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Trump meets with GOP lawmakers Biden in Washington

Harry November 14, 2024

By WILL WEISSERT, LISA MASCARO and ZEKE MILLER, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump He made a triumphant return to Washington on Wednesday, visiting the White House for a nearly two-hour meeting with President Joe Biden and pledging a direct transition of power, even though he actively worked to disrupt the same process four years ago.

Sitting in the Oval Office in front of a roaring fire in the fireplace, the former rivals shook hands before Biden addressed Trump as “Mr. Trump.” President-elect and former president” and then settled on just “Donald.”

“Congratulations,” the Democrat said to the Republican. “I look forward to a smooth transition, as they say. Welcome. Welcome back.”

Trump responded, “Thank you very much,” adding, “Politics is hard. And in many cases, it’s not a very nice world. But it’s a beautiful world today, and I appreciate that very much.”

Other than the opening moments, the meeting took place privately, and Biden and Trump were joined by their chiefs of staff. Trump said the transition between the outgoing and incoming administrations “will be as smooth as possible, and I appreciate that very much, Joe.”

President Joe Biden meets with President-elect Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Trump, who won this time, says he is ready to ensure a seamless transition between administrations. But when he lost four years ago, the situation was very different: Trump filed numerous lawsuits Falsely claim widespread voter fraudHe refused to actively participate in the transition, rejected the election results, and helped incite a mob. Attacked the US Capitol BuildingHe is trying to prevent the certification of Biden’s victory.

HE He did not invite Biden to the White House eitherand refused to attend the swearing-in ceremony; This was the first time since Andrew Johnson skipped Ulysses S. Grant’s inauguration 155 years ago.

The new, all-smiling scene in the White House — despite what happened four years ago — made the extraordinary political recovery a stark relief for Trump, who left Washington in 2021 a diminished, politically defeated leader. Today, he is poised to return to power as Republicans take back the Senate. The pinnacle of securing a parliamentary majority and what he and his GOP allies see management authority.

Neither the president-elect nor Biden responded to the questions asked by journalists after their brief statements. At one point, Biden looked at Trump, who moved his head to the side and shrugged slightly but did not respond.

Trump later told the New York Post that he and Biden discussed two issues on which they differ sharply, the war in Ukraine and Israel’s ongoing war with Hamas in Gaza.

“I asked for his opinions and he gave them to me,” Trump told the newspaper. “We also talked a lot about the Middle East. I wanted to know his views on where we were and what he thought. And he gave them to me, he was very gracious.”

It was unclear how long the president-elect’s moderate attitude towards Biden, who will be both his successor and predecessor in the White House, will last. Trump met with President Barack Obama in the Oval Office following his 2016 election victory, calling it “a great honor.” But he soon returned to hurling insults at Obama.

Trump appeared relaxed in the Oval Office on Wednesday, unlike eight years ago when he appeared nervous and calm when meeting Obama. The president-elect left the White House after his session with Biden, without addressing the large group of reporters in the driveway and in case he was spotted.

First Lady Jill Biden greeted Trump upon his arrival and handed him a handwritten congratulatory letter for his wife, Melania, who was unable to attend the Washington trip. The letter also stated that the First Lady’s team is ready to assist with the transition.

While meeting with Biden, Trump sent a fundraising email to supporters saying he was “currently conducting a very important meeting at the White House.”

Trump flew from Florida in the morning to meet with the billionaire Elon Musk “It’s nice to win,” he told House Republicans during a morning session.

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President-Elect Donald Trump on Wednesday, November 13, 2024 in Andrews, MD. He came to Joint Base. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

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He received a standing ovation from GOP lawmakers; many of them took cellphone videos of Trump relaying their party’s victories up and down the ballot.

“I suspect I won’t run again unless you say he’s fine, we’ve got to find something else,” Trump said, to laughter from lawmakers. Article 22 of the Constitution prevents the president from running for a third term.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said of Trump’s arrival: “He is the king of the comeback.”

“We owe him a huge debt of gratitude,” Johnson said.

Trump’s reemergence took place during the Republican congressional leadership elections. He approved of Johnson’s return to the presidential office and said the president-elect was with Johnson all the way, according to a person familiar with those remarks but not authorized to publicly discuss the private meeting.

Musk joining Trump on the trip to Washington comes after the Tesla and SpaceX CEO spent much of his time at Trump’s Florida estate Mar-a-Lago and participated in discussions as the incoming Trump administration prepares for the transition from Biden’s. Trump appointed Musk to the post of government efficiency advisor in his new administration. Some close to the president-elect and his team now view Musk as the second most influential figure in Trump’s inner circle, behind campaign manager Susie Wiles, Trump’s new chief of staff.

Biden insists he will do everything he can to ensure a smooth transition to the next Trump administration. This despite having campaigned for re-election for more than a year and denouncing Trump as a leader Threat to democracy and the core values of the nation. Biden then withdrew from the race in July and endorsed the Vice President Kamala Harris to replace him.

Traditionally, when outgoing and incoming presidents meet in the West Wing, the First Lady hosts her successor on the upper floor of the residence, but her office said Melania Trump did not attend, citing “her husband’s return to the Oval Office.” “It is encouraging that the transition process has begun and we wish him great success.”

Wednesday’s visit was not Trump’s first visit to the Capitol area since the end of his first term. Republicans in Congress hosted him throughout the summer.

Trump left Washington on Wednesday without visiting his party’s senators. While he was in town, they selected Senator John Thune of South Dakota. three way race He will replace outgoing GOP leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky. Trump’s allies were pushing GOP senators to vote for Sen. Rick Scott of Florida.

Associated Press writers Jill Colvin and Farnoush Amiri in New York, Darlene Superville and Kevin Freking contributed to this report.

First Publication Date: November 13, 2024, 06:08 CST