TOI Correspondent from Washington: Donald Trump called him "Crooked Joe" and "Sleepy Joe" and said he was the worst President in US history. Joe Biden called him a threat to democracy, called his followers garbage, and wanted him locked up. But now that the heat of electoral battle has subsided, the two men met face-to-face in the White House Oval office on Wednesday, and with a firm handshake pledged a peaceful transfer of power in an ageless Democratic ritual.
Sitting before a crackling fireplace that signaled the first nippy day of winter, they addressed each other as "Donald" and "Joe," showing none of the animus that characterized the election campaign. "Well Mr. President-elect, Donald, congratulations...I look forward to having a smooth transition," Biden said, adding, “We will do everything we can to make sure you’re accommodated, have what you need...We’re going to get a chance to talk about some of that today. So welcome. Welcome back.”
"Thank you. Politics is tough...In many cases it is not a nice world but it is a nice world today," Trump responded, adding, “And I appreciate very much a transition that’s so smooth...Joe.”
The media was then ushered out as the President and his successor President-elect settled down for private tete-e-tete.
Trump's wife Melania did not accompany him, in a break from tradition that typically has the spouses having tea separately while the President and his successor meet. Vice-President and the defeated Democratic candidate Kamala Harris was also not present; not that she was required to be.
The meeting came at the invitation of Biden in what was clearly a display of respect that Trump did demonstrate when he lost to him in 2020 and left the White House in a huff, boycotting even Biden's inauguration ceremony. Biden is expected to attend Trump's inauguration on January 20, just as Obama did for Trump's first inauguration, after welcoming him to the White House in 2016.
Earlier, Trump triggered some speculation about his future plans beyond a second term by joking about a potential third term during a celebratory speech to House Republicans at a nearby hotel. "I suspect I won't be running again, unless you say, 'he's so good, we've got to figure something else," he said. US Presidents are constitutionally restricted to two terms in office.
Rajghatta is author of Kamala Harris: Phenomenal Woman