US ELECTION: Biden to address nation after Trump’s victory

President Joe Biden is set to address the American people on Thursday to formally commit to a peaceful transfer of power following Donald Trump’s decisive victory in the just concluded election.

The address, which will take place at 11 a.m. (1600 GMT) from the White House Rose Garden, aims to address the election results and outline the transition process to Trump’s second term.

Biden, 81, who had withdrawn from the race against Trump in July 2024 and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee, now faces the reality of his political legacy being overshadowed by Trump’s unexpected comeback victory.

While Biden had hoped for a Harris win to block Trump’s return to power, the results have forced him to navigate a new political landscape.

In what is anticipated to be a somber moment, Biden is expected to contrast his own approach to that of Trump’s 2020 refusal to concede the election, a stance that led to the violent January 6 Capitol riot by Trump supporters. Trump’s false claims of voter fraud also saw him reject the legitimacy of Biden’s inauguration and disrupt the traditional transition process.

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On Wednesday, the White House confirmed that Biden spoke with Trump, emphasizing his commitment to a smooth transition and underscoring the need for national unity. “I am committed to ensuring a smooth transition and underscoring the importance of uniting the country,” Biden reportedly told Trump.

Trump’s campaign spokesman, Steven Cheung, expressed appreciation for the call, saying, “Trump looks forward to the meeting, which will take place shortly, and very much appreciated the call.” This conversation marks the first interaction between the two men since Biden’s contentious debate performance against Trump in June, which led to Biden’s eventual withdrawal from the race.

The election results have reshaped the political landscape in the U.S. and globally, as Trump’s right-wing policies resonated with American voters, particularly his hardline stance on the economy and inflation. World leaders quickly pledged cooperation with Trump, despite concerns over his “America First” approach and promises to impose heavy tariffs on foreign imports.

As attention shifts to Trump’s upcoming administration, speculation mounts over potential appointments, with names such as Elon Musk and vaccine skeptic Robert Kennedy Jr. reportedly under consideration for key roles. The Trump campaign’s transition team announced on Wednesday that Trump will soon begin assembling his team, stating, “In the coming days and weeks, we will be working to find the best people for this administration.”

One of Trump’s early actions could involve altering the U.S. military’s support for Ukraine, as he has previously suggested he would press Kyiv to make concessions to Russia’s Vladimir Putin. Trump has often praised the Russian leader, and during his campaign, he hinted at using his influence to end the war by pushing for peace terms that could favor Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke with Trump on Wednesday, congratulating him on his victory and urging a “just peace.”

Trump’s return to the White House is also expected to lead to significant rollbacks of Biden’s environmental policies. Trump has promised to increase U.S. oil production with a return to his “drill, baby, drill” energy agenda.

While Biden’s preferred outcome was a victory for Harris, his ultimate goal was to prevent Trump from regaining the presidency. Democrats, however, are increasingly critical of Biden’s delayed decision to step aside for Harris, a factor many believe contributed to Trump’s political resurgence.

In a statement following Harris’s concession speech on Wednesday, Biden paid tribute to his vice president, saying, “What America saw today was the Kamala Harris I know and deeply admire.”

Both Biden and Trump share the distinction of being among the oldest presidents in U.S. history. At 78, Trump will soon surpass Biden, who will leave office in January 2025 at the age of 82, making Trump the oldest president to ever hold the office.

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