(AP Photo/Susan Walsh). President Barack Obama, accompanied by Vice President Joe Biden, speaks about the election results, Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2016, in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington.

WASHINGTON (AP) - President-elect Donald Trump joined President Barack Obama for their first meeting at the White House Thursday, a symbolic start to the transition of power to the nation's 45th president.

Obama was harshly critical of Trump throughout the campaign, blasting him as unfit to serve as a commander in chief. Trump spent years challenging the legitimacy of Obama's presidency, falsely suggesting Obama may have been born outside the United States.

If Trump makes good on his campaign promises, he'll wipe away much of what Obama has done during his eight years in office. The Republican president-elect, who will govern with Congress fully under GOP control, has vowed to repeal Obama's signature health care law and dismantle the landmark nuclear accord with Iran.

First lady Michelle Obama was meeting privately in the White House residence with Trump's wife, Melania, while Vice President Joe Biden prepared to see Vice President-elect Mike Pence later Thursday.

Trump traveled to Washington from New York on his private jet, breaking with protocol by not bringing journalists in his motorcade or on his plane to document his historic visit to the White House. Trump was harshly critical of the media during his campaign and for a time banned news organizations whose coverage he disliked from his events.

Also on Trump's schedule were meetings with House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wisconsin and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky to discuss the GOP legislative agenda. Ryan, who holds the most powerful post in Congress, was a sometime critic of Trump, was slow to endorse him and did not campaign with the nominee. Pence intended to join both meetings.

As scores of journalists waited to be admitted to the Oval Office to see Obama and Trump together, they saw White House chief of staff Denis McDonough walking along the South Lawn driveway with Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law. A handful of Trump aides trailed them.

The anticipated show of civility at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue contrasted with postelection scenes of protests across a politically divided country. Demonstrators from New England to the heartland and the West Coast vented against the election winner on Wednesday, chanting "Not my president," burning a papier-mache Trump head, beating a Trump pinata and carrying signs that said "Impeach Trump."

Republicans were emboldened by Trump's stunning victory over Hillary Clinton, giving the GOP control of the White House and both chambers of Congress.

"He just earned a mandate," Ryan said.

In an emotional concession speech, Clinton said her crushing loss was "painful and it will be for a long time" and acknowledged that the nation was "more divided than we thought."

Still, Clinton was gracious in defeat, declaring: "Donald Trump is going to be our president. We owe him an open mind and the chance to lead."

In Washington, Trump's scant transition team sprang into action, culling through personnel lists for top jobs and working through handover plans for government agencies. A person familiar with the transition operations said the personnel process was still in its early stages, but Trump's team was putting a premium on quickly filling key national security posts. The person was not authorized to discuss details by name and spoke on condition of anonymity.

According to an organizational chart for the transition obtained by The Associated Press, Trump was relying on experienced hands to help form his administration. National security planning was being led by former Michigan Rep. Mike Rogers, who previously worked for the FBI. Domestic issues were being handled by Ken Blackwell, a former Cincinnati mayor and Ohio secretary of state.

Trump was expected to consider several loyal supporters for top jobs, including former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani for attorney general or national security adviser and campaign finance chairman Steve Mnuchin for Treasury secretary. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and Tennessee Sen. Bob Corker were also expected to be under consideration for foreign policy posts.

As president-elect, Trump is entitled to get the same daily intelligence briefing as Obama - one that includes information on U.S. covert operations, information gleaned about world leaders and other data gathered by America's 17 intelligence agencies. The White House said it would organize two exercises involving multiple agencies to help Trump's team learn how to respond to major domestic incidents.

If Trump makes good on his campaign promises, the nation stands on the brink of sweeping change in domestic and foreign policy. He's pledged to repeal Obama's health care law and pull out of the landmark nuclear accord with Iran. He's vowed to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border and temporarily ban immigration from nations with terror ties.

It's unclear whether Trump will embrace many of the traditions of the presidency. He'll enter the White House owning his own private jet as well as a hotel just blocks away on Pennsylvania Avenue.

AP writer Jonathan Lemire in New York contributed to this report.

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. </s> MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 19th June, 2019) US President Donald Trump officially launched his 2020 White House re-election campaign at a rally in Orlando, Florida on Tuesday.

"Tonight I stand before you to officially launch my campaign for a second term as president of the United States," Trump said. </s> Facts about the inauguration of Donald Trump as U.S. president

Jan 20 (Reuters) - With his left hand on a Bible used by Abraham Lincoln, Donald Trump will be sworn in as the 45th U.S. president around noon (1700 GMT) on Friday and give an address at the west front of the U.S. Capitol before leading a parade to the White House.

