President Biden Set for White House Meeting with President-elect Donald Trump to Address Smooth Transition of Power
President Joe Biden is set to meet with President-elect Donald Trump at the White House on Wednesday in a move aimed at demonstrating a smooth transition of power between the outgoing and incoming administrations.
White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre emphasized that Biden believes in the norms of a peaceful transfer of power, which he considers essential for the health of American democracy.
This meeting marks the first time the two men will speak directly since their debate in June, which raised concerns about Biden’s age and led to his eventual exit from the race. Biden’s underwhelming performance in the debate contributed to his decision to step aside and endorse Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee. Harris ran a shortened campaign that ended with her loss to Trump in the 2024 election.
The meeting comes amid ongoing tensions between Biden and Trump, who have both sharply criticized each other over the years. Biden, 81, has repeatedly labeled Trump a threat to democracy, while the 78-year-old Trump has portrayed Biden as ineffective. Despite their differences, Biden’s decision to host Trump is seen as an attempt to show continuity and respect for the democratic process, especially at a time when the transition process itself has encountered some delays. Trump’s team has yet to sign the necessary agreements to gain access to government facilities and information, which is hindering the official transition process.
Ahead of the meeting, Trump is expected to meet with Republican lawmakers and House Speaker Mike Johnson before sitting down with Biden. The two leaders are likely to discuss a range of topics, including foreign policy. One area of focus could be Ukraine, with Biden likely urging Trump to continue supporting Ukraine in its war with Russia. Trump, who has expressed skepticism about U.S. involvement in Ukraine, has pledged to end the war quickly, though he has not detailed how he plans to achieve that.
While Jean-Pierre declined to outline specific discussion points, it is clear that the meeting will be an important moment in shaping the future direction of U.S. policy. As Biden prepares to transition out of office, the focus now turns to the challenges and negotiations involved in ensuring a smooth handover to the incoming administration, despite the current delays in formalizing the transition.
