President-elect Donald Trump‘s first visit to the White House since leaving office in January 2021 featured a ceremonial tradition honoring a peaceful transfer of power.
Trump’s visit to the Oval Office came at the behest of President Joe Biden, who extended the offer after Trump defeated Vice President Kamala Harris during last week’s election. The meeting comes four years after Trump shirked the tradition during his hand-off to Biden.
Trump landed Wednesday morning at Joint Base Andrews, accompanied by staff, including his incoming chief of staff, Susie Wiles, and Elon Musk, the billionaire owner of X, SpaceX, and Tesla. Former first lady Melania Trump was not with Trump after declining first lady Jill Biden’s invitation for tea, although “she wishes him great success.”
Here are the Washington Examiner‘s top takeaways from Trump’s visit to the nation’s capital.
KEY DATES FOR THE 2024 PRESIDENTIAL TRANSITION
A triumphant Trump meets with House Republicans
Before the White House meeting, Trump and Musk headed to the Hyatt Regency on Wednesday morning to meet with the House GOP conference, where the president-elect received a standing ovation from Republicans gathered to see him speak.
“We won all seven swing states by a lot,” Trump said, according to a pool report about his definitive routing of Harris last week. He also said, “It’s nice to win.”
He also joked he would not run again unless the House does “something,” a quip that brought on laughs.
“I suspect I won’t be running again unless you do something,” he said.
Presidents are limited to two terms, and Trump, having served two nonconsecutive terms, is barred from running again.
House Republicans are expected to have a slim majority in the lower chamber, which could complicate House Speaker Mike Johnson’s (R-LA) ability to pass legislation. Johnson received Trump’s endorsement for the House speakership, likely quelling any challenges to his reelection.
On the Senate side, Republicans selected Sen. John Thune (R-SD) to replace retiring Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY). With Congress and the White House under Republican control, Trump will have widespread ability to enact his agenda for his second administration.
WHAT HAPPENS NOW THAT TRUMP IS PRESIDENT-ELECT
Biden and Trump meet after intense campaign season
Joe Biden and Jill Biden greeted Trump upon his arrival at the White House, where the president-elect received a handwritten letter of congratulations from the first lady for Melania Trump. The letter expressed the Biden team’s readiness to assist with the transition, according to a pool report.
During the Oval Office meeting, Trump lamented the brutality of today’s political climate.
“Politics is tough, and in many cases, it’s not a nice world, but it is a nice world today,” he said.
During the campaign season, both Joe Biden and Harris warned supporters that Trump was toeing the line with fascism, while Trump attacked the president over his mental capabilities and branded Harris as incompetent.
Still, Biden told Trump, “Congratulations and looking forward to having a, like we said, smooth transition,” to which Trump expressed appreciation.
“It will be as smooth as it can get, and I very much appreciate that, Joe,” said Trump.
The two leaders looked amused as reporters shouted dozens of questions at them before the press were escorted out. They didn’t answer any questions.
Questions are still swirling about whether Trump will work with the General Services Administration on his transition.
WHAT TRUMP HAS PROMISED TO DO ON DAY 1 IN THE OVAL OFFICE
Elon Musk comes to Washington as a kingmaker
Musk’s full-throated endorsement of Trump’s presidential campaign landed him key access to the new administration.
During Trump’s meeting with the House GOP conference, Musk was seated in the front row, another sign of his growing influence. He also reportedly received three standing ovations as the president-elect praised his accomplishments.
This comes one day after Trump tapped Musk, along with Vivek Ramaswamy, to head up the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency. The two leaders will be tasked with slashing unnecessary federal spending, but how much power this new agency will have is up for debate.
Rep. Marc Molinaro (R-NY) told the Washington Examiner Musk “waved a lot” during the meeting.
“He was received enthusiastically with a great deal of support,” Molinaro continued. “I mean … frankly, very grateful to have him investing and obviously helping the majority, but also, I think, to bring efficiency” to the government.
However, Musk could risk alienating Trump if he appears to be controlling the president-elect and overstays his time wooing Trump at Mar-a-Lago.
Trump even joked during his meeting with Republican lawmakers, saying, “Elon won’t go home. I can’t get rid of him. Until I don’t like him.”
Trump keeps his distance from Senate leadership race
Although Thune may have won the McConnell succession game, plenty of MAGA members hoped Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) would become the next leader of Senate Republicans.
Musk and Republican National Committee Co-Chairwoman Lara Trump were among the most prominent people in Trump’s inner circle who supported Scott’s long-shot bid. The Florida senator also had the backing of Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Mike Lee (R-UT).
Scott faced competition from both Thune and Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) for Senate majority leader, but unlike his rivals, Scott did not have a close relationship with McConnell, who did not weigh in on the race.
Most senators stayed mum on the race after they huddled for two hours late Tuesday evening. Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) joked, “It’s going to be close, but it looks like it’s going to be Caitlin Clark,” referencing the basketball star, but did not say which leader he was supporting.
Trump did not tip the scale for any candidate after Thune, who is currently the Senate minority whip, publicly lobbied the president-elect to not endorse in the race. He also did not meet with Senate Republicans on Wednesday despite meeting with their House counterparts.
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Vice President-elect J.D. Vance did not endorse any candidate for the position in a unified display that the Republican ticket would let senators decide who would lead the party in 2025 and beyond.
Rachel Schilke, David Sivak, and Ramsey Touchberry contributed to this report.