Here are some facts about his inauguration:

* Weather is forecast to be wet and unseasonably warm. The National Weather Service predicts temperatures nearing 47 degrees Fahrenheit (8 degrees Celsius) and rain tapering off by midafternoon.

* After breakfast and a church service, Trump and his wife, Melania, will meet outgoing President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama at the White House. Following tradition, Trump and Obama will ride together down Pennsylvania Avenue to the Capitol.

* Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas will swear in Mike Pence as vice president. Chief Justice John Roberts will administer the oath of office to Trump.

* Trump will give an inaugural address expected to last about 20 minutes. His spokesman Sean Spicer said Trump will give "a very forward-thinking, very inspiring, together-oriented speech" on solving such problems as creating jobs.

* As many as 900,000 people are expected to turn out for the event, including thousands of protesters. After the ceremony, the Obamas will leave the Capitol to begin their post-White House lives. Trump and Pence stay for lunch.

* Starting around 3 p.m. (2000 GMT), Trump, Pence and their families will lead a parade up Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House. Inaugural organizers expect more than 8,000 people to take part, including high school and university marching bands, equestrian corps and veterans groups.

* Donald and Melania Trump may step out of their limousine briefly along the parade route to wave to well-wishers. Three inaugural balls are scheduled in the evening.

* Following tradition, Obama will leave his successor a letter in the Oval Office desk. Its contents have not been divulged.

* While 20 minutes may seem short for an inaugural address, it would not be the shortest. George Washington's second inaugural speech in 1793 consisted of about 130 words.

* The honor of longest inaugural address goes to William Henry Harrison, whose March 4, 1841, speech contained more than 8,440 words and lasted an hour and 45 minutes. Harrison, who gave his speech in a howling snowstorm without a hat or a coat, died of pneumonia a month later. (Compiled by Jonathan Oatis; Editing by Howard Goller) </s> U.S. President-elect Donald Trump speaks during a USA Thank You Tour event in Hershey, Pennsylvania, U.S., December 15, 2016. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump discussed laying the groundwork for peace in the Middle East in a phone call on Thursday with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, a Trump transition official said.

The official did not know whether Trump and Sisi talked specifically about Egypt’s decision to postpone a vote set for Thursday in the U.N. Security Council on a resolution demanding that Israel end settlement building. </s> Donald Trump became the 45th President of the United States Friday during a time-honored inauguration ceremony that encapsulated the peaceful transfer of power that is a hallmark of American democracy.

On a raised platform on the flag-draped West Front of the Capitol, Trump placed his left hand on one Bible that dates from his childhood and another that belonged to Abraham Lincoln and raised his right hand in the air as he promised to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution.

Under gray skies and in front of a crowd stretching most of the way from the Capitol toward the Washington Monument, Trump took the oath from Chief Justice John Roberts with the new first lady Melania Trump by his side.

Trump revived some of the hardline rhetoric from the campaign during his inaugural address.

"This American carnage stops right here and stops right now," Trump said with Obama looking on.

Former Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton also attended the ceremony. Hillary Clinton, who Trump defeated in the November election, was also in the audience in a show of support for national unity and the peaceful transfer of presidential authority.

The swearing-in was one of many traditions that began unfolding early Friday morning. Trump and his family attended a private worship service at St. John's Church, known as the church of presidents. The Obamas greeted Trump and the new first lady, Melania Trump, at the North Portico of the White House before hosting them for tea.

Earlier in the morning, Barack Obama wrote a letter to Trump and left it on the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office, as outgoing presidents typically do for their successors. As Obama left the Oval Office for the final time, he was asked if he had any words for the American people. "Thank you," Obama said.

The customs and symbolism that are playing out -- from Trump's ride to the Capitol with Obama to the First Couple's dance at an inaugural ball -- are familiar. But the circumstances of this inauguration -- the 58th in the nation's history -- could hardly be more unconventional.

When the presidential primary season began nearly a year ago, few thought Trump could survive the battle for the Republican nomination -- much less beat Clinton to win the presidency. He will be the oldest president sworn in for a first term and the first president with no previous diplomatic, political or military executive experience.

But his populist campaign deeply resonated with Americans who were fed up with Washington's political class and felt left behind in the globalizing economy.

