Donald Trump is set to make a notable return to the White House on Wednesday, meeting with President Joe Biden for the first time since his departure nearly four years ago. This highly anticipated encounter marks Trump’s first visit to the White House since he left under intense controversy, including his refusal to concede the 2020 election.
President Biden extended the invitation to Trump, despite the fact that Trump did not offer Biden the same courtesy during the last transition. The meeting, scheduled for 11:00 a.m. (1600 GMT) in the Oval Office, is expected to focus on a smooth transfer of power.
Biden, now 81, aims to emphasize the importance of maintaining support for Ukraine in its struggle against Russia. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre remarked on Biden’s decision, highlighting his commitment to institutional norms and the American tradition of a peaceful transition of power. “The American people deserve this,” she said, underlining Biden’s respect for democratic norms.
Despite the significance of the occasion, Melania Trump will not attend the meeting, according to a statement from her office on the social media platform X. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan has indicated that Biden will discuss critical foreign policy matters, with a focus on the U.S. commitment to Ukraine, a stance Trump has previously suggested he may reconsider.
Trump’s visit to the Capitol may also be on the agenda. House Speaker Mike Johnson hinted that the former president could make an appearance there, a gesture notable given the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot when a mob of Trump supporters stormed the building.
However, Trump’s influence within the Republican Party remains solid, with his party seemingly poised to gain control of both houses of Congress and to consolidate his position.
This meeting symbolizes a restoration of traditional transition practices that Trump had disregarded in 2020. When he lost to Biden, Trump refused to meet with his successor or attend the inauguration. In contrast, former President Barack Obama had welcomed Trump to the White House after his 2016 victory. By the time Trump left the White House on January 20, 2021, he faced criticism even within his own party over his role in stoking the Capitol attack.
However, his “period of disgrace” faded as Republicans largely rallied behind him once more, recognizing the loyalty of his base and his significant influence within the party.
Since his recent election win, Trump has been actively assembling his administration from Mar-a-Lago, his resort in Florida. The world watches closely to see if he will maintain his campaign promises of pursuing isolationist policies, enacting mass deportations, and imposing sweeping tariffs.
Trump’s recent appointments include prominent figures like Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, Tesla, and X, who is expected to lead a new initiative called the Department of Government Efficiency (or “DOGE”). This department, with a humorous nod to the popular internet meme and cryptocurrency, is part of Trump’s aim to cut government spending.
Musk’s role in the Trump administration appears to be significant, with reports suggesting he will accompany Trump to Wednesday’s meetings with the Republican Party. Trump has also selected several staunch loyalists for key roles. Pete Hegseth, a Fox News host and Army veteran known for opposing “woke” policies in the military, has been named as Trump’s choice for defense secretary. Though Hegseth lacks traditional defense department experience, he has been vocal on issues important to Trump’s base.
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, known for her fierce loyalty to Trump and a story involving her decisively putting down her dog when it didn’t respond to training, will head the Department of Homeland Security.
Florida Senator Marco Rubio is expected to be nominated as secretary of state, while Congressman Mike Waltz, a former Special Forces officer, has been named national security advisor. Trump has also selected John Ratcliffe, who was a key defender during his first term, to lead the CIA.
