Remarks on First Meeting with President-Elect Donald Trump

The remarks delivered by President Barack Obama and President-elect Donald Trump on November 10, 2016, at the White House in Washington, D.C., highlight their first meeting following the presidential election. They discuss their conversation, express willingness to work together, and emphasize the importance of a smooth transition of power for the success of the country.

Want to learn more about storytelling? Start by downloading the first chapter of The Storytelling Mastery.

President Obama:  Well, I just had the opportunity to have an excellent conversation with President-elect Trump.  It was wide-ranging.  We talked about some of the organizational issues in setting up the White House.  We talked about foreign policy.  We talked about domestic policy.  And as I said last night, my number-one priority in the coming two months is to try to facilitate a transition that ensures our President-elect is successful. 

And I have been very encouraged by the, I think, interest in President — President-elect Trump’s wanting to work with my team around many of the issues that this great country faces.  And I believe that it is important for all of us, regardless of party and regardless of political preferences, to now come together, work together, to deal with the many challenges that we face.

To learn more, see the full series: Barack Obama Speeches.

And in the meantime, Michelle has had a chance to greet the incoming First Lady.  And we had an excellent conversation with her as well, and we want to make sure that they feel welcome as they prepare to make this transition. 

And most of all, I want to emphasize to you, Mr. President-elect, that we now are going to want to do everything we can to help you succeed — because if you succeed, then the country succeeds.

This might interest you: Presidential Election Outcome Address

Please, Mr. Trump.

President-Elect Trump:  Well, thank you very much, President Obama.  This was a meeting that was going to last for maybe 10 or 15 minutes, and we were just going to get to know each other.  We had never met each other.  I have great respect.  The meeting lasted for almost an hour and a half.  And it could have — as far as I’m concerned, it could — could have gone on for a lot longer.

You might also like Address at the Dedication of the National Museum of African-American History

We really — We discussed a lot of different situations, some wonderful and some difficulties.  I very much look forward to dealing with the President in the future, including counsel.  He’s — He explained some of the difficulties, some of the — the high-flying assets and some of the — some of the really great things that have been achieved. 

So, Mr. President, it was a great honor being with you, and I look forward to being with you many, many more times in the future.

See also: Shimon Peres Memorial Service Address

President Obama: Sure. All right.President-Elect Trump: Thank you, sir.

Want to learn more about storytelling? Start by downloading the first chapter of The Storytelling Mastery.