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President Biden is ending his tenure in the White House on a “sad” note after “lying to the nation” and hailed a cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas during his farewell address Wednesday in evening, one The Trump transition official said.
“Joe Biden is leaving sad. Lying to the nation trying to take credit for a deal that all sides credit President Trump with making happen. Biden has had over a year to secure his release of these hostages and the peace. It failed. Trump succeeded,” 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 guarantees the release of hostages.
Biden delivered his final address to the nation on Wednesday evening, where he took a victory lap for the ceasefire in his opening remarks.
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 residence of 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 am speaking to you tonight from the Oval Office. Before we begin, let me talk about some important news today. After eight months of non-stop negotiations, my administration, by my administration, a cease-fire, and Israel and Hamas have reached a hostage agreement, the elements of which I laid out 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 address 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 incoming administration. That’s why I told my team to keep the incoming administration fully informed, because that’s how it should be, working together as Americans,” he continued. .
Former US President Donald Trump (left) shakes hands with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (right) as they pose for a photo during their meeting at the Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, USA , on July 26, 2024. (Amos Ben-Gershom (GPO) / Brochure/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Credit for reaching the deal, however, was bolstered 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 would have played a key role in the deal.
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Netanyahu also thanked Trump on Wednesday “for his assistance in advancing the release of the hostages.”
“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke this evening with the President-elect of the United States, Donald Trump, and thanked him for his assistance in advancing the release of the hostages and in helping Israel end the suffering of dozens of hostages and their families”, explained the official Prime Minister. Minister of Account of Israel X published.
Israel’s Iron Dome anti-missile system intercepts rockets, as seen from Ashkelon, Israel, on October 1, 2024. (REUTERS/Amir Cohen)
“The Prime Minister made it clear that he is committed to returning all hostages as he can, and commended the US president-elect for his statements that the US would work with Israel to ensure that Gaza is never a safe haven for terrorism “
The X account later added: “Prime Minister Netanyahu later spoke with US President Joe Biden and also thanked him for his help in advancing the hostage deal.”
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Asked who the history books would remember for upholding the cease-fire agreement early Wednesday, Biden rejected the suggestion that Trump and his team led the effort.
“Who in the history books gets credit for this, Mr. President, you or Trump?” Fox News’ Jacqui Heinrich asked Biden at Wednesday afternoon’s White House press conference.
“Is this a joke?” replied the president.
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“Oh. Thanks,” Biden replied when Heinrich said it wasn’t a joke, then walked away.
