President Obama calls to congratulate Trump and invite him to White House to discuss the transition of power after telling Americans the 'sun will still rise'

President Barack Obama called to congratulate Donald Trump after his surprise victory, and invited him to a meeting at the White House.

A White House spokesperson said on Wednesday morning that the two men had spoken, and that President Obama had asked to president elect to travel to Washington DC on Thursday so they could begin to discuss the transition on power.

President Obama said the two men spoke at 3:30am on Wednesday.

The White House said in a statement: 'Ensuring a smooth transition of power is one of the top priorities the President identified at the beginning of the year and a meeting with the President-elect is the next step.' 

That call came after President Obama's somber election night speech on Wednesday, during which he told Americans: 'No matter what happens, the sun will rise in the morning'. 

Obama will also deliver a statement, with Vice President Joe Biden, from the White House's Brady Press Briefing Room at 12.15pm ET. 

Trump's campaign manager Kellyanne Conway also spoke about the call between the two men during an appearance on Today Wednesday morning, saying: 'Well, it was a very warm conversation. 

'We were happy to receive the call from the President and they had a great, thorough conversation about Mr. Trump's victory, he was congratulated, and I think they resolved to work together, which is exactly what this country needs - to get the current president and the president elect and others who are in leadership position to help unify and heal the country.'

She then added: 'We expect that the two gentlemen will be meeting soon.'

White House press secretary Josh Earnest had told reporters traveling aboard Air Force One last week that the president was leaving his schedule open on Wednesday and Thursday for a possible meeting with the president-elect.