Washington (TDI): President-elect Donald Trump visited the White House on Wednesday for the first time since his electoral victory, meeting with his longtime political rival, President Joe Biden, to discuss the upcoming transfer of power.
In a rare moment of cordiality, Biden greeted Trump, saying, “Welcome, welcome back,” and assured him of a smooth transition.
“It’ll be as smooth as it can get,” Trump responded, a sharp contrast to their long history of political rivalry.
The meeting, which took place in front of a roaring fireplace, marks a significant moment after years of bitter political conflict, including Trump’s false claims of widespread election fraud following his 2020 loss to Biden.
The two men, representing different political parties—Trump a Republican and Biden a Democrat—have long held opposing views on critical issues, from climate change to Russia to trade.
Biden, 81, who initially ran against Trump in 2024 before stepping aside and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee, has frequently criticized Trump, portraying him as a threat to democracy.
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Trump, 78, has similarly disparaged Biden as incompetent.
During their meeting, Biden reiterated his commitment to a peaceful and orderly transfer of power, a norm he believes in, and which he said was fundamental to the country’s democracy, according to US media.
White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre confirmed that Biden’s decision to invite Trump to the White House reflected his respect for those norms.
The meeting also comes as the transition period begins, with preparations already underway for Trump’s inauguration on January 20.
Transition Faces Delays
Despite the cordial meeting, the transition itself has faced delays.
Trump’s team has not yet signed the necessary agreements to gain access to office space, government equipment, and officials, a process governed by the Presidential Transition Act.
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While Biden intends to demonstrate continuity, significant policy differences between the two men remain.
The meeting included discussions on foreign policy, including the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, where Biden has maintained strong support for Kyiv, while Trump has promised a swift resolution to the war without offering specifics on how this would be achieved.
