Trump, Biden Shake Hands in White House Show of Civility

AFP/APP

Washington: Former President Donald Trump returned to the White House on Wednesday, where outgoing President Joe Biden extended a hand of civility, a gesture Trump did not offer Biden four years ago.

This meeting took place as Republicans were declared the majority party in the House of Representatives, effectively granting Trump full control over Congress. Trump also announced key cabinet appointments, including firebrand Matt Gaetz as Attorney General.

In a symbolic moment, Biden and Trump shook hands in the Oval Office, standing before a roaring fire. Biden, who had repeatedly criticized Trump as a threat to democracy, congratulated the president-elect, restoring a tradition that Trump had broken by refusing to acknowledge his 2020 defeat.

“Welcome back,” Biden, 81, said to the 78-year-old Trump, pledging a smooth transfer of power. Biden, who had exited the election in July and saw his successor, Vice President Kamala Harris, lose to Trump last week, assured he would “do everything we can to make sure you’re accommodated.”

As the two men with a combined age of 159 shook hands, Biden appeared to look down, while Trump looked him directly in the eyes. Despite his divisive past, including riling up a mob that attacked the Capitol in 2021, Trump struck a courteous tone on his return visit.

“Politics is tough, and in many cases it’s not a very nice world. It is a nice world today, and I appreciate it very much,” Trump said, calling the transfer of power “smooth as you can get.”

White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre later stated that the meeting lasted nearly two hours and was “very cordial, very gracious.” National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan mentioned that Biden stressed the importance of standing with Ukraine against Russia, given Trump’s past skepticism about U.S. support for Kyiv.

With Republicans holding a majority in both the House and Senate, Trump is swiftly assembling his administration, placing ultra-loyalists in key positions. Shortly after the meeting, Trump named Gaetz, a right-wing Florida congressman and staunch ally, as Attorney General, rewarding his loyalty. Gaetz, who faces a congressional ethics probe, has vowed to “end Weaponized Government.”

In another controversial move, Trump nominated former Democratic congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, known for her opposition to US support for Ukraine, as Director of National Intelligence. Gabbard has previously met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, raising eyebrows in diplomatic circles.

Trump also appointed Florida Senator Marco Rubio as Secretary of State, a conventional choice given Rubio’s experience and hawkish stance on China. Meanwhile, the nomination of Fox News host Pete Hegseth as Defense Secretary has sparked concern due to his lack of experience in managing large-scale military operations.

In an unconventional appointment, Trump has named billionaire Elon Musk as head of a new group tasked with slashing government spending. Musk, CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, accompanied Trump to Washington from Mar-a-Lago, where Trump has spent the post-election period.

During a meeting with Republicans at a Washington hotel prior to the White House visit, Trump hinted he might consider a third term—a move that would violate the U.S. Constitution. “I suspect I won’t be running again unless you say, ‘He’s good, we got to figure something else,’” he joked, drawing laughter from the crowd.