President-elect Joe Biden is teasing his victory speech as Electoral College electors across the country bring him closer to the 270-vote threshold he needs to claim the White House.
“In this battle for the soul of America, democracy prevailed. We the people voted. Faith in our institutions held. The integrity of our elections remains intact,” he will say, according to prepared remarks.
Biden will address the public at 7:30 p.m. ET, earlier than his aides originally scheduled over the weekend.
In excerpts of his speech circulated by his team, Biden reiterates his campaign promise to “be a president for all Americans.” He’ll also repeat his vow “to turn the page” on President Trump’s administration, so the country can “unite” and “heal.”
Yet, in his remarks, Biden will criticize Trump for challenging the results of the Nov. 3 election. The incumbent has alleged widespread voter fraud. However, electors from states in which he has mounted lawsuits voted for Biden on Monday as part of the constitutionally mandated Electoral College meeting.
“In America, politicians don’t take power — the people grant it to them,” Biden will say. “The flame of democracy was lit in this nation a long time ago. And we now know that nothing, not even a pandemic, or an abuse of power, can extinguish that flame.”
Biden is expected to end the meeting with 306 votes to Trump’s 232, reflecting the popular votes of the states.
