US President Joe Biden addresses Americans after Donald Trump storms back into White House
US President Joe Biden has surprised the crowd at the White House with a stirring speech as he addressed the American people in the wake of Donald Trump’s stunning win.
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With just 10 weeks left in office, or 74 days, US President Joe Biden appeared in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington DC to address the nation about Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 US elections.
Dressed in a dark navy suit with white shirt and tie, Mr Biden looked calm and confident as he thanked the assembled press who sat on lawn chairs, and gave a shout out to his granddaughter who sat in the front row.
With a stronger voice than we had seen him use during the 2024 election campaign, and in a direct manner, Mr Biden reminded America that “in a Democracy the will of the people always prevails.”
He revealed that he spoke to president-elect Donald Trump yesterday and assured him that the Democratic admininstration and Biden team would work with the Republicans and Mr Trump’s team “for a peaceful and orderly transition.”
“That’s what the American people deserve,” the president said.
Mr Biden had complimentary words to say about Vice President Kamala Harris.
“She’s been a partner, a public servant, she ran an inspiring campaign,” and singled out Ms Harris’s “character.”
“She has a backbone like a ramrod,” he said. “She gave her whole heart” to the campaign, he said.
“The struggle for the soul of America has always been an ongoing debate,” he said.
“We accept the choice the country made,” Mr Biden said firmly and without bitterness.
“I’ve said many times, you can’t love your country only when you win. You can’t love your neighbour only when you agree.”
Mr Biden said he hoped voters could see themselves all as “fellow Americans,” and not as adversaries. “Bring down the temperature,” he said.
In a dig at Mr Trump he said that the American electoral system is not faulty as the Republicans have claimed it to be.
“It is honest, it is fair, and it is transparent. It can be trusted, win or lose.”
“On January 20, we’ll have a peaceful transfer of power here in America,” Mr Biden said in another dig at Mr Trump.
Mr Biden then went on to thank everyone who has worked with him over 40 years, and on the campaign.
He said his presidency had been historic because of the legislation he had passed.
“We leave behind the strongest economy in the world.”
He acknowledged that people are "hurting” and “we lost this battle”, but he said the road ahead was clear.
“Setbacks are unavoidable but giving up is unforgivable” he said and then repeated the phrase. he quoted his father who believed the ultimate test of character is how quickly you get back up.
“Remember: Defeat does not mean we are defeated. The America of your dreams is calling for you to get back up.”
Mr Biden himself seemed in good spirits and undefeated.
He blew a kiss to his granddaughter and the crowd before stepping away from the podium, and did a little shimmy before leaving amid cheers from the audience.
The 81-year-old Biden, dropped out of the race against Mr Trump in July and handed the Democratic nomination to Vice President Harris, was in better form than we had seen him in a long while, begging the question: Where was this Biden during the election campaign?
Yesterday, Mr Biden struck a presidential tone by calling Mr Trump and inviting him to meet at the White House, despite their long history of bitter animosity.
Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung said Mr Trump “looks forward to the meeting, which will take place shortly, and very much appreciated the call.”
It would be the first time they had met since Mr Biden’s disastrous debate performance against Trump in June that forced him out of the race.
Despite Mr Biden’s optimistic and firm address, his legacy will likely be dismantled by the Republicans.
In an effort to protect some of his “historic” legacy, Mr Biden moved to limit oil drilling in Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, just hours after Mr Trump’s victory.
It’s one of the many ways the White House and Biden administration are trying to protect some of its biggest accomplishments while in office, including his substantial legislation on climate change and the environment.
In contrast, Mr Trump has talked about opening parts of Alaska to oil drilling, or “liquid gold,” as he frequently calls it.
Although President Joe Biden approved the major new Willow oil drilling project on Alaska’s North Slope, his administration has also put in protections for vast amounts of Alaskan wilderness trying to limit drilling in other regions.
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Originally published as US President Joe Biden addresses Americans after Donald Trump storms back into White House
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