Donald Trump called protests of his election to the White House, which started almost immediately after the election was called in his favor, unfair and suggested the media was inciting gatherings that have occurred across the country for the last two days. Above, protestors gather outside Trump Tower in New York City on November 9. File photo by John Angelillo/UPI |
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WASHINGTON, Nov. 11 (UPI) -- Nearly 48 hours after winning the presidency, President-elect Donald Trump responded to protests that erupted Tuesday night calling them unfair and pointing to the media as responsible.
Trump spent Thursday in Washington, D.C., meeting with President Barack Obama, Speaker of the House Paul Ryan and other leaders, but turned his attention to crowds outside Trump Tower in New York and cities across the country questioning their legitimacy and reasons for gathering.
"Just had a very open and successful presidential election," Trump tweeted. "Now professional protesters, incited by the media, are protesting. Very unfair."
Thousands of people across the country took to the streets early Wednesday morning to protest the election of Trump based on concerns about comments he made during the campaign and policy proposals that have some in the U.S. concerned about the direction the country is taking.
Thursday morning, Trump met with President Barack Obama for the first time in a meeting UPI director of photography described as "cordial and upbeat." Post-meeting remarks to the press found the president and president-elect complimenting each other and pledging to work together to make the federal transfer of power between their administrations smooth and successful.
"I very much look forward to dealing with the President in the future, including counsel," Trump said after the 90-minute meeting. "He explained some of the difficulties, some of the high-flying assets and some of the really great things that have been achieved. So, 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."
Trump's response to the protests, most of which have included chants of "not my president," followed his campaign manager, Kellyanne Conway, saying in an interview that opponents of Trump need to have a moment of "self-reflection" and try to work with the president-elect.
"I know he's fully capable of being the president of all Americans and he's promised to do that," Conway said. "But I would say to these protesters -- who are burning his image, and who have all nasty signs, 'not my president' -- can you imagine if Hillary Clinton had been elected, which I imagine they were all expecting, and the Trump protesters were saying 'not my president' about President Obama? That's all you would hear."
