A meeting in the American tradition, yet extraordinary. Joe Biden received Donald Trump at the White House after months, even years, of mutual attacks with no holds barred because he wanted to reassure the people of the United States that there will be a peaceful transition. A gesture in total contrast with the chaos, violence and deaths that the tycoon left behind after his defeat in 2020.
Smiling and relaxed, the two former adversaries sat in front of the fireplace in the Oval Office and exchanged a cordial handshake and kind words. Completely different tones and atmospheres from their last direct meeting, the television debate last June which marked the end of Biden’s run. “Welcome back President-elect Donald,” began the commander-in-chief who four years ago did not receive the same courtesy from the outgoing Trump.
“Politics is tough, it’s often not a pleasant world. But today is a beautiful day and I’m grateful for such a smooth transition,” The Donald responded, promising that the transition of power will be “as smooth as possible” and thanking again once the president for the invitation “much appreciated”. The two leaders were then bombarded with questions from the journalists present, which however they did not answer, remaining seated in their respective seats: Biden smiling, Trump more concentrated.
Aside from the pleasantries and the strong symbolic value, the conversation of about two hours was mostly focused on one of the times dearest to the outgoing elderly commander-in-chief: the war in Ukraine. While House Speaker Mike Johnson has already warned that no more money will be sent to Kiev and Trump is thinking of appointing an envoy “for peace”, Biden has made it clear to his successor that helping Volodymyr Zelensky’s forces “is necessary for national security of the United States and the stability of Europe” and, ultimately, to contain China, maintaining the balance in the Indo-Pacific. First lady Jill also wanted to greet the tycoon to give him a handwritten letter of congratulations for Melania, another moral slap from the Bidens to the Trumps after the former first lady snubbed the invitation for tea with a rather banal excuse . Before the meeting at the White House, the president-elect met with Republican deputies at the Hyatt hotel in Washington, accompanied by the now omnipresent Elon Musk. The tycoon gave his endorsement to Johnson for a second mandate as speaker, given that the Grand old party maintained control of the House, and thanked his people for the victory in all seven swing states: “We couldn’t have done better than that.”
Trump, welcomed in triumph, also joked about his possible third term, prohibited by the Constitution: “I don’t think I will do it, unless we come up with something…”, he joked.
Video Biden receives Trump: ‘The transition will be as smooth as possible’
Meanwhile, the Senate has elected its leader, not Rick Scott who had been publicly supported by Musk and the Maga movement, but John Thune, deputy of the outgoing Mitch McConnell, often critical of Trump in the past. The victory of the senator from South Dakota could be a sign that the Upper House on Capitol Hill wants to maintain its power and stem the tsunami led by the Tesla boss. With his appointment to the Department for Government Efficiency together with Vivek Ramaswamy, in fact – ‘the Manhattan project of our times’, in the tycoon’s words – the millionaire will have an increasingly cumbersome role in the new administration.
In the last few hours Trump has filled other crucial boxes on his team. Meanwhile, the fundamental Department of Justice at the head of which the president-elect has placed one of his most faithful allies, the controversial Matt Gaetz who will have to carry out the mission of avenger against the many proceedings that have affected the tycoon.
The most unexpected appointment was that of the veteran and former Fox news anchor Pete Hegseth, at the helm of the Pentagon, who then confirmed the rumors that Florida Senator Marco Rubio would be Secretary of State, Kristi Noem would be Secretary of Homeland Security, and Mike Waltz national security advisor, John Ratcliffe at the CIA and Tulsi Gabbard, former Democratic congresswoman turned Trump supporter as director of national intelligence. These join the chief of staff Susan Wiles, the border czar Thomas Homan, the UN ambassador Elise Stefanik, the director of the Environment Agency Lee Zeldin. Dan Scavino will return to the White House as assistant to the president and deputy chief of staff. Stephen Miller will return to the West Wing as assistant to the president, deputy chief of staff and homeland security advisor. Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee has been designated the new ambassador to Israel, while real estate magnate Steven C. Witkoff will be the special envoy for the Middle East. For the Treasury, those of hedge fund manager Scott Bessent, one of the major fundraisers for the tycoon and his former economic advisor.
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