Trump Meets Biden At White House After Winning US Presidential Polls, Both Vow 'Smooth Transition' Of Power
Biden congratulated Trump on his historic victory, promising him a "smooth transition" of power. Trump made a similar promise and thanked Biden for hosting him.
President Joe Biden on Wednesday welcomed President-elect Donald Trump to the White House for an Oval office visit, which is a tradition as part of the peaceful handoff of power, which Trump had refused to participate in four years ago after losing to Biden.
Biden congratulated Trump on his historic victory, promising him a "smooth transition" which was not extended to him after he wrested Trump's seat in 2020. However, now Trump made a similar promise and thanked Biden for hosting him. "Congratulations," the Democrat told the Republican.
"I look forward to having a smooth transition and do everything we can to make sure you are accommodated, what you need. We’re going to get a chance to talk about some of that today," Biden said. "Welcome. Welcome back."
Biden called Trump "Mr. President-elect and former president" before settling on "Donald".
To this, Trump replied, "Thank you very much," saying that "politics is tough. And it’s, in many cases, not a very nice world. But it is a nice world today, and I appreciate very much a transition that’s so smooth, it will be as smooth as it can get."
Trump and Biden's meeting comes two months ahead of the President-elect's inauguration on January 20. Donald Trump, who is now Biden's both predecessro and successor, won the November 5 elections, defeating Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris.
Upon his arrival at the White House, Trump was greeted by First lady Jill Biden, who gaev him a handwritten letter of congratualtions for his wife, Melania Trump, who did not accompany him to Washington. The letter stated the first lady's readiness to assist with the transition, Associated Press reported.
Trump had flown in from Florida on Wednesday morning to join Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk for a session with House Republicans. The President-elect has announced that Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy would head the new "Department of Government Efficiency".
People close to Trump see Elon Musk as the second most influential figure in Trump's immediate team, after Susie Wiles, the campaign manager who is Trump’s incoming chief of staff, AP reported.
Trump received a standing ocation from House GOP members in Washington. "I suspect I won’t be running again unless you say he’s good we got to figure something else," Trump said to laughter from the lawmakers.
In another development, Senator John Thune won the Senate leadership race, CNN reported. He will become the first new GOP leader in 18 years.
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