In a notable shift from the 2020 transition, President Joe Biden has invited President-elect Donald Trump and incoming First Lady Melania Trump to the White House, promising a "smooth transition" as the new administration prepares to assume office.
This meeting is part of a longstanding White House tradition symbolizing the peaceful transfer of power. The 2020 transition, however, did not include such a meeting, as then-President Trump refused to accept his loss and declined to invite Biden.
On Wednesday, President Biden will meet with President-elect Trump in the Oval Office at 11 a.m. Separately, incoming First Lady Melania Trump will meet with First Lady Jill Biden.
President Biden first congratulated Trump on his victory against Vice President Kamala Harris on Wednesday. An administration official told CNN that the president "expressed his commitment to ensuring a smooth transition," emphasizing the "importance of working to bring the country together." Trump also referred to his exchanges with Biden and Harris as "very respectful both ways," per NBC News.
While conceding the election outcome from the White House Rose Garden on Thursday, Biden underscored the reliability of the U.S. electoral system. "It is honest, it is fair, and it is transparent, and it can be trusted—win or lose," he remarked. "On January 20th we'll have a peaceful transfer of power here in America."
Political observers suggested certain remarks in Biden's speech implicitly referred to Trump. "You can't love your country only when you win," Biden said. "The road ahead is clear—assuming we sustain it," he added, echoing his longstanding concern that Trump poses a "threat to democracy," though he now finds himself overseeing his return to office and assuring his followers "we're going to be ok."
According to a CNN source, Trump's incoming chief of staff, Susie Wiles, has been in contact with Biden's chief of staff, Jeff Zients, as both parties coordinate the transition. The source described the process as "straightforward" and "easy."
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