‘Welcome back’ – Biden, Trump exchange handshake in White House reunion
Bitter rivalry and political differences took the backstage when the outgoing President of the United States, Joe Biden welcomed his predecessor and President-in-waiting, Donald Trump, to the White House.
The two leaders shook hands in front of a roaring fire in the Oval Office on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, as they pledged a smooth transition.
Biden’s meeting with Trump starkly contrasts the treatment the former received after winning the 2020 election as the latter refused to accept his defeat.
“Welcome back,” the 81-year-old President said as he congratulated his would-be successor and offered a brief opening remarks to the man he has repeatedly disparaged as a threat to democracy.
Biden dropped out of the election in July but his Vice and annointed Democratic candidate, Kamala Harris, lost resoundingly to Trump in the November 5 contest.
Addressing his bitter rival on Wednesday, the outgoing President said he was “looking forward to having a smooth transition” and pledged to do “everything we can to make sure you’re accommodated.”
As the two presidents shook hands, Biden appeared to look down while Trump leaned forward and looked him in the eyes.
Trump returns to White House after stoking riot
After losing his reelection bid, Trump instigated a mob attack on the US Capitol in 2021 to thwart the ratification of Biden’s victory. The former President was also accused of running a brutal and divisive election campaign this year but employed a gracious tone on his return to the White House.
“Politics is tough, and in many cases, it’s not a very nice world. It is a nice world today and I appreciate it very much,” the President-elect said.
The Republican politician also expressed enthusiasm that the transfer of power would be “smooth as you can get.”
It’s worth noting, however, that his transition team has not yet signed some key legal documents ahead of his inauguration on January 20.
Trump will commence his second tenure with a near absolute hold on his party and is on course to take both chambers of Congress while the Democrats are in disarray.
Before heading to the Oval Office, Trump addressed Republican lawmakers from the House of Representatives at a Washington hotel on Tuesday.
Caughting an ebullient figure, the President-elect suggested that he could even be open to a third term in office, which would amount to a violation of the US Constitution.
“I suspect I won’t be running again unless you say, ‘He’s good, we got to figure something else,‘” he said, drawing some laughter.
