Kamala Harris has lost the race to the White House — and women across the country are reacting.
Harris addressed Trump’s win at Howard University in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, telling a crowd of supporters that her heart was “full of gratitude for the trust you have placed in me,” and that it was also full of love and resolve for the country.
“The outcome of the election is not what we wanted, not what we fought for, not what we voted for,” Harris said. “But hear me when I say, the light of America’s promise will always burn bright, as long as we never give up, and as long as we keep fighting.”
We’ve compiled a list of six reactions from prominent women over Harris’ loss, including from actors Kerry Washington, Jamie Lee Curtis, and basketball star Angel Reese — as they share their feelings of disappointment and their motivation to push forward.
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(Credit: Angel Reese, X)
“As a woman, I’m heartbroken for us all.” – Angel Reese
Chicago Sky forward Reese didn’t hold back her thoughts on Harris’ loss in the presidential race. Since yesterday/early morning, Reese, 22, shared tweets on X expressing her dismay in who America chose for its next president. In one post Wednesday morning, Reese said she “woke up speechless” while in another she asked her followers, “some of you just couldn’t selfishly put your pride aside huh?” In the days leading up to the election, Reese also emphasized how important it was for people to vote. Now, she’s mourning for all women across the U.S. whose reproductive freedoms are at stake: “I’m heartbroken for us all,” she said.
(Credit, Jamie Lee Curtis, Instagram)
“What it really means is that we wake up and fight. Fight for women and our children and their futures and fight against tyranny, one day at a time.” – Jamie Lee Curtis
The “Halloween” star shared a lengthy post on Instagram Wednesday explaining to followers what Trump’s win means for America — and she did not hold back. His second term, she said, means returning to a more restrictive, cruel society filled with fear of citizens’ rights being “impeded and denied.” This includes minority groups, young people, and individuals inf the LGBTQ community. Women, too, are no exception, she adds. “We know that many women will now find it difficult to get the reproductive healthcare that they need and deserve,” Curtis wrote. Amid the struggles, Curtis promises that these groups don’t have to fight alone. “For all those people there will be those who will help you. Me included.”
(Credit: Kerry Washington, Instagram)
“This is not a mirage” – Kerry Washington
Since Harris hit the campaign trail, Washington has been a vocal supporter of the vice president, often appearing at rallies in states like Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Wisconsin. Washington expressed her sadness over Harris’ loss in an multiple-photo Instagram post on Tuesday, saying the current reality is not an optical illusion. She encouraged others to continue to believe in themselves and healthily process their emotions. The post, which garnered more than 88,000 likes within one hour, also gave followers a piece of advice: “Be kind to yourself today,” Washington wrote. “There is more work to do.”
(Credit: Jasmine Crockett, X)
“Shirley Chisholm’s wisdom still rings true today.” – Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett
Crockett took to X Wednesday, sharing how proud she was of Harris while highlighting her greatest qualities that made her an ideal president — which includes being “smarter,” “kinder” and “looking out [for the] U.S.” more than Trump. In her post, Crockett shared a screenshot of an article published by the Washington Spectator headlining infamous words from Chisholm, the first Black woman elected into the U.S. Congress: “Of the two handicaps, being Black is much less of a drawback than being female.” Chisholm’s words, Crockett alludes, emphasizes the bias that women in general still face today on their path to leadership. And for Harris, it was no different.
(Credit: Loni Love, X)
“Americans have spoken…now we get ready for Midterms 2026.” – Loni Love
Former “The Real” talk-show host and comic Love shared her thoughts in an Instagram story to her 1.9 million followers, encouraging others to look forward rather than focus on the past. Love specifically points to the upcoming midterm elections, where “all 435 seats in the House and 33 of the 100 seats in the Senate will be contested,” she wrote. Thirty-nine states, along with some other states and local elections, will also be contested, she added. Love ends her post using the hashtag #keepmoving while Soul II Soul’s “Keep On Movin’” song plays in the background. In a separate post, Love also shares her appreciation for Harris, showing a collage of photos, one including Harris appearing on a previous episode of “The Real,” in conjunction with Alicia Myers’ tune “I Wanna Thank You.”
(Credit: Cardi B, Instagram)
“I never thought I would see the day that a woman of color would be running for the President of the United States, but you have shown me, showed my daughters and women across the country that anything is possible.” – Cardi B.
The “Bodak Yellow” rapper shared a lengthy post on Instagram Wednesday afternoon as a personal note to Harris, acknowledging how the vice president pushed through in spite of all the odds being stacked against her. Regardless of what “they’ve said to bring you [Harris] down or belittle your run for presidency they can never say you didn’t run your race with honesty and with integrity!” the rapper wrote in a post to her 165 million followers. Cardi B goes on to say that Harris never gave up, which shows her strength and the determination of her heart, she says. And while Harris didn’t win, the rapper said that she is still a role model for women everywhere, including her two young daughters. “Thank you for being a real example of what the American dream should be!” she wrote.