Biden, Trump Hold Cordial Oval Office Meeting At White House: 'Transition Going Very Smoothly'

Social media buzzed on Wednesday after outgoing President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump held a customary post-election meeting in the Oval Office.

Many users were captivated by the beaming smile of the 81-year-old 46th POTUS, with comments noting this was the happiest they'd seen Biden in some time.

As the oldest sitting US president shared smiles with his political rival, a wave of internet conspiracy theories emerged, reported Hindustan Times.

Some speculated that Biden's apparent happiness hinted at his support for Trump, with memes suggesting Biden may have voted for his opponent after allegedly being sidelined from his re-election bid by Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Barack Obama.

Though any confirmation of these theories remains elusive, the incoming 47th president later clarified the nature of their conversation. In a phone interview with the New York Post, Trump confirmed that he and Biden maintained a professional tone despite their political rivalry.

The 78-year-old president-elect remarked that they "both really enjoyed seeing each other," adding, "You know, it's been a long slog. It's been a lot of work on both sides, and he did a very good job with respect to campaigning and everything else. We really had a really good meeting."

The meeting was part of a long-standing tradition in which the outgoing president invites the president-elect to the White House after an election victory.

Biden notably did not extend this courtesy four years ago when he defeated Trump, a campaign that culminated in the January 6 Capitol insurrection. However, Trump confirmed they "got to know each other again" during this meeting.

After exchanging pleasantries, Biden and Trump discussed topics on which they have publicly disagreed, including the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.

In light of their past clashes, witnessed through a summer-long campaign where they openly criticised each other, Trump noted that the Republican transition and the Biden White House teams now share a "very, very good relationship." He added that the transition process was "going very smoothly."

Trump said, "I asked for his (Biden's) views, and he gave them to" him, finding Biden "very gracious" throughout their discussion, especially regarding Middle Eastern affairs.

The two presidents are expected to meet again before January 20, 2025. Trump shared that Biden told him he would attend his inauguration and expressed his own anticipation of returning to the "so beautiful" Oval Office in the new year.