Learn the complete transcript: President Donald Trump interviewed by ‘Meet the Press’ moderator Kristen Welker

KRISTEN WELKER:

President Trump, welcome again to Meet the Press.                               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Thanks very a lot.                               

KRISTEN WELKER:

Thanks a lot for being right here to mark your first 100 days in workplace. It has been an extremely busy 100 days. You’ve signed greater than 140 government orders. You’ve been centered on the border, the financial system, overseas coverage. What’s your greatest aim within the subsequent 100 days?                               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Nicely, I feel we’re going to see quite a lot of outcomes. We’ve already seen them. On the border, we’ve one of the best border within the historical past of our nation. It was 99.999, and no one ever thought that was doable. Actually, Biden, should you keep in mind, stated he has to get laws. And I stated, “No, you simply want a brand new president.” And I suppose I used to be proper. We have now one of the best border we’ve ever had. We’re doing nice on unlawful immigration. We’re being hit arduous by judges that I feel they’re attempting to remove the ability of the presidency. I used to be elected in a large landslide and an enormous, you realize, huge vote. We received the swing states. We received the favored vote. We received the district votes by great numbers. We received every thing. And one of many causes — one of many major causes I used to be elected was to get individuals out of our nation that had been allowed. We have now prisoners. We have now murderers. We have now terrorists in our nation. We have now individuals from psychological establishments which can be severely insane. All of them got here in by way of Biden’s open border coverage. And I used to be elected to get them out and to seal the border, however to get them out. And we’ll have judges, they’re activist judges. They’re saying, “Nicely, you realize, you don’t have the precise to take out murderers and — and folks that you simply don’t even wish to discuss.” These are actually some actually dangerous legal individuals. They usually’re right here illegally. So, you realize they discuss — your subsequent query can be due course of. However they discuss due course of, however do you get due course of whenever you’re right here illegally?                               

KRISTEN WELKER:

We’re going to speak about all of that. We’re going to discuss deportation. However I wish to begin on the financial system, sir, which clearly — clearly the most important problem for voters. We bought new numbers at present, higher than anticipated job numbers.                               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Significantly better.                               

KRISTEN WELKER:

On the identical time, the financial system shrank within the first quarter. You’ve been arguing all week that that is President Biden’s financial system. Is that this now your financial system, sir?                               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Nicely, I feel sure elements of it are. Prices are. I used to be in a position to get down the prices. However even that, it takes some time to get them down, however we bought them down good. We misplaced 5 to six billion {dollars} a day with Biden. 5 to six billion. And I’ve bought that right down to a terrific quantity proper now in a really — in a file time. You recognize, we’re speaking about 100 days. However simply consider what that’s. 5 billion {dollars} a day we’re dropping on commerce. And we had been very powerful with China, as you realize. We put 145% tariff on. No person’s ever heard of such a factor. And we’ve primarily reduce off commerce relationships by placing that a lot of a tariff on. And that’s okay. We’ve gone chilly turkey. That implies that we’re not dropping. You recognize, we misplaced a trillion {dollars} to China. A trillion {dollars}. Which means we’re not dropping a trillion {dollars} once we go chilly turkey as a result of we’re not doing enterprise with them proper now. They usually wish to make a deal. They wish to make a deal very badly. We’ll see how that every one seems, but it surely’s bought to be a good deal. However consider it. We had been dropping a trillion {dollars}. And that was an enormous a part of the 5 million {dollars} a day.                               

KRISTEN WELKER:

And I wish to discuss China, however simply staying on this concept of the financial system. On the eve of your inauguration, the inventory market spiked. You known as it the “Trump Impact.” Are you —                                

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

It spiked as a result of I used to be elected president. It didn’t spike due to anyone else. It spiked as a result of they see what I’m going to do. They know what I’m going to do with the tariffs and every thing else. And I feel it’s really understanding higher than we anticipated. Did you see oil costs? Did you see gasoline is now under, in lots of circumstances, in lots of states, under 2 {dollars} a gallon? $1.98, $1.99, $1.97?                               

KRISTEN WELKER:

Nicely, my query, sir, is you — when the inventory market spiked, you stated that is the “Trump impact.” When the numbers weren’t so good earlier this week, you stated it’s the Biden impact. Are you solely taking possession of the great numbers and never the dangerous numbers?                               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Nicely, I feel he did quite a lot of very dangerous issues. And regardless of a few of the dangerous issues, we’re overcoming them. However he was dangerous on the border. He was dangerous on the financial system. We had the worst inflation within the historical past of our nation. Look, Biden gave us the worst inflation within the historical past of our nation. Individuals — it didn’t matter what they made as a result of they had been dropping their shirt due to prices. Now check out what occurred. Oil is down. Gasoline is down. Groceries are down. Eggs. You had been the one which requested me. You requested me about eggs. It was the primary week. I didn’t even know something about what you — we had been speaking about. Egg costs had been so excessive, you couldn’t purchase eggs. They didn’t have any eggs. They usually stated, “Easter goes to be a catastrophe.” Nicely, we had Easter on the White Home, and we had 1000’s of eggs. They usually had been down 87%.                               

KRISTEN WELKER:

Yeah. Plenty of that, in fact, spike was due to fowl flu. However when does it grow to be —                               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Nicely, I don’t know —                               

KRISTEN WELKER:

– the Trump financial system?                               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

– what it was. Why do you say that?                               

KRISTEN WELKER:

Nicely, inform me. When —                                

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

We had the identical fowl flu as he had.                               

KRISTEN WELKER:

When does it grow to be the Trump financial system?                               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

It partially is true now. And I actually imply this. I feel the great elements are the Trump financial system and the dangerous elements are the Biden financial system as a result of he’s completed a horrible job. He did a horrible job on every thing, from his autopen — which I’m positive he knew nothing about, a few of the issues he was supposedly signing — to immigration. You have a look at what occurred with immigration, how dangerous it was. Consider it. We have now murderers, 11,888 murderers, lots of them murdered a couple of individual. Consider that. They usually’re in our nation. Now, we’ve gotten quite a lot of them out, and we all know who lots of them are. And we’re on the hunt. However why would anyone try this? Why would anyone — who may do such a factor the place they’d permit lots of of 1000’s, and even hundreds of thousands of individuals into our nation — or criminals and murderers on the highest stage. Who would do that?                               

KRISTEN WELKER:

However, sir, you acknowledge whenever you introduced your tariffs, for instance, the inventory market dropped. It’s been risky. It has —                               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Nicely —                               

KRISTEN WELKER:

– since gone up.                               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

– it’s, however now it’s —                               

KRISTEN WELKER:

Do you’re taking accountability —                               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Take a look at at present. I take accountability.                

KRISTEN WELKER:

– for that? Yeah. Do you’re taking accountability when it drops?                               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Finally, I take accountability for every thing. However I’ve solely simply been right here for slightly greater than three months. However the inventory market, have a look at what’s occurred within the final brief time period. Didn’t it have 9 or ten days in a row, or 11 days, the place it’s gone up? And the tariffs have simply began kicking in. And we’re doing very well. Psychologically, I imply, the pretend information was giving me such press on the tariffs. The tariffs are going to make us wealthy. We’re going to be a really wealthy nation.                               

KRISTEN WELKER:

So let’s discuss concerning the tariffs. And I wish to ask you about one thing you stated this week. Obtained quite a lot of consideration. You had been at your Cupboard assembly. You stated, quote — I’m going to cite what you stated — “Possibly the kids can have two dolls as an alternative of 30 dolls. And possibly the 2 dolls will value a few bucks greater than they’d usually.” Are you saying that your tariffs will trigger some costs to go up?                               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

No. I feel tariffs are going to be nice for us as a result of it’s going to make us wealthy.                               

