President-elect Donald Trump and President Joe Biden, who have been political adversaries for years, met for the first time since Trump secured his return to the White House. The meeting took place on Wednesday in the Oval Office, where the two leaders sat together by a roaring fire, projecting an image of civility despite their long-standing rivalry.
After about two hours of discussions, White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre said the meeting was “substantive,” covering key issues like national security and domestic policy. Trump and Biden addressed ongoing global concerns, including the war in Ukraine. Biden emphasized the importance of supporting Ukraine for U.S. national security, while Trump, who has promised to end the war quickly, didn’t provide specifics on how he would do so.
Trump also spoke about the Middle East, mentioning he wanted to understand Biden’s stance on the region. Trump expressed appreciation for the “gracious” exchange, while Biden emphasized the importance of a smooth transition. “We’re looking forward to a smooth transition,” Biden said, extending a warm welcome to Trump, who will officially take office on January 20.
Despite the cordial meeting, the transition has faced some delays. Trump’s team has not yet finalized agreements for office space, equipment, and access to federal officials, which are required for a smooth handover. Nonetheless, both teams continue to work on resolving these issues.
The meeting, which was marked by a professional exchange, contrasts with the more contentious relationship between the two in past years. Trump, who lost the 2020 election to Biden, did not extend the usual Oval Office greeting to Biden following his victory. But now, with Trump poised to return to the White House, both men appear committed to upholding the tradition of a peaceful transfer of power, despite their deep political differences.
