US President Joe Biden has urged Americans to lower political tensions after Donald Trump’s , saying in a conciliatory address to the country that he would ensure a peaceful transition of power.
In a solemn speech from the White House on Thursday (local time), Biden also said the result should “lay to rest” doubts about the integrity of the US election system fuelled by Trump’s refusal to acknowledge his own 2020 defeat by the Democrat.
“Something I hope we can do, no matter who you voted for, is see each other not as adversaries but as fellow Americans. Bring down the temperature,” Biden said.
Staff rose to their feet, cheered and clapped as Biden arrived in the famed Rose Garden. The 81-year-old dropped out of the race against Trump in July and handed the Democratic nomination to Harris, his vice president.
Biden said he had called Republican Trump to congratulate the twice-impeached former president and assure him there would be a .
“On January 20, we’ll have a peaceful transfer of power here in America,” said Biden, whose inauguration Trump had refused to attend.
Biden’s comments were in contrast to billionaire Trump, whose election defeat denial four years ago culminated in the violent .
Biden dubs Harris campaign ‘inspirational’
Biden said he had also spoken with Harris, saying the Democratic candidate had run an “inspiring campaign” that demonstrated her “great character”.
“She gave her whole heart,” he said.
The outgoing president also urged supporters not to lose hope after the re-election of Trump, who is likely to dismantle many of Biden’s policies as soon as he returns to the White House.
“Setbacks are unavoidable, but giving up is unforgivable,” he told those in the audience.
“Remember, a defeat does not mean we are defeated. We lost this battle. The America of your dreams is calling for you to get back up.”
Biden has invited Trump to meet at the White House, for what would be their first encounter since Biden’s disastrous debate performance against Trump in June that forced him out of the race.
In her (local time), Harris also sought to console supporters.
Like Biden, she promised to aid Trump’s transition before his inauguration on January 20 but urged Democrats to continue to fight for what they believe in.
Donald Trump will be sworn in as the 47th president of the United States in January. Source: Getty, Anadolu / Brendan Gutenschwager
Trump’s victory, surprisingly decisive after opinion polls that had shown a neck-and-neck contest, underscored how disenchanted many voters had become with the economy — in particular inflation — along with border security and the direction of the country and its culture.
World leaders have swiftly pledged to work with Trump, despite concerns in much of the globe about his nationalist “America First” approach and pledges to slap huge tariffs on foreign imports.
Chinese President Xi Jinping said China and the US must find a way to “get along” in a message to Trump, calling for “stable” bilateral ties.
