Kamala Harris cancels her election night speech at her alma mater as Trump claims victory

WASHINGTON (TNND) — Vice President Kamala Harris did not speak to her supporters at her alma mater in Washington, DC, as planned on election night as a victory for Republican challenger Donald Trump appeared imminent.

Harris campaign co-chair Cedric Richmond briefly addressed the crowd at Howard University early Wednesday to let them know she would not be speaking. It is not clear when Harris will give a speech.

Richmond thanked everyone in attendance and for “believing in the promise of America.”

“We will continue to fight overnight to ensure that every vote is counted and every voice has spoken,” Richmond said. “So you won't hear from the vice president tonight, but you will hear from her tomorrow. She will be here again tomorrow to address not only the HU family, not only to address her supporters, but also to the nation.”

Videos circulated online showing the crowd slowly leaving the university as Trump neared 270 electoral votes and was eventually declared the winner.

Earlier in the night, Republicans gained control of the Senate with electoral victories in West Virginia and Ohio, while successfully defending seats the party already held.

Donald Trump addressed voters as scheduled at the Palm Beach County Convention Center, thanking the American people for electing him for a second time while promising to usher in a new golden age for the United States.

“Every citizen, I will fight for you, your family and your future. I will fight for you every single day and with every breath in my body. I will not rest until we create the strong, safe and prosperous America.” Our children deserve it and you deserve it. This will truly be America's golden age.

He also called on the country to unite in the face of his impending victory.

“I ask every citizen in our country. It is time to put the divisions of the last four years behind us. It’s time to unite,” Trump said. “And we will try. We have to try. It will happen. Success will bring us together.”

Wisconsin was the state that pushed Trump over the 270 electoral vote threshold to secure a second, non-consecutive term in the White House. He is the first president since Grover Cleveland became the 22nd and 24th presidents in 1885 and 1893.