U.S. President Joe Biden is scheduled to address the nation on Thursday following a significant election loss for his Democratic Party to Republican Donald Trump. 

Biden’s sudden departure from the race in July, fueled by concerns over his mental acuity, shook the political landscape, prompting Democrats to swiftly nominate Vice President Kamala Harris as their candidate. The White House announced that Biden will speak at 11 a.m. (1600 GMT).

Trump’s campaign announced that Biden had extended an invitation for him to visit the White House, though no specific time was provided. In the coming weeks, Trump will begin selecting key personnel for his administration.

On Wednesday, Harris reached out to supporters who had hoped she would make history as the first female president. Alongside Biden, she pledged to support Trump’s transition leading up to his inauguration on Jan. 20, while encouraging Democrats to remain steadfast in advocating for their values.

Some Democrats worried that the result of the Tuesday’s presidential election showed that their values – left-leaning, socially liberal – were now firmly a minority among Americans in a divisive campaign. 

Others were frustrated with the party’s leadership, who they said had lost touch with much of the electorate who wanted help with the rising cost of living.

Trump’s victory, surprisingly decisive after opinion polls that had showed a neck-and-neck contest, underscored how disenchanted Americans had become with the economy – in particular inflation – border security and the direction of the country and its culture.

Source: Reuters