President Obama revealed Monday that he encouraged President-elect Trump to reach out to groups he may have offended during the election in order to signal “unity” at a time when Americans face unprecedented division.
“I did say to him, because of the nature of the campaigns and the bitterness and veracity of the campaigns, that it’s really important to send some signals of unity and to reach out to minority groups or women that are concerned about the tenor of the campaign,” Obama told reporters during a White House press conference.
“I think that’s something that he will want to do, but that is all happening real fast,” the president added.
Trump and Obama met for the first time at the White House last Thursday, after which Obama said he would ensure a smooth transition for his Republican successor. The president is said to be planning additional meetings with Trump before his administration takes over Jan. 20 and Trump previously said he hoped the president would offer his “counsel” periodically throughout his own presidency.
“It was a free-flowing and I think useful conversation,” Obama said of his conversation with Trump. “I tried to be as honest as I could about the things I think any president needs to think about.”
“Probably the most important point I made was about how you staff … that ultimately the president is going to be the final decision maker,” he said, adding that he has been “blessed by having some of the smartest, hardest working people in my administration.”
