Class Act: “Welcome Back,” Biden To Trump At White House

Photo: Reuters/Kevin Lamarque

WASHINGTON, DC (Reuters) -President-elect Donald Trump returned to the White House on November 13 for the first time since winning last week’s election and sat down for talks about the looming transfer of power with longtime political rival President Joe Biden.

“Welcome, welcome back,” Biden told Trump at the start of their meeting in front of a roaring fireplace.

He promised Trump a smooth transition of power and to do all he could “to make sure you’re accommodated.”

“It’ll be as smooth as it can get,” Trump said.

Just four years ago, Trump did not extend this democratic and hallowed courtesy of transfer of power. Instead, the nation was rife with acrimony and was witness to the shocking January 6 riots on Capitol Hill. 

It was a sharp contrast to the criticism the two men have hurled at each other for years. Their respective teams hold vastly different positions on policies from climate change to Russia to trade.

Biden, 81, has portrayed Trump as a threat to democracy, while Trump, 78, has portrayed Biden as incompetent. Trump made false claims of widespread fraud after losing the 2020 election to Biden.

Trump’s motorcade rolled through the heavily guarded White House gate and the former and future Republican president was greeted in the Oval Office by Biden, a Democrat who defeated him in the 2020 election.

Outside on the White House driveway, a massive crowd of journalists gathered in anticipation of the big event.

Trump celebrated his victory earlier in the day with Republicans in the House of Representatives who have a good chance of maintaining control of the chamber as November 5 election results trickle in.

“Isn’t it nice to win? It’s nice to win. It’s always nice to win,” Trump said. “The House did very well.”