Clinton publicly concedes, says she hopes Trump will be 'successful president'

Hillary Clinton, hopeful Tuesday that she was poised to shatter the nation's "highest and hardest glass ceiling," instead Wednesday publicly conceded the presidential race to Donald Trump, saying the nation owed "him an open mind and the chance to lead."

“I hope that he will be a successful president for all Americans," Clinton told supporters, including her staff, as she tried to strike a hopeful note despite what she described as a "painful" loss.

“I still believe in American, and I always will," Clinton said, surrounded by her family, including former president Bill Clinton.

In introducing his running mate, Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine said Clinton “has been and is a great history maker."