Donald Trump Reveals Exclusively to The Post What He and Biden Spoke About at DC Meeting
In an exclusive interview with The Post, former President Donald Trump opened up about his private conversation with President Joe Biden during a recent meeting in Washington, D.C. The rare interaction between the two political giants—who have maintained a heated rivalry since the 2020 election—has been the subject of intense speculation and interest among both political observers and the public. In this candid conversation, Trump reflects on what was discussed, offering an insider’s look at the dynamics of one of the most unusual encounters in modern American politics.
Trump, who rarely speaks with the media about his interactions with Biden, provided a detailed account of their conversation. While the two men have long been at odds, with Biden defeating Trump in a contentious 2020 presidential race and Trump continuing to stoke controversy over the legitimacy of the election, their meeting in Washington was set against a backdrop of unusual civility.
The meeting, which took place at a bipartisan event in Washington, was ostensibly about honoring the late Senator John McCain—a figure who transcended party lines and represented a model of bipartisanship in the Senate. McCain, who passed away in 2018, was widely respected across the political spectrum, and the event provided a rare opportunity for political leaders from both parties to come together. It was during this event that Biden and Trump found themselves in the same room, exchanging a brief but significant conversation.
Here, Trump speaks candidly with The Post about what transpired during their private exchange.
A Tense but Civil Meeting
Trump begins by recalling the atmosphere of the meeting, describing it as “cordial, but not exactly warm.” According to Trump, both men were aware of the tensions that have defined their public relationship, but they seemed to understand the gravity of the moment—an occasion to honor a political figure whose legacy was built on civility and bipartisanship.
“We’re not friends, obviously,” Trump says with his characteristic bluntness. “But this wasn’t about me and Joe. It was about McCain, who was someone we both respected, even if we didn’t always agree with him. The whole event was about honoring that kind of leadership.”
Trump notes that, while there was an underlying tension in the room due to the political rivalry between him and Biden, it didn’t dominate the conversation. “We both understood that we had to put our differences aside for a second,” he adds. “McCain would’ve wanted that.”
The Conversation: A Mix of Politics and Personal Reflections
The conversation between Trump and Biden, according to Trump, was brief but layered with nuances. “We spoke for maybe five minutes, but in those five minutes, a lot of ground was covered,” he tells The Post. Trump says that much of their dialogue revolved around their shared experiences in the White House and the state of the nation.
“I asked him how things were going,” Trump recalls. “And I think he appreciated that. It’s funny, I didn’t expect him to open up, but he did.” Trump suggests that Biden shared some of his frustrations about the ongoing challenges in Washington, including the partisan gridlock and the constant media scrutiny.
“He didn’t say much about the issues we disagree on—thankfully, I wasn’t looking to get into that,” Trump says, with a slight laugh. “But he did talk a little about how tough it is to lead the country right now. I think we both agreed that things have gotten really ugly in Washington. He mentioned how the atmosphere is so toxic now.”
Trump, who has often criticized Biden for his handling of the economy, immigration, and foreign policy, says the conversation didn’t delve into specific policy matters. “It wasn’t the time for that,” he explains. “We were there for McCain, not to argue about tariffs or healthcare.”
Instead, Trump recalls, the dialogue turned more personal. Biden, who has often spoken about the loss of his son, Beau, and the struggles he faced in his personal life, briefly opened up about the toll of being president at an older age. “He’s had a lot of loss in his life, and I think he was just being real for a minute,” Trump says, his tone shifting. “We both understand what it’s like to deal with that kind of pressure. Being president, you don’t get a break.”
Trump, who has faced his own share of personal and political challenges—especially regarding his contentious time in office, two impeachments, and the ongoing investigations into his post-presidency—acknowledged that their shared understanding of public scrutiny allowed them to briefly relate to each other on a human level.
“It was a moment of mutual recognition,” Trump says. “We’re both in the arena. We both know how hard it is. So, for a second, it wasn’t about being Republicans or Democrats, it was about two men who’ve been through the wringer.”
Biden’s “Welcome Back” Moment
One of the most talked-about aspects of their meeting was Biden’s comment, “Welcome back,” which was seen as a surprising moment of civility between the two men. Many commentators, including Trump’s critics, interpreted it as a moment of magnanimity on Biden’s part, signaling his ability to rise above the bitterness of their rivalry.
Trump, however, interprets the remark differently. “It was a nice thing to say, and I think it caught people off guard,” he acknowledges. “But to be honest, it wasn’t as big a deal to me as the media made it out to be. He said it, I acknowledged it. It’s just two men who’ve had some history and are dealing with the moment.”
Trump adds that he did not take the remark as anything more than a courteous gesture, rather than an overture for reconciliation. “We’re not going to be pals. We’re not going to have tea at the White House,” he says. “But I think there’s a level of respect there, even if we don’t agree.”
Reflections on McCain’s Legacy and Bipartisanship
Trump admits that one of the more significant aspects of the meeting was the reminder of McCain’s legacy, which, despite their differences, both men recognized. “McCain was a fighter. He fought for what he believed in, but he also knew when to reach across the aisle,” Trump reflects. “Even though we didn’t always see eye to eye, I respected that about him. He was a true patriot, and he didn’t let party loyalty blind him.”
For Trump, the moment with Biden underscored the lost art of bipartisanship in today’s political climate. “It’s hard to imagine that kind of cooperation today. Things have gotten so polarized. But at that moment, you could almost feel what McCain stood for. It was a reminder of how much we need that back in our politics.”
Trump’s Final Thoughts on the Encounter
As the interview comes to a close, Trump reflects on the broader implications of the encounter. He emphasizes that, while political divisions remain as deep as ever, it’s moments like this one that give hope to the idea that civility and mutual respect can still play a role in American politics. “Look, we’re always going to disagree on policy. That’s part of the game,” he says. “But what McCain represented—what we saw that day—was something bigger. It was a reminder that we can disagree without being enemies. And maybe, just maybe, that’s something we need to hold onto.”
In this rare moment of candor, Trump offers a glimpse into a conversation that, despite its brevity, sheds light on the complexity of the relationship between him and Biden. While the nation may continue to be divided, moments like these—however fleeting—serve as reminders of the shared history and humanity that can occasionally break through the partisan noise.
