President Donald Trump has conceded for the first time that Joe Biden will be the next US president, a day after his supporters stormed the US Capitol as Congress was certifying Biden's victory.
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Trump, who as recently as Thursday morning had continued to claim falsely that the election had been stolen from him, said that "serving as your president has been the honour of my lifetime" in a video released on Thursday evening.
Trump said he was turning his attention to a smooth and orderly transition after Congress certified the presidential election victory of Democrat Joe Biden following the storming of the US Capitol by Trump supporters.
"Now, Congress has certified the results. A new administration will be inaugurated on January 20. My focus now turns to ensuring a smooth, orderly and seamless transition of power. This moment calls for healing and reconciliation," Trump said in the video posted on Twitter.
The president condemned Wednesday's violence, saying rioters had defiled the seat of American democracy, and said his focus would now turn to ensuring a smooth transition.
The statement was a stark reversal for Trump, who has spent months insisting he prevailed in the November 3 election due to widespread fraud, despite no evidence.
Trump's remarks arrived after top Democrats called for his removal from office following Wednesday's assault.
Australian Associated Press
