U.S. President Urges Americans To ‘Bring Down The Temperature’ Following Trump’s Win

U.S. President Joe Biden urged Americans to “bring down the temperature” following Republican Donald Trump’s election victory.

Biden’s Address At The White House Garden

At the same time, the U.S. President sought to console fellow Democrats who were alarmed by the former
president’s stunning comeback.

“Setbacks are unavoidable. Giving up is unforgiveable,” Biden said at the White House Rose Garden.

Never Give Up

The U.S. President was addressing staff who were disappointed in Vice President Kamala Harris’ defeat.

“A defeat does not mean we are defeated, ” he said.

Integrity Of The U.S. Electoral System

Biden said Tuesday’s election had proven the integrity of the U.S. electoral system.

He said he would preside over an orderly transfer of power – an implicit rebuke of Trump.

How Trump Had Tried To Overturn His 2020 Defeat?

People still remember how Trump sought to overturn his 2020 defeat to Biden and raised baseless claims of fraud this year as well.

“We lost this battle. The America of your dreams is calling for you to get back up,” he said.

U.S. President Blamed For Harris’ Defeat

Some Democrats have blamed Biden, 81, for Harris’ defeat, saying he should not have sought reelection.

Why Biden Opted Out?

The U.S. President only dropped his reelection bid in July after a disastrous TV debate with Trump raised alarm bells about his mental fitness.

Trump’s campaign said Biden had invited him to meet at the White House at an unspecified time.

Selection Of Personnel By Trump

In the weeks ahead, Trump will select personnel to serve under his leadership.

Harris Continues To Motivate Her Supporters

Harris sought on Wednesday to console supporters.

Harris Promised To Aid Trump’s Transition

Like Biden, she promised to aid Trump’s transition before his inauguration on January 20.

Harris urged Democrats to continue to fight for what they believe in.

Decisive Victory

Trump’s victory was surprisingly decisive.

Opinion polls had shown a neck-and-neck contest.

Hispanics, traditionally Democratic voters, and lower-income households hit hardest by inflation helped fuel Trump’s victory.

Harris’ Campaign Message

Harris’ campaign pressed the message that Trump was unfit to serve again as president, as a convicted felon.

Trump’s Control

Republicans wrested the U.S. Senate from Democrats in Tuesday’s vote, ensuring Trump’s party will control at least one chamber of Congress next year.

Republicans also held an edge in the battle for the House of Representatives, though 38 of the 435 races still had no winner.

Comfortable Win

Trump prevailed in five of the seven battleground states to give him at least 295 Electoral College votes.

This was more than the 270 needed to win the presidency.

He was leading in the remaining two, Arizona and Nevada, where votes were still being tallied.

Trump was also on track to become the first Republican presidential candidate to win the popular vote since George W. Bush two decades ago.

He lost the popular vote to Democrat Hillary Clinton in 2016 but secured enough electoral votes to
win the White House.

Gain In World Stocks

World stocks gained on Thursday after a record rise for U.S. shares overnight.

U.S. Treasuries remained under pressure as investors processed the impact of a second Trump presidency.

Trump’s Team

Tesla CEO Elon Musk, a prominent Trump donor and former presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr may figure in Trump’s leadership.

Billionaire hedge fund manager John Paulson and investor Scott Bessent were seen as possible cabinet officers in his administration.

Former Trump officials Robert O’Brien and Mike Pompeo could return to office.

Revival Of Policies

On trade, Trump is expected to revive policies he favored during his first term, notably tariffs that he has called the “most beautiful word.”

That could set him on a collision course with China.

Xi’s Congratulatory Message

Chinese President Xi Jinping sent Trump a congratulatory message.

Xi  hoped that the two powers will coexist peacefully, China’s state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

Zelenskyy Also Congratulated Trump

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was among world leaders congratulating Trump.

Trump Is Critical Of U.S. Assistance For Ukraine

But Trump has been critical of U.S. assistance for Ukraine in its war with Russia.

He has said he could end the war in 24 hours but has not said how.

Security Assistance To Ukraine

The White House plans to rush billions of dollars in security assistance to Ukraine before Biden leaves office in January.

It is hoping to shore up the government in Kyiv before Trump takes over.

(With inputs from Reuters)