A Trump transition official said President Biden ended his term in the White House on a “sad note” after “lying to the nation” and taking credit for the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas during his farewell speech on Wednesday evening.
“Joe Biden walks out sad. Lying to the nation trying to take credit for a deal that all sides credit President Trump for achieving. Biden had more than a year to secure the release of these hostages and peace. He failed. Trump succeeded,” an official said. Trump’s transition to Fox News Digital on Wednesday evening.
War has raged in the Middle East since October 2023, with Israel and Hamas reaching a ceasefire agreement on Wednesday that also guarantees the release of hostages.
Biden delivered his final address to the nation on Wednesday evening, praising the ceasefire in his opening remarks.
Biden takes sole credit for Israel-Hamas deal, warns of ‘oligarchy’ threat to democracy in farewell speech
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, D.C.; Right: President-elect Donald Trump reacts during his meeting with Prince William, Prince of Wales at the United Kingdom Embassy on December 7, 2024 in Paris, France. (Left: Pete Marovich/Getty Images; Right: Oleg Nikishin/Getty Images)
“My fellow Americans, I speak to you tonight from the Oval Office. Before I begin, let me address important news from earlier today. After eight months of sustained negotiations, my administration – by my administration – has reached a ceasefire and ceasefire.” . “The hostage agreement between Israel and Hamas was reached, the details of which I presented in great detail in May of this year,” Biden said.
President Joe Biden speaks from the Oval Office of the White House as he delivers his farewell speech Wednesday, January 15, 2025, in Washington. (Mandel Ngan/Pool via AP)
He continued: “This plan was developed and negotiated by my team, and will be largely implemented by the incoming administration. That is why I have asked my team to keep the incoming administration fully informed, because this is how it should be, working together as Americans.” . .
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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 Resort, in Palm Beach, Florida, US on July 26, 2024. (Amos Ben Gershom (GPO) / Bulletin / Anadolu via Getty Images)
However, credit for reaching the agreement has been extended by the incoming Trump administration, according to sources who told Fox Digital that a recent meeting between Trump’s new Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu played a pivotal role in the deal.
Fox News gets an inside look at the IDF’s war against Hamas
Netanyahu also thanked Trump on Wednesday for “helping advance the hostage release.”
“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke this evening with US President-elect Donald Trump and thanked him for his help in advancing the hostage release process and helping Israel put an end to the suffering of dozens of hostages and their families.” Publication of the account of Israel’s Minister X.
Israel’s Iron Dome anti-missile system intercepts rockets as seen from Ashkelon, Israel, October 1, 2024. (Reuters/Amir Cohen)
“The Prime Minister has made clear that he is committed to returning all hostages in any way possible, and he praised the US President-elect for his statements that the United States will work with Israel to ensure that Gaza will never be 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 pushing forward the hostage deal.”
Reaching a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas and releasing the hostages: “The Americans will be part of that”
When asked who would be remembered in the history books for championing the ceasefire agreement earlier Wednesday, Biden rejected the suggestion that Trump and his team led the effort.
He asked, “Who in the history books has the credit for this, Mr. President, you or Trump?” Fox News’ Jackie Heinrich asked Biden at the White House news conference Wednesday afternoon.
“Is this a joke?” The president replied.
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When Heinrich said it wasn’t a joke, Biden responded, “Oh. Thank you,” and then walked away.