Live updates: Trump meets Obama at the White House

The US presidency is more than just political leadership - the person who holds that role is also the country's Head of State.

It is for this reason that the result of Tuesday's election has sparked such passion among American voters.

But while some have taken to the streets in protest at the election of Donald Trump, others told ITV News they believe actions speak louder than words - and they're willing to give him a chance to show his true colours.

ITV News at Ten presenter Tom Bradby reports:

• Video report by ITV News International Affairs Editor Rageh Omaar

US President-elect Donald Trump has made it clear that he is not in favour of free trade.

During his election campaign he frequently spoke about the damage he believes America's trade deals have caused, claiming they have led to thousands of job losses and the destruction of the manufacturing sector.

Mr Trump has also said he will put up barriers to free trade, especially exports from China and Mexico.

The US stock market has closed with mixed results as investors rebalance the books following the election of Donald Trump to the presidency.

The Dow Jones industrial average hit an all-time high in same-day trading at 18.873.6, and closed more than 200 points higher.

Others painted a more balanced picture. The Nasdaq composite under-performed, knocking out earlier gains and briefly falling two per cent, while the so-called FANG (Facebook, Amazon, Netflix and Alphabet) stocks closed at around 0.8 per cent lower.

Terry Sandven, chief equity strategist at US Bank Wealth Management, told CNBC that equities were still adjusting to the change and uncertainty surrounding a Trump presidency.

"There still needs to be more clarity and that's going to impact equity prices," he said.

But Art Hogan, chief market strategist at Wunderlich Securities, said conciliatory speeches from both candidates had helped the market recover from an initial nosedive as the results came in.

"You have the potential for growth policies to be put forward with Republicans controlling the White House and Congress," he added.

Senator Bernie Sanders, who ran against Hillary Clinton for the Democratic Party presidential nomination, has said he will oppose President-elect Donald Trump if he "takes people's anger and turns it against" minority groups.

In a message posted on Twitter, Mr Sanders pledged that if people emboldened by Mr Trump's presidency targeted minorities, he would become his "worst nightmare."

He also warned the Democrats about its perception as a party for the rich when its stated purpose is to stand up for the poor.

In a statement issued after Mr Trump's victory in the US election, Mr Sanders said he had "tapped into the anger of a declining middle class".

Serving President Barack Obama has been "reassured" following a meeting with President-elect Donald Trump, a White House spokesman has said.

In a briefing with journalists, Josh Earnest said Mr Obama "found reassuring" the "kind of tone" used by Mr Trump in the meeting.

"It doesn't mean they agree on all the issues - they obviously have deep disagreements," he said.

"but what they do agree on is a commitment to a smooth and effective transition and that's a good thing for the country."

Michelle Obama and incoming First Lady Melania Trump discussed the challenges of raising children in the White House when they met on Thursday, according to a White House spokesman.

Mrs Trump's 10-year-old son Barron Trump will have "a rather unique childhood," spokesman Josh Earnest said.

He added that Mrs Obama and President Barack Obama also had a similar experience of raising a family in the White House, and they talked about being a good parent in these "unique" circumstances.

• Video report by ITV News Washington Correspondent Robert Moore

US President Barack Obama and President-elect Donald Trump have both stressed the need for a smooth and calm handover of power as they met face-to-face for the first time.

After a meeting at the White House, which must have been slightly awkward given their previous harsh words during a bitter campaign, Mr Trump and Mr Obama were able to hide any animosity and spoke of their mutual respect.

"President Obama came away from the meeting with renewed confidence in the commitment of the President-elect to engage in an effective, smooth transition," White House spokesman, Josh Earnest, told a news briefing.

Donald Trump's economic pledges - such as doubling growth and scrapping trade deals - were among the campaign promises which won him the US presidency.

His pro-business stance was welcomed by the US stock market today with the Dow Jones stock market reaching a record high. But there are still a number of obstacles which could stop him keeping his promises.

• ITV News correspondent James Mates reports:

A meeting between Donald Trump and Barack Obama has given the President-elect a taste of what's to come.

As work begins in earnest to create the Trump administration, here's what his first tasks might involve:

• Putting a new White House team in place including his Chief of Staff and Secretaries of State and Defense.
• In total he must make 4,000 political appointments.
• The process of Trump becoming Commander-in-Chief starts with daily in-depth intelligence briefings
• There will be an emergency exercise - known as a "Black Swan" - before he takes office
• Prioritise key issues for his first 100 days in power, such as building the Mexican border wall
• It could also include repealing Obamacare and economic measures such as cutting taxes and raising tariffs on imported goods