President Obama and his successor President-elect Trump met for more than an hour and a half this morning in the Oval Office. Prior to this morning, the two men had never met in person.
Whether intentional or not, the president-elect started the process by once again breaking tradition. When he arrived at the White House, he entered along the South Lawn driveway – for which no press coverage was allowed. He also left his own traveling press pool back in New York. The media was not amused.
Donald Trump has arrived at White House. In a troubling sign for journalism — and WH access — no reporter was able to witness him arrive.
Advertisement— Matt Viser (@mviser) November 10, 2016
For folks who care about press access. today is foreboding. No photo of Obama-Trump meeting. No travel pool info for Trump transition
— Sam Stein (@samsteinhp) November 10, 2016
It’s also being reported that there will not be a photo op with the sitting president and the president-elect, something that typically takes place not long after the election has been decided.
No Obama/Trump photo today like the one for Pres-elect Obama’s arrival at the Bush WH 8 years ago. pic.twitter.com/d5DbijL8FS
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) November 10, 2016
The 2016 NBA Champion Cleveland Cavaliers arrived at the White House to celebrate their title with President Obama. Star LeBron James and teammate J.R. Smith appeared a pro-Hillary Clinton rally in Cleveland just days earlier. It looks like they are the first two players to enter the White House. This should be interesting…
The @cavs arrive at The @WhiteHouse for today’s Championship celebration. https://t.co/1n7NNw9UUj
— NBA (@NBA) November 10, 2016
There was a traditional “camera spray” following the meeting. Members of the press came into the Oval Office where Obama and Trump each gave short remarks. Those remarks were rushed back where a tape playback aired on the cable news networks and during broadcast network special reports. After the remarks, Obama gave Trump some advice
Obama advice to Trump: “That’s a good rule, don’t answer questions when they just start yelling.” #WhiteHouse pic.twitter.com/O4VWIUv19L
— Chris Ariens (@ChrisAriens) November 10, 2016
Though if anyone knows how to handle the media, Trump does:
NOW: Trump: “Mr. President, it was a great honor being with you and I look forward to being with you many, many more times in the future” pic.twitter.com/uHdCBS7SvK
— CBS News (@CBSNews) November 10, 2016