Hillary Clinton will speak to supporters, staff and media Wednesday morning following her stunning presidential defeat at the New Yorker Hotel in New York City at 10:30 a.m. ET, said Jennifer Palmieri, a campaign spokeswoman.
A campaign press advisory said earlier in the morning that she would speak at 9:30 a.m., but Palmieri said that’s when doors to the event will open.
Clinton conceded to President-elect Donald Trump by phone earlier Wednesday morning but did not make public remarks.
Much of the seating at Clinton’s remarks will be for staff and aides and the campaign is treating it as a farewell to the people who have spent the better part of two years working on her behalf, per an aide.
Robby Mook, Clinton’s campaign manager, emailed all campaign staffers Wednesday morning inviting them to join Clinton at the speech, per campaign aides. The remarks were billed as the former Democratic nominee’s goodbye to staff and her laying out a way forward for Democrats and the county.
Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Kaine will also be on hand, a campaign aide said. The Virginia senator was not with Clinton Tuesday night.
A small group of staffers were seen walking in the The New Yorker hotel Wednesday morning, including Dennis Cheng, Clinton’s finance director.
The lobby was packed with gawkers and hotel guests. The second-floor mezzanine is full of Clinton staffers who are lining up to get inside the Grand Ballroom, where the speech will take place.
Dozens of Clinton staffers were waiting to get into this event. The mood was somber; many of the staffers were hugging and some were crying.
David Brock, a longtime Clinton defender and super PAC head, and J.B. Pritzker, a top Clinton donor, were also waiting to get in.