On Wednesday, November 13, President Joe Biden hosted President-elect Donald Trump at the White House for a nearly two-hour meeting as part of the presidential transition process following Trump’s election victory.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre described the meeting as “substantive,” with discussions focusing on national security, domestic policy issues, and key legislative priorities for Congress. The two men briefly greeted reporters before the meeting began, shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries.
“Mr. President-elect, former President, congratulations, and I look forward to a smooth transition,” Biden said. “We will accommodate your needs.”
Trump responded, “Thank you very much. Politics can be tough, but today, it’s a nice world, and I truly appreciate the smooth transition process.”
The meeting came shortly after Trump addressed House Republicans, and included key figures like White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients and incoming Chief of Staff Susie Wiles.
This meeting continues a long-standing tradition of outgoing presidents meeting with their successors to ensure a smooth handover of power. However, the meeting also highlights the contrast with 2020, when President Trump refused to grant a similar opportunity to President Biden, not accepting his defeat and delaying the transition process.
