Biden, Trump fix date for meeting amid power transition

U.S. President Joe Biden is scheduled to meet his Republican predecessor—and soon-to-be successor—Donald Trump at the White House on Wednesday, according to Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.

The highly anticipated meeting will take place at 11 a.m. in the Oval Office, a hallmark of official protocol during a power transition.

This gesture of diplomacy follows a longstanding tradition in American politics, where the outgoing president invites the incoming one for a symbolic meeting, a practice that signifies the peaceful transition of power. However, this meeting is notable given the history between Biden and Trump, especially following the 2020 election. Trump, who has yet to concede his loss to Biden in the previous election, skipped Biden’s inauguration and notably deviated from traditional post-election customs by not meeting Biden before his swearing-in.

The two leaders have rarely come face-to-face. Their last direct encounter occurred during a televised debate in late June, a moment marked by Biden’s performance, which some have described as underwhelming. Following the debate, Biden withdrew from the presidential race amid mounting pressure from within his party, eventually throwing his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris.

Trump, after clinching a victory earlier this week, is set to be sworn in for a second term on January 20. This Wednesday’s meeting will serve as one of the few face-to-face exchanges between the two political giants, adding to the growing tension as Trump prepares to reclaim the presidency.

As the nation watches, this upcoming meeting could serve as a pivotal moment in the narrative of American leadership, with both men on opposite ends of a contentious political divide.