Ohio Gov. John Kasich Thursday called on the nation to unify and "say a few prayers for the success of the next president of the United States" — Donald Trump.
"I said my prayers on the plane for the success of Donald Trump," Kasich said outside the White House in Washington.
He had just met President Barack Obama, who saluted the Cleveland Cavaliers for winning the National Basketball Association championship.
The ceremony came after Obama met with the president-elect — and following Trump's tour of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue with his wife, Melania, and Vice President-elect Mike Pence.
Trump and Pence also met with House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
Kasich did not say whether he had met Trump, whom he refused to endorse after losing the primary race.
"As Americans, we all need to come together because it's the lives of our children, my daughters here, that a president of the United States can really have success," the governor told reporters. "We know there are a lot of people in this country that struggle.
"A lot of people who are hopeful things will be fixed," he added. "They won't be fixed overnight — but what we can all do as Americans is join hands, join arms, say a few prayers for the success of the next president of the United States."
Kasich also praised President Obama and Democrat Hillary Clinton because they were "really inspirational in the way in which they embraced the outcome of the election."
He then cautioned those who have taken to the streets against Trump's victory since Tuesday: "Think about the fact that America works best when America is united.
"It doesn't work best when we are divided."
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.