Following his election as president, Donald Trump spent his first day as president-elect engaging in a series of congratulatory phone calls. Among those who rallied were his defeated opponent, world leaders and even President Joe Biden, as he began the important task of assuming office.
After directing his supporters to a meeting in Florida, Trump kept a low profile. During this time, Vice President Kamala Harris called to acknowledge his victory and offer congratulations. Biden also extended an invitation for a meeting in the Oval Office, signaling the start of formal preparations for the transition of power.
“President Trump looks forward to the meeting, which will take place soon, and appreciates the call,” said Steven Cheung, communications director for the Trump campaign. Meanwhile, Biden’s chief of staff ensured that the necessary federal agreements to facilitate a smooth presidential transition were signed by working with a White House official on this issue. However, according to sources linked to the Trump campaign, discussions on the transition have not yet begun in earnest.
As president-elect, Trump has been busy responding to requests from various national and international leaders, key donors and supporters. Transition talks are expected to intensify throughout the week as attention shifts to organizing an inaugural committee and establishing a formal transition team.
Reports indicate that Biden’s chief of staff, Jeff Zients, reached out to Trump’s transition co-chairs, Howard Lutnick and Linda McMahon, to stress the importance of the documentation required for a smooth transfer process. A White House official commented on the sensitive nature of the planning and ongoing discussions about the transition.
In a message sent Wednesday evening, Lutnick and McMahon said Trump will personally select members of his administration in the coming days and weeks. However, they did not reveal any details regarding interactions with the Biden team.
“As you select the best people for your administration and establish effective policies, your transition team will ensure that President Trump’s common-sense agenda is implemented from day one,” they noted.
The White House confirmed that Biden spoke with Trump about the transition, reiterating his commitment to facilitating a smooth handover. Biden emphasized the need for unity in the country during this critical period.
In a separate call, Biden also congratulated Harris on her campaign efforts. Trump and Harris had a brief conversation in which the president-elect praised her strength and professionalism throughout the campaign. Both leaders recognized the importance of national unity in their discussions, as reported by Cheung.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described his conversation with Trump as “excellent,” recognizing the importance of US support in the context of ongoing challenges arising from Russia’s invasion. Zelensky praised the Trump family and team for their efforts, expressing a desire to maintain open lines of communication and strengthen cooperation. He stressed the need for strong leadership to achieve a just peace.
Other global leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, have also reached out to Trump. Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met with the president-elect to discuss strengthening the long-standing strategic relationship between their nations, highlighting aspirations of progress and prosperity for the American people under Trump’s leadership.
As global markets respond to the election outcome, trends in banking and cryptocurrencies are changing, with signs of optimism emerging among investors regarding a smooth election process and Trump’s potential return to the White House.
This transition phase marks a pivotal moment for Trump as he prepares to re-enter the political landscape, and interactions with national and international leaders signal the importance of collaboration and continuity moving forward. The next few days will be critical in defining the administration’s priorities and the direction of US policy under Trump’s leadership.
