The two men have had almost no one-on-one contact previously. Trump, a Republican, led the "birther" movement that questioned Obamas U.S. citizenship and has pledged to overturn the Democrats signature policy achievements after he takes office on Jan. 20
Obama campaigned vigorously for Trumps Democratic rival, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and called Trump both temperamentally unfit for the presidency and dangerously unprepared to have access to U.S. nuclear codes.
Obama and Trump will seek to put their tensions behind them, at least for the cameras, during their Oval Office meeting.
First lady Michelle Obama will also meet privately with Trumps wife, Melania, in the White House residence.
On Wednesday, Obama said that despite his major differences with Trump, he would follow the lead of former Republican President George W. Bush in 2008 and ensure a smooth handover to Trump.
"Eight years ago, President Bush and I had some pretty significant differences, but President Bushs team could not
have been more professional or more gracious in making sure we had a smooth transition," Obama said. "So I have instructed my team to follow the example that President Bushs team set."(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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