President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump met in the Oval Office on Wednesday, reinstating a tradition that Trump chose not to follow in 2020.
The two leaders, seated beside a crackling fire, shook hands in front of reporters and cameras.
Biden opened the conversation, calling for a “smooth transition” and assuring Trump, “We’ll do everything we can to make sure you’re accommodated.”
Trump thanked Biden, acknowledging, “Politics is tough, and it’s often not a very nice world, but today it is. I appreciate that a smooth transition is underway, and I really appreciate that, Joe.”
Neither answered questions from the press.
Their meeting appeared to last just under two hours before Trump departed. First lady Jill Biden joined President Biden in welcoming Trump upon his arrival, handing him a handwritten letter of congratulations for Melania Trump, along with an offer to assist in the transition.
The first lady’s office confirmed a joint invitation for the Trumps to visit the White House, but Melania Trump did not accompany her husband to Washington on Wednesday.
“Her husband’s return to the Oval Office to begin the transition process is encouraging, and she wishes him great success,” her office said in a statement.
In 2016, Michelle Obama hosted Melania Trump at the White House when then-President Barack Obama welcomed Donald Trump days after the election. Their meeting lasted 90 minutes, with Obama describing it as an “excellent” discussion.
Vice President Kamala Harris did not attend Wednesday’s meeting. According to the White House, both White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients and incoming Chief of Staff Susie Wiles were present with Biden and Trump.
Following his 2020 election loss, Trump broke two long-standing traditions that symbolize the peaceful transfer of power in the U.S. He did not invite then-President-elect Biden to the White House after the election, claiming he hadn’t lost, and later skipped Biden’s inauguration, leaving Washington just hours before the ceremony began.
This time, however, those traditions were revived as Trump visited the White House on Wednesday.
