Joe Biden spoke to the nation for the first time as President-elect on Saturday and delivered a speech that called for unity and healing.
After being introduced by Kamala Harris, he jogged to the podium in Wilmington, Delaware, to a flurry of cheers and car horns blaring.
In his 15-minute speech, Biden appealed to the 71 million Americans who voted for Donald Trump, the African-American community, and his supporters. He promised to unify our hurting nation and end the “grim era of demonization.”
“It’s time to put away the harsh rhetoric, lower the temperature, see each other again, listen to each other again, and to make progress, we have to stop treating our opponents as our enemies,” Biden said. “They are not our enemies. They are Americans.”
He acknowledged Trump supporters feeling of disappointment and asked that they give him a chance. He joked that he understands losing, having lost the election twice before.
A nation divided, Biden noted that this is a time for healing. That during his tenure, he would work try to “rebuild the soul of America, to rebuild the backbone of this nation, the middle class and to make America respected around the world again.”
He specifically addressed the African American community, acknowledging that they “had his back” and that he would have theirs in turn.
He also spoke on the country’s struggle with containing coronavirus. He said that on Monday, he would put together a group of scientists to form a COVID-19 taskforce. They would put together an action plan and be ready to hit the ground running on January 20.
Immediately following his speech, the president-elect was joined on stage by his entire family. Kamala Harris came back out with her family. There were confetti cannons and a fireworks display to cap off the evening.
Trump has not yet conceded the election to Biden. By all accounts, he has no intention to do so any time soon. Trump has filed multiple lawsuits alleging voter fraud, even though there is no evidence any fraud occurred.
On Saturday, he doubled down once again on Twitter that he won the election.
“I WON THIS ELECTION, BY A LOT!” Trump tweeted.
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