President Joe Biden will address the United States on Thursday, confirming a smooth transfer of power to former President Donald Trump, who won a decisive victory over Vice President Kamala Harris in the recent election. Biden’s statement, expected to be a significant and solemn moment, will take place in the White House Rose Garden at 11 a.m. (1600 GMT), where he will discuss the election results and the upcoming transition to Trump’s second term.
Biden, who formally stepped down from the race in July 2024, handed the Democratic nomination to Harris. However, Trump’s return has cast shadows on Biden’s legacy. Determined to project a contrasting tone from Trump’s 2020 response, Biden plans a smooth and respectful handover, reinforcing his commitment to the peaceful transfer of power—a principle he believes is crucial for national unity.
White House officials confirmed that Biden had reached out to Trump, emphasizing his dedication to a respectful transition process. The gesture marks a departure from Trump’s previous approach in 2020, when he contested Biden’s victory, alleging widespread voter fraud, ultimately refusing to attend Biden’s inauguration. Trump’s campaign spokesman, Steven Cheung, stated Trump “looks forward to the meeting, and very much appreciated the call.”
This transition takes place amid a drastically changed political landscape. U.S. exit polls show widespread support for Trump’s hardline policies, with voters rejecting the Biden-Harris administration on issues like inflation and economic management. Global leaders are already adjusting to Trump’s nationalist “America First” agenda and plans for imposing new tariffs on imports. Meanwhile, speculations about Trump’s new cabinet are circulating, with Elon Musk and vaccine skeptic Robert Kennedy Jr. reportedly under consideration.
Trump’s immediate priorities may include reassessing U.S. military support to Ukraine, signaling possible changes in the war’s trajectory. Trump has suggested he would press Kyiv for territorial compromises to end hostilities, a stance consistent with his favorable outlook on Russian President Vladimir Putin. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has already reached out to Trump, congratulating him and calling for a “just peace.”
Biden, while stepping aside, praised Harris’s efforts, acknowledging her contributions and character, even as Democratic analysts reflect on whether he might have withdrawn earlier to boost her chances. At 78, Trump will also set a record as the oldest sitting U.S. president, surpassing Biden, who will leave office at age 82 in January.
