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President-elect Trump Meets Biden at White House, Announces Senior Staff in Smooth Transition

Nov 13, 2024, 04:39 PM

President-elect Donald Trump met with President Joe Biden at the White House on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, marking his first visit since departing nearly four years ago. The meeting in the Oval Office was part of a ceremonial tradition representing a smooth and peaceful transfer of power, a practice that Trump himself had flouted in 2020. Biden congratulated Trump on his election victory and expressed his commitment to ensuring a smooth transition. "Congratulations. Looking forward to having a smooth transition. Do everything we can to make sure you're accommodated, what you need. Welcome back," Biden said. Trump acknowledged the challenges of politics but appreciated the moment. "Thank you very much. Politics is tough, and in many cases not a very nice world, but it is a nice world today. A transition that's so smooth, it'll be as smooth as it can get, and I very much appreciate that," Trump responded. Trump also announced senior White House staff appointments, naming four top campaign advisers—Dan Scavino, Stephen Miller, James Blair, and Taylor Budowich—to senior roles in his administration. The leaders' amicable interaction highlighted a commitment to democratic norms and a peaceful transfer of power, contrasting sharply with the contentious aftermath of the previous election.