President Joe Biden and Donald Trump came face-to-face for the first time since the country’s November 8 election during a traditional meeting as part of the handoff of power. The President-elect shook Biden's hand inside the White House’s Oval Office during Wednesday’s face-to-face meeting — having declined to participate in the ritual four years ago. "Donald, congratulations," Biden said, greeting Trump with a handshake. "Thank you very much," Trump added. "Politics is tough, and it is, in many cases, not a very nice world. "But it is a nice world today, and I appreciate it very much." President Biden once again reiterated the Democrat’s wishes for a "smooth transition" of power ahead of Trump's inauguration in February.