Biden spoke in his first public address since Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 U.S. Presidential election.

Speaking from the Rose Garden on Thursday, Biden called for a “peaceful and orderly” transition of power, a sentiment echoed by Vice President Kamala Harris, who conceded on Wednesday.

Biden emphasised that the U.S. democracy is rooted in a long-standing tradition of peaceful transitions of power.

“For over 200 years, America has carried out the greatest experiment in self-government in the history of the world,” Biden said. “The will of the people always prevails.”

The president also extended his congratulations to President-elect Trump, noting that he had spoken with him the previous day and reassured him that his administration would cooperate fully to ensure a seamless transition.

Biden addressed the feelings of both triumph and defeat that accompanied the election outcome, urging Americans to accept the result.

“You can’t love your country only when you win,” he remarked, calling on the public to view each other as fellow citizens rather than adversaries.

“We lost this battle. The America of your dreams is calling for you to get back up,” he added, invoking his late father’s advice: “The measure of our character is how quickly we get back up.”

Acknowledging the disappointment of his supporters, Biden reminded them that setbacks are inevitable but not permanent.

“Setbacks are unavoidable, but giving up is unforgivable,” he said. “We all get knocked down, but the measure of our character, as my dad would say, is how quickly we get back up,” he said.

Reflecting on his administration’s achievements, Biden underscored the long-term impact of the policies enacted during his presidency.

He noted that over a trillion dollars in infrastructure investments would soon benefit rural communities and those in most need.

The president also took a moment to recognise the dedication of election workers, many of whom risked their safety to ensure the integrity of the voting process.

He praised their efforts, calling them “citizens doing their duty,” and urged the public to show respect and gratitude to those who upheld the election’s legitimacy.

Biden reassured the nation that the electoral system could be trusted, regardless of the election outcome.

“It is honest, it is fair, and it is transparent,” he said, pointing out that the integrity of the election must be upheld at all costs.

Biden’s remarks come after repeated baseless claims from Trump about electoral fraud, which had led to increased tensions and threats against election officials.

Biden, in a call for national healing, reminded the country of the enduring American spirit and the importance of unity moving forward. “The American spirit endures,” he said. “We will always stand together as one nation.”