Joe Biden and Donald Trump had one of the year’s most anticipated meetings in Washington, as Biden hosted Trump at the White House to kick off the transition.
On Wednesday, Donald Trump sought to ease tensions with Joe Biden, acknowledging that “politics is tough” and expressing gratitude for a peaceful transfer of power between their administrations.
“Politics is hard and often a complicated world, but today is a good day in this world,” Biden remarked. “I am very grateful that the transition is running so smoothly and hope it continues this way.”
Donald Trump Meets with Joe Biden
Before their private meeting, Trump and Biden appeared briefly before the media. Biden had invited Trump for a White House talk after Trump’s victory over Vice President and Democratic candidate Kamala Harris in last week’s presidential election.
Biden also committed to an exemplary transition, in contrast to the one four years ago when Trump refused to acknowledge the election results and his supporters stormed the Capitol. Trump, who has been working on the transition from his West Palm Beach residence, flew to Washington, D.C. for the meeting.
Read also: Why Minorities Are Worried About Trump’s Return to the White House
Inside the Trump-Biden Meeting
The two leaders spent less than a minute addressing the press before their closed-door meeting. Seated beside each other in armchairs by the White House fireplace, they spoke briefly to reporters. Meanwhile, Trump’s campaign team sent an email to supporters, requesting donations and announcing, “President Trump is right now in the White House holding a very important meeting.”
Biden had invited Trump to the White House on a call on November 6, the day after Trump’s victory over Harris. Trump accepted immediately, and the White House later announced that the meeting would take place on Wednesday.
This meeting continues a tradition of an orderly transfer of power. However, in 2020, Trump had not extended an invitation to Biden following his win. Instead, Trump promoted unsubstantiated fraud claims and became the first U.S. president since 1869 to skip his successor’s inauguration.
Melania Trump did not attend the White House visit, although First Lady Jill Biden had invited her for tea during the meeting. Melania’s office provided no reason for her absence, issuing only a message of “best wishes” to her husband. In her place, Jill Biden welcomed Donald Trump upon his arrival and handed him a letter for Melania, congratulating her and offering her team’s support to facilitate the transition.
Beyond his White House visit, Donald Trump also held a meeting with Republican lawmakers at a hotel near the Capitol. He was joined by businessman Elon Musk, a close ally, whom he recently appointed head of a “government efficiency” body. Trump jokingly remarked, “You can’t shake Musk off now.”
His public appearance near the Capitol marked his first since his victory speech on election night. Trump has not visited the U.S. Legislature since January 6, 2021, when his supporters stormed the building in an attempt to halt Biden’s certification.
With Trump’s win last Tuesday, Republicans have now secured control of Congress, reclaiming the Senate from Democrats and retaining, pending final confirmation, the House of Representatives.
This article was originally written in Spanish by Miguel Fernández in Cultura Colectiva News
