America is more deeply divided than we thought, says Hillary Clinton after election defeat

Hours after conceding the 2016 United States presidential election to Donald Trump in a shocking turn of events, Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton addressed her supporters here today.

New York: Hours after conceding the 2016 United States presidential election to Donald Trump in a shocking turn of events, Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton addressed her supporters in New York today. 

"Last night I congratulated Donald Trump and offered to work with him on behalf of our country. I hope that he will be a successful president for all Americans," Hillary said in her opening speech, holding back tears in her first public remarks since the Republican`s upset victory. 

The Democratic nominee was speaking from the New Yorker Hotel in midtown Manhattan. 

"This is not the outcome we wanted. I’m sorry we did not win this election for the values we share and the vision we hold for our country. You represent the best of America, and being your candidate has been one of the greatest honors of my life," she said to her supporters. 

She urged her assembled staff and supporters, deflated after recent national opinion polls indicated a good chance at victory, to continue to work for a better nation.

"This is painful and it will be for a long time but I want you to remember this: Our campaign was never about one person or even one election. It was about the country we love. We have seen that our nation is more deeply divided than we thought. But I still believe in America—and I always will," she asserted. 

The former Secretary of State and first major female party presidential nominee expressed regret for not being able to win the US presidential election and said, "I am sorry that we did not win this election for the values we share and the vision we hold for our country."

"Donald Trump is going to be our president. We owe him an open mind and the chance to lead. Our constitutional democracy demands our participation, not just every four years, but all the time. Our responsibility as citizens is to keep doing our part to build that better, stronger, fairer America we seek. And I know you will,” she said to her supporters.

Dozens of Clinton staffers were waiting to get into the event an hour before the start. Many were hugging and some were crying.