KRISTEN WELKER:

However you stated some dolls are going to value extra.                               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Positive.                               

KRISTEN WELKER:

Isn’t that an acknowledgment —                               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

I don’t assume —                               

KRISTEN WELKER:

– that some costs —                               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

– kids —                               

KRISTEN WELKER:

– will go up?                               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

I don’t assume that an attractive child lady wants — that’s 11 years outdated — must have 30 dolls. I feel they will have three dolls or 4 dolls as a result of what we had been doing with China was simply unbelievable. We had a commerce deficit of lots of of billions of {dollars} with China.                               

KRISTEN WELKER:

Whenever you say, “They may have three dolls as an alternative of 30 dolls,” are you saying you’re —                               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

I’m saying they don’t must have 30 dolls —                                

KRISTEN WELKER:

– that Individuals may see empty retailer cabinets?                               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

No. No, I’m not saying that. I’m simply saying they don’t must have 30 dolls. They’ll have three. They don’t must have 250 pencils. They’ll have 5.                               

KRISTEN WELKER:

However you’re principally saying there might be some provide shortages —                               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

I’m principally saying —                                

KRISTEN WELKER:

– due to the tariffs.                               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

– we don’t need to waste cash on a commerce deficit with China for issues we don’t want, for junk that we don’t want.                               

KRISTEN WELKER:

Nicely, costs are already going up on some standard objects —                                

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Wait, whoa, whoa, whoa.                               

KRISTEN WELKER:

– from tires to strollers —                

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Whoa, whoa. That is such a dishonest interview already.                               

KRISTEN WELKER:

No, no.                               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Costs are down on groceries. Costs are down for oil. Costs are down for all vitality. Costs are down at great numbers for gasoline. And let me let you know, when you have got — the massive factor, what he did, he spent like a silly individual, which he was. However he spent like a really silly individual. And that was dangerous for inflation. However what actually killed us with inflation was the worth of vitality. It went as much as $3.90, even $4. And in California, $5 and $6. Proper? Okay. I’ve it right down to $1.98 in lots of states proper now. Whenever you go that a lot decrease on vitality — which is forward of my prediction as a result of I actually thought I may get it down into the $2.50s — we’ve it down at $1.98 in quite a few locations. However whenever you say prices are going up, even mortgage charges are taking place. You recognize, we’ve mortgage charges —                               

KRISTEN WELKER:

However let me provide you with some examples. These are — I imply, these are precise examples. So that you’re saying the costs which can be taking place. Some costs are going up. Tires, strollers, some clothes within the wake of your tariffs —                               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Excuse me. That’s peanuts in comparison with —                               

KRISTEN WELKER:

Nicely —                               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

– vitality. Vitality is 60% of the fee.                               

KRISTEN WELKER:

However, sir, you campaigned —                                

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Vitality is an enormous —                               

KRISTEN WELKER:

– on a promise to deliver costs down on day one.                                

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Nicely, I don’t know, whenever you say strollers are going up, what sort of a factor? I’m saying that gasoline goes down. Gasoline is 1000’s of instances extra vital than a stroller or some place?                               

KRISTEN WELKER:

However what do you say to Individuals who say they voted for you as a result of they need they usually want aid proper now?                               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

They usually’re getting it.                               

KRISTEN WELKER:

Proper now? What about these —                               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Even mortgage charges. It was simply introduced —                               

KRISTEN WELKER:

– totally different objects I simply talked about?                               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

– mortgage charges are taking place, even supposing we’ve a cussed Fed.                               

KRISTEN WELKER:

However you stated dolls — even dolls may value a pair bucks extra.                               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Possibly they may. However you don’t must have, as I stated, 35 dolls. You may have two, three, 4, and save some huge cash. We don’t must feed the beast.                               

KRISTEN WELKER:

I suppose — you’re speaking about this transition value. How lengthy ought to individuals count on that transition to final, Mr. President?                               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

I can’t let you know that. I can let you know that we’re making some huge cash. We’re doing nice. Once more, we had been dropping greater than $5 billion a day. $5 billion a day. You don’t discuss that. And proper now, we’re going to be at a degree very quickly the place we’re being profitable day-after-day. Look —                               

KRISTEN WELKER:

How quickly?                               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

– we had been dropping lots of of billions of {dollars} with China. Now we’re primarily not doing enterprise with China. Subsequently, we’re saving lots of of billions of {dollars}. Quite simple.                               

KRISTEN WELKER:

You are taking me to my subsequent query, which is about China. They’ve been making quite a few public statements.                               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Very optimistic statements within the final 24 hours.                               

KRISTEN WELKER:

Nicely, and most lately, they stated earlier than talks may occur, the U.S. would want to take away unilateral tariffs. Would you think about dropping the tariffs to get China to the negotiating desk?                               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

No. They — to begin with, you’re giving me an announcement that was stated per week in the past. You’re not giving the assertion that was stated at present.                               

KRISTEN WELKER:

I’ve Might 2nd, Chinese language Commerce Ministry.                               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Are you aware what they are saying at present?                               

KRISTEN WELKER:

“If the U.S. desires to barter, it ought to present sincerity –”                               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

“We’re wanting ahead — ”                               

KRISTEN WELKER:

“ — by getting ready to take actions in correcting its errors and canceling the unilateral tariffs.”                               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

No, no, no. They made — to begin with, they made quite a few statements.                               

KRISTEN WELKER:

Sure. They’ve made quite a few statements.                                

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

You know the way many individuals communicate for China?                               

KRISTEN WELKER:

Sure.                               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

It’s like, you have got 15 totally different —                               

KRISTEN WELKER:

They’ve made quite a few statements —                               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

I can provide you an announcement for any event.                               

KRISTEN WELKER:

Sure. Sure, sure.                               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

However they stated at present they wish to discuss. Look, China — and I don’t like this. I’m not pleased about this. China’s getting killed proper now. They’re getting completely destroyed. Their factories are closing. Their unemployment goes by way of the roof. I’m not wanting to do this to China. Now, on the identical time, I’m not seeking to have China make lots of of billions of {dollars} and construct extra ships and extra military tanks and extra airplanes.                               

KRISTEN WELKER:

So that you’re not ready — simply to be very clear, you’re not dropping the tariffs towards China to get them to the negotiating desk? 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP: 

Why would I —  

KRISTEN WELKER: 

These tariffs are staying on?                               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Why would I try this?                               

KRISTEN WELKER:

Would you decrease them?                               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

In some unspecified time in the future, I’m going to decrease them as a result of in any other case, you could possibly by no means do enterprise with them. They usually wish to do enterprise very a lot. Look, their financial system is de facto doing badly. Their financial system is collapsing.                               

KRISTEN WELKER:

So small companies say they’re being damage by the Chinese language tariffs. And a few might be pressured to close down.                               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

And lots of companies are being helped.                               

KRISTEN WELKER:

Are you contemplating —                               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Take a look at the car —                               

KRISTEN WELKER:

– tariff aid for small companies?                               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Why do you all the time point out that. You recognize, you decide up a few little companies. What concerning the automobile enterprise? They’re going to make a fortune due to the tariffs. Are you aware that the union, the pinnacle of the union, who was no fan of mine, Fain, Shawn Fain I suppose his identify is, proper? He didn’t endorse me. The Teamsters did. Lots of people did. Plenty of unions did. However he didn’t. He couldn’t stand me. Now he’s saying, “Wow. What Trump’s completed for the car, I can’t imagine it.” I assume he’s going to in all probability now say — the subsequent factor he can say is, “I endorse this man. He’s the best I’ve ever seen.” He can’t imagine it’s occurred. He stated, “We’ve been ready 40 years for someone to do what Trump is doing.” So why don’t you point out the massive automobile trade as an alternative of mentioning someone that’s doing strollers?                               

