Obama, Trump discuss transition of power at White House meeting

President Obama has held a meeting with president-elect Donald Trump at the White House to discuss a range of domestic and foreign policy issues. The meeting – the first between the two – last over an hour and a half.

Obama, who campaigned heavily for Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton and who was very critical of the rhetoric used by the Trump campaign, said that it was important for country to now get behind the Trump and to ensure that he does well.

Speaking to the press afterwards, Obama said that he and his team will do everything in their power to ensure a smooth transition of power.

“As I said last night, my number one priority in the next two months is to try to facilitate a transition that ensures our President-elect is successful and I have been very encouraged by the interest by the President-elect Trump’s wanting to work with my team around many of the issues that this great country faces. I believe that it is important for all regardless of party and regardless of political preferences to now come together, work together to deal with the many challenges we face,” said Obama.

Trump said that he has a great deal of respect for the president and expressed a desire to work with his team in order to ensure a smooth transition. He also said that the President had informed him of some of the 'great things' he achieved, a statement likely to not go down well with a number of Trump's supporters. 

“[The meeting] went on for an hour-and-a-half and as far as I’m concerned it could have gone on longer”, said Trump of the meeting.

He said that the two discussed many different situations, ‘some wonderful and some difficulties’, adding that he looked forward to dealing with the President in future.

The president-elect was accompanied by his wife, Melania, who had a meeting with First Lady Michelle Obama.

Following the meeting, Trump is scheduled to meet the speaker of the House, Paul Ryan, on Capitol Hill