Hillary Clinton concedes to Trump: ‘We owe him an open mind and a chance to lead’

Hillary Clinton spoke publicly for the first time since privately conceding the presidential election to Donald Trump, addressing the nation around 11:30 a.m. Wednesday from the Wyndham New Yorker hotel in midtown Manhattan.

Clinton was accompanied Wednesday morning by her vice presidential running mate, Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine, and surrounded by dozens of her campaign staffers, some in tears. The room gave her a rousing standing ovation when she entered the room, smiling and declaring “I love you, too” to those who cheered her.

“Last night, I congratulated Donald Trump and offered to work with him on behalf of our country,” Clinton said. “I hope that he will be a successful president for all Americans. This is not the outcome that we wanted or worked so hard for, and I’m sorry… but I feel pride and gratitude for this wonderful campaign that we built together. This vast, diverse, creative, unruly and energized campaign. You represent the best of America and being your candidate has been one of the greatest honors of my life.”