‘Best speech of his life’: Social media reacts to Joe Biden’s victory speech

Sports stars and former politicians among those to applaud president-elect’s words

Celebrities, politicians and members of the public are among those who have praised Joe Biden’s first speech as president-elect, with some calling it the best he has ever made.

Former vice-president Biden, who delivered his victory speech from his hometown of Wilmington, Delaware, on Saturday evening, urged Americans to come together and “restore the soul of America”.

"It's time to put away the harsh rhetoric, to lower the temperature, to see each other again, to listen to each other again, to make progress. We must stop treating our opponents as our enemy," he said.

His conciliatory words were widely lauded on social media, where commentators commended the speech for its unifying message.

Earvin Magic Johnson, one of the most successful basketball players of all time, was among them. “It had everything the American people needed to hear at this time,” he tweeted.

Echoing this sentiment, former Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd said it was “a great and healing speech”, while former Tory MP Rory Stewart thanked Mr Biden for a “beautiful speech” that was “deeply reassuring and profoundly needed”.

Many social media users, including the British journalist Piers Morgan – who as recently as last week called himself a “friend” of president Donald Trump – described it as the best oration of Mr Biden’s career.

He also received praise for mentioning transgender people in his remarks, the first time a president-elect has done so in a victory speech.

Mr Biden and his running mate Kamala Harris, who is the first woman to ever be elected as vice president, will be sworn into office on 20 January, 2021.

As part of the 10-week transition period, Mr Biden will name a team of scientists and experts on Monday to work on a plan for the country’s coronavirus strategy.