2024-11-13 16:24:20
US President-elect Donald Trump returned to the White House on Wednesday and met with outgoing President Joe Biden at the Oval Office, a week after the Republican leader’s spectacular victory in the November 5 election. This was Trump’s first visit to the White House following his 2020 election loss to Biden and his refusal to accept his defeat while claiming fraud.
At the start of the meeting, Biden welcomed Trump and both sat next to the roaring fireplace at the Oval Office. Biden told Trump that he would ensure a smooth and peaceful transfer of power and to do all he could “to make sure you’re accommodated”. To this, Trump replied, “It’ll be as smooth as it can get.”
Biden was once Trump’s rival until July before a disastrous debate performance against the Republican leader caused concerns among the Democrats over his mental fitness and age to serve a second term and asked him to step aside. Biden subsequently gave in and dropped out of the race, and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris.
Wednesday’s pleasant exchange between Biden and Trump was a sharp contrast to the criticism the two leaders made at each other for years. During campaigning, Biden, 81, portrayed Trump as a threat to democracy, while Trump, 78, called Biden incompetent. Both their respective teams hold vastly different positions on policies from climate change to Russia to trade.
This is a developing story. It will be updated.
