--- title: Biden's Speech at White House Addresses Trump's Election Win description: Biden's openness to transfer power is in stark contrast to Trump's actions after he was defeated in 2020. canonical: https://time.com/7173794/joe-biden-donald-trump-presidential-election-results-speech/ author: Brian Bennett article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2024-11-07T17:16:09.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-10-19T07:48:15.428Z article:section: Politics og:title: Biden's Speech at White House Addresses Trump's Election Win og:description: Biden's openness to transfer power is in stark contrast to Trump's actions after he was defeated in 2020. og:url: https://time.com/7173794/joe-biden-donald-trump-presidential-election-results-speech/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt4af80e225582acfc/698a9bfed075331927e77d6d/GettyImages-2183520122-1.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 6000 og:image:height: 3375 og:image:alt: President Biden Delivers Remarks In The Rose Garden After Election Of Donald Trump og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: Biden's Speech at White House Addresses Trump's Election Win twitter:description: Biden's openness to transfer power is in stark contrast to Trump's actions after he was defeated in 2020. twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt4af80e225582acfc/698a9bfed075331927e77d6d/GettyImages-2183520122-1.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 video:duration: 05:49 video:published: 2024-11-07 section: politics topics: presidential transition, peaceful transfer of power, election integrity, election workers, Kamala Harris campaign, Biden administration legacy, national unity, legislation impact, US economy, resilience after defeat genre: speech, news tones: conciliatory, reflective, earnest, encouraging emotions: gratitude (high), hope (medium), empathy (medium), pride (medium) sentiment: positive audience: US news followers, political observers, voters, policy watchers people: Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Kamala Harris content_suitability: politics [00:00-05:49] transcript_source: publisher captions transcript_reviewed: not applicable ---  # Biden Wants to Show Trump What a 'Peaceful and Orderly' Transfer of Power Looks Like > Sponsored content. 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President Joe Biden stepped into the Rose Garden Thursday to acknowledge Donald Trump’s victory over his Vice President Kamala Harris._ Description, summary, key points, chapters, key quotes, questions and transcript, where present, were produced automatically from the video or its captions and were not reviewed. ## Summary President Joe Biden delivers remarks acknowledging the election result and describing the transition ahead. He says he spoke with President-elect Trump and Vice President Harris, praises Harris's character and campaign, and calls for Americans to see each other as fellow citizens. He defends the integrity of the electoral system, thanks election workers, and reflects on his administration's accomplishments. He closes with encouragement to keep engaged and keep the faith. ## Key points - Biden says he spoke with President-elect Trump to congratulate him and promised to direct his entire administration to work with Trump's team on a peaceful, orderly transition. (00:31) - Biden says he also spoke with Vice President Harris, describing her as a partner and public servant who ran an inspiring campaign and showed true character. (00:50) - Biden states that the American electoral system is honest, fair and transparent, and can be trusted whether one wins or loses. (02:14) - Biden calls for restoring respect for election workers and thanks them for staffing voting sites, counting votes and protecting the integrity of the election, many as volunteers. (02:30) - Biden says a peaceful transfer of power will take place on January 20 and that he will fulfill his oath and honor the Constitution. (02:58) - Biden says much of his administration's legislation is only now kicking in and most of its effects will be felt over the next ten years. (03:31) - Biden says the administration is leaving behind the strongest economy in the world and that 74 days remain in the term. (04:06) - Biden says that setbacks are unavoidable but giving up is unforgivable, and that a defeat does not mean Americans are defeated. (04:35) ## Chapters - [00:00 to 00:31] Opening remarks on American self-government. Biden greets the audience and describes America's experiment in self-government where the people choose leaders peacefully. - [00:31 to 01:18] Calls with Trump and Harris. Biden describes speaking with President-elect Trump about the transition and praises Vice President Harris and her campaign. - [01:18 to 02:14] Accepting the choice and uniting. Biden says the country accepts its choice and urges Americans to see each other as fellow Americans and lower the temperature. - [02:14 to 03:12] Election integrity and workers. Biden defends the electoral system, thanks election workers, and commits to his oath and a peaceful transfer of power. - [03:12 to 04:28] Administration accomplishments and remaining term. Biden acknowledges people are hurting, highlights the lasting effects of his legislation and the economy, and notes 74 days remain. - [04:28 to 05:49] Resilience and closing message. Biden urges perseverance after defeat, says the American experiment endures, thanks those he worked with, and closes with a blessing. ## Key quotes - [00:21] Joe Biden: "The people vote and choose their own leaders, and they do it peacefully." - [01:52] Joe Biden: "you can't love your country only when you win." - [02:20] Joe Biden: "It is honest, it is fair," - [04:35] Joe Biden: "Setbacks are unavoidable, but giving up is unforgivable." - [04:52] Joe Biden: "Remember, a defeat does not mean we are defeated." - [05:16] Joe Biden: "The American experiment endures." ## Questions this video answers - What did Biden say about his conversation with President-elect Trump? [00:31] - How does Biden describe Vice President Harris and her campaign? [00:50] - What does Biden say about the integrity of the American electoral system? [02:14] - How does Biden thank election workers? [02:30] - When will the transfer of power take place according to Biden? [03:06] - What does Biden say about the long-term impact of his administration's legislation? [03:31] ## Content suitability - politics [00:00-05:49]: Presidential address on the election outcome, the transition of power and the administration's record.  by [Brian Bennett](https://time.com/author/brian-bennett/)  ## Brian Bennett Bennett is a former senior White House correspondent at TIME. Nov 7, 2024 5:16 PM UTC President Joe Biden stepped into the Rose Garden Thursday to acknowledge Donald Trump’s victory over his Vice President Kamala Harris.  by [Brian Bennett](https://time.com/author/brian-bennett/)  ## Brian Bennett Bennett is a former senior White House correspondent at TIME. Nov 7, 2024 5:16 PM UTC President Joe Biden stepped into the Rose Garden Thursday to acknowledge [Donald Trump’s victory](https://time.com/7173338/donald-trump-wins-election-2024/) over his Vice President [Kamala Harris.](https://time.com/7173622/kamala-harris-concession-speech-election/) Biden has been here before. Eight years ago, he stood in the same spot next to outgoing President Barack Obama after the Democrats suffered a stinging defeat from Donald Trump. Then, Biden wore a red tie, an outward sign of civility toward Republicans. This time it was Biden’s turn to be the gracious loser. “In a democracy, the will of the people always prevails,” Biden said. He promised a “peaceful and orderly” transition from his Administration to Trump’s. “That’s what the American people deserve.” As for Harris’ loss, Biden praised her for running an “inspiring” campaign and said the country got to see what he had learned early on about Harris, that she has “true character” and “a backbone like a ramrod.” Biden said “we accept the choice” the country made. **Read More:** [_How Trump Won_](https://time.com/7172052/how-donald-trump-won-2024/) Biden made a pointed rebuke to Trump’s unwillingness to accept his electoral loss in 2020\. “You can’t love your country only when you win. You can’t love your neighbor only when you agree.” He implored his fellow Americans to “bring down the temperature.” Biden has invited Trump to meet him in the White House, as Obama did, and promised, in the interest of the country, to open up federal agencies to Trump’s incoming team so they are prepared to take over when Trump is inaugurated on Jan. 20. Biden’s openness is in stark contrast to Trump’s actions after Biden defeated him. Trump [denied ](https://time.com/5907973/donald-trump-loses-2020-election/)he lost, launched scores of unfounded legal challenges, pressured state election officials to find him votes, created slates of fake electors, and encouraged his supporters to storm the Capitol Building in a violent and failed attempt to overturn his loss on [Jan. 6, 2021](https://time.com/6133251/donald-trump-january-6-anniversary/). During Trump’s manufactured turmoil, his Administration refused to allow Biden’s team to be briefed on the work of the federal agencies, including critical national security agencies like the Pentagon, the CIA, and the Homeland Security Department charged with keeping the country safe. But for Biden, the contrast is the point. A major reason Biden launched his run for President in 2019 was to restore faith in the country’s democratic process that Trump had shattered. Biden ran on the promise that he would “restore the soul” of the country. Accepting the results of Trump’s win, encouraging Democrats to follow suit, and working in the interest of the country to help Trump start his second Presidency with the information and preparation Trump had denied him, is all part of Biden’s larger civic project. **Read More:** [_What Donald Trump’s Win Means for the Economy_](https://time.com/7095898/donald-trump-economy-plan-2024/) Biden wants to end the cycle of politicians undermining the integrity of elections when they lose. The country’s elections are secure and yield true results, Biden said. The electoral system is “honest and it is transparent and can be trusted, win or lose.” He made a point of thanking election workers, many of whom volunteered their time and faced threats as they went about the ordinary functions of counting votes. Just as election workers did their duty as citizens, Biden said he would do his duty as President to ensure Trump can take office in January. “I’ll fulfill my oath and I’ll honor the Constitution and on January 20, we’ll have a peaceful transfer of power here in America.” As he wrapped up his short remarks, Biden made a pitch to Trump’s Administration and Republicans in Congress to keep in place the investments he ushered through in the country’s infrastructure and the economy’s transition away from fossil fuels. Trump and Republicans have promised to zero out many of the