How the most recent one-term presidents handled their transitions
By Gabe Korngold ‘23
Despite nearly three months having passed since the presidential election, and a new president in office, the transition between Donald Trump and Joe Biden’s administrations is still fresh in everyone’s minds. For weeks, Trump refused to admit defeat, even though nine presidents before him lost their second campaigns. Here’s a look back at his transition, as well as the two other most recent presidents to lose reelection, and how their reactions differed from Trump’s.
Jimmy Carter (in office 1977-1981)
Foreign affairs such as the Cold War and the Iranian Hostage Crisis are likely what caused the 39th president’s reelection campaign to fail. Jimmy Carter lost the 1980 election to Ronald Reagan with a 49-489 margin.
Carter and his successor had disputes, both personally and politically. This contributed to a fair amount of turbulence during the transition, with Carter’s camp, as well as the president himself, often criticizing Reagan.
Nevertheless, these disputes were limited to hostile comments, and like his predecessors, Carter allowed Reagan to assume the presidency without letting his disapproval limit the democratic process, even as he shifted the ideology of Washington to fit his conservative background.
The two men met on several occasions, and Reagan reportedly did not wish ill upon his opponent. Reagan’s transition manager, Ed Messe, remarked, “Though he profoundly disagreed with Carter on policy issues, Reagan harbored no mean-spiritedness toward Carter.”
Like every losing candidate before him, Jimmy Carter conceded after it became clear that he had lost, albeit with a rather dry speech.
Despite a disdain for his successor, President Carter worked to ensure the peaceful transition of power that defines the democracy of the United States.
George H.W. Bush (in office 1989-1993)
The most recent one-term president lost his reelection campaign to Bill Clinton, but graciously allowed his successor to take office. In his concession speech, the senior Bush president remarked, “The people have spoken, and we respect the majesty of the democratic system. I just called Governor Clinton over in Little Rock and offered my congratulations. He did run a strong campaign. I wish him well in the White House, and I want the country to know that our entire administration will work closely with his team to ensure the smooth transition of power.”
Bush lost his election by a far greater margin than Trump, with Bill Clinton taking 370 electoral votes compared to his 168, but his diplomacy did not stop at his concession speech and transition.
As a final gesture of compassion, the 41st president wrote a letter that sat in the Oval Office awaiting the arrival of his successor. His words included advice for Clinton, saying that there will be tough times, but even then, he shouldn’t be discouraged by critics.
George H.W. Bush closed his letter with a remark of support.
“Your success now is our country's success. I am rooting hard for you,” he said. In this way, President Bush personally endorsed his successor, and therefore the democratic process.
Donald Trump (in office 2017-2021)
Donald Trump’s transition was something never seen before in American politics. His baseless voter fraud claims persisted throughout the process, and for several weeks, he refused to provide aid to Joe Biden’s incoming administration.
His refusal to leave office culminated in a raid by his supporters on the United States Capitol on Jan. 6 during the formal certification of ballots in Congress. Five people, including a Capitol Police officer, were killed in the ensuing violence, and while the vote was eventually ratified that night, the event shook the nation to its core.
In the aftermath, President Trump was temporarily banned on Facebook and permanently banned on Twitter. Parler, an unmoderated platform used heavily by his followers, was taken offline by Amazon Web Services. He also underwent impeachment a second time, with the House of Representatives voting to impeach and the Senate expected to begin the trial for his conviction the week of Feb. 8.
While there have been turbulent transitions in the past, none compare to Trump’s attempt at undermining the democratic process. His consequences are still unclear, but with a looming post-presidential impeachment trial and multiple potential charges, the next few years may be a legal nightmare for Trump.