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'RESPECT US INSTITUTIONS'

Barack Obama advises Donald Trump not to try and run the White House like ‘a family business’

Mr Obama instructed the President-elect to keep in mind he would be in charge of "the largest organisation on Earth"

US President Barack Obama has advised his replacement not to try and run the White House as if it is "a family business".

Obama warned the President-elect Donald Trump there is a difference between governing and campaigning, as he prepares for his role at the helm of the United States.

 President-elect Donald Trump and outgoing President Barack Obama at their first meeting in the White House
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President-elect Donald Trump and outgoing President Barack Obama at their first meeting in the White HouseCredit: AP:Associated Press
 Donald Trump and his family at Trump Towers speaking after he won the US Election
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Donald Trump and his family at Trump Towers speaking after he won the US ElectionCredit: Getty Images

In an interview , the president said that Mr Trump should always "respect" US institutions.

He added he had tried to impress upon his successor that running the White House is an entirely different role to any other job.

He said: "You can't manage it the way you would manage a family business.

"You have to have a strong team around you. You have to have respect for institutions and the process to make good decisions because you are inherently reliant on other folks."

He told the chief anchor George Stephanopoulos he had chatted with Mr Trump about having confidence in US intelligence agencies.

He said: "When I talked to him about our intelligence agencies, what I said to him is that there are going to be times where you've got raw intelligence that comes in and in my experience, over eight years, the intelligence community is pretty good about saying 'look we can't say for certain what this means'."

The out-going president also commented on the fact he does not think Mr Trump has spent much time "sweating the details" of being president.

He said this could be a strength or a weakness as it could give him a fresh approach but also means he could be lacking in vital information.

 Mr Trump pictured after winning the election - Mr Obama has said he has spoken to his successor about what the role entails
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Mr Trump pictured after winning the election - Mr Obama has said he has spoken to his successor about what the role entailsCredit: Getty Images
 Trump Hotel and Towers in New York - the current family business
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Trump Hotel and Towers in New York - the current family businessCredit: Getty Images

This week a US intelligence report found Vladimir Putin “ordered” a campaign of hacking to influence the US presidential election and boost Donald Trump’s chances.

It also warned Moscow will try to manipulate the elections of US allies over the coming months.

Last night tickets for Barack Obama’s farewell speech ran out in 30 minutes after thousands braved -7C conditions to wait in line.

Some 7,000 people queued in freezing temperatures from 4.30am to be in with a chance of getting one of the prized free tickets.

Mr Obama's farewell speech will be taking place at 8pm on Tuesday, and Mr Trump will be inaugurated on January 20.


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