Joe Biden says ‘time to put the anger and the harsh rhetoric behind us’ in first statement as president elect
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Joe Biden has urged America to “put the anger and the harsh rhetoric behind us”, in his first comments as the nation’s president-elect.
The former vice president is due to speak at a victory party in Wilmington, Delaware, on Saturday evening, where he will be joined him Kamala Harris, his running mate and now the vice-president elect.
In a brief statement, the 77-year-old repeated the themes he had spoken of during his campaign for the White House, and in the days since election day, as the nation waited for a result.
“I am honoured and humbled by the trust the American people have placed in me and in vice president-elect Harris,” he said.
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“In the face of unprecedented obstacles, a record number of Americans voted. Proving once again, that democracy beats deep in the heart of America.”
He added: “With the campaign over, it’s time to put the anger and the harsh rhetoric behind us and come together as a nation.”
By contrast, Donald Trump has insisted the victory is not valid.
“We all know why Joe Biden is rushing to falsely pose as the winner, and why his media allies are trying so hard to help him: they don’t want the truth to be exposed,” his campaign said in a statement.
“The simple fact is this election is far from over. Joe Biden has not been certified as the winner of any states, let alone any of the highly contested states headed for mandatory recounts, or states where our campaign has valid and legitimate legal challenges that could determine the ultimate victor.
"In Pennsylvania, for example, our legal observers were not permitted meaningful access to watch the counting process. Legal votes decide who is president, not the news media.”
Mr Biden did not appear to be intimidated.
“It’s time for America to unite. And to heal,” he said.
“We are the United States of America. And there’s nothing we can’t do, if we do it together.”
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