Obama says America now ‘rooting’ for Trump success

US President Barack Obama (R) together with Vice President Joe Biden (L) addresses the nation publicly for the first time since the shock election of Donald Trump as his successor, on November 9, 2016 at the White House in Washnigton, D.C.
Throughout the two-year-long election campaign, Obama has repeated a mantra that he will do all he can to ensure the peaceful transition of power. / AFP PHOTO / Nicholas Kamm

  President Barack Obama said Wednesday he was encouraged by Donald Trump’s efforts to reach out to fellow Americans after a bitter election, and that the country was “rooting” for his success as head of state.

Obama said he had instructed his team to work hard to ensure a successful transition for the Republican billionaire, “because we are now all rooting for his success in uniting and leading the country.”

“We are Americans first. We’re patriots first. We all want what’s best for this country,” Obama said.

“That’s what I heard in Mr Trump’s remarks last night. That’s what I heard when I spoke to him directly. And I was heartened by that.”