Trump began a day of ceremony Friday morning by attending the traditional inauguration day worship service. When they arrived at the White House, Melania Trump brought a gift for the Obamas in a blue box wrapped in a bow, which the President handed into an aide before returning for a photo.

Trump took the oath of office, led by Chief Justice John Roberts, on two Bibles, one that he used as a child and the other used by Abraham Lincoln at his first inauguration.

In what is always a poignant moment, the former president and his family will soon head to Andrews Air Force base for a farewell ceremony before taking one last flight on the presidential jet. The Obamas are heading to Palm Springs, California, for a vacation.

Trump will attend a joint congressional inaugural luncheon in the Capitol before heading back to the White House for the inaugural parade. In the evening, Trump and the new first lady will attend two inaugural balls, part of the stripped down inaugural festivities that aides say are meant to stress that the new president is eager to get to work.

Trump's supporters, who sent him to Washington to rip up political norms and thwart the establishment, are thrilled as he assumes power. The crowds started streaming towards the National Mall as dawn broke, with many people wearing Trump's distinctive red "Make America Great Again" baseball caps.

But millions of Americans are also anxious, owing to the abrasive tone of Trump's campaign and fears over the consequences of his strongman leadership style.

Trump has vowed to tear up US trade deals that he says disadvantage US workers, confront a rising China and improve estranged relations with Russia, despite allegations that Moscow interfered in the election.

He has set high expectations for his presidency by promising to return jobs to US shores and reviving the manufacturing industry. He has pledged to crush ISIS and introduce tough new vetting on immigrants from countries where there is terrorist activity, raising fears of discrimination against Muslims.

He is promising to build a wall on the southern border, to crack down on undocumented migrants and to gut the financial and environmental regulations that are at the center of the Obama administration's legacy.

The world will be watching Trump's inauguration closely because it will usher in a period of uncertainty and instability as he's shown every sign he plans to be as disruptive to convention on the international stage as at home.

Still, the peaceful transfer of power from Obama to Trump, his longtime political nemesis, represents a moment of unity and stability in a wild political era.

New presidents typically use the inaugural address -- viewed by a huge crowd fanned out on the National Mall and millions of television viewers -- to issue a call for national unity and ease the wounds of divisive elections. They typically remind Americans of the values and the history that binds them and of the nation's historic mission.

Trump, so far, has done little to reach out to his foes since November.

"He is still talking as if he is the insurgent candidate rather than the President-elect," said Robert Rowland, an expert on presidential rhetoric at the University of Kansas. "Historically, presidents who are effective use inaugural addresses to heal the wounds of the campaign, to talk about what it means to be an American, to discuss shared values and lay out their political principles to come across as a strong not vain leader."

He added: "The question with Trump is, if he did those things, would it go against the personality he has established for himself?"

The inauguration represents an important potential reset moment for Trump, who begins his presidency with the worst approval ratings of any modern president.

Aaron Kall, editor of a new book "I Do Solemnly Swear: Presidential Inaugural Addresses of the Last Forty Years," said that it is "imperative" for Trump to build some political running room for himself with his address.

"He needs the support of the public and the speech is a great way to get that," Kall said.

One person familiar with Trump's prep says he has spent "countless hours" practicing his speech and rehearsing it - far more time than he's devoted to other big speeches.

"This is the pinnacle," the person said.

After the most polarizing elections, new presidents often take the chance to pay tribute to their defeated rival. In 2001, Bush thanked his vanquished foe Al Gore for a "contest conducted with spirit and ended with grace." Trump will be closely watched to see if he offers a similar gesture of reconciliation to Clinton.

Incoming White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer told reporters Thursday that Trump's inaugural address, which is expected to last around 20 minutes, would come from the heart.

"It's going to be a very personal and sincere statement about his vision for the country. He will discuss what it means to be an American," Spicer said, adding that Trump would also address the challenges faced by the middle class. "He'll talk about infrastructure and education, our manufacturing base. I think it's going to be less of an agenda and more of a philosophical document. A vision of where he sees the country, the proper role of government, the role of citizens." </s> In a historic transfer of power, Republican Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th President of the United States of America at the Capitol Hill on Friday succeeding Barack Obama. On that account, the official Twitter account has been handed over to Trump and his staff. The @POTUS handle had its origins under former President Barack Obama in 2015. The new President, however, is yet to tweet his first message on the handle which already has around 4.25 million followers.