KRISTEN WELKER:

Nicely, I’m simply asking you about small companies. Are there any discussions about giving any aid to small companies?                               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

They’re not going to wish it.  

KRISTEN WELKER:

Okay. Are these — 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP: 

They’re going to make a lot cash —                               

KRISTEN WELKER:

Are these tariffs —                               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

– should you construct your product right here. Bear in mind, there aren’t any tariffs should you construct your product right here. It’s very straightforward. It’s quite simple.                               

KRISTEN WELKER:

Are these tariffs everlasting, Mr. President?                               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Will depend on what you’re speaking about. One of many issues that’s going to deliver, and has introduced — so I feel we in all probability have near $9 trillion of investments coming into this nation. Should you have a look at different presidents, there’s by no means been something like that. That is over a interval of two months. You’ve bought to offer me slightly break on the one month as a result of we’re three months. However, you realize, let’s say we needed to get began. We had quite a lot of pretend information in the beginning, so we needed to beat that down. However so let’s say in two months. So in only a brief time period — a matter of a few months — we’ve the biggest quantity ever in historical past invested in the US and dedicated. We have now between, assured, spoken for and folks which can be going to decide and announce it fairly quickly, near $9 trillion. We’ve by no means had something shut. Now, that’s Apple constructing $500 billion value of crops. They all the time constructed their crops in China. Now they’re constructing their crops over right here. That’s the most important laptop firm, the most important chip firm on this planet. You recognize, the chip firm from Taiwan, which is the most important on this planet, is dedicated for $500 billion. One other one’s dedicated for $300 billion. We have now corporations, no one’s ever seen something prefer it. Let me let you know the opposite factor, very importantly — vehicle corporations. Plant, after plant, after plant: Toyota, Honda, Ford, Normal Motors, Stellantis, I imply, no one’s ever seen something prefer it. And I don’t like this, but it surely occurs to be. They’re stopping work in Mexico, they usually’re stopping work in Canada, they usually’re all shifting right here.                               

KRISTEN WELKER:

That is vital although. You’re not taking the chance that these tariffs might be everlasting off the desk — a few of them?                               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

No, I wouldn’t try this as a result of if someone thought they had been going to come back off the desk, why would they construct in the US?                               

KRISTEN WELKER:

Let me ask you about —                               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

You perceive that, proper?                               

KRISTEN WELKER:

Yeah. No, I imply, that’s why I’m asking as a result of there’s quite a lot of, I feel, uncertainty for CEOs, for enterprise house owners. They wish to know are these tariffs —                               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

See, I don’t assume there’s uncertainty.                               

KRISTEN WELKER:

– everlasting?                               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

I feel there’s solely uncertainty within the pretend information. I don’t assume there’s uncertainty. I imply, I’ve been very inflexible, very robust on it. However I’ll say I’ve — I’m versatile. Like, with respect to elements made outdoors of the nation, I gave the car corporations slightly further time. You recognize, you’re speaking about 15%, after which 10% of the elements made — put in a automobile. I gave them slightly further time with out penalizing them. And I did that solely to assist, you realize, corporations. We’re seeking to assist corporations. We wish them to thrive and to rent lots of people and that’s what’s taking place. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

Let me ask you about a few of what Wall Road has stated. Some individuals on Wall Road have expressed issues that the opportunity of a recession is rising. And I wish to know what you concentrate on that. Are you snug with the nation probably dipping right into a recession for a time period if you’ll be able to obtain your long run objectives?               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Nicely, you realize, you say some individuals on Wall Road say, nicely, I’ll let you know one thing else. Some individuals on Wall Road say that we’re going to have the best financial system in historical past. Why don’t you discuss them? As a result of some individuals on Wall Road say that is the best —               

KRISTEN WELKER:

Nicely, that’s what I’m getting at —               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

– factor that ever occurred.               

KRISTEN WELKER:

That’s what I’m getting at although. It’s —               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

There are lots of individuals —               

KRISTEN WELKER:

– the identical query.               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Yeah. There are lots of individuals on Wall Road that say, “That is going to be the best windfall ever occur.”               

KRISTEN WELKER:

And that’s my query —               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Bear in mind this —               

KRISTEN WELKER:

– the long run.  

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Yeah. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

Is it okay within the brief time period to have a recession?               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Bear in mind this. Look, yeah. Every part’s okay. What we’re — I stated, it is a transition interval. I feel we’re going to do fantastically. Certainly one of your colleagues on one other pretend information station, ABC, stated, “Do you assure 100% {that a} sure individual goes to do a unbelievable job as, let’s say, Secretary of Protection?” Okay? As a result of that was the query. I stated, “What sort of a query is that? Do I assure 100%? No person ensures 100%.” However I’ll say this. I feel we’re going to have an financial system the likes of which we’ve by no means had earlier than. You recognize, my 4 years had been phenomenal, as you realize. The inventory market. Actually, despite the fact that we needed to undergo the Covid factor, that horrible scenario with Covid, we did numbers — and once I gave it over, once I handed it over, the election was rigged, and I handed it — and due to that, we’ve quite a lot of issues, by the way in which. However once I handed it over, what occurred? The market was greater than it was earlier to simply earlier to Covid coming in. No person may imagine it. The inventory market, I’m speaking about.               

KRISTEN WELKER:

I don’t wish to look again, however you probably did take your case to court docket about that.               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

No, you bought to look again.               

KRISTEN WELKER:

You took your case to court docket about your allegations towards the election. Let me ask you, sir —               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Ah, no no no. There’s no query about it. The election was rigged. The information are in. And it’s nonetheless being litigated. Let’s go.               

KRISTEN WELKER:

You probably did take your case to court docket greater than 60 instances —               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

No, no, positive.               

KRISTEN WELKER:

– and didn’t win these circumstances.               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Positive. And I received quite a lot of court docket circumstances —               

KRISTEN WELKER:

Simply to button that up although, sir, simply to button that up —               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

What are you speaking about? The election of —               

KRISTEN WELKER:

How fearful are you —               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Are we speaking concerning the election of 2020?               

KRISTEN WELKER:

No, let’s discuss concerning the right here and now. Let’s discuss right here and now —               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

The election of 2020?               

KRISTEN WELKER:

Let’s not discuss — let’s discuss right here and now. Are you fearful a couple of recession?               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

No. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

Okay.               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

No. No. I feel we’re going to have the best financial —               

KRISTEN WELKER:

I imply, are you fearful it may occur? Do you assume it may occur?               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Something can occur. However I feel we’re going to have the best financial system within the historical past of our nation. I feel we’re going to have the best financial increase in historical past.               

KRISTEN WELKER:

Let me ask you about this name to Amazon founder Jeff Bezos this week in response to a report that Amazon was going to show tariff prices subsequent to product costs. Are you going to punish CEOs who improve their costs due to tariffs?               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

I feel what’s — what is a superb misnomer is the phrase “tariff” in lots of circumstances, it’s not — to me, I don’t view it as a tax. I view it as an incentive for individuals to come back into the US and construct crops, factories, workplaces, quite a lot of issues. I feel it’s an incentive. However the factor that’s not recognized is, should you look again and see, oftentimes, like China or Vietnam or different nations, not simply China, as a result of China’s an abuser, however there are different abusers. A lot of them are buddies, the so-called — I say buddy and foe, and buddy is oftentimes worse than foe. However what individuals don’t perceive is, and it is a lot, the nation eats the tariff. The corporate eats the tariff. And it’s not handed alongside in any respect.               

KRISTEN WELKER:

Nicely, some CEOs —               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

I don’t view it as a tax.               

