Trump, Biden pledge peaceful transition in Oval Office meeting: 'Politics is tough'

President-elect Trump and former President Biden sat down for a meeting in the Oval Office on Wednesday, just more than a week after the Republican's decisive win secured his return to the White House.

“Politics is tough, and in many cases it’s not a nice world, but it is a nice world today,” Trump said while the two leaders sat by the fireplace.

Biden, who beat Trump in 2020 and was set for a rematch this year before dropping out of the race in July, congratulated him on his victory. Biden had repeatedly warned that another Trump term would damage democracy but after the election pledged to follow tradition and provide Trump's team with a smooth transition.

“Congratulations, and I look forward to having a smooth transition,” Biden said.

“It will be as smooth as it can get, and I very much appreciate that, Joe,” Trump replied.

Reporters were ushered out of the room after about a minute as the meeting between the two was underway.

First lady Jill Biden joined the president in greeting Trump when he arrived at the White House. She gave Trump a handwritten letter of congratulations for his wife, former first lady Melania Trump, which also expressed her team’s readiness to assist with the transition.

White House chief of staff Jeff Zients and Trump’s incoming chief of staff Susie Wiles also attended the meeting.

Before visiting the White House, Trump met with GOP lawmakers on Capitol Hill. Wednesday marks a celebratory day for Republicans, who won the House and Senate on the coattails of Trump’s victory, and a painful day for Biden and Democrats following the devastating loss by Vice President Harris.

The White House meeting was expected to be awkward, given the history between the two men. Four years ago, Trump contested the results of Biden’s win and broke a postelection tradition by never inviting him to the White House.

Updated at 12:01 p.m. EST

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