For the Record: Obama and Trump make nice

(Photo: Pablo Martinez Monsivais, AP)

On Thursday, President Obama and President-elect Donald Trump met for about an hour and a half, and Obama called it an “excellent conversation.” It was almost like there weren’t multiple years in which Trump led a movement to try to prove the president wasn’t born in the United States and Obama hadn’t spent more time than any president in recent history campaigning vigorously against Trump. But hey, the show must go on.
Obama said the two had an “excellent conversation” at the White House. And he promised that his “number one priority in the coming two months is to try to facilitate a transition that ensures the president-elect is successful.”

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

Trump said he “had great respect” for Obama and that he — wait for it … — was looking forward to seeking his counsel in the future!!!!!

But Trump probably won’t be inviting Obama over for tea and cookies anytime soon.

"I feel confident in telling you that they did not resolve all their differences,"Obama Press Secretary Josh Earnest said after the meeting. "I also feel confident in telling you they didn't try to resolve all their differences." He also said the president’s views on Trump had not changed. (Here’s one of the many times Obama went off on Trump on the campaign trail.)
Protesters struggle between anger and hope

While Trump and Obama met inside, a small crowd was gathering outside of the White House. The group was mostly protesting Trump’s win, though there were a smattering of supporters. But for some people it was difficult to find the right message — literally.

“I’m standing here with a blank poster because I am waiting to be inspired,” Joyce Bartlett said.

Another protester, Genevieve Leary, said she would scream — if other people started to first.

“I’m not going to scream anything abstract even though I want to. … I actually am surprised there’s not more going on. I thought there would be other people protesting. I mean if there was other screaming, I’d be right there with them,” Leary said

Meanwhile, other, larger anti-Trump protests around the country continued.
Trump wants to repeal Obamacare so a record number of people sign up for it

The day after the election, a record-breaking 100,000+ people signed up for Obamacare plans, according to Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell who tweeted out the news Thursday.

This was the same day that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (reminder that Republicans in January will control both the House and Senate in addition to the White House) promised that getting rid of Obamacare was very much a priority.

“Let’s just stipulate that every single Republican thought Obamacare was a mistake, without exception,” McConnell said. “That is still our view and you can expect us — with a new president with same view — to address that issue.”

Trump had made his desire to get rid of Obamacare one of the biggest platforms of his campaign often calling it a “disaster.” And he seemed to have some numbers to back up that statement last month when the exchange opened with some premiums going up as much as 25%.

After a meeting with McConnell on Capitol Hill Thursday Trump specified three priorities, health care was one. But there was also something we think everyone can get behind: Just because he’s president he’s not going to stop saying “big league.”

"We have a lot to do. We're going to work very strongly on immigration, health care and we're looking at jobs, big league jobs."

Source: Eliza Collins , USA TODAY