• Source:JND
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President-elect Donald Trump met with President Joe Biden in the Oval Office to ensure a smooth transition of power, marking a return to this American democratic tradition after a four-year hiatus.
 
In a brief meeting, Biden welcomed Trump and congratulated him on his victory, as both leaders assured a peaceful transition of power set for January 20.
 
"Well, Mr. President-elect, Donald, congratulations... and I look forward to having a smooth transition. Welcome," Biden said.
 
“Politics is tough, and it's, in many cases, not a very nice world, but it is a nice world today, and I appreciate it very much. The transition is so smooth, and it will be as smooth as it can get...," Trump said in his remarks.
 

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First Lady Jill Biden greeted Trump on his arrival and gave him a handwritten letter for Melania Trump, who was not present, according to the White House. 

The First Lady's office confirmed that the Trumps were invited to meet at the White House, but Melania Trump did not accompany her husband to Washington on Wednesday. "Her husband's return to the Oval Office to commence the transition process is encouraging, and she wishes him great success," Melania Trump's office said in a statement.

Biden Offers Oval Office Courtesy to Trump, Unlike 2020 Transition

Biden, who ran against Trump in 2024 before endorsing Kamala Harris, welcomed Trump to the Oval Office, a courtesy Trump did not extend to Biden in 2020.

Trump disputed his 2020 election loss to Biden, continuing to spread false claims of voter fraud. He did not invite Biden to the White House and skipped Biden's inauguration, marking the first time since Andrew Johnson that a president did not attend the swearing-in of his successor.

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Biden has pledged to ensure a smooth transition to the Trump administration, despite his campaign criticism of Trump as a threat to democracy and core national values.