Joe Biden, the president-elect of the United States, says the refusal of US President Donald Trump to accept defeat is “an embarrassment”.
Biden stated this while addressing journalists in Wilmington, Delaware, on Tuesday when asked by a reporter what he thought of Trump’s refusal to concede.
“I just think it’s an embarrassment, quite frankly,” he said.
“The only thing that, how can I say this tactfully, I think it will not help the president’s legacy.”
Although global media organisations such as CNN, NBC, the BBC and Associated Press have declared Biden winner of the election, Trump has refused to accept defeat, and has insisted that he will challenge the result.
In a tweet earlier on Wednesday, Trump had written: “People will not accept this rigged election!”
Trump, who had declared himself winner of the election “by a wide margin”, had, over the weekend, faulted Biden for “rushing to falsely pose as the winner”.
“The simple fact is this election is far from over. Joe Biden has not been certified as the winner of any states, let alone any of the highly contested states headed for mandatory recounts, or states where our campaign has valid and legitimate legal challenges that could determine the ultimate victor,” the statement read.
However, world leaders, including President Muhammadu Buhari, have congratulated Biden on his victory.
Meanwhile, according to CBS news, the General Services Administration, which is responsible for coordinating funding and access to federal agencies for incoming administrations, is yet to recognise Biden as the president-elect.
“GSA and its Administrator will continue to abide by, and fulfill, all requirements under the law and adhere to prior precedent established by the Clinton Administration in 2000,” a spokesperson for GSA was quoted as saying in a statement published -CBS News