The White House announced in a statement that President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump will meet in the Oval Office on Wednesday following the election.
Biden called his longtime foe to congratulate him and extend the invitation the day after Trump’s spectacular comeback victory. Prior to the Oval Office event, which is set for 11 a.m. Eastern Time, the two are also anticipated to meet for lunch.
Biden was questioned about the meeting and the status of his relationship with the president-elect, whom the president has characterized as a threat to the Republic during his time in the White House, as he was leaving a church in Delaware on Saturday.
One reporter yelled, “Is President Trump still a threat to democracy?”
“I’m gonna see him on Wednesday,” the president replied before entering an awaiting car.
REPORTER: "Is Trump still a 'threat to democracy'?"
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) November 10, 2024
BIDEN: "I'm gonna see him on Wednesday."
(They were lying the whole time) pic.twitter.com/nzTM7jR26F
Biden delivered a big announcement from the White House after Vice President Kamala Harris was handily defeated in the presidential election.
While speaking from the Rose Garden, Biden praised Harris for her campaign and the hard work her team put in. Biden also congratulated Trump and Vice President-elect J.D. Vance on winning the race.
“I congratulated President-elect Trump, and promised to ensure a peacefully and orderly position. That’s what the people deserve,” Biden said.
“You can’t love your country only when you win. Something I hope we can do is see each other as fellow Americans. Bring down the temperature,” Biden said.
BIDEN: I congratulated President-elect Trump, and promised to ensure a peacefully and orderly position. That's what the people deserve. pic.twitter.com/Fw0uzjsK4x
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) November 7, 2024
Biden called Trump on the phone to congratulate him on winning the presidency. Biden also invited Trump to the White House for a meeting.
“President Biden expressed his commitment to ensuring a smooth transition and emphasized the importance of working to bring the country together,” the White House said.
Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung said the meeting “will take place shortly.”
“President Joe Biden called President Donald J. Trump to congratulate him on his victory and extended an invitation to the White House to ensure a smooth transition between the current Administration and the incoming Administration. President Trump looks forward to the meeting, which will take place shortly, and very much appreciated the call,” Cheung said in a statement.
Biden also called Vice President Kamala Harris on Wednesday to praise “her historic campaign,” according to the White House.
Later, after Harris’s speech to the country on Wednesday afternoon, Biden released a statement in which he praised Harris, calling her a “tremendous partner and public servant full of integrity, courage, and character.”
“Under extraordinary circumstances, she stepped up and led a historic campaign that embodied what’s possible when guided by a strong moral compass and a clear vision for a nation that is more free, more just, and full of more opportunities for all Americans,” Biden said.
Biden said choosing Harris as his running mate was “the best decision” he made.
“Her story represents the best of America’s story. And as she made clear today, I have no doubt that she’ll continue writing that story,” Biden said.
“She will continue the fight with purpose, determination and joy. She will continue to be a champion for all Americans. Above all, she will continue to be a leader our children will look up to for generations to come as she puts her stamp on America’s future,” Biden added.
Harris called Trump last Wednesday to concede in the presidential race.
Now, Trump’s team has revealed some of what was discussed on the call between the two leaders.
Harris called Trump to congratulate him, per a senior Harris aide. Her campaign manager, Jen O’Malley Dillon, told campaign staff that Harris told Trump she would make sure there was a peaceful handover of power from Biden’s government to Trump’s.
“You left everything on the field. You built a first-rate, historic presidential campaign in basically 90 days. You navigated things that no one has ever had to navigate, and likely no one will ever have to again. Losing is unfathomably painful. It is hard. This will take a long time to process. But the work of protecting America from the impacts of a Trump presidency starts now,” O’Malley Dillon wrote to the staff.
Trump’s campaign communications director, Steven Cheung, said Trump “acknowledged Vice President Harris on her strength, professionalism, and tenacity throughout the campaign, and both leaders agreed on the importance of unifying the country.”