President Joe Biden called for reducing political tensions after Donald Trump’s decisive victory over Kamala Harris in a national address. In it, he promised a peaceful power transition. “Regardless of our voting choices, let’s view each other as fellow Americans, not adversaries, and lower the temperature,” Biden urged. Upon his appearance in the Rose Garden, his staff stood, applauding and cheering.
In July, Biden withdrew from the race, ceding the Democratic nomination to his Vice President, Harris. He has congratulated Trump and assured him of a smooth transition. “America will witness a peaceful power transfer on January 20,” Biden confirmed, contrasting with Trump’s non-attendance at his inauguration.
Despite this, Biden encouraged his supporters not to be disheartened by Trump’s potential policy reversals upon his return to office. “A defeat does not define us as defeated,” he stated. This marked a stark departure from Trump’s previous denials of electoral loss, which led to a violent incident on January 6, 2021.
Biden extended an invitation to Trump for a White House meeting, their first since Biden’s campaign-ending debate in June. Global leaders have quickly promised cooperation with Trump, despite his nationalist stances and trade policies.
Read: Trump and Biden Prepare for Transition with Upcoming Oval Office Meeting
President Xi Jinping of China expressed a desire for stable Sino-American relations. Meanwhile, Trump, now planning his administration from Mar-a-Lago, intends to appoint new personnel soon. Among them, Robert F Kennedy Jr., despite his anti-vaccine views, assured he wouldn’t ban vaccines but suggested removing fluoride from US water.
Elon Musk, a staunch Trump supporter, may audit government spending. Trump’s victory, marked by a focus on right-wing policies and economic concerns, sets him as the first convicted felon to win the presidency. He survived a tumultuous campaign, including two assassination attempts.
As he reenters office, Trump may cut Biden’s military aid to Ukraine and dismantle significant parts of Biden’s environmental initiatives. Despite hopes Biden’s legacy would continue through a Harris presidency, many Democrats believe he delayed stepping aside too long.
