Elections

Obama Calls To Congratulate Trump, Invites Him To White House

REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

Daily Caller News Foundation logo
Steve Birr Vice Reporter
Font Size:

President Barack Obama called Donald Trump early Wednesday morning to congratulate him on his stunning victory over former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Obama invited Trump to a meeting at the White House Thursday to discuss the upcoming transition of power with the man he repeatedly called “unfit” for the office.

Trump missed Obama’s first phone call while he was speaking with supporters in New York, but called him back after leaving the stage. Obama will give a televised address Wednesday reacting to the news and will focus on “what steps we can take as a country to come together after this hard-fought election season,” according to NBC Washington.

Trump repeatedly pledged throughout the campaign to undo much of Obama’s policies from the last eight years. Campaign supporters note that the election is as much a rebuke of Obama as a defeat of Clinton.

“Ensuring a smooth transition of power is one of the top priorities the president identified at the beginning of the year and a meeting with the president-elect is the next step,” Josh Earnest, White House press secretary, said in a statement.

Obama also called Clinton early Wednesday to compliment her on her campaign and to “express admiration” for the former secretary of state. It is unclear how long Obama and Trump spoke, but campaign officials said it was a respectful and gracious discussion.

Follow Steve on Twitter

All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.