Donald Trump, returning to White House, meets with Joe Biden on transition

US President-elect Donald Trump returned to the White House on Wednesday for transition talks with outgoing President Joe Biden, shortly after attending a House Republican conference along with his billionaire adviser, Elon Musk.

Four years ago, Trump, then president, refusing to acknowledge his electoral defeat to Biden, declined to meet with him in the White House and skipped Biden’s inauguration.

But in a stunning reversal of fortune, in last week’s election against Biden’s vice-president, Kamala Harris, Trump secured 312 Electoral College votes and even won the popular vote.

Despite calling Trump a threat to democracy, Biden welcomed his successor back and vowed to ensure a peaceful transfer of power.

The two men shook hands in the Oval Office, with Biden congratulating Trump on his victory and adding that he was looking forward to having “a smooth transition”.

“Politics is tough and in many cases it’s not a nice world but it is a nice world today,” Trump replied.