Obama: ‘We are all rooting for Trump’s success’

US President Barack Obama spoke to a sense of shock among Democrats.

“Yesterday I said the sun would come up in the morning. That’s one bit of prognosticating that actually came true. The sun is up,” he quipped.

Turning to Trump’s election victory, he says, “I had a chance to talk to President-elect Donald Trump last night, at about 3 a.m., and had a chance to invite him to come to the White House tomorrow.

“It’s no secret that the president-elect and I have some pretty significant differences,” he says, but adds that the same was true in 2008 when he took over the White House from George W. Bush.

“We are now all rooting for his success in uniting and leading this country,” Obama says of Trump, continuing the tone set by the defeated Hillary Clinton earlier today.

“The peaceful transition of power is one of the hallmarks of our democracy, and over the next few months we are going to show that to the world,” he promises.

He praises Clinton’s “extraordinary life of public service. I’m proud of her. A lot of Americans look up to her. Her candidacy and nomination was historic and sends a message to our daughters all over the country.”

And he addresses all Americans: “We’re actually all on one team. This is an intramural scrimmage. We’re not Democrats first, not Republicans first. We’re patriots first. We all want what’s best for this country. That’s what I heard from Mr. Trump’s remarks last night, in our conversation. And I’m heartened by that.

“A lot of our fellow Americans are exulting today, a lot less so. But that’s the nature of campaigns. It’s hard, and sometimes contentious and noisy. It’s not always inspiring. But to the young people who got into politics for the first time and may be disappointed with the results, I just want you to know, you have to stay encouraged. Don’t get cynical, don’t ever think you can’t make a difference. Fighting for what’s right is important.”