10 people who congratulated Biden on his win before Donald Trump

The electoral college has officially announced that Joe Biden is the winner of the 2020 US presidential election.

Biden was first projected to win by pollsters in early November.

But while the majority of world leaders have congratulated the Democrat president-elect – including some Trump considered to be his allies – the Republican president refuses to do so.

Instead, he has continued to promulgate the baseless claim that the election was rigged against him, alleging widespread voter fraud.

So, here’s 10 people who have accepted Biden’s win and congratulated him for it, while Trump rants and whines on Twitter.

1. Vladimir Putin - Russia

According to a Kremlin statement, Putin has wished Biden “ever success” in office “despite differences” between the US and Russia.

He went on to say:

“On my side, I am ready for cooperation and contact with you.”

While most world leaders congratulated Biden after he was projected to be the US election’s winner in early November, Putin held out until the electoral college officially announced his victory.

2. Xi Jinping - China

In the final week of November, Chinese state media reported that Xi had congratulated Biden on his win.

A foreign ministry spokesman said:

“We respect the choice of the American people. We extend congratulations to Mr Biden and Ms Harris.”

3. Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador - Mexico

Like Putin, Mexico’s president held off commenting on Biden’s win until it was officially announced.

Obrador reportedly sent Biden a letter of congratulations.

4. Recep Tayyip Erdogan - Turkey

A senior Turkish officially initially claimed that Erdogan would wait for the electoral college’s official announcement before congratulating Biden, but he relented on 10th November.

In an official statement, he said:

“I believe that the strong cooperation and alliance between our countries will continue to contribute to world peace in the future, as it has done so far.”

5. Benjamin Netanyahu - Israel

On 8th November, Israel’s prime minister tweeted: 

"Congratulations @JoeBiden and @KamalaHarris. Joe, we’ve had a long & warm personal relationship for nearly 40 years, and I know you as a great friend of Israel. I look forward to working with both of you to further strengthen the special alliance between the U.S. and Israel."

6. Narendra Modi - India

India’s prime minister announced that he had spoken to Biden on the phone on 17th November via Twitter.

“Spoke to US President-elect @JoeBiden on phone to congratulate him. We reiterated our firm commitment to the Indo-US strategic partnership and discussed our shared priorities and concerns - Covid-19 pandemic, climate change, and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific Region.”

7. Boris Johnson - UK

On 7th November, Johnson put out a statement saying:

“Congratulations to Joe Biden on his election as President of the United States and to Kamala Harris on her historic achievement.”

Because of an unfortunate “technical error”, Trump’s name was faintly visible beneath Biden’s.

8. Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud - Saudi Arabia

According to state media, Salman and his son, the de facto ruler Crown Prince Moahmmed bin Salman, extended their congratulations to Biden on 8th November.

Reports stated: 

“King Salman praised the distinguished, historic and close relations between the two friendly countries and their people which everyone looks to strengthen and develop at all levels.”

9. Scott Morrison - Australia

Australia's PM extended the offer of a visit to the country to Biden, telling reporters on 8 November:

“I look forward to inviting the president-elect to join us next year … and for us to be able to celebrate 70 years of peace and stability and security that has been established by this incredible relationship.”

10. Mitch McConnell - and other United States Republicans

The Senate majority leader said:

“The electoral college has spoken. Today I want to congratulate President-elect Joe Biden.”

Scores of other Republicans, including former president George W. Bush, have also congratulated the Democrat incumbent.

While Trump’s lack of congratulations to his opponent is particularly significant, he is not entirely alone.

Others, including North Korea’s Kim Jong-un, Brazil’s Jair Bolsonaro and Slovenia’s Janez Janša, are also yet to do so.