Washington, D.C. In an unexpected yet historic gesture, President Joe Biden welcomed President-elect Donald Trump back to the White House on Wednesday, offering a stark display of unity and civility amid their history of political rivalry. Standing in the Oval Office before a roaring fire, the two leaders, aged 81 and 78, shook hands and pledged a seamless transition of power, underscoring a renewed commitment to tradition despite past tensions.
“Welcome back,” Biden said as he congratulated Trump, signaling a willingness to support the incoming administration, just as President-elect Trump expressed his appreciation for the warm reception. Biden, who stepped out of the 2024 race in July, emphasized his intent to provide a smooth handover and “make sure [Trump] is accommodated,” despite a divisive election season.
While Trump ran a contentious campaign and faced criticism for previous actions, including the 2021 Capitol riot, he appeared reflective, stating, “Politics is tough… It is a nice world today, and I appreciate it very much.” He assured that his administration would work towards “the smoothest transition possible,” despite outstanding legal formalities ahead of his January 20 inauguration.
Absent from the event was incoming First Lady Melania Trump, who maintained a low profile throughout the campaign. Outgoing First Lady Jill Biden attended, presenting Trump with a handwritten note for Melania from the Bidens. Present at the meeting were key aides, including Biden’s chief of staff Jeff Zients and Trump’s incoming chief of staff Susie Wiles.
The Biden-Trump meeting also restored a long-standing presidential transition tradition that Trump had notably broken in 2020 by refusing to meet with Biden or attend his inauguration. As Trump exited the White House on January 20, 2021, he faced backlash from both political opponents and allies, though support among Republicans quickly rebounded as his political influence persisted. Now, with a strong Republican base, Trump is expected to begin his second term with significant sway in Congress.
Ahead of his White House visit, Trump met with House Republicans, where he playfully hinted at the possibility of a third term, though such a move would contravene the U.S. Constitution. Accompanying Trump was tech billionaire Elon Musk, who was recently appointed head of a new government efficiency group, alongside Fox News host Pete Hegseth as incoming defense secretary, and South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem as the incoming Secretary of Homeland Security.
