President-elect Trump and President Biden met at the White House on Wednesday, both pledging a smooth transition.
“I look forward… to having a smooth transition,” Biden assured, speaking briefly in the Oval Office. “We’ll do everything we can to make sure you’re accommodated, what you need.”
Trump followed with a reflective tone. “Politics is tough and in many cases it’s not a very nice world,” he said, “but it is a nice world today.”
Expressing gratitude, Trump added, “I appreciate very much the transition that’s so smooth… it will be as smooth as it can get.”
This visit marked Trump’s return to the White House after his recent electoral victory. It was Biden who invited him back, despite having been bested by Trump in the 2024 presidential race.
The meeting might have felt awkward for Biden. He withdrew from his re-election bid in July after a challenging debate performance, raising concerns about his fitness for another term.
Trump has often criticized Biden’s leadership. Even after Biden ended his campaign, Trump continued to critique both him and the 2024 Democratic nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris.
Biden has previously called Trump a threat to democracy. Yet, he upheld tradition, aiming for a smooth transition between their administrations.
Offering Trump a White House visit was a gesture Biden never received from Trump. In 2020, Trump refused to invite Biden after his own election loss and skipped the inauguration.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre confirmed a “substantive meeting” took place. They discussed national security and pressing domestic issues facing the country.
Biden also highlighted Congress’s urgent tasks, including government funding and disaster relief, while pledging a peaceful transition of power.
National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan emphasized Biden’s stance on supporting Ukraine, calling it essential for U.S. security and preventing European conflicts from drawing America into war.
Political scientist Wayne Lesperance commented on the meeting’s significance, seeing Biden’s invitation as a restoration of “normalcy” in presidential transitions.