Washington — President Biden will address the nation Thursday morning in the wake of the former president Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 presidential elections.
The president, who was until four months ago himself seeking re-electionwill address the nation on the election results and transition of power as his predecessor is set to return to the White House.
Mr Biden spoke with Vice President Kamala Harris by phone on Wednesday to congratulate her on her campaign, despite the loss. In a statement, the president called Harris a “great partner and public servant” who “stood up and led a historic campaign.”
“Her story represents the best of the American story. And as she made clear today, I have no doubt she will continue to write that story,” Biden said. He added what he said when he endorsed her to be nominated: that selecting Harris as his running mate was “the best decision I made.”
The president also spoke with Trump on Wednesday, expressing his commitment to a smooth transition — and inviting the newly elected president to a meeting at the White House.
Ben Curtis/AP
The former president “looks forward to the meeting,” Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung said in a statement. He said Trump “very much appreciated the call.”
During the campaign, Biden repeatedly portrayed a possible Trump return to the White House as a threat to democracy, and the two men have been bitter rivals since they faced off in the 2020 presidential election. After Biden’s victory, Trump halted the transfer of power because he refused to accept the results of the elections.
Mr Biden’s address to the nation comes after Harris formally admitted the race Wednesday afternoon in a speech from her alma mater, Howard University, in which she emphasized the need to accept the results of the election while reiterating her commitment to a peaceful transition of power.
“A fundamental principle of American democracy is that when we lose an election, we accept the outcome,” Harris said. She said this principle “distinguishes democracy from monarchy and tyranny.”
The vice president, who joined the campaign said in late July that while she is conceding the election, “I am not conceding the fight that this campaign has fueled.”
“Don’t despair. This is not the time to roll up our sleeves. This is a time to roll up our sleeves,” Harris continued. “This is a time to organize, mobilize and stay engaged in the interests of freedom and justice and the future we all know we can build together.”
