According to reports, President Donald Trump will not invite President-elect Joe Biden and incoming first lady Jill Biden to the White House before Wednesday’s inauguration ceremony.
Historically, the incoming president is invited by the current White House occupant before the inauguration. The current First Lady has also welcomed the incoming First Lady for a White House tour.
Donald and Melania Trump will leave the White House Wednesday but won't invite their incoming counterparts, Joe and Jill Biden, inside before they do. https://t.co/6xOEXHb6VJ
— Wisconsin State Journal (@WiStateJournal) January 19, 2021
Few Expected Trump To Invite Biden To White House
After Donald Trump won the 2016 election, President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama welcomed the Trumps to the White House before his inauguration ceremony.
After President Trump announced that he would not attend the inauguration, few expected the President to invite Biden to the White House before the former vice president was sworn in.
Needless to say, this transfer of power has been unsual.
The Trump family's departure from the White House without inviting their incoming counterparts in is historic in its magnitude https://t.co/kEpUjxxBLH pic.twitter.com/OJjTCdpiPp
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) January 18, 2021
Biden: ‘It’s A Good Thing — Him Not Showing Up’
Biden has not expressed anger over these decisions by President Trump. Earlier this month, Biden said Trump announcing that he would not attend his inauguration with the other living former presidents was pleasing.
When reporters asked Biden about Trump’s decision, he replied, “One of the few things he and I have ever agreed on.”
“It’s a good thing — him not showing up,” Biden added.
And Biden, who said, “One of the few things he and I have ever agreed on. It's a good thing him not showing up,” begins his presidency on a bitter and divisive note. 🤷🏻♂️
— Tom Kattman (@TomKattman) January 16, 2021
Donald And Melania Trump Will Depart The White House Wednesday Morning
According to CNN, after Wednesday’s inauguration ceremony, White House chief usher Timothy Harleth will welcome the Bidens to the White House.
CNN reported, “On the morning of January 20, Donald Trump and Melania Trump will depart the White House as President and First Lady, but they will not invite their incoming counterparts, Joe and Jill Biden, inside before they do.”
'POLITICS IS POLITICS AND COURTESY IS COURTESY': @DickMorrisTweet "personally believes that Trump should invite the Bidens over to the White House." https://t.co/VlT7z8v2lm pic.twitter.com/IoZ7r4rFZI
— NEWSMAX (@NEWSMAX) January 15, 2021
Melania Trump Has Not Reached Out To Jill Biden
“Trump, according to several sources, is even mulling whether to write a letter to Biden to leave for him in the Oval Office, a standard-bearing tradition,” CNN continued.
CNN continued, “Melania Trump, who has not been seen in public in more than two weeks, has not reached out to Jill Biden, dashing expectations she would continue the passing along of hospitality to her successor, hosting her for a tour.”
On Monday, Melania Trump released a farewell video and statement, thanking the American people and calling on them to live out her “Be Best” campaign.
“No words can express the depth of my gratitude for the privilege of having served as your First Lady.
To all the people of this country: You will be in my heart forever.
Thank you. God bless you, and God bless the United States of America.”
A Farewell Message from First Lady Melania Trump pic.twitter.com/WfG1zg2mt4
— Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) January 18, 2021