Trump calls Obama 'a very good man' after historic White House meeting
Meeting between Obama and Trump lasted roughly 90 minutesTrump is also meeting with congressional leaders
President Barack Obama welcomed President-elect Donald Trump to the White House Thursday, as both men put past antagonisms aside in a time honored ritual epitomizing the peaceful transfer of political power.
Three days after mocking Trump as not fit to control the codes needed to launch nuclear weapons, Obama told his successor that he wanted him to succeed and would do everything he could to ensure a smooth transition.
Trump, who spent years pursuing Obama over false claims he is not a natural-born American and accused him of being the founder of ISIS on the campaign trail, called Obama a "very good man" and said he would seek his counsel in future.
The extraordinary meeting was a reflection of the swift and sudden change in the political mood between the frenzied last days of an election campaign and the reality of government and the transition of power between to administrations that follows.
"My No. 1 priority in the next two months is to try to facilitate a transition that ensures our President-elect is successful," Obama said
Obama told Trump: "If you succeed, the country succeeds," as the two men sat in high-backed chairs in front of the fireplace in the Oval Office.
Trump thanked Obama for the meeting which he said had originally been scheduled for 10 minutes and went on for 90.
"Mr President, it was a great honor being with you and I look forward to being with you many, many more times," Trump said, adding that he and Obama had spoken about some wonderful and difficult things and "some high-flying assets."
It was not immediately clear about what he meant.
The President-elect also said he would seek "counsel" from Obama.
As the pool of reporters were led out, Trump told them several times that Obama was "a very good man."
It comes with many Americans, especially Democrats and liberals, still in disbelief and shock at Trump's victory over Hillary Clinton on Tuesday, after the most vicious and unconventional campaign in modern history.
The meeting, and Trump's stern demeanor, also underscored how the heavy burden of the presidency begins to settle on the shoulders of a president-elect. In Trump's case, that process will be especially challenging giving that he will be the first president elected with not political, diplomatic or military executive experience.
Smooth transition
It is also clear that Obama's determination to facilitate a smooth and effective transition, like the one he was provided by outgoing President George W. Bush, is a reflection of his desire not to permit any animosity towards Trump from he or his staff that would detract from his own legacy in the final days of his presidency.
The temporary truce between the White House and Trump and his Republican Party however obscures the deep shock, and disquiet about Trump and his temperament inside the White House and among Democrats.
Still, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said that given the history between them, the meeting between Obama and Trump in which they were alone in the Oval Office, was "a little less awkward" than might be expected and they did not recreate some kind of presidential debate during the talks over their stark political differences.
While Trump and Obama met, first lady Michelle Obama spent time with Trump's wife, Melania.
Trump's first visit to Washington began as the President-elect began around 10:30 a.m. when the plane emblazoned with his last name landed at Reagan National Airport, marking a new beginning for America.
Trump went to meet House Speaker Paul Ryan on Capitol Hill after the White House visit and will also see Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell while in town. Vice President-elect Mike Pence will meet Vice President JoeBiden.
Culled from CNN
