US President-elect Donald Trump returned triumphantly to Washington on Wednesday, pledging a smooth transition of power in January as he met for two hours at the White House with his longtime political rival, President Joe Biden, the VOA reports.

"It was a substantive meeting," White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters. "They discussed important national security and domestic policy issues facing the nation and the world."

Biden invited Trump for the traditional visit—a show of the coming January 20 peaceful transfer of power in American democracy between the current US leader and the incoming chief executive. It was Trump’s first visit to the White House since his first presidential term ended in January 2021.

The two men sat in front of a roaring fireplace in the Oval Office ahead of their private talks and traded niceties in a peaceful tableau.

“I'm looking forward to having a smooth transition and we're looking forward to talking about some of that today,” Biden said.

“Thank you very much,” Trump replied. “Politics is tough and in many cases it's not a very nice world. It is a nice world today and I appreciate very much a transition so smooth—it will be as smooth as it can get—and I very much appreciate that, Joe. Thank you.”

“You're welcome,” Biden responded.