WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Donald Trump commenced his journey as president-elect by engaging in conversations of congratulations from various individuals, including his defeated rival, global leaders, and President Joe Biden. This marked the beginning of his endeavor to transform his electoral win into an operational government.
On this pivotal day, Trump opted for a quiet strategy, steering clear of public engagements following his late-night address to supporters in Florida. Kamala Harris, the Vice President, reached out to him to concede the race and extend her congratulations. Simultaneously, Biden, who had been ousted from the White House by Trump four years earlier, invited the president-elect to meet in the Oval Office for discussions around the transition of power.
The White House confirmed that Biden communicated with Trump, stressing his dedication to facilitating a seamless transition and underscoring the urgency of national unity. Furthermore, Biden contacted Harris to commend her efforts during the campaign. Trump and Harris also connected over the phone, where the president-elect recognized her strength, professionalism, and tenacity throughout the election cycle. Both leaders conveyed their agreement regarding the significance of bringing the country together, according to Trump’s spokesperson, Steven Cheung.
Internationally, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu engaged in a “warm and cordial” discussion with Trump, focusing on bilateral relations and addressing concerns regarding the Iranian threat. French President Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman also reached out to congratulate Trump, with the prince expressing his desire to enhance historical and strategic ties between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, wishing for progress and prosperity under Trump’s governance, as detailed by the Saudi Foreign Ministry.
Trump, during his previous term, made his inaugural international visit to Saudi Arabia, maintaining a supportive stance towards the kingdom even amid tensions following the assassination of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi. Looking ahead, the president-elect has promised to work towards peace in the Middle East, notably as Israel grapples with military conflicts with Hamas and Hezbollah, while also having engaged in recent skirmishes with Iran. Although Trump has been a vigorous advocate for Israel, he has yet to articulate his plans for achieving this peace.
In economic news, U.S. markets, banks, and cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, surged on Wednesday, with Tesla—owned by prominent Trump supporter Elon Musk—seeing a significant rise as investors reacted positively to Trump’s favorable election outcome and the prospect of his return to the presidency.
In additional news, Trump received an influx of potentially advantageous information regarding legal challenges he faces. Special Counsel Jack Smith is reportedly considering how to conclude the two federal cases against Trump prior to his inauguration, given long-standing Justice Department policies that prevent the prosecution of sitting presidents. Smith had previously charged Trump with attempting to overturn the results of the 2020 election and unlawfully retaining classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago residence, with the latter case already dismissed.
Trump’s victory in the recent election suggests that he may be protected from further legal jeopardy, as the Justice Department recognizes that he may be shielded from prosecution under established legal precedents, which aim to safeguard presidents from criminal charges while in office.