President-elect Donald Trump met with President Joe Biden in the Oval Office, where Trump made his first visit to the White House since 2021 and his first visit to Washington since winning last week's election.
Trump told reporters while sitting next to Biden: “Politics is difficult, and in many cases it is not a nice world, but it is a nice world today.”
Biden invited Trump to the White House, in keeping with an old tradition, even though the president-elect refused to do so four years ago. Trump refused to accept the results of the 2020 election, leading to the attack on the Capitol the following January 6. He also refused to attend Biden's inauguration.
In contrast, Biden plans to attend the ceremony scheduled for January 20.
“Congratulations and I look forward to a smooth transition,” Biden said.
“It's going to be as smooth as possible, and I appreciate that very much, Joe,” Trump said.
Melania Trump was not with her husband on the trip, as it is customary for incoming and outgoing first ladies to meet as well.
