Obama: Trump is pragmatic, not 'ideological'

US President Barack Obama admitted Monday that he still has concerns about Donald Trump but was comforted that his successor appears pragmatic rather than ideological.

"I don't think he is ideological. I think ultimately he is pragmatic in that way," Obama told reporters at his first news conference since the Republican billionaire won last week's presidential election.

"And that can serve him well as long as he's got good people around him and he has a clear sense of direction," he continued.

"Do I have concerns? Absolutely. Of course, I have concerns. He and I differ on a whole bunch of issues. But the federal government and our democracy is not a speedboat -- it's an ocean liner."