KRISTEN WELKER:

– are saying they’re going to need to cross it on. So how do you cope with these CEOs?               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

It could. It could. However the firm —               

KRISTEN WELKER:

How do you cope with these CEOs?               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

China is consuming the tariffs proper now.               

KRISTEN WELKER:

What do you say to these CEOs who’re saying, “We’d need to cross this on to the patron?”               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Nicely, they are saying that as a result of possibly it’s to their benefit to say it. Possibly they don’t —               

KRISTEN WELKER:

Will you punish them?               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

No, as a result of you realize what? I need them to construct crops in the US. That manner, they don’t have any tariffs. See, tariffs will — and never solely will, have a look at what’s occurred. In two months, we’re near $9 trillion of funding. We’ve by no means been wherever close to that.               

KRISTEN WELKER:

What did you say to Jeff Bezos?               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

He’s only a very good man. We have now a relationship. I requested him about it. He stated, “Nicely, I don’t wish to try this,” and he took it off instantly.               

KRISTEN WELKER:

So he modified course. And can you’re taking that very same tactic with different CEOs should you really feel like —               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Positive. I’ll all the time name individuals if I disagree with them.  

KRISTEN WELKER:

You’ll — 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

If I feel that someone’s doing one thing that’s incorrect, unsuitable, or possibly hurtful to the nation, I’ll name. Absolu — wouldn’t you need me to name? Biden wouldn’t name as a result of he didn’t know what was taking place, however I do. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

Takes me to my subsequent query. At present’s robust jobs report doubtless means — not clear, however doubtless means — the Fed is much less more likely to decrease rates of interest quickly. 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Nicely, he ought to decrease them. And in some unspecified time in the future, he’ll. He’d reasonably not as a result of he’s not a fan of mine. You recognize, he simply doesn’t like me as a result of I feel he’s a complete stiff. And, you realize, it’s simply a type of issues. He ought to decrease them. And I want the individuals which can be on that board would get him to decrease as a result of we’re at an ideal time. It’s already late. However he ought to decrease rates of interest. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

Do you rule out eradicating Fed Chair Jerome Powell? 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

I’m not — you realize, I get to vary him in a short time anyway. You recognize, it’s in a really brief time period.               

KRISTEN WELKER:

In 2026. You’re not going to take away — you don’t have plans to take away him earlier than 2026 when his time’s up?               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

No, no, no. That was a complete — why would I try this? I get to interchange the individual in one other brief time period.               

KRISTEN WELKER:

Okay. This week, you reshuffled your nationwide safety group.  

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Yeah. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

You moved Nationwide Safety Advisor Mike Waltz to U.N. ambassador. Simply to remind our viewers, Waltz, in fact, began that unsecure textual content chain the place delicate data was shared. Mr. President, was that transfer a punishment?

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

No. I simply assume he’ll do a pleasant job within the new place. Marco’s doing an impressive job. Now, Marco received’t preserve — Marco’s very busy doing different issues, so he’s not going to maintain it long run. We’re going to place someone else in. However I feel Mike was a — as you realize, he’s a high quality man. And I feel he’ll do an excellent job — is aware of the nations, is aware of management. And I feel he’ll do an excellent on the United Nations. And within the meantime, Marco’s actually doing one thing particular. And it’s going to work out very nicely.               

KRISTEN WELKER:

We’re listening to some potential names. Stephen Miller’s identify, one in all your long-time, most loyal aides. His identify has been talked about as a possible nationwide safety advisor. Is he somebody you’re ?               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Nicely, I’d like to have Stephen there, however that will be a downgrade. Stephen may be very — Stephen is way greater on the totem pole than that, for my part.               

KRISTEN WELKER:

Are you able to inform us who the frontrunner is true now?               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Nicely, I’ve lots of people that need it. I’ll let you know, I’ve all people calling. All people desires to be part of this administration. So in some unspecified time in the future we’ll — you realize, in all probability try this. You recognize, there’s a principle. Henry Kissinger did each. There’s a principle that you simply don’t want two individuals. However I feel I’ve some actually nice individuals that would do a very good job.               

KRISTEN WELKER:

So Secretary Rubio may proceed to have each jobs indefinitely?               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

He may, yeah. He may. However I feel he even want to in all probability see — as a result of it’s a little bit totally different. However within the meantime, he’ll deal with it. And I feel Mike, if that goes ahead, you realize, he nonetheless has to get accredited. However I feel Mike will do an excellent job on the United Nations.               

KRISTEN WELKER:

Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth clearly additionally on that unsecure textual content chain. He was sharing delicate data. Are you in search of a brand new secretary of protection, Mr. President?               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

No. Not even slightly bit. No. Pete’s going to be nice. We’re —                

KRISTEN WELKER:

His job is protected proper now?               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

We’re doing a unbelievable job towards the Houthis, who like blowing ships up and watching them sink within the ocean. We’re hitting them very arduous. No, he’s doing an excellent job.               

KRISTEN WELKER:

His job is protected proper now?               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Completely protected.               

KRISTEN WELKER:

Okay. Let’s discuss concerning the border.. Let’s discuss deportations. Border crossings are at their lowest stage ever recorded. Is the border —               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Is that good?               

KRISTEN WELKER:

Is the border now safe?               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Yeah, it’s actually safe.               

KRISTEN WELKER:

It’s completely safe?               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Isn’t that good, although? Whenever you say that, doesn’t that simply sound good? After being abused for years by an incompetent president that allowed individuals to pour by way of an open border, criminals from everywhere in the world, murderers and insane individuals from psychological establishments and insane asylums, isn’t it — isn’t it an attractive factor whenever you say, “It’s essentially the most safe it’s ever been within the historical past of our nation.” Isn’t {that a} good assertion? 

KRISTEN WELKER:

Nicely, I’m curious to know what it means. You declared a nationwide emergency on the southern border.  

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Yeah. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

The order remains to be in place. Despite the fact that —                                               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

By the way in which, it means precisely what you stated, you realize —                                  

KRISTEN WELKER:

– you’re saying the border is safe. Sure.                                  

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Means we’ve essentially the most safe border we’ve ever had.                                               

KRISTEN WELKER:

Nicely, and I suppose the query turns into —                                               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

It’s not sophisticated.                                               

KRISTEN WELKER:

– when will you realize that the emergency is over? Are you planning to elevate it in some unspecified time in the future? Is it needed? As a result of clearly, the army’s concerned. Will you elevate that — that emergency order, sir?                                               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Nicely, the most important emergency is the courts aren’t permitting us to take actually —                                               

KRISTEN WELKER:

We’re going to speak about that, however discuss to me first about this —                                               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Nicely, that’s to me the emergency as a result of —                                               

KRISTEN WELKER:

Discuss to me first about this, the emergency —                                               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

The border now shouldn’t be the emergency. The border is — it’s all a part of the identical factor although. The massive emergency proper now’s that we’ve 1000’s of those that we wish to take out, and we’ve some judges that need all people to go to court docket —                                               

KRISTEN WELKER:

A few of them you appointed, sir, together with three on the Supreme Court docket.                                               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

That’s all proper. I imply, they alter. I imply, it’s unbelievable. It’s unbelievable how that occurs, however they do change.                                               

KRISTEN WELKER:

Simply to button this up, although, are you planning to elevate that emergency order any time quickly now that the border’s safe? You say the border’s safe.                                               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

No, no, no. We have now an emergency. We have now a large emergency general. It’s an general emergency on immigration. And the — if the courts don’t permit us to take individuals out, if we needed to have a court docket case each single — consider it. Each single individual, we’ve hundreds of thousands of individuals. If in case you have hundreds of thousands of court docket circumstances, determine two weeks a court docket case, it might be 300 years.                                               

