Joe Biden and Donald Trump Shake Hands at White House Meeting as Melania Declines Jill's Invitation

Mar. 15, 2025

Donald Trump and Joe Biden shake hands at White House meeting.Photo:SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty

SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty

PresidentJoe Bidenmet with President-electDonald Trumpat the White House — a long-running tradition between incoming and outgoing heads of state that Trump briefly paused in 2020.On Wednesday, Nov. 13, the pair of political rivals met in the Oval Office to begin the transition between administrations. Biden, the 46th president, posed while shaking hands with Trump, the 45th and soon-to-be 47th president, during a brief moment when pool reporters were allowed in the room.“Congratulations and I look forward to having a smooth transition,” Biden, 81, told Trump, 78, in front of reporters.“It will be as smooth as it can get and I very much appreciate that, Joe,” Trump responded. “Politics is tough and in many cases it’s not a nice world, but it is a nice world today.“Presidents Donald Trump and Joe Biden meet in the Oval Office on Nov. 13, 2024.SAUL LOEB/AFP via GettyThough tradition suggests that the spouses of the political officials also meet, former first ladyMelania Trumpdeclined first ladyJill Biden’s invitation and was not in attendance,The New York Timesreported.“Mrs. Trump will not be attending today’s meeting at the White House,” the Office of Melania Trumpposted on X, hours before the White House meeting. “Her husband’s return to the Oval Office to commence the transition process is encouraging, and she wishes him great success.“The White House said that Jill helped her husband greet President Trump, and gave him a handwritten letter to pass along to Melania that expressed her congratulations and said her team is ready to help Melania with the transition.President Donald Trump debates Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden on Oct. 22, 2020.MORRY GASH/POOL/AFP via GettyTrump and Biden were notably the two presidential candidates in 2020, in whichBiden came out on topwith 306 electoral votes.Though Biden also won the popular vote four years ago and there was no evidence of fraud in election procedure, Trump notoriously denied the results of the election.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Trump’s refusal to concede resulted in his followers storming the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to halt the certification of the election. The Jan. 6, 2021 violence brought about the deaths of numerous people, including police officers and Trump supporters.Trump did not invite the Bidens to the White House ahead of the 46th president’s swearing-in, nor did his family attend the inauguration.With Trump’s invitation to the White House, the Biden administration looked to restore the tradition of a peaceful transfer of power.President-elect Trumpwon the 2024 presidential electionin the early hours of Nov. 6, against Democratic nominee Vice PresidentKamala Harris. He will be inaugurated as the 47th president of the United States on Jan. 20, 2025.

PresidentJoe Bidenmet with President-electDonald Trumpat the White House — a long-running tradition between incoming and outgoing heads of state that Trump briefly paused in 2020.

On Wednesday, Nov. 13, the pair of political rivals met in the Oval Office to begin the transition between administrations. Biden, the 46th president, posed while shaking hands with Trump, the 45th and soon-to-be 47th president, during a brief moment when pool reporters were allowed in the room.

“Congratulations and I look forward to having a smooth transition,” Biden, 81, told Trump, 78, in front of reporters.

“It will be as smooth as it can get and I very much appreciate that, Joe,” Trump responded. “Politics is tough and in many cases it’s not a nice world, but it is a nice world today.”

Presidents Donald Trump and Joe Biden meet in the Oval Office on Nov. 13, 2024.SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty

Though tradition suggests that the spouses of the political officials also meet, former first ladyMelania Trumpdeclined first ladyJill Biden’s invitation and was not in attendance,The New York Timesreported.

“Mrs. Trump will not be attending today’s meeting at the White House,” the Office of Melania Trumpposted on X, hours before the White House meeting. “Her husband’s return to the Oval Office to commence the transition process is encouraging, and she wishes him great success.”

The White House said that Jill helped her husband greet President Trump, and gave him a handwritten letter to pass along to Melania that expressed her congratulations and said her team is ready to help Melania with the transition.

President Donald Trump debates Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden on Oct. 22, 2020.MORRY GASH/POOL/AFP via Getty

MORRY GASH/POOL/AFP via Getty

Trump and Biden were notably the two presidential candidates in 2020, in whichBiden came out on topwith 306 electoral votes.

Though Biden also won the popular vote four years ago and there was no evidence of fraud in election procedure, Trump notoriously denied the results of the election.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Trump’s refusal to concede resulted in his followers storming the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to halt the certification of the election. The Jan. 6, 2021 violence brought about the deaths of numerous people, including police officers and Trump supporters.

Trump did not invite the Bidens to the White House ahead of the 46th president’s swearing-in, nor did his family attend the inauguration.

With Trump’s invitation to the White House, the Biden administration looked to restore the tradition of a peaceful transfer of power.

President-elect Trumpwon the 2024 presidential electionin the early hours of Nov. 6, against Democratic nominee Vice PresidentKamala Harris. He will be inaugurated as the 47th president of the United States on Jan. 20, 2025.

source: people.com