2024 US Election Results Live Updates: Netanyahu says has spoken with Trump three times in past few days – The Times of India

US Elections 2024 Live Updates: Biden, Trump to meet at White House ahead of historic return

President Joe Biden is scheduled to meet President-elect Donald Trump at the White House on Wednesday, following Biden’s commitment to ensure a smooth transition of power to the Republican who defeated him four years after their previous electoral contest.

Trump, who had refused to acknowledge his defeat in 2020, achieved a significant electoral victory on November 5, establishing what appears to be an extended period of American politics influenced by his conservative ideology.

Such transitional meetings between departing and incoming presidents were traditionally observed, but Trump had declined to host Biden following the 2020 election, amid unfounded allegations of electoral misconduct that led to the Capitol incident on January 6, 2021.

Whilst Trump had previously avoided Biden’s inauguration ceremony, the White House has confirmed Biden’s intention to attend the upcoming installation.

The White House announced on Saturday that the Biden-Trump meeting will be held in the Oval Office, as the transition period progresses towards the former president’s return to office.

Come January, Biden will become one of the few US presidents to transfer power back to their predecessor, with the only previous occurrence being President Benjamin Harrison’s handover to Grover Cleveland in the 1800s.

Trump, aged 78 and formerly a television personality, secured a broader victory margin despite his legal troubles, including a criminal conviction and two impeachments during his presidency, and despite warnings from his former chief of staff regarding his “fascist” tendencies.

Electoral analysis revealed that voters were primarily concerned with economic issues and inflation rates that increased during Biden’s term following the Covid pandemic.

Biden, aged 81, who withdrew from the presidential race in July due to concerns regarding his age and health condition, telephoned Trump on Wednesday to offer congratulations on his electoral success.