Trump and Biden Meet in the White House for Transition of Power [VIDEO]

In Symbolic Gesture, Biden and Trump Meet at White House to Signal New Chapter in U.S. Leadership

Washington, D.C. — In a landmark meeting, President-elect Donald Trump and President Joe Biden came together in the Oval Office on Wednesday, initiating what both sides pledge will be a “smooth” transition of power. The visit, a hallmark of peaceful transitions in U.S. history, saw Trump return to Washington nearly four years after he left the capital under turbulent circumstances.

The two leaders exchanged a cordial handshake as Biden welcomed Trump.

“Donald, congratulations,”

Biden said warmly, expressing his commitment to a seamless transition. Trump responded,

“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.”

Trump’s arrival in the nation’s capital also included a meeting with House Republicans alongside Elon Musk, with whom he traveled. “It’s nice to win,” he told GOP lawmakers, reflecting on the GOP’s potential to secure a united government in the coming term.

This meeting marks a dramatic reversal from Trump’s exit four years ago, when he departed Washington in defiance of tradition, declining to welcome Biden to the White House and skipping his inauguration—a move unprecedented since Andrew Johnson’s snub of Ulysses S. Grant in 1869. In the wake of his 2020 defeat, Trump had refused to concede and repeatedly alleged voter fraud, claims that were widely debunked.

Now, as he prepares to return to the Oval Office, Biden has pledged his full cooperation with the transition, despite his past criticisms of Trump. “The American experiment endures,” Biden said in a recent speech, underscoring his commitment to ensuring stability for the country.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre echoed this sentiment, assuring the public of Biden’s dedication to “an effective and efficient” transition, saying, “We want this to go well.”

Though traditionally the outgoing first lady hosts her successor during the transition, Melania Trump did not join Wednesday’s events. Her office issued a statement expressing encouragement for her husband’s return to the White House and his upcoming role in the transition.

As the handoff progresses, the spotlight is firmly on both leaders, each signaling a renewed focus on governance amidst a historic shift in Washington.