Biden and Trump meet in Oval office, pledge smooth transition of power

President Joe Biden on Wednesday met President-elect Donald Trump at the Oval office and told him that he looks forward to a “smooth transition” in January, adding he will “make sure” his predecessor and successor is accommodated as he retakes the White House in January.

“Well, Mr. President-elect, former president, Donald," CNN quoted Biden as saying to Trump who sat next to him in front of a blazing fire in the Oval Office.

“Congratulations,” added Biden.

Biden said “welcome back” to the president-elect, and the two leaders then shook hands.

In response, Trump thanked President Biden for pledging a smooth transfer of power.

“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,” CNN quoted Trump as saying.

Trump added that the transition would be “smooth as you can get.”

According to the report, the media was let into the Oval office for Trump and Biden’s meeting for a short period of time, and heard the two men say little.

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Melania Trump, the incoming first lady, did not accompany her husband during his visit to Washington.

However, the White House confirmed that Jill Biden greeted Trump upon his arrival, presenting him with a handwritten letter of congratulations for his wife and offering her team’s assistance with the transition.

Trump returned to the White House for the first time since winning last week’s election and sat down for talks about the looming transfer of power with Biden.

Trump’s motorcade rolled through the heavily guarded White House gate and the former and future Republican president was greeted in the Oval office by Biden, a Democrat who defeated him in the 2020 election.

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Outside on the White House driveway, a massive crowd of journalists gathered in anticipation of the big event.

Earlier in the day, Trump celebrated his victory day with Republicans in the House of Representatives who have a good chance of maintaining control of the chamber as November 5 election results trickle in.

With inputs from agencies