How Donald Trump’s New Year’s Message Compares to Joe Biden’s

President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump have both issued messages of New Year goodwill in different ways.

Biden posted on his two X (formerly Twitter) accounts his best wishes for the holiday season, writing, “Happy New Year, folks.”

As of Wednesday morning, Trump had not posted a message on his Truth Social account but a viral video showed him telling a reporter who asked him what his New Year’s resolutions were that he wanted people “to be happy, healthy, and well.”

Newsweek has contacted the White House and the Trump team for comment.

Why it matters

This was Biden’s last New Year’s message as U.S. president. Three weeks out from his inauguration for his second presidential term on January 20, any holiday sentiment from Trump will be keenly read, as anticipation continues to build over his team taking over from the Biden administration.

What to know

A succinct message was posted on Biden’s X account at 10 a.m. Wednesday which simply said, “Happy New Year folks.”

Another message appeared on his POTUS account in which a GIF of a night sky was superimposed with the message, “Happy New Year.” Above it are the words: “Happy New Year America.”

While Trump did not immediately post a New Year’s message on Truth Social on Wednesday, a clip has gone viral of him answering a question after he arrived at his Mar-A-Lago Club in Florida for a New Year’s Eve black tie event.

A reporter asked Trump, “Have you got any New Year Resolutions for 2025?” The president-elect replied, “I just want everybody to happy, healthy and well, thank you,” before turning away. As of Wednesday morning, the brief exchange was viewed more than 238,000 times.

The New York Times reported that over 300 guests attended the party, including Tesla founder Elon Musk, Vice President-elect JD Vance and Representative Michael Waltz of Florida, who has been appointed Trump’s national security adviser.

What people are saying

President Joe Biden: “Happy New Year.”

President-elect Donald Trump, “I just want everybody to be happy, healthy, and well.”

What happens next

The president-elect will discuss strategy on New Year’s Day at his Florida estate with Speaker Mike Johnson, according to The Hill.

At the New Year’s Eve event, Trump said he was confident Johnson would hold onto his speakership, predicting that “we’re going to get a successful vote.”

Meanwhile, Trump also said on Tuesday night that he would attend the funeral of former President Jimmy Carter, ending speculation about his presence at the memorial for a predecessor he had often criticized. Trump will swear the oath of office on January 20 when his administration comes into power.