Joe Biden welcomes Donald Trump at White House for transition of power meeting president was never offered
The meeting between the sitting president and his successor is a longstanding tradition in US democracy, but the courtesy was never extended to Joe Biden when Donald Trump lost to him in 2020.
US President Joe Biden has welcomed Donald Trump for a meeting at the White House aimed at ensuring the smooth transition of power from one leader to another.
It is the first time the president-elect has visited the White House since he left the Oval Office after being defeated by Mr Biden in the 2020 election.
Mr Biden and Mr Trump were seen exchanging pleasantries as they sat side by side in front of a roaring fire in the Oval Office.
“Donald, congratulations,” Mr Biden said, greeting Mr Trump with a handshake and adding that he looked “forward to a smooth transition.”
The president-elect thanked Mr Biden for the invitation and for a peaceful transition of power saying it will be “as smooth as it can get”.
He added: “Politics is tough. And it’s, in many cases, not a very nice world. But it is a nice world today and I appreciate it very much.”
The meeting follows the longstanding tradition of outgoing presidents meeting their successors to discuss a smooth transition from one administration to the other.
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However, Republican Mr Trump failed to give the same opportunity to Mr Biden in 2020 as he refused to accept his defeat against his Democratic rival.
Mr Trump, who previously won the keys to the White House when running against Hillary Clinton in 2016, will be sworn in as president in January following his decisive election win against vice president Kamala Harris last week.
The last time Mr Trump and Mr Biden met in person was for the presidential debate in June, when the Democrat leader’s gaffes cost him his candidacy. Ms Harris announced she would be replacing Mr Biden soon after.
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Mr Trump celebrated his victory earlier in the day with Republicans in the House of Representatives who have a good
chance of maintaining control of the chamber as 5 November election results trickle in.
“Isn’t it nice to win? It’s nice to win. It’s always nice to win,” Mr Trump said. “The House did very well.”
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