United States President, Donald Trump not conceding defeat in the just-concluded election is an embarrassment, newly elected President Joe Biden said, asserting that his transition plans have remained unaffected by this and that he has started talking to world leaders.

Biden commented that the refusal of Trump to accept his defeat will leave a bad mark on his legacy. Trump has declined to concede defeat in the closely-fought November 3 presidential race to Democrat Biden and is mounting legal fights in several states, but there has been no evidence of voter irregularities or widespread fraud in the election which has been billed as one of the most divisive and bitter in recent American history.

“At the end of the day, you know, it’s all going to come to fruition on January 20,” Biden said, referring to inauguration day. “Between now and then my hope and expectation are that the American people do know and do understand that there has been a transition. Even among Republicans, who voted for the president, I understand the sense of loss. I get that”, he further added.

Biden hoped that those who voted for him and those who voted for Trump would come together. He added, “A significantly smaller number, but a lot voted for him. I think they understand that we have to come together. I think they are ready to unite and I believe we can pull the country out of this bitter politics that we have seen for the last five, six, and seven years.”

The President-elect said that he has already begun the transition and that he has announced his COVID-19 advisory board. Senior officials in Trump-administration told the Daily Beast that the president’s refusal to concede could prolong the coronavirus pandemic and lead to more American deaths. The coronavirus task force under Trump has not been allowed to talk to President-elect Biden’s team. The officials told the Daily Beast that without close coordination between the current and incoming administrations, there could be significant delays in rolling out a coronavirus vaccine to the public.

Public-health experts have been optimistic about Biden’s presidency and have recently told Business Insider that his leadership could bring a smoother vaccine rollout and an overall decline in cases.

Referring to the congratulatory calls that he has had so far with six world leaders, Biden said that the response has been very fulsome, energetic and that they are all looking forward to having a great relationship with the US, from Great Britain to France to Germany to Canada, and Ireland and others.

On Wednesday, President Donald Trump and President-elect Joe Biden both marked Veterans Day by paying tribute to the nation’s fallen military heroes at somber wreath-laying ceremonies. Trump, making his first public appearance in days, participated in the laying of a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in a rainy Arlington National Cemetery. He made no remarks, but touched the wreath and saluted as taps were played.

Biden, meanwhile, appeared to be wearing two masks as he laid a wreath at Philadelphia’s Korean War Memorial. The president-elect was accompanied by his wife, Dr. Jill Biden, who also wore a mask. Biden did not speak at the brief ceremony.

The author is a student member of Amity Centre of Happiness