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President Joe Biden called former President Donald Trump on the phone Wednesday to congratulate him on winning the presidency. Biden also invited Trump to the White House for a meeting.
“President Biden expressed his commitment to ensuring a smooth transition and emphasized the importance of working to bring the country together,” the White House said.
Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung said the meeting “will take place shortly.”
“President Joe Biden called President Donald J. Trump to congratulate him on his victory and extended an invitation to the White House to ensure a smooth transition between the current Administration and the incoming Administration. President Trump looks forward to the meeting, which will take place shortly, and very much appreciated the call,” Cheung said in a statement.
Biden also called Vice President Kamala Harris on Wednesday to praise “her historic campaign,” according to the White House.
Later, after Harris’s speech to the country on Wednesday afternoon, Biden released a statement in which he praised Harris, calling her a “tremendous partner and public servant full of integrity, courage, and character.”
“Under extraordinary circumstances, she stepped up and led a historic campaign that embodied what’s possible when guided by a strong moral compass and a clear vision for a nation that is more free, more just, and full of more opportunities for all Americans,” Biden said.
Biden said choosing Harris as his running mate was “the best decision” he made.
“Her story represents the best of America’s story. And as she made clear today, I have no doubt that she’ll continue writing that story,” Biden said.
“She will continue the fight with purpose, determination and joy. She will continue to be a champion for all Americans. Above all, she will continue to be a leader our children will look up to for generations to come as she puts her stamp on America’s future,” Biden added.
Former President Barack Obama released a statement after Harris’ blowout election loss to Trump.
In a statement posted to social media, Obama partially admitted to a few reasons that were responsible for Harris’s defeat.
“As I said on the campaign trail, America has been through a lot over the last few years — from a historic pandemic and price hikes resulting from the pandemic, to rapid change and the feeling a lot of folks have that, no matter how hard they work, treading water is the best they can do,” Obama said.
“Those conditions have created headwinds for democratic incumbents around the world, and last night showed that America is not immune. The good news is that these problems are solvable — but only if we listen to each other, and only if we abide by the core constitutional principles and democratic norms that made this country great,” Obama added.
During October, Obama toured the country to support Harris’s campaign. His wife, former First Lady Michelle Obama, also spoke at a few events.
Obama also congratulated Trump and Sen. JD Vance (R-OH) on winning the race.
Here’s our statement on the results of the 2024 presidential election: pic.twitter.com/lDkNVQDvMn
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) November 6, 2024
Harris called Trump on Wednesday to concede in the presidential race.
Now, Trump’s team has revealed some of what was discussed on the call between the two leaders.
Harris called Trump to congratulate him, per a senior Harris aide. Her campaign manager, Jen O’Malley Dillon, told campaign staff that Harris told Trump she would make sure there was a peaceful handover of power from Biden’s government to Trump’s.
“You left everything on the field. You built a first-rate, historic presidential campaign in basically 90 days. You navigated things that no one has ever had to navigate, and likely no one will ever have to again. Losing is unfathomably painful. It is hard. This will take a long time to process. But the work of protecting America from the impacts of a Trump presidency starts now,” O’Malley Dillon wrote to the staff.
Trump’s campaign communications director, Steven Cheung, said Trump “acknowledged Vice President Harris on her strength, professionalism, and tenacity throughout the campaign, and both leaders agreed on the importance of unifying the country.”
