'Welcome Back': Internet Can't Get Over Biden's Expression with Trump During White House Meeting

The transition to the new administration seemed to start on a positive note Wednesday, as President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump shared a seemingly warm moment in the Oval Office.

Biden appeared genuinely pleased to host the 45th president at the White House. Considering the abrupt end to his own reelection bid, it’s almost understandable why the outgoing president might embrace this moment with some relief.

“Congratulations, and I’m looking forward to… having a smooth transition. We’ll do everything we can to make sure you’re accommodated. We’re going to get the chance to talk about some of that today,” Biden said as the two leaders shook hands.

“Welcome back,” the smiling incumbent added warmly.

Trump, in response, replied with his distinctive cadence: “Politics is tough, and in many cases, it’s not a nice world, but it is a nice world today, and I appreciate it very much.”

This meeting marked the first time the two had been face-to-face since June 27, during the presidential debate that ultimately saw Biden stepping away from his campaign—perhaps under pressure—after an undeniably poor performance.

Observers, including this writer and social media commentators, couldn’t help but notice Biden’s upbeat demeanor as he conversed with Trump—a man frequently painted by Democrats as nothing short of a “literal fascist.”

Greg Price, a conservative social media personality, remarked, “I don’t think Joe Biden has ever been happier in his entire life.”

One commenter humorously replied, “Two Trump voters.”

Others on social media pointed out Biden’s unexpected moment in Pennsylvania last September, where he was spotted wearing a Trump campaign hat.

The rumored tension between Biden and the Democratic Party’s elite has been a poorly concealed secret for some time.

Back in August, Politico revealed that Biden still carried grievances against figures like former President Barack Obama and ex-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for effectively pressuring him out of the race and elevating Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee.

Given these dynamics, it’s almost hard to fault Biden. Yet, his history of aligning himself with the party’s establishment has left him vulnerable to the consequences of being a “Democrat puppet.” When those strings are inevitably cut, sympathy is hard to come by.

Even so, Biden’s recent appearances suggest he might be enjoying his new-found independence. His buoyant demeanor has been hard to miss, especially following his vice president’s failed presidential campaign.

Just last week, Biden appeared in high spirits while addressing the election results in the White House Rose Garden.

The lightness in his tone and demeanor led some to speculate whether, deep down, Biden might have wanted Harris to lose to Trump.

“Campaigns are contests of competing visions. The country chooses one or the other. We accept the choice the country made,” Biden said during his remarks.

So far, the transition appears amicable.

And who knows? Maybe Biden did vote for Trump.