The President-elect of the United States, Donald Trump, has arrived back at the White House for the first time since securing victory in last week’s election.He convened discussions regarding the upcoming transfer of power with his longtime political adversary, President Joe Biden.
“Welcome, welcome back,” Mr. Biden greeted Mr. Trump at the outset of their meeting, set against the backdrop of a crackling fireplace.
Mr. Biden assured Mr. Trump of a seamless transition of power, pledging to do everything possible “to ensure you’re accommodated.”
This meeting was a stark contrast to the years of criticism exchanged between the two leaders.
Their teams advocate significantly differing stances on various issues, including climate change, relations with Russia, and trade.
Mr. Biden, who is 81, has characterized the incoming leader as a danger to democracy, while Mr. Trump, 78, has depicted the president as ineffective.
Following his defeat in the 2020 election to Mr. Biden, Mr. Trump falsely alleged widespread electoral fraud.
Donald Trump’s motorcade made its way through the heavily secured White House entrance, where he was welcomed in the Oval Office by Joe Biden, the Democrat who triumphed over him in the previous election.
A crowd of journalists gathered outside the White House driveway, eagerly awaiting the significant occasion.
Earlier that day, Mr. Trump celebrated his electoral success with Republicans in the House of Representatives, who stand a strong chance of retaining control as results from the November 5 elections come in.
“Isn’t it nice to win? It’s nice to win. It’s always nice to win,” Mr. Trump remarked.
“The House performed exceptionally well.”
President Biden, who initially campaigned against Mr. Trump in the 2024 election before stepping back and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee, will extend the traditional courtesy of welcoming the former and future president into the Oval Office—something Mr. Trump, as a Republican, did not extend when Mr. Biden won in 2020.
“He believes in our norms, he believes in our institutions, and he values the peaceful transfer of power,” said White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre, referencing Mr. Biden’s decision to invite Donald Trump.
Earlier, Mr. Trump announced that Mr. Musk and former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy would lead the newly established Department of Government Efficiency.
Despite Mr. Biden’s intentions to utilize the meeting to showcase continuity, the transition process has faced some delays.
Mr. Trump’s team, while having announced some members of the incoming president’s cabinet, has yet to finalize agreements necessary for office space, government equipment, and access to government officials and resources, according to the White House.
“The Trump-Vance transition lawyers continue to constructively engage with the Biden-Harris Administration lawyers regarding all agreements stipulated by the Presidential Transition Act,” stated Brian Vance, a spokesperson for the Trump transition, referring to the regulations guiding the transfer of power.
Valerie Smith Boyd, director of the Partnership for Public Service’s Center for Presidential Transition, a non-profit organization that advises new administrations, emphasized that the agreement highlights that the United States can only have one president at a time, including commitments to sign ethics agreements ensuring no profit from information disclosed during the transition.
“That agreement needs to be signed for interactions with federal agencies to commence,” she noted.
“Everything depends on that.”
A convoy transported Mr. Trump from Mar-a-Lago to his plane prior to his departure for Washington.
Outside the White House gates, preparations for the impending power transfer were apparent, with construction underway for VIP guest seating during the parade planned for after Mr. Trump’s inauguration on January 20, 2025.
Apart from meetings with federal agencies, Mr. Biden and Mr. Trump are expected to discuss several topics, including foreign policy.
The outgoing president may encourage Mr. Trump to support Ukraine amid its conflict with Russia.
Concerns surrounding U.S. assistance to Kyiv have surfaced following Mr. Trump’s recent victory over Ms. Harris, with Mr. Trump vowing to swiftly conclude the war without providing further details.
Ms. Jean-Pierre refrained from detailing the discussion topics between the two leaders before their meeting.
This marks the first meeting following their debate in June, during which Mr. Biden’s subpar performance raised apprehensions regarding his age among fellow Democrats and resulted in his exit from the race.
Ms. Harris subsequently became the Democratic nominee, conducting a shortened campaign that ultimately culminated in her defeat.
