Staff Reports
In an unexpected twist of fate, President Biden and President Trump came face-to-face in the Oval Office, setting the stage for what could be the most awkward meeting since, well, the last family reunion. The two leaders donned their best smiles while secretly hoping the other’s holiday turkey was dry. Biden, who once deemed Trump an existential threat to democracy (a rather hefty title), welcomed the former president back to the White House and graciously extended his congratulations on winning the battle of the ballots, proving that sometimes, you just have to bite the bullet—or the ballot.
Pledging cooperation and a smooth transition, which sounds more like marital counseling than political protocol, Biden assured Trump he would be “accommodated” as he returns to the helm on January 20. One can only imagine what “accommodated” looks like in Biden’s world—perhaps a deluxe office chair or an extra donut at the inaugural brunch? Trump reciprocated the politeness, expressing gratitude for what he deems a “smooth transition,” although one has to wonder how someone could be so thankful while having their last election results scrutinized to the moon and back.
With a history of barbs traded during the campaign, where Trump flirted with questions about Biden’s mental faculties, and Biden characterized Trump as a human tornado ripping through the fabric of American democracy, it’s no surprise that behind the friendly façade lies an undercurrent thicker than a swamp in the Everglades. Biden, who supposedly ran for president to save the country from the “danger of MAGA Republicans,” might find it hard to swap his ‘enemy’ hat for a ‘team player’ cap, especially with Trump making a return.
President Biden and President-elect Donald Trump pledged Wednesday to work together and ensure a smooth handoff from administrations in their first face-to-face meeting since the election. https://t.co/mEYzeNZsVr
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) November 13, 2024
While Biden may have extended the olive branch, it’s worth noting that he did so in ways Trump canonically sidestepped following the last election. Meanwhile, Trump’s absence from Biden’s inauguration was so glaring it deserved its own press conference. If the spirit of bipartisanship was playing at full volume, one might’ve assumed it was on a scratchy old record. And as Biden prepares to take his seat at Trump’s inauguration, one can’t help but wonder how he’ll handle the mixed feelings of ‘joy’ and ‘dread’ as he watches a man he once labeled a disaster take the stage.
The White House also initiated some paperwork to kick-start the transition process, with Biden’s Chief of Staff, Jeff Zients, reaching out to Trump’s team. One can imagine a dramatic image of Biden’s staff hovering over all the legal papers like anxious parents at a high school graduation, hoping everything is signed and there are no surprises. In an age when political opponents can’t seem to share a coffee without hostility, these two have ventured into something resembling cooperation, albeit under the watchful eye of the popcorn-munching public. The transition may be smooth, but there’s no denying that political waters remain choppy, with each wave threatening to rock the boat.
