"Politics is a serious matter": Trump met with Biden for a "smooth" transfer of power.

On Wednesday, November 13, Donald Trump, who won the presidential election in the U.S., held a meeting with the current president, Joe Biden, at the White House, reports BBC.

During the meeting, Biden informed Trump that he intends to peacefully transfer power to the next president.

Trump, for his part, stated that this process will go “as smoothly as possible.”

“Mr. President-elect and former President, Donald, congratulations! We want to ensure a smooth transition of power and will do everything we can to make sure you have what you need,” Biden told Trump. “Today we can discuss some of these issues. Welcome – and welcome back!”

“Politics is a tough thing, and the world is often not a very pleasant place. But today it is pleasant, and I really appreciate that,” Trump said, after which both politicians shook hands.

During the election campaign, Trump and Biden harshly criticized each other and last met during the debates in June. Shortly after, Biden exited the race amid concerns about his age and ability to fulfill presidential duties.

The meeting between the incoming president and the outgoing one is a long-standing tradition in American political life.

However, after the 2020 presidential election, which Trump lost but refused to concede, the meeting with Biden did not take place: then-President Trump declined to attend.

Commenting on today’s meeting, White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre stated that Biden “believes in norms, believes in our institutions.”

“He believes in the peaceful transfer of power,” she added.

Trump arrived in Washington for the first time after winning the presidential election in 2024. Before his visit to the White House, he visited the House of Representatives, where he met with members of the Republican Party, which has a strong chance of maintaining control over the lower chamber of Congress.

The vote count for the House elections is still ongoing, but the Republicans are just two seats short of a majority (while the Democrats are ten seats short).

As a result of the Senate elections, which took place simultaneously with the presidential vote, the Republican Party also gained control of the upper chamber of the American parliament.

Background. It has been reported that Trump will appoint Musk as the head of a new department responsible for cost-saving. Another leader of this department will be Vivek Ramaswamy – a staunch opponent of aid to Ukraine.