In January 1981, Jimmy Carter politely acknowledged Ronald Reagan when the new Republican president expressed gratitude for the assistance he received from the Democrat’s administration after winning decisively against Carter the previous November.
This tradition of defeated presidential candidates appearing alongside their victorious counterparts has been a hallmark of the U.S. political landscape, demonstrating a seamless transition of power. On January 20, this custom will continue as Vice President Kamala Harris reclaims her role after an eight-year intermission.
In the era of television, only one time has a losing candidate chosen to forego the customary appearance: former President Donald Trump, who left for Florida after unsuccessfully attempting to dispute the outcome of the election he lost, involving claims of baseless voter fraud. Now, Trump is poised to stand at the west steps of the Capitol, where he will take the oath of office for a second time in front of Harris.
Several instances from history illustrate the continuity of this ceremonial practice, which Reagan once referred to as nothing less than a miracle:
In 2001, Al Gore conceded the election to George W. Bush after an extensive 36-day legal dispute regarding Florida’s ballots, culminating in a Supreme Court decision that halted the recount. A month later, Gore, who was the vice president at the time, stood with Bush on the Capitol’s west steps during the inauguration. Following the oath, the two shook hands and exchanged brief pleasantries, with Gore participating in the crowd’s applause of “Hail to the Chief,” showcasing his acceptance of the democratic process and emphasizing the importance of maintaining governance continuity, as described by former campaign spokeswoman Kiki McLean.
Hillary Clinton’s experience in 2017 was filled with mixed emotions as she faced Donald Trump’s inauguration after losing the 2016 election, despite securing a greater popular vote. Reflecting on her feelings, Clinton acknowledged the profound disappointment and described Inauguration Day as one of her life’s greatest challenges, but she resolved to attend the ceremony as a mark of duty to the office she once held as First Lady.
Fast forward to 2021, when Mike Pence stepped up to represent the outgoing administration during Joe Biden’s inauguration. Trump had controversially declared, without any evidence, that his defeat involved widespread fraud. Pence faced an awkward situation but shared a private moment with Biden and his wife, congratulating them before the ceremony began. This encounter demonstrated political civility amid tension and unease surrounding the event.
In 1993, George H.W. Bush attended Bill Clinton’s inauguration after being unseated in the Presidential race. Bush returned to the Capitol west steps, joining Clinton in the traditional ceremonial walk, which highlighted the spirit of bipartisanship, allowing Bush to later celebrate the inauguration of his son, George W. Bush, in 2001.
Richard Nixon’s close loss to John F. Kennedy in 1960 is another notable moment—after a nail-biting election, Nixon congratulated Kennedy immediately after his swearing-in, showcasing a display of good sportsmanship. Nixon later attained the presidency but had to wait eight years before being inaugurated himself.
Franklin D. Roosevelt’s inauguration in 1933 was significant for Herbert Hoover, who had only a single term before losing to the Democrat. Hoover would go on to witness multiple presidential inaugurations, including Eisenhower’s.
Lastly, in a unique case from 1897, Grover Cleveland, the sitting president who had lost re-election, demonstrated sportsmanship by holding an umbrella for his rival, Benjamin Harrison, during a rainy inauguration ceremony, only to return for a second, non-consecutive term.
These historical precedents reflect the vital American democratic spirit, characterized by grace in defeat and an abiding respect for the electoral process, regardless of the emotional weight associated with loss.
