Trump and Biden to meet Nov. 13 in the Oval Office
Such a meeting is standard procedure, but Donald Trump did not invite Joe Biden to the White House during the last transfer of power.
President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump will meet Wednesday at 11 a.m. in the Oval Office, the White House announced Saturday morning.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre did not provide additional details in the press release. The meeting between the current and future president is standard procedure during the presidential transition — but Trump did not invite Biden to the White House after losing the 2020 election and has never fully acknowledged his defeat.
At this point in the transition in 2020, Biden’s transition was delayed because the General Services Administration had not affirmed he had actually won, making it impossible for his team to communicate with federal agencies or access federal funds.
As Trump begins the transition, Biden has emphasized he will support Trump in ensuring a peaceful and smooth transfer of power. The last transfer of power was interrupted on Jan. 6, 2021, when a violent mob stormed the U.S. capital in protest of the election results. Trump did not attend Biden’s inauguration.
Trump’s transition is being led by Howard Lutnick and Linda McMahon, two of Trump’s ultra-wealthy friends from the private sector. Over the coming weeks, Trump allies will jockey for a position in his administration’s top ranks. The president-elect has already named a chief of staff: Susie Wiles, a top adviser to his successful campaign.
Trump announced later on Saturday the creation of his inaugural committee, chaired by investor Steve Witkoff and former Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler, which will plan the inaugural events that will take place in January.
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