President Joe Biden called for Americans to ease political tensions on Thursday, following Donald Trump's resounding election victory over Kamala Harris. In a conciliatory address from the White House, Biden promised a peaceful transition of power.

“This outcome should put to rest any doubts about the integrity of our electoral system,” Biden said, referencing Trump’s past refusal to concede his 2020 loss. “I hope we can all, regardless of who we voted for, see each other as fellow Americans, not adversaries. It’s time to bring down the temperature.”

Biden's arrival at the Rose Garden was met with standing applause from his staff. At 81, he had withdrawn from the presidential race in July, endorsing Harris as the Democratic nominee.

The president shared that he had spoken with Trump to congratulate him and assure him of an orderly transition. “On January 20, we will have a peaceful transfer of power,” Biden stated, referencing the inauguration ceremony that Trump famously boycotted four years ago.

Addressing his supporters, Biden encouraged perseverance despite Trump's return to office, which is expected to reverse many of Biden’s key policies. “Remember, a defeat does not mean we are defeated,” he emphasized.

Biden’s message of unity and civility stood in sharp contrast to Trump’s past actions, which included denying the 2020 election results and inciting his supporters to storm the Capitol on January 6, 2021.

Biden has also extended an invitation for Trump to meet at the White House, which would mark their first interaction since a fraught debate in June that contributed to Biden stepping out of the race.

International reactions poured in swiftly, with world leaders pledging to collaborate with Trump despite concerns over his “America First” agenda and his vows to impose steep tariffs on imports. Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed hope for “stable” US-China relations in a message to Trump, emphasizing the need to “find a way to get along.”

Meanwhile, Trump, currently at his Mar-a-Lago estate, is already assembling his transition team, with his campaign announcing plans for key appointments in the coming weeks. Figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who Trump has promised a major role in healthcare, are poised for influential positions. Kennedy, known for his anti-vaccine advocacy, clarified that he would not strip vaccine access but reiterated plans to advocate for changes like removing fluoride from the water supply.

Elon Musk, a Trump supporter, may also play a pivotal role. The billionaire CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and X could be asked to help streamline government spending.

Exit polls revealed that voters rejected the Biden-Harris administration's handling of the economy and inflation, favoring Trump’s hardline policies. Trump’s unprecedented second presidency as a convicted felon and the oldest individual elected to the office sets the stage for sweeping changes, with an agenda focused on dismantling Biden’s legacy.

Trump is expected to cut military aid to Ukraine and may press for a peace agreement with Russia. He is also likely to undo Biden’s environmental policies, favouring aggressive oil drilling initiatives.

For many Democrats, Biden’s legacy hinged on Harris’s electoral success, but there is mounting criticism that he waited too long to pass the torch to his vice president, allowing Trump to stage a comeback.