It appears that after the tremendous win by former President and now President-elect Donald Trump, President Joe Biden has decided to drop the hateful rhetoric and become magnanimous toward his former opponent. On Wednesday, Biden phoned Trump to congratulate him on his election victory.
BREAKING: Joe Biden has called to congratulate Trump on winning the election.
— Gunther Eagleman™ (@GuntherEagleman) November 6, 2024
I bet he and Jill voted for Trump. pic.twitter.com/370CJn2xQN
Democratic U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday called to congratulate Donald Trump on his presidential election victory and invite him to meet at the White House and will address the nation on Thursday.
The White House, in a statement after Trump beat Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris for the U.S. presidency, said Biden also committed "to ensuring a smooth transition and emphasized the importance of working to bring the country together."
Biden has also spoken with Harris, it added.
VP and Democrat loser Harris also spoke with President-elect Trump on Wednesday to concede the presidential race, after disappearing on election night, not even bothering to address her supporters. As my colleague Nick Arama reported, Biden skipped Harris' election watch party, preferring to watch the returns with First Lady Jill Biden in the White House. With Harris leaving her supporters high and dry, this was probably a wise move.
In the week before November 5, Biden made some significant blunders that reflected poorly on Harris.
One was calling Trump supporters garbage on a campaign Zoom, the other was threatening to smack Trump "in the ass" at another campaign event. These instances so close to the actual election gave rise to speculation that Biden was deliberately placing nails in what ended up being Harris' electoral coffin.
Arama also mentioned the choice of outfit worn by First Lady Jill Biden as she ventured out to cast her vote. Jill Biden went out draped in a bright red suit, which—let's be honest—could only be construed in one way.
Whoa. @FLOTUS just voted in Delaware.
— Roxanne Hoge (@RoxanneHoge) November 5, 2024
Is her outfit a sign? Feel like it's a sign. 😏
Nice suit, btw! pic.twitter.com/31aiZ52OsL
The camaraderie between the President and Vice President has always been strained at best. Now that Harris has lost, there appears to be no love lost between the Biden camp and the Obama/Harris camp. As Trump rolled into his victory and the magnitude of Harris' loss sunk in, these factions are now sniping at each other and blame-casting for Harris' inability to not only close the deal but managed to perform more poorly than her boss in 2020.
Obama staffers are trying to pin blame on Biden for Harris’ loss.
— Jacqui Heinrich (@JacquiHeinrich) November 6, 2024
Reacting to Plouffe’s tweet, one Biden-world source called Plouffe a “Sanctimonious a**” – another said “I find this so unproductive. Joe Biden is the President of the United States and won with out you. He… https://t.co/cdJnlcmG0Q
Obama staffers are trying to pin blame on Biden for Harris’ loss.
Reacting to Plouffe’s tweet, one Biden-world source called Plouffe a “Sanctimonious a**” – another said “I find this so unproductive.
Joe Biden is the President of the United States and won with out you. He successfully beat Donald Trump - something he never did.”
That's just rude, but on brand for this bunch. As the melting down of the Democrats continues and they face the loss of the Senate and no significant gains to retake the House, expect a real food fight with everyone jockeying for position and fighting for relevance, and maybe their next gig.
There has also been speculation on X that in order to give Harris an opportunity to be president, there will be plans to invoke the 25th Amendment so that Biden has to step down. The above picture, the Bidens' behavior, and the infighting among the camps show clearly that this would never happen. As far as Joe Biden is concerned, Harris can spend the next 60 days packing up her cooking spices in preparation for her and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff's return to California.
Harris' last act as Vice President will be certifying the Electoral College votes, codifying the Trump 47 presidency. If the ultimate humiliation of Harris was Biden's goal, this would be it.
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