investments Biden signed into law. A lot of the measures are “just kicking in,” Biden said, and Americans will start seeing new bridges and better broadband and other projects built over the next decade. When Biden finished speaking, he stood and waved to his staff, family, and cabinet secretaries gathered on the Rose Garden lawn and then walked into the open door of the Oval Office. After he stepped inside, a Marine sentry closed the door behind him. ## Transcript [00:00] Hey, uh, it's good to see you all, [00:03] particularly good to see my granddaughter sitting in the front row here. [00:06] Hi, Finn, how are you, honey? [00:08] For over 200 years, [00:10] America's carried on the greatest experiment [00:13] in self government in the history of the world. [00:17] And that's not hyperbole. [00:18] That's a fact. We're the people. [00:21] The people vote and choose their own leaders, and they do it peacefully. [00:25] And we're in a democracy, [00:27] the will of the people always prevails. [00:31] Yesterday, I spoke with President elect Trump to congratulate him on his victory, [00:37] and I assured him that I'd direct my entire administration to [00:42] work with his team to ensure a peaceful and orderly transition. [00:47] That's what the American people deserve. [00:50] Yesterday, I also spoke with Vice President Harris. [00:54] She's been a partner and a public servant. [00:57] She ran an inspiring campaign, [01:00] and everyone got to see something that I [01:02] learned early on to respect so much, her character. [01:06] She has a backbone like a ramrod. [01:08] She has great character, true character. [01:11] She gave her whole heart and effort, [01:13] and she and her entire team should be proud of the campaign they ran. [01:18] You know, the struggle for the soul of America, [01:22] since our very founding has always been an ongoing debate and still vital today. [01:31] I know for some people, it's a time for victory to state the obvious. [01:36] For others, it's a time of loss. [01:39] Campaigns are contest of competing visions. [01:43] The country chooses one or the other. [01:46] We accept the choice the country made. [01:50] I've said many times, [01:52] you can't love your country only when you win. [01:57] You can't love your neighbor, only when you agree. [02:03] Something I hope we can do, [02:05] no matter who you voted for, is see each other, [02:08] not as adversaries, but as fellow Americans. [02:12] Bring down the temperature. [02:14] I also hope we can lay to rest the question about [02:17] the integrity of the American electoral system. [02:20] It is honest, it is fair, [02:23] and it is transparent. [02:26] And it can be trusted win or lose. [02:30] I also hope we can restore the respect for [02:34] all our election workers who busted their necks and took risks at the outset. [02:39] We should thank them, thank them for staffing voting sites, [02:43] counting the votes, and protecting the very integrity of the election. [02:48] Many of them are volunteers who do it simply out of love for their country. [02:54] And as they did, as they did their duty as citizens, [02:58] I will do my duty as president. [03:01] I'll fulfill my oath, [03:03] and I will honor the Constitution. [03:06] On January 20, we'll have a peaceful transfer of power here in America. [03:12] I know it's a difficult time. You're hurting. [03:16] I hear you and I see you. [03:18] But don't forget. Don't forget all that we accomplished. [03:22] It's been a historic presidency. [03:25] Not because I'm present because what we've done, [03:27] what you've done, a presidency for all Americans. [03:31] Much of the work we've done is already being felt by the American people, [03:36] but the vast majority of it will not be felt felt over the next ten years. [03:41] We have legislation we passed. [03:44] That's just only now just really kicking in. [03:48] And so much more. It's gonna take time. But it's there. [03:53] The road ahead is clear, [03:55] assuming we sustain it. [03:57] There's so much, so much we can get [04:00] done and will get done based the way the legislation was passed. [04:04] And it's truly historic. [04:06] You know, we're leaving behind the strongest economy in the world. [04:13] I know people are still hurting, [04:15] but things are changing rapidly. [04:18] Together, we've changed America for the better. [04:21] Now we have 74 days to finish the term. Our term. [04:26] Let's make every day count. [04:28] That's the responsibility we have to the American people. [04:32] Look, folks, you all know it in your lives. [04:35] Setbacks are unavoidable, but giving up is unforgivable. [04:40] Setbacks are unavoidable, but giving up is unforgivable. [04:45] We all get knocked down. [04:47] But the measure of our character, [04:48] as my dad would say is how quickly we get back up. [04:52] Remember, a defeat does not mean we are defeated. [04:57] We lost this battle. The America of your dreams is calling for you to get back up. [05:05] That's the story of America for over 240 years and county. [05:12] It's a story for all of us, not just some of us. [05:16] The American experiment endures. [05:19] We're gonna be okay. But we need to stay engaged. We need to keep going. [05:26] And above all, we need to keep the faith. [05:30] I'm so proud to have worked with all of you. [05:33] I really mean it. I sincerely mean it. [05:36] God bless you all. God bless America and may God protect our troops. [05:43] Thank you, thank you. 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