President-elect Donald Trump and former President Joe Biden met at the White House on Wednesday for a historic sit-down, marking a rare moment of cooperation between the two leaders. The meeting took place just over a week after Trump’s decisive victory in the 2024 election, which secured his return to the presidency after a four-year hiatus.
The brief but significant encounter in the Oval Office, which lasted just under two hours, was characterized by mutual respect, with both men acknowledging the gravity of the transition process.
“Politics is tough, and in many cases, it’s not a nice world, but it is a nice world today,” Trump said, sitting by the fireplace with Biden during the brief public remarks. Biden, who defeated Trump in 2020 and was poised for a rematch this year before dropping out of the race in July, congratulated his successor on his victory and expressed his commitment to a smooth transition.
“Congratulations, and I look forward to having a smooth transition,” Biden said, adding, “It will be as smooth as it can get.”
Trump responded warmly, saying, “I very much appreciate that, Joe.” The two leaders shared a cordial moment before reporters were ushered out of the room, ending the public portion of the meeting.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre described the meeting as “very cordial, very gracious,” noting that Trump arrived with a “detailed set of questions.” According to Jean-Pierre, Biden answered Trump’s inquiries and engaged in a “very good back and forth” on a variety of issues, including foreign policy and domestic concerns.
While the details of their conversation were not fully disclosed, Jean-Pierre confirmed that Biden addressed the upcoming legislative priorities during the lame duck session of Congress, such as government funding and the disaster supplemental package. Biden also reaffirmed his stance on key foreign policy matters, including his commitment to supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression, stressing that maintaining U.S. support for Ukraine is crucial for national security.
National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan later clarified that Biden’s message to Trump included a continued emphasis on the importance of U.S. involvement in Ukraine to avoid further escalation into direct conflict.
Reporters inquired about whether Biden had apologized for remarks he made during the 2024 campaign, when he called Trump a “threat to democracy.” Jean-Pierre responded, “What he said still stands,” maintaining Biden’s position.
The meeting was also attended by First Lady Jill Biden, who greeted Trump with a handwritten letter for his wife, Melania Trump. In the note, Jill Biden extended her congratulations and reiterated the Biden team’s readiness to assist with the transition. White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients and Trump’s incoming Chief of Staff Susie Wiles were also present for the talks.
Before visiting the White House, Trump had met with Republican lawmakers on Capitol Hill, where his party celebrated significant victories in the midterms, securing both the House and Senate. For Democrats, the day marked a more painful moment, as Vice President Kamala Harris was unable to secure a win, and Biden's administration faces the reality of a difficult transition ahead.
The meeting between Trump and Biden stands in stark contrast to their previous interactions. Four years ago, after Trump lost the 2020 election, he controversially refused to concede and did not follow tradition by inviting Biden to the White House for a meeting. This year’s meeting, however, was marked by a spirit of cooperation, despite the tense history between the two.