KRISTEN WELKER:

So let’s discuss this, as a result of clearly, you’ve had a backwards and forwards with the Supreme Court docket. In a 9-0 determination, the Supreme Court docket directed your administration to facilitate the return, you’ve talked about this prior to now, of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, from a jail in El Salvador, whose deportation your administration known as an “administrative error.” You stated in a current interview you could possibly deliver him again however you received’t. Are you defying the Supreme Court docket, sir?                                               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

No. I’m counting on the lawyer normal of the US, Pam Bondi, who’s very succesful, doing a terrific job. As a result of I’m not concerned within the legality or the illegality. I’ve attorneys to do this and that’s why I’ve a terrific DOJ. We have now a terrific one. We had a really corrupt one earlier than. Now we’ve a terrific one. They usually’re not viewing the choice the way in which you stated it. They don’t view it that manner in any respect. They assume it’s a completely totally different determination.                                               

KRISTEN WELKER:

Nicely, you say you have got the ability to deliver him again, although. Your lawyer normal says, quote, “That’s as much as El Salvador.” Simply to place a high quality level on this, do you have got the ability to deliver Abrego Garcia again because the Supreme Court docket has ordered?                                               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Nicely, I’ve the ability to ask for him to come back again if I’m instructed by the lawyer normal that it’s authorized to take action. However the determination as as to whether or not he ought to come again would be the head of El Salvador. He’s a really succesful man.                                               

KRISTEN WELKER:

Nicely, you realize, and your lawyer normal has stated the problem is with that phrase “facilitate.” Will you search clarification from the Supreme Court docket? Do you should return to the Supreme Court docket?                                               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

We might try this. I used to be asking about that. We might try this. There are some those that say, “Carry him again, put him in trial, and also you get him out immediately.” Since you take — you see what occurred simply this morning, tapes got here out, horrible tapes from his spouse. You don’t get a lot worse than that. You don’t get, I imply, he appears actually like a really harmful, very dangerous individual. However even the spouse who was so afraid, she was afraid to speak, and swiftly tapes bought launched this morning that had been devastating to him.                                               

KRISTEN WELKER:

And that is the purpose, sir, about due course of. The Structure says each individual, residents and non-citizens, deserve due course of. Why not push to have him come again, current all of that proof in court docket, let a decide resolve?                                               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Nicely, I’ll depart that to the attorneys, and I’ll depart that to the lawyer normal of the US, as a result of —                                               

KRISTEN WELKER:

However do you agree —                                               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

– they’re in it. You need to perceive. I’m coping with Russia and Ukraine. I’m coping with China —                                               

KRISTEN WELKER:

And we’re going to speak about that.                                               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

I’m coping with Iran. I’m coping with Rwanda and the Congo who’re combating and we’re attempting to get that one straightened out. And I feel we’ve completed that, did a terrific job. No person even talks about it, however I feel we’re near doing that. They’re wanting like they’re going to possibly make a peace deal, which was — could be good. However I’m coping with quite a lot of various things. I don’t know a lot about this gentleman apart from I hear he’s an absolute not good individual. And I’ve very succesful authorized individuals, John Sauer, as you realize, and all prime individuals. And I’ve to depend on that to interpret no matter is claimed by the Supreme Court docket. Now with that being stated, I’ve great respect for the Supreme Court docket. Look, three of the persons are individuals I appointed.                                               

KRISTEN WELKER:

Proper.                                               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

And I’ve nice respect for the Supreme Court docket. And I might count on that the lawyer normal can be doing the precise factor.                                               

KRISTEN WELKER:

Your secretary of state says everybody who’s right here, residents and non-citizens, deserve due course of. Do you agree, Mr. President?                                               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

I don’t know. I’m not, I’m not a lawyer. I don’t know.                                               

KRISTEN WELKER:

Nicely, the Fifth Modification says as a lot.                                               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

I don’t know. It appears — it’d say that, however should you’re speaking about that, then we’d need to have 1,000,000 or 2 million or 3 million trials. We have now 1000’s of individuals which can be some murderers and a few drug sellers and a few of the worst individuals on Earth.                                               

KRISTEN WELKER:

However is —                                               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Among the worst, most harmful individuals on Earth. And I used to be elected to get them the hell out of right here and the courts are holding me from doing it.                                               

KRISTEN WELKER:

However even given these numbers that you simply’re speaking about, don’t you should uphold the Structure of the US as president?                                               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

I don’t know. I’ve to reply by saying, once more, I’ve good attorneys that work for me, and they will clearly comply with what the Supreme Court docket stated. What you stated shouldn’t be what I heard the Supreme Court docket stated. They’ve a unique interpretation.               

KRISTEN WELKER:

Is anybody in your administration proper now involved with El Salvador about returning Abrego Garcia to the US? 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

I don’t know. You’d need to ask the lawyer normal that query. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

Okay. No less than two Individuals have been mistakenly detained and launched by your administration, immigration authorities. Mr. President, ought to lawful residents of this nation begin carrying paperwork with them after they depart their houses to have the ability to show that they’re — 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

I don’t assume that’ll be needed, however what you’re not saying is that many individuals have been killed, maimed, badly damage by unlawful immigrants that came to visit which can be from prisons and from jails and from psychological establishments. They usually’re hurting our individuals. And if we don’t get them out, we’re not going to have a rustic for lengthy. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

There — 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

We want sincere media, and we want partitions. We have to have borders. And, by the way in which, I constructed quite a lot of partitions, and if we didn’t try this, we wouldn’t have the ability to have these — you realize, we might not have the ability to have the form of numbers if I wasn’t profitable in constructing lots of of miles of wall. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

In a short time, sir. The final time you and I spoke in December, you stated that you’d think about engaged on getting Dreamers authorized standing. Dreamers, in fact, those that are introduced right here illegally as kids. The place do these efforts stand — 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Many, a few years in the past — 

KRISTEN WELKER:

Is {that a} precedence for you? 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Nicely, it’s not a precedence for the Democrats as a result of each time we discuss it, they don’t wish to discuss it as a result of I suppose they prefer it as a political problem. However they’re not good at political points as a result of they nonetheless wish to have males play in girls’s sports activities. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

Nicely, Republicans do management Congress proper now, Mr. President. Are you going to make — 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Yeah, however the Democrats don’t — 

KRISTEN WELKER:

– Dreamers a precedence? 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Nicely, for that, you would want to have assist from Democrats, and we’ve no assist from the Democrats. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

Have you ever had any discussions about Dreamers? 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Yeah, we’ve had discussions. We’d do one thing. I’d like to put an attractive immigration for everyone. However the Democrats don’t wish to approve something. All they wish to do is knock out a tax invoice. We’re attempting to get accredited proper now the most important tax reduce within the historical past of our nation, and if it doesn’t get accredited, it’s a 68% tax improve, and that’s what the Democrats need. They need a 68% tax improve. It’s reasonably unimaginable. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

And I do wish to discuss to you about your laws, however let’s discuss DOGE in a short time. DOGE has fired after which rehired 1000’s of federal employees, together with FAA workers in command of aviation security, specialists engaged on nuclear weapon security. What do you say to those that imagine Elon Musk’s chainsaw strategy has jeopardized the protection and safety of Individuals? 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Nicely, he discovered $160 billion value of fraud, waste and abuse. I imply, I feel he’s completed an incredible job. I feel his individuals have completed an unimaginable job. They’re good individuals. They know the pc. I really requested him, “What’s their huge trait?” He stated, “They’re unbelievable at computer systems.” In different phrases, you’ll be able to’t pretend them out. As a result of these individuals had been in lots of circumstances crooks, but it surely was fraud, waste and abuse. They discovered — your query must be requested a unique manner. “Have been sure issues discovered?” Sure. “How a lot?” $160 billion. Consider what $160 billion is. Should you discovered 160 — 

