Obama’s Parting Words: I Think We Are All Going to Be Okay

Obama is set to leave office on Friday when he will be succeeded by Republican President-elect Donald Trump.

• Barack Obama said that his relations with Donald Trump are cordial
  
• He also said he continues to be worried about Israel-Palestine
  
• Obama called out for “constructive relationship” between US and Russia
  
• The President also commented on Chelsea Manning commuting and WikiLeaks
  
• Obama also touched upon Cuba, LGBT issues and voter fraud in the US

Claims of Voter Fraud in the US Elections Are "Fake News"

The President said that the claims of voter fraud in the US elections are "fake news," and that the country is the only democracy that makes it harder for its citizens to vote.

In his final presidential news conference, Obama refered to election fraud claims repeatedly raised by Donald Trump during his campaign. He didn't use his successor's name, but said that the accusations have been "disproved."

Obama also said that there is an "ugly history" behind restrictive voting that traces back to the era of slavery.

The President warned that many Trump voters also feel disenfranchised. He said those people feel forgotten, looked down upon or fear that their children don’t have the same opportunities as other Americans.

Obama's Relationship with Trump

Commenting on his relationship with Donald Trump, the President said,

They are cordial. At times, they have been fairly lengthy and they’ve been substantive.

He said that he has given his best advice to Trump, along with counsels on both domestic and international issues. Obama, however, said that there wouldn’t be “enormous overlap” between his policies and those of Trump.

He also added that once the President-elect understands the complexities of providing health care to everyone, it “ may lead him to some of the same conclusions that I arrived at once I got here”.

Obama avoided a question on whether he supports about 50 House Democrats planning to boycott Trump's inauguration, while stating that he will be there along with outgoing First Lady Michelle Obama.

Will There Ever Be Another Black President?

When a reporter raised this question, Obama replied,

I think we’re going to see people of merit rise up from every race, faith, corner of this country. We’re going to have a woman president, a Latino president, a Jewish president, a Hindu president. We’ll have a whole bunch of mixed up presidents at some point that nobody knows really knows what to call them.

Also Read: Obama Through the Years: Photos of the Person Behind the President

Malia and Sasha Disappointed in the Outcome of Presidential Election

President Barack Obama said that his daughters do not intend to pursue a future in politics — thanks to the influence of his wife Michelle. However, he said that the girls "could not help but be patriotic" given the environment where they have grown up.

Obama said that his daughters — 18-year-old Malia and 15-year-old Sasha — were disappointed in the outcome of the presidential election. Donald Trump defeated Democrat Hillary Clinton, who had been Obama's Secretary of State.

He said he and his wife try to teach their daughters resilience and concluded by saying, “They don’t mope”.