President Joe Biden sought to reassure defeated Democrats on Thursday after Donald Trump’s landslide election victory, saying “setbacks are inevitable” and admitting that a resounding Republican result can be trusted.

“Failure is inevitable, but giving up is unforgivable,” Biden said in his first public comments since Election Day. “We all get knocked down, but the measure of our character, as my father would say, is how quickly we get back up.”

The president also acknowledged the legitimacy of the election result — a far cry from the hotly contested election he won in 2020 — and touted the “integrity of the American electoral system.”

“He’s honest, fair and transparent,” Biden said, “and can be trusted, win or lose.”

Biden also recapped his administration’s work during the White House Rose Garden speech.

“Much of the work we’ve done is already being felt by the American people,” he said, suggesting that most of it — including more than $1 trillion in infrastructure spending — will be felt over the next decade. “We have legislation that we’ve passed that’s just now really kicking in.”

Biden also praised Vice President Kamala Harris, saying, “She ran an inspiring campaign and everyone could see something that I learned early on to respect her character so much. He’s got a backbone like a baguette and he’s got great character, real character… he gave his heart and effort. She and the whole team should be proud of the campaign they have led.”

He also said he spoke with Trump on Wednesday once the race was officially called.

“Yesterday, I spoke with President-elect Trump to congratulate him on his victory and assured him that I would direct my entire administration to work with his team to ensure a peaceful and orderly transition,” Biden concluded. “This is what the American people deserve.”