President Joe Biden of United States reached out to President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday, congratulating him on his election victory and inviting him to the White House for a meeting during the transition period—a gesture Trump declined to offer Biden four years ago.
In a statement from the White House, Biden emphasized his commitment to a smooth transition and underscored “the importance of working to bring the country together.”
Trump Campaign Spokesperson Steven Cheung confirmed the call, noting, “President Trump looks forward to the meeting, which will take place shortly, and very much appreciated the call.” Traditionally, outgoing presidents meet with their successors before the formal inauguration, but this meeting holds special significance given Trump’s refusal to extend a similar invitation to Biden in 2020. That year, Trump pursued a series of unsuccessful legal challenges, claiming widespread election fraud, and ultimately skipped Biden’s inauguration.
The two leaders have not yet set a date for the White House meeting, though Biden is expected to address the nation on Thursday to discuss the transition. Biden also personally called Vice President Kamala Harris, congratulating her on her historic campaign and her promise to facilitate the transition.
In her concession speech Wednesday, Harris expressed her continued commitment to the values of her campaign. “While I concede this election, I do not concede the fight that fueled this campaign,” she told supporters. “We will continue to wage this fight in the voting booth, in the courts, and in the public square. We will also wage it in quieter ways, in how we live our lives, by treating one another with kindness and respect,” She said.
