On Thursday, President Joe Biden called on Americans to de-escalate political tensions following Donald Trump’s decisive electoral victory over Kamala Harris. In a conciliatory national address from the White House, Biden committed to facilitating a peaceful transition of power.
During his speech, Biden aimed to dispel lingering doubts about U.S. election integrity, exacerbated by Trump’s refusal to concede his 2020 loss. “Let’s view each other not as adversaries but as fellow Americans,” Biden urged, emphasizing the need to “bring down the temperature.”
As Biden entered the Rose Garden, White House staff stood, cheered, and applauded. The 81-year-old had withdrawn from the presidential race in July, passing the Democratic nomination to his vice president, Harris.
Biden recounted his conversation with Trump, assuring the former president of a “peaceful and orderly” transition. “On January 20, we’ll witness a peaceful transfer of power here in America,” he stated, a stark contrast to Trump’s inauguration, which Biden did not attend.
Despite the prospect of Trump dismantling his policies, Biden encouraged his supporters to remain hopeful. “A defeat does not mean we are defeated,” he asserted, his tone markedly different from Trump’s, whose denial of his election loss led to the violent January 6, 2021, Capitol assault.
Biden has extended an invitation to Trump for a meeting at the White House, their first since a contentious debate in June that influenced Biden’s decision to exit the race.
Globally, leaders have quickly promised cooperation with Trump, despite his nationalist policies and protectionist trade proposals. Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the need for stable U.S.-China relations in his message to Trump.
Now at his Mar-a-Lago resort, Trump is organizing his transition team after a victory that reshaped both American and global political landscapes. His campaign indicated that the selection of personnel for his administration is imminent.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., expected to play a significant role in healthcare under Trump, dispelled fears about vaccine mandates on NBC News. However, he confirmed Trump’s intent to propose removing fluoride from U.S. water supplies.
Read: Kamala Harris Congratulates Trump on Election Victory
Elon Musk, after supporting Trump, is likely to audit U.S. government spending to identify and eliminate waste.
Voters have endorsed Trump’s conservative policies over Biden and Harris’s handling of the economy and inflation, according to exit polls.
Trump, now the first convicted felon and the oldest individual elected U.S. president, will likely reverse significant portions of Biden’s agenda, including military aid to Ukraine and environmental protections, championing a return to expansive oil drilling.
Biden’s hoped-for legacy was a victory for Harris that would prevent Trump’s return—a goal complicated by his delayed endorsement of his vice president.
