Hillary Clinton delivers concession speech

Following her defeat to Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton has delivered an emotional concession speech and congratulated Trump for his victory at the polls.

Clinton Clinton thanked her supporters, and said she feels pride in running the race.

Clinton said she hopes Trump “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 Trump will be president. “We owe him an open mind and a chance to lead,” she said.

Clinton noted 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.”

Clinton said that she hopes Americans will still fight for the values she promoted in her campaign, adding that “the American dream is big enough for everyone” but however, acknowledged that the country was more divided than she realized.

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

Also US president, Barrack Obama had congratulated Trump on his victory. According to the White House, Obama called Trump early Wednesday morning to congratulate him and invite him to a meeting at the White House on Thursday to discuss preparations to hand over power to him over the next several weeks.

In an emailed statement by White House press secretary, it said that president Obama had also called Hillary Clinton, “and expressed admiration for the strong campaign she waged throughout the country.”

Hillary Clinton's full speech.

"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," Clinton said.

"Donald Trump is going to be our president. We owe him an open mind and a chance to lead," said Clinton.

"This is not the outcome that we wanted and we worked so hard for, and I am sorry that we did not win this election."

Clinton also addressed the historic achievement for which she twice strived in losing presidential campaigns.

"I know we have still not shattered that highest and hardest glass ceiling, but someday, someone will, and hopefully sooner than we might think right now."

Her remarks to women.

"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," Clinton said.

"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 also acknowledged the core American values, which many Democrats believe Trump despises with his proposals for a ban on Muslim immigration and rhetorical assaults on female journalists during his campaign.

"Our constitutional democracy enshrines 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 equal in rights and dignity, freedom of worship and expression. We respect and cherish these values too and we must defend them."