WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump and President Biden acted like old friends rather than bitter rivals in the Oval Office on Wednesday, shaking hands and exchanging warm words during Trump’s first trip to Washington since his re-election win.
The pair discussed plans for a peaceful transition of power when Trump takes the oath of office for a second time on Jan. 20.
Biden, 81, wore a broad smile as he told Trump “welcome back” before congratulating the Republican on his election win and saying he was “looking forward” to “having a smooth transition” and promising Trump would be “accommodated” with everything he needs.
“Politics is tough, and in many cases it’s not a nice world, but it is a nice world today,” responded Trump, 78.
“It’ll be as smooth as it can get, and I very much appreciate it, Joe,” the former president added.
The outgoing president said, “You’re welcome.”
President-elect Donald Trump met his successor-turned-predecessor, President Biden, in the Oval Office Wednesday during the Republican’s first trip to Washington since his second election.
“It’ll be as smooth as it can get, and I very much appreciate it,” Trump, 78, told Biden, 81.
“You’re welcome,” the smiling 46th president answered. before dismissing the assembled press pool.
First lady Jill Biden joined the president to greet Trump and passed along a handwritten letter for Melania Trump, who refused to attend a traditional meeting with Jill Biden in a fit of pique over the August 2022 raid on Mar-a-Lago.
The letter included congratulations and expressed the Bidens’ readiness to prepare the White House for a smooth transition — something the administration has been stressing since Vice President Kamala Harris’ loss to Trump Nov. 5.
Trump entered the White House through the South Portico, bypassing hundreds of journalists who had gathered outside the West Wing in the hope of hearing from the once and future commander in chief.
Supporters of the 45th president also gathered by the gates outside the White House hoping to catch a glimpse of his motorcade as he drove up Pennsylvania Avenue.
Prior to arriving at the White House, Trump addressed jubilant House Republicans, who have claimed a majority for the next two years.
“It’s nice to win,” Trump told the assembled lawmakers, before joking that “I suspect I won’t be running again unless you say ‘He’s so good, we gotta figure something else out’.”
