Kevin Lamarque/Reuters
President Obama said he and Donald Trump had an “excellent” meeting in the Oval Office on Thursday, and pledged to work with the president-elect in order to ensure a smooth transition. Speaking with reporters after the meeting, Obama also said first lady Michelle Obama met with incoming first lady Melania Trump. “I have been very encouraged by the interest in President-elect Trump’s wanting to work with my team around many of the issues that this great country faces,” he added. “If you succeed, then the country succeeds,” Obama said to Trump.
Trump said the meeting was supposed to last just 10 or 15 minutes, but they instead met for 90 minutes. “I very much look forward to dealing with the president in the future, including counsel,” he said. Trump called Obama “a very good man,” and said he has “great respect” for him.