In an unprecedented moment in U.S. political history, President Joe Biden is set to address the American people on Thursday, vowing a peaceful transfer of power following Donald Trump’s stunning victory in the 2024 election. The announcement comes after a hard fought race against Vice President Kamala Harris, in which Trump triumphed, securing his second term in office.
Biden is scheduled to speak at 11 a.m. (1600 GMT) in the Rose Garden of the White House, where he will discuss the election results and lay out the transition process to Trump’s administration. The White House confirmed that Biden spoke with Trump on Wednesday, reassuring the former president of his commitment to ensuring a smooth handover of power. Biden also emphasized the importance of uniting the country, despite the deep political divides that have marked his presidency and Trump’s campaign.
In a rare display of presidential decorum, Biden reached out to Trump personally, inviting him to meet at the White House, despite their longstanding animosity. This meeting, scheduled to take place shortly after Biden’s address, would be the first time the two leaders have come face-to-face since their bitter clashes during the 2020 election cycle. Their most memorable encounter was the contentious debates, culminating in Biden’s exit from the 2024 race after a lackluster debate performance in June.
While the two men have exchanged sharp words in the past, Biden’s move to extend the olive branch is seen as a gesture to ensure the country’s peaceful transition of power. Trump’s campaign spokesperson, Steven Cheung, confirmed that the former president looks forward to the meeting and appreciated Biden’s call.
A
Trump’s victory has sent shockwaves through the political landscape, signaling a shift in the nation’s direction. Exit polls show that voters overwhelmingly supported Trump’s hardline right-wing policies, particularly on issues like the economy and inflation. Many voters rejected Biden and Harris’s record, blaming them for economic struggles that have marked much of the past four years.
Trump’s resurgence is also seen as a repudiation of Biden’s leadership, especially after the turbulence of the pandemic and the ongoing challenges of inflation and supply chain issues. For Biden, this election loss could potentially mark the dismantling of his legacy, as Trump’s policies, particularly on tariffs and trade, are poised for a dramatic return.
While world leaders quickly pledged to work with Trump, many expressed concerns about his nationalist America First approach, which has raised fears of increased tariffs on foreign goods and a potential shift away from multilateralism. Trump’s controversial policies in his first term including withdrawal from international agreements and a hardline stance on immigration are expected to return with renewed intensity.
The world will also be watching closely to see who Trump selects for key positions in his new administration. Speculation is already swirling about potential picks, including Elon Musk, the billionaire CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a vocal vaccine skeptic who has been a frequent critic of the Biden administration. Both figures have sparked debate about their qualifications and the future direction of the Republican Party.
As Trump prepares to take office for a second term, his campaign’s transition team has signaled that he will be seeking to build a government with the best people. In the coming weeks, attention will turn to who will fill top positions in Trump’s White House, with many expecting a mix of familiar faces from his first term and new, more populist figures aligned with his vision for America’s future.
For Biden, the peaceful transfer of power will be a defining moment. In a nation deeply divided and facing significant challenges, Biden’s address and subsequent actions will be critical in shaping the country’s response to Trump’s return to the presidency. While Biden has vowed to put the nation first and ensure a smooth transition, the next chapter of American politics promises to be as volatile and unpredictable as ever.
Thursday’s address by President Biden marks the beginning of a historic transition, one that will have lasting implications for the future of the United States. As Biden prepares to hand over the reins to Donald Trump, the country is bracing for a new era of leadership. With deep political divisions and global uncertainties ahead, the coming months will test the strength of America’s democracy and its ability to reconcile its differences in pursuit of the common good.