President Biden is ending his term in the White House on a “sad” note after “lying to the nation” and taking credit for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas during his farewell address on Wednesday evening, a Trump’s transition official said.
“Joe Biden leaves sad. Lying to the nation in an attempt to take credit for a deal that all parties credit President Trump with brokering. Biden has had more than a year to secure the release of these hostages and peace. He failed. Trump passed,” a Trump transition official told Fox News Digital on Wednesday evening.
War has been raging in the Middle East since October 2023, with Israel and Hamas reaching a ceasefire deal on Wednesday that also guaranteed the release of hostages.
Biden delivered his final address to the nation on Wednesday evening, taking a victory lap for the ceasefire in his opening statement.
Left: President Joe Biden delivers remarks on the latest developments in Syria from the Roosevelt Room of the White House on December 8, 2024 in Washington, DC; Right: President-elect Donald Trump reacts during his meeting with Prince William, Prince of Wales, at the Embassy of the United Kingdom Residence on December 7, 2024 in Paris, France. (Left: Pete Marovich/Getty Images; Right: Oleg Nikishin/Getty Images)
“My fellow Americans, I address you tonight from the Oval Office. Before I start, I just want to comment on some important news from earlier today. After eight months of non-stop negotiations, my government – through my government – reached a ceasefire and a hostage agreement was reached between Israel and Hamas, the elements of which I detailed in May this year. Biden said.
President Joe Biden speaks from the Oval Office of the White House as he delivers his farewell address on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, in Washington. (Mandel Ngan/Pool via AP)
“This plan was developed and negotiated by my team, and will be largely implemented by the new administration. That’s why I told my team to keep the new administration fully informed because that’s how it should be, working together as Americans,” he continued. .
Former US President Donald Trump (L) shakes hands with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) as they pose for a photo during their meeting at the Mar-a-Lago estate, in Palm Beach, Florida, United States on July 26 2024. (Amos Ben-Gershom (GPO) / Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images)
However, credit for reaching the agreement was boosted by the incoming Trump administration, according to sources who told Fox Digital that a recent meeting between Trump’s incoming Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly played a crucial role in the deal would have played.
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Netanyahu also thanked Trump on Wednesday for “his help in promoting the release of the hostages.”
“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke tonight with newly elected US President Donald Trump and thanked him for his help in promoting the release of the hostages and for helping Israel end the suffering of dozens of hostages and their families ”, said the official Prime Minister. Minister of Israel X account posted.
Israel’s Iron Dome anti-missile system intercepts missiles, seen from Ashkelon, Israel, October 1, 2024. (REUTERS/Amir Cohen)
“The Prime Minister made clear his determination to return all hostages however he can, and praised the US President-elect for his comments that the US would work with Israel to ensure Gaza never becomes a haven for terrorism . “
The X Account later added: “Prime Minister Netanyahu then spoke with US President Joe Biden and also thanked him for his help in advancing the hostage deal.”
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When asked who the history books would remember for standing up for the ceasefire earlier Wednesday, Biden balked at the suggestion that Trump and his team would spearhead the effort.
“Who in the history books will get the credit for this, Mr. President, you or Trump?” Fox News’ Jacqui Heinrich asked Biden at the White House news conference Wednesday afternoon.
“Is that a joke?” the president replied.
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“Oh. Thank you,” Biden responded when Heinrich said it wasn’t a joke, then walked away.
