(POLITICO) — Senior White House adviser Valerie Jarrett said Wednesday that President-elect Donald Trump’s surprise victory on Election Day was “like a punch to the stomach” and “soul-crushing,” but that the mood inside the White House has improved since then.

Jarrett, a senior adviser to President Barack Obama and a member of his administration from day one, said he and other White House officials were left somewhat shell-shocked by Trump’s win. But following the president’s lead, she and other administration have sought to follow the lead of former President George W. Bush’s team in facilitating a smooth White House transition to the opposing party.

“Obviously we were surprised by the outcome of the election. It kind of was like a, I’m not sure what the right analogy would be, but like a punch in the stomach, let’s say. Soul-crushing might be another description,” Jarrett said.

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