By Sarah Toy
BU News Service
NEW YORK CITY — Hillary Clinton has yet to make a formal concession speech after her loss to Republican rival Donald Trump last night.
Trump was elected the 45th president of the United States early Wednesday morning, defeating Clinton in a stunning upset that defied most poll-based predictions.
Her campaign chairman, John Podesta, took the stage at the Javits Center briefly at the end of the night.
“I know you’ve been here a long time,” he told the crowd, some of whom had waited since 1 p.m. to see Clinton. “Several states are still too close to call, so we’re not going to have anything tonight.”
He thanked Clinton’s supporters and promised the campaign would have more to say the next day.
Fiona Russo, of New York, continuously stands and waves the American flag, tears coming down her face, as Clinton’s loss becomes apparent. Photo by Ann Singer/BU News Service
A man, with “VOTE” written on his face, waves an American flag in the air at the beginning of the event. Photo by Alexandra Wimley/BU News Service
Audience members pass around cards depicting the candidates as babies during Hillary Clinton’s Election Night Event, Nov. 8, 2016, in New York City. Photo by Alexandra Wimley/BU News Service
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo speaks to the audience. Photo by Alexandra Wimley/BU News Service
Gwen Carr, mother of Eric Garner, a black man who died in a police chokehold, stands with Mothers of the Movement, an organization of parents of African-American children killed by police. She speaks to the crowd outside Hillary Clinton’s election night venue, the Jacob K Javits Convention Center. The stage hosted a number of speakers, and a large monitor was live streaming polling results. Photo by Ann Singer/BU News Service
Sybrina Fulton, mother of Trayvon Martin who was killed in 2012, addresses the crowd. Photo by Alexandra Wimley/BU News Service
People congregate outside Hillary Clinton’s election night venue, the Jacob K Javits Convention Center. Photo by Ann Singer/BU News Service
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio addresses the crowd during the event. Photo by Alexandra Wimley/BU News Service
A woman hold an American flag, which were given out free at the event, in front of her face. Photo by Alexandra Wimley/BU News Service
Signer-songwriter Katy Perry addresses the crowd.
Kizr Khan ends his speech by thanking tbe audience. Photo by Alexandra Wimley/BU News Service
Farah Amala, 21, of New York waits for news on a swing state during the event.
Kelly Lehmann (left), of New York, cries while watching news commentary after it became clear Donald Trump would win the presidency. Next to her is Katherine Wilkinson, of New York. Photo by Alexandra Wimley/BU News Service
Arpan Patek holds an American flag by his face while waiting to get in lasttime. Photo by Alexandra Wimley/BU News Service
Danielle Russo (left) and Luke Ohlson comforrt each other after hearing bad results for Clinton near the end of the event. Photo by Alexandra Wimley/BU News Service
Keelee Hadland, of Australia, took off her shoes after hours of waiting outside Hillary Clinton’s election night venue. Photo by Ann Singer/BU News Service
For Clinton supporters, it was a disappointing end to an evening that began with little anxiety and high spirits. Clinton’s campaign prepared an elaborate block party with blaring music and food trucks just outside the Javits Center for the expected overflow of people. Thousands came to witness the woman they believed would be the first female president of the United States.
As the results came in and the race tightened, the mood at the Javits Center became tense. The crowds booed as they watched Trump take swing state after swing state on a large projected screen.
Eileen Tepper of New York left as the race tightened. “I’m scared,” she said. “I was fully confident, but now I’m getting nervous.” Many others did the same.
By midnight, most of the initial crowd outside the Javits Center had dispersed. At around 2 a.m., Podesta thanked supporters and told them to head home.
Clinton volunteers Katie Edmond and Lindsey Grier of New York were distraught at the results.
“It’s been a really hard night,” said Grier.
Rudolph Pongnon, a New Yorker who stayed until the end of the night to support Clinton, offered his opinion of Trump. “He caters to fear, bigotry, and people’s distrust of government,” he said. “He’s everything that’s bad about America.”
Although Clinton has yet to make a concession speech, she called Trump to congratulate him at the end of the night, he said during his victory speech. She is expected to give one later this morning.
Ann Singer contributed reporting.
