A courteous tone between two men who hate each other: Joe Biden received Donald Trump on Wednesday November 13, 2024 at the White House, where the Republican will settle down for good after his swearing in on January 20.
After a handshake with the outgoing head of state in the Oval Office, the 45th and soon 47th American president declared that the transition would be “the most fluid there is”, reports theAgence France Presse (AFP).
The two men, seated near a fireplace, made very short statements before beginning their meeting, which was attended by their respective chiefs of staff: Jeff Zients for Joe Biden, Susie Wiles for Donald Trump.
“We will do everything possible to make sure you have everything you need”said Joe Biden, who in recent years has very often described Donald Trump as a danger to American democracy.
“Congratulations” and a “welcome back”
He presented his ” Congratulations “ to the president-elect and wished him a “welcome back” in the most famous office in the world, which Donald Trump occupied from 2017 to 2021.
“Politics is hard, and often it’s not a very pleasant world. But it's a nice world today and I'm grateful.”launched the Republican, author of the most extraordinary comeback in recent political history.
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Upon his arrival Wednesday, he briefly saw First Lady Jill Biden, who gave him a letter of congratulations for his absent wife Melania Trump.
A “substantial” meeting
After his respective statements, the meeting between the two men lasted a little over two hours and was “very cordial”, “very courteous” et “substantial”said the spokesperson for the White House, reports Reuters. “They discussed important national security and domestic policy issues facing the nation and the world”Karine Jean-Pierre told journalists.
White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said Biden stressed that supporting Ukraine was in Washington's security interests because a strong and stable Europe would prevent the United States from United to find themselves drawn into a war.
Donald Trump promised during the election campaign to quickly end the war in Ukraine, without explaining how he intended to do it.
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At the end of his meeting with Joe Biden, the president-elect declared to the New York Post having discussed a lot about the Middle East with the outgoing president. “I wanted to know his positions. He gave them to me, he was very kind”said Donald Trump, still according to Reuters.
For his return to Washington, Donald Trump will have free rein: his party won the majority in the Senate and should retain control of the House of Representatives, according to a count still underway. He can also count on a Supreme Court firmly anchored to the right.
