Boehner ‘surprised’ Trump won election

Former Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) said Tuesday he was “surprised” Donald Trump won the presidential election.

“I was surprised, but I wasn’t shocked,” Boehner said during an interview with CNBC.

“I thought chances were 60-40 that Mrs. [Hillary] Clinton was going to win. You just never know who’s going to show up.”

Boehner said he texted Trump a congratulatory note and that the two are longtime friends.

“When I was Speaker and having a rough week, I could always count on Donald calling me, patting me on the back and cheering me up,” Boehner said. 

“We’ve been friends for quite a while. He’s a good guy,” Boehner added.

However, Boehner said he was disturbed by some of Trump’s campaign rhetoric and hopes he takes a different direction as president. 

“Of course nobody wants to listen to all that. Clearly things were said that we’ve never heard said in a presidential campaign, but the election is over, and Donald Trump is the president-elect, and I’m looking forward to his inauguration.”