President Joe Biden welcomed Donald Trump to the White House on Wednesday, displaying a sense of civility towards a bitter opponent who had not extended the same gesture to him four years earlier.
The incumbent and incoming president shook hands before a crackling fire in the Oval Office, committing to a seamless transition — a sharp contrast to Trump’s prior refusal to acknowledge his defeat in 2020.
“Welcome back,” Biden, 81, said while congratulating Trump, 78, and delivering brief introductory comments to the man he has often criticised as a danger to democracy.
Biden, who withdrew from the election in July but witnessed his successor Kamala Harris lose to Trump last week, expressed his eagerness for a “smooth transition” and vowed to do “everything we can to ensure you’re accommodated.”
As the two leaders, aged 159 years, exchanged a handshake, Biden seemed to glance down while Trump leaned in and made eye contact with him.
Although Trump incited a mob that stormed the US Capitol in 2021 and conducted a harsh and divisive election campaign this year, he aimed to adopt a gracious demeanour during his visit to the White House.
“Politics can be harsh, and often it’s not a very pleasant atmosphere. But today feels nice, and I truly appreciate it,” Trump remarked.
He added that the power transfer would be “as smooth as you can get” despite his transition team’s failure to sign some essential legal documents before his inauguration on January 20.
