In the wake of Donald Trump’s electoral triumph, President Joe Biden has called on Americans to “cool down” their political tensions, emphasizing the importance of a smooth, orderly transition of power.
After the Democrats faced a setback with Kamala Harris’ loss in the recent election, Mr. Biden took to the public stage to share the phone conversation he had with Trump. He assured his successor that his team would collaborate amicably with the incoming administration.
Biden also reached out to Ms. Harris, highlighting the pride she should take in her campaign efforts.
Addressing the nation from the Rose Garden at the White House, Biden stressed the necessity of lowering the political intensity following the election.
“You can’t express love for your country only during moments of victory,” he remarked.
“You can’t cherish your neighbors solely when your views align with theirs. Our shared goal, regardless of our voting choices, should be to recognize each other not as rivals, but as united Americans.”
“Let’s bring down the temperature,” he implored.
Biden articulated that setbacks are an inevitable reality in politics, but surrendering should never be an option. “A loss doesn’t equate to being lost,” he reassured his disheartened staff after Harris’ defeat.
He also defended the integrity of the election process: “I hope we can finally put to rest any doubts regarding the reliability of the American electoral system. It’s honest, fair, transparent, and deserves our trust, win or lose.”
However, within the Democratic Party, some have pointed fingers at Biden, now 81, blaming him for the campaign’s failures and suggesting he should have stepped back from the spotlight. Biden momentarily delayed his reelection campaign, withdrawn in July, after a troubling debate performance sparked concerns about his mental agility.
Following his electoral success, Trump’s campaign disclosed that Biden has extended an invitation for a future meeting at the White House. In the coming weeks, the former president will start selecting personnel for his administration.
Meanwhile, Harris attempted to lift the spirits of her supporters. Echoing Biden’s sentiments, she promised to assist Trump’s transition but urged the Democratic base to continue advocating for their principles.
In a notable early decision, Trump has appointed Susie Wiles, one of his former campaign leaders, as the White House chief of staff. This selection marks a significant step as Wiles will become the first woman to ever occupy this critical role.
“Susie Wiles was instrumental in helping me secure one of the most remarkable political triumphs in our nation’s history,” Trump stated, appreciating her contributions to both his 2016 and 2020 campaigns. “She embodies toughness, intelligence, and creativity, and I have complete confidence she’ll make our nation proud.”
As Trump begins to form his administration, it’s reported that he’s considering a range of candidates, many of whom are veterans from his prior term from 2017-2021.
Trump’s victory, which came as a surprise given tight opinion polls leading up to the election, highlighted a significant disconnect among voters, particularly regarding economic concerns like inflation, border security, and national direction.
Notably, traditionally Democratic demographics, including Hispanics and lower-income families, played integral roles in fueling Trump’s win.
Despite intense efforts from Harris’ campaign to paint Trump as unsuitable for office—emphasizing his recent convictions and the chaos on Capitol Hill during the January 6 insurrection—he has emerged with clear momentum.
As the new Republican president, Trump faces minimal constraints on his authority, having reshaped the party around his personal ideals over the last eight years.
The Republicans reclaimed the U.S. Senate from the Democrats in this election, ensuring that at least one chamber of Congress will fall under Trump’s influence next year. The Republicans also hold a slight lead in the House of Representatives, although results in 38 of the 435 races were still pending.
Trump triumphed in five out of seven key battleground states, amassing at least 295 Electoral College votes, surpassing the 270 needed to secure the presidency. He was also ahead in Arizona and Nevada, where ballots were still being counted.
Remarkably, Trump seems on track to become the first Republican nominee since George W. Bush to win the popular vote—an achievement he didn’t secure against Hillary Clinton in 2016 despite his Electoral College victory.
The aftermath of Trump’s definitive success has shifted the political landscape in the United States and worldwide. Leaders from around the globe hurriedly extended their congratulations to Trump, even as many harbor reservations about his nationalist ‘America First’ policies and potential trade tariffs on foreign imports.
Bolstered by a strong mandate, the incoming Trump administration is poised to be far less constrained than his previous one, which was rife with drama. Trump is likely to initiate steps that could dismantle key elements of Biden’s policies, beginning possibly with the withdrawal of military support allocated to Ukraine amidst its conflict with Russia.
In previous statements, Trump has hinted at resolving the war by persuading Ukraine to make concessions to Russian President Vladimir Putin, a leader he has often praised. Meanwhile, President Zelensky of Ukraine has been among those congratulating Trump, despite the former president’s critical stance on U.S. aid for Ukraine.
Anticipating the transition, the Biden administration is moving swiftly to allocate billions in security resources to Ukraine before Trump takes office, aiming to bolster the Kyiv government during this tense time.
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
