President Obama, President-Elect Trump Meet at The White House For 91 Minutes

The two men ended the improbable and historic White House encounter with a handshake and refused to take questions, appearing to find common cause in their opinion of the press.

The two sat side-by-side and President Obama emphasizes that they’re going to do everything they can to help the President-elect to succeed “cause if Trump succeeds, then the nation succeeds”. Obama said he was “encouraged” by the wide-ranging conversation the pair had, adding that it’s important “we call come together” to face the challenges America faces.

“Mr President it was a great honour meeting with you and I look forward to meeting with you many many times in the future”.

Emphasising that Barack Obama would be the President until January 20, Earnest said the administration would ensure that these policies are successfully implemented and carried forward under the Trump administration.

The president-elect was accompanied to the White House by his wife, Melania, who held talks with First Lady Michelle Obama.

On leaving the White House, Trump traveled to Capitol Hill for meetings with Republican congressional leaders.

White House chief of staff Denis McDonough was spotted with Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, in the Rose Garden during the meeting. Trump’s entire campaign was based on setting up sweeping and robust us-vs. -them dichotomies, on promising retribution for his rivals and groups deemed “un-American”, and on breaking countless democratic and political norms.

“Look, the president’s views haven’t changed”, Earnest said.

Meanwhile, in a thank you note to Hillary’s supporters, Clinton Campaign Manager Robby Mook said there is no doubt that there are many hard days ahead for the USA and the world.

It was unclear how substantive Obama’s call was with Trump, or how long it lasted, although the White House noted that Obama placed the call from his residence in the White House, rather than from the West Wing.

After the 2008 election, President Barack Obama and the first lady stood for photos with President George W. Bush and first lady Laura Bush at the White House.

Trump praised Obama after the meeting between the pair. “It’s really bad being arrogant when you don’t know what you’re talking about”, Obama said.

He’ll attend an Asia economic summit in Peru, and while in Lima will also meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Australian Prime Minster Malcolm Turnbull. Security fences were erected around Trump’s new hotel in Washington, just blocks from the White House, and around New York’s Trump Tower as students protested his election. They claimed to represent the 58% of Americans who, according to what respondents told pollsters on Election Day, were concerned or scared of a Trump presidency, and the 62% who considered him unfit for the office. “It’s going to require some cooperation with Congress and that won’t be easy”, Earnest added.