President-elect Donald Trump thanked President Joe Biden for overseeing a smooth transition of power during an Oval Office meeting on Wednesday that marked the rivals’ first face-to-face meeting since the election.
“I appreciate very much a transition that’s so smooth,” Trump said as the two men sat stiffly in oversized chairs, a fire roaring in the background. “It’ll be as smooth as it can get and I very much appreciate that, Joe.”
“You’re welcome,” a smiling Biden said.
The meeting, normally a formality between presidents, represented a striking contrast from four years ago, when Biden was poised to take the White House after unseating Trump. At that time, Trump refused to extend the courtesy of the invitation and instead spent the following weeks trying to overturn the results of the election.
In the Oval Office on Wednesday, the two acted cordially toward each other. Biden congratulated Trump on his victory, and after their brief opening remarks, they exchanged words and smiles as they waited for reporters to leave the room.
Trump at the outset of the meeting, however, did nod toward the viciousness of the campaign — taking apparent satisfaction that he had ended up on top.
“Politics is tough and in many cases it’s not a nice world,” Trump said. “But it is a nice world today.”