Meanwhile, former President Barack Obama’s last message to America was when called on people to remember that they must work to bring the change. </s> U.S. President-elect Donald Trump spoke by telephone on Thursday with Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg, who congratulated Trump on his election win, the Trump transition team said in a statement.

"The two leaders discussed the strong relationship between the United States and Norway," the statement said. "President-elect Trump said he looked forward to participating in alliance building forums to strengthen ties within the global community." </s> The peaceful transition of American power will be witnessed by the world once again Friday. Donald Trump will be sworn in as the 45th president of the United States. That has brought jubilation in conservative America. For them, Trump's win is a sigh of relief, a repudiation of Barack Obama's America and a pause on the liberalization of the world's remaining superpower.

But this day isn't without controversy. There are hard feelings — and fear — in the other America. That America sees Trump's win as unfair and unjust — given Hillary Clinton won the popular vote by almost 3 million votes, given Russian meddling in the election intended to boost Trump, and given the unprecedented way Trump presented himself during the campaign. He went after all comers. No one was beyond reproach or the basest insult.

A polarized country, which in many ways can be separated by how one views Trump, sets the backdrop for the incoming president's inaugural speech. And Trump has a powerful bully pulpit to work from. While he is coming into office with the lowest favorability ratings of any president since polling began, he also has the biggest Republican majority in the House in a century and a majority in the Senate. Trump has pledged to keep his inaugural speech short, but what he says could have far-reaching consequences. Those words may signal a critical course for how he intends to reach out across the American divide — and how he intends to govern.

The speech, while central, is one part of a full day of events.

Here's what to expect throughout the day:
• Events begin with a service at 8:30 a.m. ET. at Saint John's Church, across from the White House.
• Trump's and Pence's families then attend a tea at the White House with the outgoing president and Michelle Obama, before heading to the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol.
• The swearing-in ceremony is expected to begin around 11 a.m. ET, with the inaugural address to follow. Trump will be sworn in with Lincoln's Bible, the same used for Obama's ceremonies. He will also use his personal Bible.
• The families of the new president and vice president head to a congressional luncheon at the Capitol. What's on the menu? Steak, ice cream, lobster and chocolate souffle, USA Today reports.
• Meanwhile, the Obamas fly to Joint Base Andrews, where Obama will say farewell to his staff before leaving for Palm Springs, Calif.
• The inaugural parade begins at 3 p.m. More than 8,000 people will be led by Trump and Pence from the Capitol to the White House, according to Trump's Presidential Inaugural Committee, which has a full list of participants, including members of the military, veterans groups, school bands and Boy Scouts of America.
• In the evening, President Trump, first lady Melania Trump, Vice President Pence and second lady Karen Pence will attend the Liberty and Freedom Ball at the Washington Convention Center. </s> On the off-chance you haven’t heard, Donald Trump is currently on a state visit to the UK.

The American President is on UK soil and will be talking with the Prime Minister Theresa May and attending the 75th anniversary commemoration of the D-Day landings in Portsmouth, after already having met with the Royal Family.

Fights have broken out between pro and anti-Trump activists close to Buckingham Palace in the wake of Trump’s arrival, with the President maintaining his incendiary reputation.

While the Trump anxiety may or may not be taking hold, his visit might have some of you wondering when the next US presidential elections are and whether or not Trump will be running…

When are the US presidential elections?

The Presidential elections in the United States are currently due to occur on Tuesday, 3 November 2020.

These presidential elections happen in America every four years, and Presidents are only allowed to be re-elected once

Will Donald Trump be running for President again in the 2020 elections?

Trump announced his intention to run for re-election back in 2017.

Since Trump has already been elected President once, if he were to win in 2020, he would be limited to holding the office for another four years maximum.

As The New York Times has it, there are currently 25 politicians running for President of the United States, of which this number includes – for the time being – 23 Democrats and two Republicans.

Democrats currently in the running include Joe Biden, who served as Barack Obama’s Vice President, Bernie Sanders, who was in the running back in 2016, and Elizabeth Warren, who is well-known for clashing with Donald Trump.

Meanwhile the other Republican in the running is former federal prosecutor William F. Weld, who ran for Vice President as a member of the Libertarian Party in 2016, has criticised Trump in the past for his stance on immigration and has previously come out in favour of steps to legalise marijuana.

MORE: Donald Trump state visit: President didn’t recognise his gift to the Queen

MORE: Donald Trump state visit protests turn nasty as fights break out near Buckingham Palace
President-elect of the United States Donald Trump meets with President Barack Obama for the first time at the White House.