KRISTEN WELKER:

He stated he’d discover $2 trillion. 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Nicely, we’re not completed but. We’re not completed but. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

Do you assume the work continues despite the fact that he’s leaving? 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Oh sure, in fact, positive. He’s abandoning some very good individuals. They had been on tv final night time. They’re tremendous excessive IQ individuals. I like excessive IQ individuals. The Democrats don’t have lots of them. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

Let me ask you about some information that broke. You might be threatening to rescind Harvard’s tax-exempt standing. 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Yeah. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

And but, directing the IRS to research and rescind a college’s tax-exempt standing is opposite to what’s within the federal legislation. The legislation says you’ll be able to’t do that. Do you assume you’re following the legislation? 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Nicely, I let you know, I’m going to simply comply with what the attorneys say. They are saying that we’re allowed to do this, and I’m all for it. However every thing I say is topic to the legal guidelines being 100% adhered to. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

Are you prepared to take this to court docket if it turns into a court docket struggle? 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Positive, why not? 

KRISTEN WELKER:

You’re going to take it that far?  

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

We’ve received quite a lot of circumstances. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

All proper, let’s discuss a few of the different actions you’ve taken over the previous 100 days. Final month, you directed your lawyer normal, Pam Bondi, to evaluate two individuals who you understand to be your political adversaries. And but, you instructed me in December that you wouldn’t direct the Justice Division to research your political foes. What modified? 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Nicely, no. I simply have a look at individuals — and I’m not directing anyone. They checked out these two individuals. They could have recognized it or they may have heard it from two years in the past. One individual stated, “He knew me so nicely,” he was I feel on CNN or MSDNC, however they’re each failing networks, you’re pleased to know. Despite the fact that one in all them I suppose is said to you in a single type or one other, though, they’re attempting to chop them unfastened as quick as doable. However the — it was well-known that this one individual, it was virtually like he was my brother. I don’t even know who he’s. Possibly he was there. Possibly he was within the Oval Workplace a number of instances as a surrogate for someone in some type of authorities, together with 25 different those that sat behind the room or stood behind the room. I do not know who this man is. And he’s on the market after which he did a ebook known as “Nameless.” Did a ebook known as “Nameless.” I feel that’s actually subversion. I feel it’s spying, it’s one thing. It’s one thing actually dangerous. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

Nicely, you handed an government order calling to your lawyer normal to research that. 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

And I feel he’s been checked out for a very long time. And the opposite one stated that the election was so fantastic. Nicely, it turned out it wasn’t an exquisite election. It was a corrupt election. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

Let me ask it this manner, sir, as a result of once we talked in December, I requested you, what’s your message to individuals who didn’t vote for you? Let me remind you of what you stated. You stated, “I really like you, and we’re going to all work collectively.” How does pursuing your political foes assist to unify the nation? 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Did I actually say, “I really like you?” 

KRISTEN WELKER:

You actually did. That’s a direct quote. 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

I’m positive you’re proper, however I’d prefer to see that. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

I promise I’ll present it to you. I’ll present you the tape. 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Look — 

KRISTEN WELKER:

How does that assist to unify the nation? 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

I wish to deal with individuals pretty, whether or not they voted for me or not. I wish to have a unified nation. It’s very arduous as a result of the media’s so pretend, together with, like, even the way in which you ask questions. Each query is requested in a damaging vein. “There’s a toy firm that took a toddler’s you realize no matter.” However you don’t discuss the truth that gasoline is down at numbers that no one believes doable. You recognize why they’re down, by the way in which? Drill child, drill. We’re drilling like loopy proper now. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

We strive to ensure each query is honest, Mr. President. 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Nicely, look. Each query you ask says a really damaging slant. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

No, no, no. However I’m simply curious, are you — 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

And I’m high quality for responding to you. I don’t assume you’re very tough in any respect to answer, to be sincere with you. However you realize what? It is best to ask some optimistic issues, like, “Sir, it’s wonderful what you’ve completed with gasoline.” As a result of you realize what? Gasoline’s huge enterprise. A stroller shouldn’t be huge enterprise. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

However to this query, Mr. President, you stated you wished to unify the nation. Does going after political foes undercut that aim? 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

No, by no means. No, we wish sincere individuals. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

Okay. 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

I feel it’s a must to try this. And we wish sincere individuals on this nation. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

Let me ask you huge image. Individuals who have lived in nations just like the Philippines, Hungary, Russia, they have a look at a few of your actions — going after civil service, going after universities, legislation companies, the media — they are saying it’s out of an authoritarian playbook. What do you say to those that imagine you take the nation down an authoritarian path? 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Nicely, there you go once more. Why don’t you ask it a unique manner? Many individuals wish to come into our nation. Many individuals love Trump. I received the election. They didn’t win the election. I bought much more votes than they did. I received the favored vote. I received all seven swing states by rather a lot. Lots of people had been shocked. They stated, “I feel he may win 4, possibly 5.” No, I received all seven, and I received by rather a lot. And I received. Truly, I feel there was quite a lot of hanky panky occurring but it surely was too huge to rig. That’s the excellent news. It’s too huge to rig. However let me simply say, so whenever you make these statements about, “Individuals say this –,” nicely, they’d their probability on the election they usually misplaced huge. So it’s best to ask the query in a different way —  

KRISTEN WELKER:

What do you say to —  

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

It is best to say, “What concerning the those that wish to be on this nation? What concerning the those that love this nation?” 

KRISTEN WELKER:

Okay. However what do you say to — I’m asking it on behalf of these individuals to offer you an opportunity to answer them. What do you say to these individuals, sir? 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

These persons are going to be very pleased. They’re going to need to see some outcomes. And I feel we had a terrific 100 days. There are lots of people that say it was unprecedented. It was a fully unprecedented 100 days. And I hope that they’re going to be proper. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

Do you see dissent as a necessary a part of democracy? 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

It’s part of democracy. It’s. You’re all the time going to have dissent — 

KRISTEN WELKER:

Is it an vital a part of democracy? 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

You’re all the time going to have — Kristen, you’re all the time going to have dissent. There’s nothing you’re going to do about that. Am I going to get 100% unified? It might be a wierd place. I can’t even think about it the place 100%. Look. You could have individuals which can be good individuals. They’re very sensible individuals. They usually truthfully imagine we should always have open borders and your complete world must be allowed to pour into our nation. I feel it’s a 95/5 problem, however they imagine it. They’re not even dangerous individuals. A few of them are dangerous. You could have those that truthfully imagine that males must be allowed to play in girls’s sports activities. A few of these individuals I actually, really I don’t know any. I haven’t been capable of finding any, however they exist. They are saying it’s an 80/20 problem. I don’t imagine that. I feel it’s a 97 to 3 problem. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

Do you assume individuals ought to have the precise to criticize you with out worry of reprisal? 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Completely. Yeah, I do. That I do. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

And the way do you sq. that — 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

And I feel that occurs. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

How do you sq. that with the truth that you have got handed these government orders asking the lawyer normal to look into a few of the individuals who’ve criticized you, who’ve been harshest towards you? 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

I’ve been investigated greater than any individual within the historical past of the US of America. I’ve been investigated greater than the late nice, as they are saying at my rallies, Alphonse Capone. Alphonse Capone was a nasty man. He was a — the best stage gangster. And I’ve been investigated greater than Al Capone, greater than anyone. These persons are evil individuals. And I received. And I’ll let you know what. All I wish to occur is for the Division of Justice and the FBI. Pam is nice and Kash is nice. I feel they’re two nice individuals. However they’re their very own individuals. They wish to do a unbelievable job. And all I wish to do and all I wish to ask for is that they be allowed to do their job. I’m not telling them to do something. And I imagine I’ve the precise to do it. I’m, in principle, the highest legislation enforcement officer because the president. We went over this as soon as earlier than, and it turned out I used to be proper. However I’m not wanting to make use of that. We have now two nice individuals, and we’ve many, many unimaginable individuals beneath them. And I simply need them to do their job and do it nicely. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

Let me ask you about one thing I don’t assume you’ve been requested a lot about, which is you’ve branded your individual cryptocurrency. The coin’s worth really surged lately after you introduced that prime holders could be invited to have dinner — 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

I don’t even know that. What did it surge to — 

KRISTEN WELKER:

 — that individuals wished to — what did it surge to? 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Yeah. What’s it value? You may as nicely inform me, as a result of I do not know. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

Nicely, it surged, I’ll discover it, maintain on one second, 5.2 or 58%, so 58%. 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

To what quantity? 

