“Now Congress has certified the results, a new administration will be inaugurated on January 20th,” Trump said in the video message.
“My focus now turns to ensuring a smooth, orderly and seamless transition of power. This moment calls for healing and reconciliation.”
Trump released a statement earlier in the day acknowledging Biden would be the next president but this was the first time he had recognised this fact on camera.
Trump’s message represented a dramatic shift from the previous day when he addressed supporters near the White House, saying: “We will never concede…You don’t concede when there’s theft involved.”
Since the assault on the Capitol, Trump has faced fierce condemnation from Republicans, as well as Democrats, for encouraging his supporters to fight to overturn Biden’s victory.
In the video Trump said: “The demonstrators who infiltrated the Capitol have defiled the seat of American democracy.
“To those who engaged in the acts of violence and destruction, you do not represent our country. And to those who broke the law: you will pay.”
Trump said that while many Americans feel angry about the election “tempers must be cooled and calm restored”.
“We must get on with the business of America,” he said.
Pulling back from his previous claims of systematic election fraud, Trump said only that he believed election laws should be reformed to give Americans more trust in the accuracy of the results.
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Earlier in the day Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called for Trump to be removed under the 25th amendment – which allows his cabinet to appoint Vice-President Mike Pence to fill his place.
If Trump isn’t removed, Pelosi said the House may move forward with a second impeachment accusing Trump of inciting violence.
A police officer who defended the Capitol Building during the riots died on Friday (AEDT), taking the total death count to five.
More to come
Matthew Knott is North America correspondent for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.
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