United States President Joe Biden will address the nation on Thursday, committing to a peaceful transfer of power to Donald Trump after his political rival secured a decisive victory over Kamala Harris in the recent election.
In what is expected to be a solemn moment for Biden, he will speak from the White House Rose Garden at 11 am (1600 GMT) to “discuss the election results and the transition” to Trump’s second term.
The 81-year-old withdrew from the race against Trump in July 2024, passing the Democratic nomination to Vice President Kamala Harris — only to see his legacy likely threatened by the Republican’s surprising comeback.
Biden is, however, determined to present a stark contrast to Trump, whose refusal to accept his own 2020 election defeat by Biden culminated in the violent assault on the US Capitol by Trump supporters on January 6, 2021.
Trump, falsely claiming voter fraud, also declined to attend Biden’s inauguration and blocked a standard transition process.
The White House confirmed that Biden spoke with Trump on Wednesday, “emphasising his commitment to ensuring a smooth transition and underscoring the importance of uniting the country.”
Biden has sought to strike a presidential tone, reaching out to Trump and inviting him to the White House, despite their history of fierce rivalry.
Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung said Trump “looks forward to the meeting, which will take place shortly, and very much appreciated the call.”
It would mark their first encounter since Biden’s faltering debate against Trump in June, which ultimately led to his exit from the race.
Trump 2.0
The United States and the world are faced with a drastically altered political landscape following Trump’s sweeping victory.
Exit polls revealed that US voters endorsed Trump’s hardline right-wing policies and rejected Biden and Harris’s track record, particularly on issues like the economy and inflation.
World leaders swiftly pledged cooperation with Trump, despite global concerns over his nationalist “America First” approach and his promise to impose large tariffs on imports.
Attention will now turn to Trump’s selection of a new White House team, with Elon Musk and vaccine sceptic Robert Kennedy Jr. both reportedly under consideration.
The Trump campaign’s transition team announced on Wednesday that, “in the coming days and weeks,” Trump would be working to find “the best people” for his administration.
Trump could begin by halting the incumbent’s substantial military aid to Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s 2022 invasion.
He has suggested on multiple occasions that he would end the war by pressing Kyiv to make territorial concessions to Russian President Vladimir Putin, whom Trump has repeatedly praised.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke with Trump on Wednesday to congratulate him and urge a “just peace.”
Trump’s return to the White House will also bring a rollback of Biden’s environmental policies, with Trump pledging to ramp up oil production with his “drill, baby, drill” stance.
For Biden, the ultimate goal was a Harris victory that would prevent Trump’s return to power — yet many Democrats believe he delayed stepping aside for his VP for too long.
Biden paid tribute to Harris following her concession speech on Wednesday, saying, “What America saw today was the Kamala Harris I know and deeply admire.”
One commonality between Biden and Trump, however, is age.
At 78, Trump is set to break Biden’s record as the oldest sitting president. He will surpass Biden, who will leave office in January at age 82.
AFP