Tipsheet

Obama 'Very Encouraged' By Trump In Their First White House Meeting

The media followed president-elect Donald Trump's plane from LaGuardia to Reagan as he headed toward his anticipated meeting with President Obama. The two met for about an hour in the Oval Office, the last time the two were in the same room since President Obama roasted Trump at the 2011 White House Correspondents dinner.

Then, the two offered remarks to the press. 

Obama said the two had an "excellent conversation," talking largely about foreign policy and domestic policy. 

Obama said he had been "very encouraged" by the interest in president-elect Trump's wanting to work with his team around many of the issues this country faces. 

"I believe that it is important for all of us to now come together, to work together to deal with the many challenges that we face." 

The president said Michelle Obama also greeted the eventual First Lady Melania Trump and they too had an excellent conversation. 

"We want to make sure they feel welcome," Obama. Most of all, he said, they want to do everything they can to make sure he succeeds, for if he succeeds, the country succeeds. 

Trump marveled at how he and Obama were only supposed to meet for 15 minutes, but they ended up talking for about an hour and a half, and it "could have been much longer," the president-elect said.

Obama shared some of the high points and difficulties that comes with the presidency, Trump shared. The president-elect said he is very much "looking forward" to his predecessor's counsel when he takes office.

Trump said it was "a great honor being with" the president and their meeting ended with a handshake.