US President-elect Donald Trump and President Joe Biden met for the first time since Trump won the presidential election last week and both men promised a smooth transfer of power in January.
The two leaders sat side by side before a roaring fire in the Oval Office, a peaceful scene that belied the tensions between them.
Biden defeated Trump in the 2020 election but dropped out of the 2024 race in July after a disastrous debate with Republican Trump.
Biden handed his candidacy to Vice President Kamala Harris, who lost the election.
“We look forward to having, as we said, a smooth transition, to doing everything we can to make sure that you are settled and that you have what you need,” he said.
Trump, who takes office on January 20, said: “Politics is tough, and in many cases the world is not very nice, but it’s a nice world today, and I very much appreciate such a smooth transition that will be just as smooth.” how can this happen and I really appreciate it, Joe.”
The journalists shouted questions but were quickly ushered out.
No problem separating the two men in their argument
It was a stark contrast to the criticism the two men have lobbed at each other for years.
Their respective teams hold very different positions on policies, from climate change to Russia to trade.
Biden, 81, described Trump as a threat to democracy, while Trump, 78, described Biden as incompetent.
Trump has claimed widespread fraud in the 2020 election, even as his own attorney general says, and investigations have found no evidence of this.
Trump’s motorcade passed through the heavily guarded White House gate, and the former and future Republican president was welcomed into the Oval Office by Biden, a Democrat who defeated him in the 2020 election.
Outside, on the White House driveway, a huge crowd of journalists gathered awaiting the big event.
Donald Trump celebrates victory with Republican allies
Trump celebrated his victory earlier in the day with Republicans in the House of Representatives, who have a good chance of maintaining control of the chamber as the results of the Nov. 5 election come in.
“Isn’t it nice to win? It’s nice to win. It’s always nice to win,” Trump said.
“The Chamber performed very well.”
Outside the gates of the White House, signs of the impending transfer of power were evident with construction already underway on grandstands where VIP guests will be able to sit during the parade that will take place after Trump’s inauguration.
While Biden intended to use the meeting to show continuity, the transition itself has partially stalled.
According to the White House, Trump’s team, which has already announced some members of the incoming president’s cabinet, has yet to sign agreements that would lead to the provision of office space and government equipment, as well as access to government officials, facilities and information.
“Trump-Vance transition attorneys continue to engage constructively with Biden-Harris administration attorneys regarding all agreements covered by the Presidential Transition Act,” Trump transition spokesman Brian Vance said, referring to the law governing the transfer of power.