KRISTEN WELKER:

That’s not dangerous, 14.32. 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

What, billion? 

KRISTEN WELKER:

For — no, {dollars} per cryptocurrency. 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Billion {dollars}? 

KRISTEN WELKER:

No. 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

What’s the quantity? I imply, what’s the quantity? 

KRISTEN WELKER:

The meme coin’s worth hit a peak of 75.35 on January 19. 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Nicely, that doesn’t imply something. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

And that’s earlier than your inauguration, after which it surged. 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Look. I’m in favor of crypto. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

Okay. However let me simply ask you — 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

You recognize what I’m in favor of it — 

KRISTEN WELKER:

– what do you say to those that argue that after they hear that, they fear you’re cashing in on the presidency? 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

I’m not cashing in on something. All I’m doing is, I began this lengthy earlier than the election. I need crypto. I feel crypto’s vital as a result of if we don’t do it, China’s going to. And it’s new, it’s very fashionable, it’s highly regarded. Should you have a look at the market, when the market went down, that stayed a lot stronger than different elements of the market. However I need crypto as a result of lots of people, you realize hundreds of thousands of individuals need it. I don’t know if you realize that Biden went after it violently, after which earlier than the election, he modified his tune solely. His head of the SEC, all people modified their tune. You recognize why? As a result of there have been lots of of hundreds of thousands of individuals which can be collaborating in crypto, they usually wished to get their votes. But it surely didn’t work– 

KRISTEN WELKER:

So that you’re not profiting off of the cryptocurrency in any respect? 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

I haven’t even appeared. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

Has your loved ones? 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

However I’ll let you know what. Look, if I personal inventory in one thing and I do a very good job, and the inventory market goes up, I suppose I’m profiting. However who actually earnings is someone like Nancy Pelosi, who makes use of inside data. She labored for $175,000 a 12 months, and that’s on the excessive finish. And he or she’s value $150, $200 million? Okay? You ought to take a look at Nancy Pelosi and also you ought to take a look at a few of these politicians which can be stone chilly crooks. I used to be very rich once I got here in. Being president in all probability value me cash should you actually look. Actually, I do one thing that no different president has completed, they assume possibly George Washington has completed. I contribute my complete wage to the federal government, again to the federal government. And I’m doing it once more. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

So will you contribute something you earn from crypto again to the federal government if that occurs? 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

I by no means considered that. I imply, ought to I contribute all of my actual property that I’ve owned for a few years if it goes up slightly bit as a result of I’m president and doing a very good job? I don’t assume so. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

Okay. 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

However I’ve completed one thing that surprisingly they are saying no one else has completed, no different president has completed. I give, and it’s a considerable wage. It’s a half 1,000,000 {dollars} a 12 months or $550,000 a 12 months, 4 years, couple of million {dollars}. I gave it to the federal government final time. I by no means bought a narrative saying I gave it. No person cared if I gave it. I assure if I didn’t give it, there’d be an enormous story. However no different president, they are saying with the doable exception of George Washington, they usually haven’t been capable of finding these data. And we’ve had rich presidents earlier than, however no different president has contributed his wage. They usually instructed me earlier than this that you’ll in all probability be asking me whether or not or not I’m going to contribute my wage once more. However you haven’t requested that. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

Are you going to? 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Sure. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

You might be? Okay. 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Sure. I’m. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

Okay. Nicely, I recognize — we simply made information there. Let’s discuss overseas coverage, sir. You simply signed a minerals cope with Ukraine. It’s an indication, it appears, that the US is invested in Ukraine’s future. The secretary of state instructed me it is a very crucial week. Are you any nearer to reaching a peace settlement between Ukraine and Russia? 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

I hope so. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

How would you characterize it?  

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

I do imagine we’re nearer with one occasion, and possibly not as shut with the opposite. However we’ll need to see. I’d prefer to not say which one we’re nearer to. However we did do a deal for the American those that was good. We had been in a position to get uncommon earth, you realize? The Europeans are getting paid again. They’ve a mortgage. We didn’t — Biden simply gave them $350 billion. He has no thought the place the cash is, what occurred. And at the least we’ll, in a single type or one other, get our — yeah, I don’t really feel so silly. And keep in mind this, that is Biden’s struggle. This was a struggle that was by no means going to occur if I had been president. This can be a horrible, horrible struggle. And I get to see photographs of troopers by way of, you realize, satellite tv for pc which can be so, simply so, horrible. 5,000 troopers are being, look 5,000 troopers per week on common are dying. They’re not American troopers. However I wish to resolve the issue. They’re Russian troopers, they usually’re Ukrainian troopers. And if I can save 5,000 souls, I simply love doing it. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

How lengthy do you give each nations earlier than you’re going to stroll away? 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Nicely, there can be a time when I’ll say, “Okay, preserve going. Preserve being silly and preserve combating.” 

KRISTEN WELKER:

When does that come? Are you near it? 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Typically I get near it, after which optimistic issues occur, okay? So I hope it will get completed. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

Your shut ally, Senator Lindsey Graham, has a sanctions invoice towards Russia. Should you get to that time, Mr. President, the place you’re ready to stroll away, will you assist — will you signal that sanctions invoice? 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Nicely, it depends upon whether or not or not Russia is behaving towards coming to a peace. We wish a peace deal. We wish Russia and Ukraine to comply with a deal. We predict we’re pretty shut, and we’re going to avoid wasting lots of people from being killed. Going to avoid wasting some huge cash, too. As a result of we’re spending cash like — you realize, Europe is spending a 3rd of the cash that we’re spending. And it’s extra vital for Europe than it’s for us. Biden had no management. He simply despatched cash over there willy-nilly, no one had any thought what was taking place, why they had been doing it, why they had been sending it. And it was huge quantities of cash. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

So that you assume you’re near a deal? What’s going to Russia have to surrender? As a result of Ukraine, there’s been discussions they must hand over a few of the land that Russia’s illegally claimed. 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Russia must hand over all of Ukraine. As a result of that’s what they need. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

All of Ukraine? Which means they wouldn’t preserve any of the land that they’ve claimed? 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

No, no. Russia must hand over all of Ukraine. As a result of what Russia desires is all of Ukraine. And if I didn’t get entangled, they’d be combating proper now for all of Ukraine. Russia doesn’t need the strip that they’ve now; Russia desires all of Ukraine. And if it weren’t me, they’d preserve going. Are you aware that the European Union leaders have requested me to name Putin so many instances? As a result of he doesn’t return their cellphone name. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

You, you, posted on social media he is perhaps “tapping” you alongside. 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

May be. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

Did you misinterpret him– 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

However you is perhaps tapping me alongside, too, whenever you inform me how good an interview that is going to be. So you realize, I’m used to being tapped alongside. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

Did you in any manner misinterpret Vladimir Putin? 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Did I what? 

