Biden wants Trump to attend inauguration and shake his hand for the country: 'It's of no personal consequence to me'
President-elect Joe Biden has revealed that he wants President Donald Trump to attend his inauguration in January, shake his hand and let the country move on. The Democrat also talked about the role his family will play in the White House and said that his son Hunter will not pursue any business opportunities that would be in conflict of interest while he is president. Biden made the statement during his first joint interview with Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on CNN as they talked about the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, and the role Harris will play in the administration.
Biden also talked about the incumbent and said that he hopes Trump will be standing on the inauguration platform on January 20th, so they can demonstrate to the world a peaceful transfer of power. "I think it would be important only in one sense - not in a personal sense important - in the sense that we are able to demonstrate at the end of this chaos that he's created that there is peaceful transfer of power, with the competing parties, standing there, shaking hands, and moving on. I really worry about the image we're presenting to the rest of the world," Biden told CNN’s Jake Tapper.
The President-elect added that Trump's attendance at the inauguration ceremony would be important for the United States. "I think is important but it is totally his decision, and it's no personal consequence to me. But I do think it is in the country," the Democrat leader said. President Trump, over a month after Election Day, has still refused to concede in the 2020 presidential election to Biden, the winner of the electoral college and the popular vote. The Republican and his campaign have alleged a "rigged" election and massive voter fraud, however, they are yet to present any evidence to back their claims.
When Trump was asked whether he would be attending the inauguration ceremony in January, he had said that although he knew the answer to the question, he would not yet share it with the press. He told reporters at the White House on Thanksgiving: "I don't want to say that yet. I mean I know the answer, I'll be honest, I know the answer, but I just don't want to say it yet."
As Trump continues his effort to overturn the results of the presidential election, some Republican lawmakers on Capitol Hill have not yet publicly acknowledged Biden's victory in the race. Biden, while remarking on this said, that he understands their position, but has already conversed with several of his former Senate colleagues privately. "There have been more than several sitting Republican senators who privately call me and congratulate me," he said. "And I understand the situation they find themselves in."
While talking about his son Hunter, who has been accused of benefiting from business with Ukrainian and Chinese officials when his father was vice president. Biden said neither his son nor any family members would be involved in any conflicts of interest when he takes office. "My son, my family will not be involved in any business, any enterprise, that is in conflict with or appears to be a conflict whether the appropriate distance from the presidency and government," he said.