Pres. Joe Biden Hosts Pres.-Elect Donald Trump at the White House

Facts

• Pres.-elect Donald Trump met Pres. Joe Biden in the Oval Office Wednesday after the incumbent US leader invited the former president to the White House for a traditional transition meeting.^[1][2]
• They reportedly discussed plans for a peaceful transition of power when Trump takes the oath of office for a second time on Jan. 20. "It will be as smooth as it can get, and I very much appreciate that, Joe," Trump, 78, told Biden, 81.^[3][4]
• Biden congratulated Trump on his victory, and Trump said, "Politics is tough, and it's [in], many cases not a very nice world, but it is a nice world today" before dismissing the reporters.^[5]
• According to Biden's national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, the two leaders were to discuss "domestic and foreign policy issues," including the Middle East.^[6]
• Trump visited the Oval Office after addressing House Republicans. Former First Lady Melania Trump declined to attend the meeting with First Lady Jill Biden.^[7][8]
• The meeting was reported to have lasted two hours, according to the White House. Having lost the election in 2020, Trump chose not to offer Biden the very same meeting four years ago.^[9]

Sources: ^[1]New York Post, ^[2]CNN, ^[3]The New York Times, ^[4]FOX News, ^[5]The White House, ^[6]Al Jazeera, ^[7]NBC, ^[8]Washington Examiner and ^[9]Reuters.

Narratives

• Republican narrative, as provided by The Western Journal and BBC News. Trump's heroic return to the White House is a symbolic moment for the MAGA movement, having engineered the greatest political comeback in American history. Despite the best attempts of the deep state establishment, it is clear that nothing could stop Pres. Trump from returning to office to finish what he started. After both Biden and Harris accused Trump of lie after lie for years and years, today will be a bitter day for Democrats and a moment of celebration for freedom-loving Americans.
• Democratic narrative, as provided by PBS NewsHour and MSNBC. The White House transition meeting represents a crucial tradition that reinforces the strength of American democracy and ensures continuity of government operations. These discussions between incoming and outgoing leaders have historically helped bridge political divisions and demonstrate national unity. The practice has proven valuable for smooth transitions, and it is an act of patriotism that Biden has chosen to forgive Trump's actions in 2020 and prioritize country over party today.