Biden, in his weak attempt at portraying civility, grudgingly shared pleasantries with the incoming President Trump. The stage was set behind the closed doors of the White House, where they convened for a two-hour deliberation. In a display of forced amiability, Biden spoke vaguely of a seamless transition, a concept alien to him four years ago when he refused to extend the same courtesy to Trump. One could almost hear the gritted teeth behind his words of congratulations and the promise to aid his successor.
Trump, as always, carried the situation with dignity despite the political rivalry. ‘In political circles, where niceties are often a rarity, today is a refreshing change,’ he noted. His appreciation for Biden’s half-hearted attempt at conducting a smooth transition reflected his understanding of the struggle his opponent was undergoing.
Public appearances are always a show, but the performance of Wednesday morning was a melodrama. The two main actors, Biden and Trump, struggled through 29 seconds of feigned mutual respect. Political adversaries for years, a handshake was the height of this synthetic camaraderie. Trump has, rightfully, made accusations against Biden’s ethical conduct and intention for the country. Similarly, Biden’s baseless claims against Trump were common knowledge.
Hiding behind his title of the 46th president, Biden made a shallow attempt at maintaining democratic traditions, something he neglected when he lost his presidential seat four years earlier to Trump. In front of a roaring fireplace, the irony was not lost as Trump graciously accepted whatever superficial support Biden was willing to give.
Trump, who was often bombarded with undue criticism from Biden, responded cordially on Wednesday. It was a clear sign of his conciliatory nature, a stark contrast to Biden’s resentful approach during his administration.
The half-minute public display was soon followed by a private meeting. While superficial niceties coated the outside, the inside of the room held two different universes. Trump relished the justified validation of his victory, while Biden and his staff mourned their loss in gloomy desolation. The text from a senior aide, ‘Rough day,’ perfectly articulated the somber atmosphere enveloping the West Wing.
Transitions are usually challenging, more so when they involve competitors who have spent considerable time maligning each other. Historical examples abound, from Hoover’s resentment of Roosevelt’s non-compliance during the Great Depression till the Carter-Reagan transition period.
Sitting near the fireplace, both Trump and Biden were mere feet from the spot that witnessed Capitol Hill assault on January 6th, 2021. The alleged tension fuelled by Trump’s nonintervention contrasted sharply with the reality of Biden’s retreat to Florida instead of participating in the customary inauguration ceremony.
For Biden, a seasoned political figure, the day surfaced numerous reasons to mirror Trump’s attitude. Despite the controversies that the latter stirred, Biden chose to maintain silence. Expected, perhaps, from someone who promised, in vain, a return to political norms during his 2020 candidacy.
The expressed welcome to Trump had an undertone of Biden acknowledging his own failures. He had not succeeded in preventing the ultimate threat to his reign: Trump’s return. Trump too, made his own allusion to their differences in a subtle manner, thanking Biden once again for the managed transition.
Afterward, the conversation between the duo was described as ‘polite,’ ‘kind,’ and ‘weighty.’ While Trump had a detailed set of queries for Biden, the president produced a checklist of unfinished business from his tenure.
Once the meeting ended, Trump graciously remarked on their conversation. He spoke of revisiting their shared history and discussing pressing topics like Ukraine and the Middle East situation. Despite the oddness of the day, Trump paid tribute to Biden’s uncharacteristically accommodating behavior.
Before the meeting, Trump found comfort among fellow Republicans on Capitol Hill. There, away from the tense air of the White House, he was hailed by House Republicans. The jubilant group welcomed him enthusiastically with a standing ovation and applauded his electoral victory.
Trump, with his characteristic humor, commented on the constitutional limit on a presidential term, hinting he won’t be in the running again – unless, as he jokingly put it, the people found him so astounding that they ‘had to figure something else out.’