Joe Biden Has Strong Words For Donald Trump On His Refusal To Concede

Weeks after the 2020 presidential election, it's clear that Joe Biden is the winner. President Donald Trump has refused to concede, though, and is continuing to allege voter fraud even though experts agree there is no evidence of widespread fraud. Biden, who is working towards a peaceful transition of power, is encouraging the president to cooperate.

Biden warned of the consequences of Trump continuing to fight the election results. Per the Associated Press, Biden and Trump have yet to coordinate on a vaccine distribution plan although several COVID-19 vaccine trials are looking promising and a vaccine may be ready soon. The lack of cooperation from Trump could have lethal consequences, said Biden.

"More people may die if we don't coordinate," he warned in a speech on November 16 (via People). "And so it's important that it be done — that there be coordination now. Now, or as rapidly as we can get that done."

Former First Lady Michelle Obama has also spoken out about the need for Trump to accept the results of the election. In a strongly worded post on Instagram, she penned a powerful message asking not just Trump but all Americans to recognize the importance of cooperating with the transition. "Our love of country requires us to respect the results of an election even when we don't like them or wish it had gone differently — the presidency doesn't belong to any one individual or any one party. To pretend that it does, to play along with these groundless conspiracy theories—whether for personal or political gain—is to put our country's health and security in danger. This isn't a game."

Obama urged the country, "especially our nation's leaders" to accept the election results and "to honor the electoral process and do your part to encourage a smooth transition of power, just as sitting presidents have done throughout our history."