In the lead-up to Monday’s inauguration, President Biden and his wife Jill hosted Trump for a cup of tea at the White House.
But four years ago, Trump did not extend the same invitation — an inauguration-day tradition — to Biden. Why?
Al Jazeera correspondent Kimberly Halkett explains it has to do with Trump’s false claims that his defeat in the 2020 election was marred by fraud.
“It didn’t [happen] because Donald Trump was of course contesting the results of the election,” she said.
“He was not happy with the transition to power, but this time around, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, the vice president, have promised a peaceful transition of power. And that is exactly what they say is occurring.”
Halkett added that restoring the tradition was particularly important to Biden. “This is really something that has been dear to the US president’s heart. He says that he is keeping the faith, in terms of a better day to come.”
