Obama says Trump’s temperament 'will not serve him well'

US President said he believes the Republican knows the difference between governing and campaigning

President Barack Obama questioned his successor’s temperament during a meeting with the press corps on Monday before leaving for Greece, Germany, and Peru – his last trip as president.

Mr Obama was asked his opinion on Steve Bannon’s appointment as Mr Trump’s chief strategist and he responded by saying "It would not be appropriate to comment on every appointment."

"The people have spoken," he said. "Donald Trump will be the next president. It will be up to him to set up a team that will serve him well and reflect his policies. Those who didn't vote for him have to recognize that that's how democracy works."

“I think it is important for us to let him make his decisions,” he continued. “The American people will judge over the course of the next couple of years whether they like what they see.”

"I don't think he is ideological, I think ultimately he is pragmatic in that way and that can serve him well as long as he has got good people around him and he has a good sense of direction.”

Reporters would not let President Obama off the hook, after all, he spent the better part of the election criticizing Mr Trump’s inflammatory and often racist rhetoric while campaigning.

“I think what’ll happen with the president-elect,” he told reporters, “is there are gonna be certain elements of his temperament that will not serve him well unless he recognises them and corrects them.”

Mr Obama also spoke on the transition of power and the importance of helping Mr Trump, who has no governing or military experience whatsoever.

After the president met with Mr Trump last Thursday, The Wall Street Journal reports that Mr Obama realised that the Republican needs more guidance and promised to spend more time with his successor.

"I hope it was useful," Mr Obama said on Monday. "I hope that he appreciated that advice."

The sitting president Obama also said that the US will remain a world superpower under Mr Trump, who previously told him he would be committed to NATO.

"In my conversations with the President-elect, he expressed a great interest in maintaining our core strategic relationships," he told reporters, promising to relay the message to world leaders this week. "One of the messages I will be able to deliver is his commitment to NATO and the transatlantic alliance."