Donald Trump and Joe Biden meet at the White House

Donald Trump and Joe Biden have come face-to-face at the White House.

President Joe Biden meets with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. Credit: Alex Wong/Getty

Photos from today's historic meeting have emerged, showing President-elect Trump and outgoing President Biden in the Oval Office of the White House.

It marks the start of Trump's transition back into the White House following his landslide victory in the 2024 US Presidential Elections.

Despite their well-documented differences (and personal jibes), the two politicians smiled for the cameras, as Trump thanked Biden for his help and the pair shook hands.

Trump and Biden meet in the Oval Office. Credit: Alex Wong / Getty

"Well Mr President-elect and former president, Donald, congratulations," Biden said. "We look forward to having a smooth transition, doing everything we can to make sure you're accommodated and get what you need. We're going to get a chance to talk about some of that today. So welcome, welcome back."

In return, Trump responded: "Thank you very much. Politics is tough, and it's in many cases not a very nice world, but it is a nice world today and I appreciate it very much... A transition that is so smooth, it will be as smooth as it can get. I very much appreciate that Joe."

Notably absent from today's meeting is former and future First Lady Melania Trump, who BBC News reports chose not to attend.

However, Dr. Jill Biden did reportedly hand the President-elect a letter intended for Melania.

The White House has confirmed in a statement: "She gave Mr. Trump a handwritten letter of congratulations for Mrs. Trump, which also expressed her team’s readiness to assist with the transition."

Biden and Trump shared a handshake in front of the fireplace. Credit: Alex Wong / Getty

Additionally, in a comment shared to the incoming first lady's office X account, Melania's team has blasted "several unnamed sources in the media" that "continue to provide false, misleading, and inaccurate information" regarding her decision to remain absent from the traditional post-election tour of the residence.

The statement added: "Mrs. Trump will not be attending today’s meeting at the White House. Her husband’s return to the Oval Office to commence the transition process is encouraging, and she wishes him great success."

Today's meeting marks a long-standing tradition between incoming and outgoing presidents, signifying the transfer of power as the government changes hands in the fallout of the election.

Featured image credit: Alex Wong/Getty