‘This is painful’: Hillary Clinton concedes after heartbreaking loss

Hillary Clinton acknowledged the “painful” reality of her loss to Donald Trump in a speech before a crowd of her closest supporters in New York City on Wednesday morning.

“I know how disappointed you feel because I feel it, too,” Clinton said. “This is painful, and it will be for a long time.”

“We have seen that our nation is more deeply divided than we thought,” she continued. “But I still believe in America and I always will.”

After her running mate, Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine, pointed out she is still leading the popular vote, Clinton said she feels “pride and gratitude for this wonderful campaign” and addressed young women directly, encouraging them not to feel discouraged by her loss.

“To all the women, especially the young women, I want you to know that nothing has made me prouder than to be your champion,” the former secretary of state said.

Clinton went on to thank Barack and Michelle Obama for their “graceful, determined leadership” and urged a peaceful transition of power to the President-elect, saying, “Donald Trump is going to be our president. We owe him an open mind and the chance to lead.”