass ceiling, but someday, someone will, and hopefully sooner than we think right now.
And to all the little girls who are watching this, never doubt that you are valuable, and powerful, and deserving of every chance and opportunity in the world to pursue and to achieve your own dreams.
Clinton was expected to speak at 9:30 a.m., but the event was pushed back to 10:30 a.m and then 11:30 a.m.
At 2 a.m. Wednesday morning, just after the election was called for Trump, Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta reportedly told supporters waiting at the Javits Center -- where Clinton was expected to speak as she broke the figurative glass ceiling -- to go home.
Clinton reportedly called Trump to concede the election to him in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
According to the election results as of 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Clinton earned 218 electoral votes compared to Trump’s 276. Trump won the swing states of Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Ohi, also managing a surprising win in Wisconsin. He is also currently leading in Michigan, another state Democrats believed was a secure Clinton victory.