US President Joe Biden called on Americans to “lower the temperature of the political debate” in his first speech since Donald Trump's sweeping election victory on Tuesday.

Mr. Biden, who received a standing ovation in the White House Rose Garden from a crowd that included the Cabinet, aides and his granddaughter, paid tribute to his Vice President Kamala Harris, with whom he said he spoke yesterday.

“She was a partner and a public servant. She ran an inspiring campaign and everyone could see something I learned to appreciate early on – her character. She has a backbone like a ramrod,” he said.

He said “defeat does not mean we are defeated” and the challenge for Democrats is to get back up. He didn't think about his role in the election defeat.

“We accept the decision that the country has made. I have often said that you can't just love your country when you win. You can’t love your neighbor only when you agree on something,” he said.

“I hope that no matter who you voted for, we can see each other not as adversaries but as fellow Americans. Bring the temperature down.”

Mr. Biden made several remarks in the speech that were reminiscent of the way Donald Trump left office in 2021 and promised that “we will have a peaceful transfer of power” on January 20.

“Yesterday I spoke with President-elect Trump to congratulate him on his victory and I assured him that I will direct my entire administration to work with his team to ensure a peaceful and orderly transition,” he said.

“This is what the American people deserve.”

He also said he hoped America could put to rest questions about the integrity of its electoral system.

“It’s honest, it’s fair and it’s transparent and you can trust it whether it wins or loses. We also hope that we can restore respect for all of our poll workers who broke necks and took risks in the beginning, and we should thank them.”

Different views on the economic balance

Mr. Biden said it was a “historic” presidency “for all Americans,” whose work Americans will continue to feel in the next decade.

“We are leaving the strongest economy in the world behind us. I know people are still feeling bad, but things are changing quickly. Together we have changed America for the better,” he said.

But earlier in the day, Donald Trump Jr. said during an appearance on Fox and Friends that Democrats are living in “some kind of vacuum that they just don't understand.”

“If you look at the failures, there is no single measure by which we are better off today than we were four years ago, economically, geopolitically or otherwise,” he said.

“We have moved from a time of peace to a time of war. We have gone from a time of prosperity to a time of poverty, and everyone feels it.”

Mr. Trump Jr. said he would be heavily involved in the transition and help select his father's Cabinet and the roughly 4,000 government positions that are politically filled.

Some of these positions are expected to be announced in the coming days.

The transition will be led by Cantor Fitzgerald CEO Howard Lutnick and Linda McMahon, a former wrestling executive who served in Trump's first term. However, a group of Trump's family and friends are expected to be involved, including Vice President-elect JD Vance.

Trump said in his victory speech that former presidential candidate and anti-vaccination and anti-fluoride activist Robert Kennedy Jr. would be tasked with “making America healthy again.” Trump has also promised to make his vocal supporter Elon Musk federal “cost-cutting” secretary.

Reuters reports that Senator Tom Cotton, previously tapped to be defense secretary, has withdrawn his candidacy.

About 1,200 positions require Senate confirmation, which will obviously be easier now that Republicans hold the Senate.

While Team Trump is busy building its future, Mr. Biden remains in the White House with a job to do.

“Now we have 74 days to finish the term, our term. Let's make every day count. That is the responsibility we have to the American people,” he said.

As he finished his speech, Mr. Biden blew a kiss to the assembled crowd before retreating back to the White House to get back to work.