President Barack Obama invited president-elect Donald Trump to meet with him at the White House on Thursday, November 10, after Trump’s stunning Election Night win over Hillary Clinton.
White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said Obama called Trump, 70, from his private residence in the early hours of Wednesday, November 9, to extend his congratulations and invite the Republican candidate to Washington, D.C., according to USA Today. Earnest said the meeting would focus on the presidential transition and “what steps we can take as a country to come together after this hard-fought election season.”
Trump’s campaign manager, Kellyanne Conway, revealed that Obama called the billionaire businessman while he was delivering his speech on stage in New York City, so Trump returned his call later in the evening, the Associated Press reports.
“They resolved to work together, which is exactly what this country needs … to help unify and heal the country,” Conway said on the Today show on Wednesday.
The former Apprentice host pulled off a shocking upset after earlier polls indicated that Democratic nominee Clinton would easily win the presidency. The former secretary of state, 69, conceded to Trump in a phone call early Wednesday after he claimed several important swing states, such as Florida, Ohio and North Carolina.
Trump delivered a victory speech just before 3 a.m. ET from NYC’s Hilton Hotel. “As I’ve said from the beginning, ours was not a campaign but rather an incredible and great movement made up of millions of hardworking men and women who love their country and want a better and brighter future for themselves and for their family,” he said. “Working together, we will begin the urgent task of rebuilding our nation and renewing the American dream.”
Clinton did not give a concession speech on Election Night. Instead, she will deliver her remarks on Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. ET in New York City.
