Obama congratulates Trump, invites him to White House

WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama called Donald Trump, his newly-elected successor, early on Wednesday to congratulate him on his victory and invited him to the White House for talks on Thursday, his office said.

Obama also called Hillary Clinton, his onetime secretary of state and fellow Democrat, to express his "admiration for the strong campaign she waged throughout the country," White House press secretary

Josh Earnest

said in a statement.

Obama was to make a statement later Wednesday about the election results, which sent a shockwave across America and through world markets.