Barack and Michelle Obama share statement after Donald Trump wins the 2024 US election

Updated 22:47 6 Nov 2024 GMTPublished 22:37 6 Nov 2024 GMT

The former President and First Lady of the United States released a statement on social media

Barack and Michelle Obama have released a statement following the results of the 2024 US presidential election.

President-elect Donald Trump won the race last night securing 295 electoral votes, and winning over battleground states like Michigan and Pennsylvania. The 45th President of the United States is now slated to become its 47th in January 2025 when he takes up office following his inauguration.

Shortly after Vice President and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris delivered her concession speech at Howard University today, the Obamas released a statement on Twitter that read: "Over the last few weeks and through Election Day, millions of Americans cast their votes — not just for president, but for leaders at every level. Now the results are in, and we want to congratulate President Trump and Senator Vance on their victory.

"This is obviously not the outcome we had hoped for, given our profound disagreements with the Republican ticket on a whole host of issues. But living in a democracy is about recognizing that our point of view won't always win out, and being willing to accept the peaceful transfer of power.

"Michelle and I could not be prouder of Vice President Harris and Governor Walz — two extraordinary public servants who ran a remarkable campaign. And we will always be grateful to the staff and volunteers who poured their heart and soul into electing public servants they truly believed in.

"As I said on the campaign trail, America has been through a lot over the last few years — from a historic pandemic and price hikes resulting from the pandemic, to rapid change and the feeling a lot of folks have that, no matter how hard they work, treading water is the best they can do. Those conditions have created headwinds for democratic incumbents around the world, and last night showed that America is not immune.

"The good news is that these problems are solvable — but only if we listen to each other, and only if we abide by the core constitutional principles and democratic norms that made this country great.

"In a country as big and diverse as ours, we won't always see eye-to-eye on everything. But progress requires us to extend good faith and grace — even to people with whom we deeply disagree.

"That's how we've come this far, and it's how we'll keep building a country that is more fair and more just, more equal and more free."

Meanwhile Trump addressed the nation at the West Palm Beach, Florida, Convention Center late last night and thanked 'the American people for the extraordinary honor of being elected your 47th president and your 45th president.'