President Joe Biden on Wednesday extended a gesture of civility by welcoming President-elect Donald Trump back to the White House, a contrast to the contentious 2020 election, when Trump had refused to acknowledge Biden’s victory.
The two met in the Oval Office, shaking hands and pledging to ensure a smooth transition of power. This marked a stark departure from the post-2020 election tensions, as Trump had previously challenged Biden’s win and even incited the Capitol riot in January 2021.
“Welcome back,” Biden, 81, said as he offered brief remarks to Trump, 78, who has been the target of Biden’s sharp criticisms over the years, particularly regarding his threat to American democracy.
Biden, having dropped out of the race in July, made his first public appearance since Vice President Kamala Harris lost to Trump in last week’s presidential election. He told Trump he was “looking forward to having a smooth transition” and assured him, “everything we can to make sure you’re accommodated.”
During the meeting, Trump and Biden exchanged a firm handshake. Despite the bitter history between them, Trump attempted to strike a more conciliatory tone, acknowledging the harsh nature of politics but expressing appreciation for the warmth of the moment.
“Politics is tough, and in many cases, it’s not a very nice world,” Trump said.
Trump also reassured that the transfer of power would be “smooth as you can get,” though key legal documents necessary for his inauguration on January 20 had not yet been signed.
