Biden to address Americans following Trump’s comeback victory
Following his political rival's resounding victory against Kamala Harris in the most recent election, US President Joe Biden will speak to the public on Thursday and pledge to hand over power to Donald Trump peacefully.
Biden will "discuss the election results and the transition" to Trump's second term at 11 a.m. (1600 GMT) from the White House Rose Garden in what is anticipated to be a sad occasion.
The Republican's unexpected resurgence undoubtedly damaged the 81-year-old's legacy after he withdrew from the contest against Trump in July 2024, handing the Democratic nomination to Vice President Kamala Harris.
However, Biden is committed to drawing a sharp contrast with Trump, who has refused to acknowledge his own loss in the 2020 election 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
With Trump's overwhelming victory, the political environment in the US and around the world has significantly changed.
According to exit surveys, US voters disapproved of Biden and Harris's past performance, especially on matters like inflation and the economy, and supported Trump's harsh right-wing views.
Despite international fears about Trump's nationalist "America First" stance and his plan to impose high import tariffs, world leaders quickly promised cooperation with him.
The focus will now shift to Trump's choice of a new White House team, with Robert Kennedy Jr., a vaccine sceptic, and Elon Musk apparently being considered.
On Wednesday, the transition team for the Trump campaign declared that Trump would be searching for "the best people" for his government "in the coming days and weeks."
Trump might start 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.