KRISTEN WELKER:

Misinterpret him? Now that you simply’re saying that. 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

No, I’ll let you know about in a month from now, or two weeks from now. I do not know. I can let you know this, he’s — his ambition was stopped to a big extent when he noticed that it was me that was now main the cost. As a result of he wasn’t coping with anyone in Europe, he wasn’t calling them again. Are you aware that I requested him, I stated, “Did Biden ever name you in three years? Did Biden ever name?” He stated, “He by no means known as.” You recognize, Biden didn’t name him one time? And all these 1000’s of troopers, lots of, hundreds of thousands of troopers are dying, and folks, not solely troopers. Individuals dying within the cities, and the cities, and the entire heritage of that nation is being blown aside. I imply, the nation’s heritage is being blown aside. You recognize the steeples, these lovely spires that you simply see, you realize essentially the most lovely on this planet? Virtually 95% of them are laying in smithereens, all damaged up and, so unhappy, laying everywhere in the floor as a result of they had been shot. It’s actually a nasty scenario. And he didn’t get one cellphone name from Biden. The struggle would’ve by no means began. And by the way in which, for 4 years it didn’t begin. I used to be there for 4 years, it was the apple of his eye. This was the apple of Putin’s eye. There was no probability he would have gone in. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

What’s the purple line for you? At what level do you say, “That’s it, we’re strolling away?” 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Nicely, you’ll know. I imply, there can be a time once I might say that. And if I do — 

KRISTEN WELKER:

However you’re not there? 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

– there could also be one thing. I can’t — possibly it’s not doable to do. There’s great hatred, simply so that you perceive. Kristen, we’re speaking great hatred between these two males and between, you realize, a few of the troopers, frankly. Between the generals. They’ve been combating arduous for 3 years. I feel we’ve an excellent probability of doing it. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

In a short time, should you do stroll away, would that imply that you’d pull army and intelligence sharing? 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

I don’t wish to say that now. It’s too early to say that. I don’t wish to get into that argument. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

Okay, let’s transfer onto Canada. You could have lengthy talked about making Canada the 51st state. There’s clearly a brand new prime minister of Canada, Mark Carney, who you spoke to — 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Right. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

– after his victory. He says that you simply didn’t discuss to him in that decision about making Canada a 51st state. 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

No. He known as me, he was very good, and I congratulated him. He had a victory. It’s a really shut victory. You recognize, there’s no majority or something, in order that’s going to make issues slightly bit tough, I feel, for him to run. However he’d nonetheless had a victory. And he’s a really good man, I feel. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

Do you intend to speak to him about making Canada a 51st state? 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

He desires to come back and see me. He’s going to come back this week or subsequent week. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

So will you discuss to him about making Canada a 51st state, annexing Canada? 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

I’ll all the time discuss that. You recognize why? We subsidize Canada to the tune of $200 billion a 12 months. We don’t want their automobiles. Actually, we don’t need their automobiles. We don’t want their vitality. We don’t even need their vitality. We have now greater than they do. We don’t need their lumber. We have now nice lumber. All I’ve to do is free it up from the environmental lunatics. We don’t want something that they’ve. We’re giving them — I requested, I requested Mr. Trudeau — who I name Governor Trudeau, not Prime Minister, Governor — I stated, “Governor Trudeau, may I ask you one query? Why are we supplying you with $200 billion? Why are we subsidizing Canada?” If Canada was a state it wouldn’t value us. It might be nice. It might be such a terrific — it might be a cherished state. And, should you have a look at our map, should you have a look at the geography — I’m an actual property man at coronary heart. After I look down at that with out that synthetic line that was drawn with a ruler a few years in the past — was simply a synthetic line, goes straight throughout. You don’t even understand. What an attractive nation it might be. It might be nice. However, I don’t assume the American public desires me to pay $200 billion a 12 months to subsidize Canada. Once more, keep in mind this, we don’t want their automobiles, we don’t want their lumber, we don’t want their vitality. We don’t want something. We do little or no enterprise with Canada. They do all of their enterprise virtually with us. They want us. We don’t want them. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

You and I talked, and I requested you should you would rule out army drive to take Greenland. And also you stated, no, you don’t rule out something. Would you rule out army drive to take Canada? 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Nicely, I feel we’re not going to ever get to that time. It may occur. One thing may occur with Greenland. I’ll be sincere, we want that for nationwide and worldwide safety. However I feel — 

KRISTEN WELKER:

However not with Canada? 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

– it’s extremely unlikely. I don’t see it with Canada. I simply don’t see it, I’ve to be sincere with you. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

Okay, however you don’t rule it out for Greenland? 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

And by the way in which, Canada, they spend much less cash on army than virtually any nation on this planet. They pay NATO lower than any nation. They assume we’re subsidizing, they assume we’re going to defend them, and actually, we’re. However the reality is, they don’t carry their full share, and it’s unfair to the US and our taxpayers. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

However you aren’t ruling out army drive to take Greenland at some point? 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

I don’t rule it out. I don’t say I’m going to do it, however I don’t rule out something. No, not there. We want Greenland very badly. Greenland is a really small quantity of individuals, which we’ll handle, and we’ll cherish them, and all of that. However we want that for worldwide safety. Are you aware, we’ve Russian boats and we’ve Chinese language boats, gun ships all over — plane carriers, gun ships — going up and down the coast of Greenland. We want that to be protected. Internationally we want it. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

So you’re prepared to ship U.S. troops to say a sovereign territory? 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

I didn’t say that. You requested me a query, “Would you, is there a circumstance?” It may occur. I doubt it’ll, but it surely actually may occur with respect to Greenland. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

Okay. Let me ask you about Iran. Your administration has had conversations with Iran. Is the aim of those talks limiting Iran’s nuclear program or complete dismantlement? 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Whole dismantlement. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

That’s all you’ll settle for? 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Yeah, that’s all I’d settle for. Now, there’s a brand new principle going on the market that Iran could be allowed to have civilian — that means to make electrical energy and to — however I say, you realize, they’ve a lot oil, what do they want it for? However you realize, I’ve seen it with different states, the place they’re seeking to do one thing they usually have quite a lot of oil. Iran has great vitality. You recognize I put sanctions, if you realize that, I put fairly robust sanctions on two days in the past, on the oil. The unhappy half is that if Biden didn’t get entangled, if we had a reliable president, you’ll’ve by no means had the assault on Israel. October seventh would’ve by no means taken place. Hamas would’ve had no cash. As a result of Iran was broke. And now in a interval of 4 years, in the course of the Biden administration, they turned very wealthy. They’ve over $300 million money within the financial institution. They usually had no cash. They had been able to make a cope with me, and it’s very unhappy. Due to this rigged election they didn’t do it. Simply one other factor you’ll be able to mark right down to a nasty election. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

It’s fascinating what you’re saying, although. As a result of Secretary Rubio has stated that he would settle for, or the concept is that there’s an openness to accepting a peaceable, civil nuclear program. 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Nicely that’s what individuals — I didn’t say something contradictory. I stated that persons are speaking about that. And that is one thing that’s actually fairly new within the dialogue. And I’d need to be, you realize, my inclination is to say, “What do you want that for? You could have quite a lot of oil.”                                               

KRISTEN WELKER:

So that you need complete dismantlement, backside line?                                               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

I feel that I might be open to listening to it, you realize? Civilian vitality, it’s known as. However you realize, civilian vitality usually results in army wars. And we don’t wanna have them have a nuclear weapon. It’s a quite simple deal. I need Iran to be actually profitable, actually nice, actually unbelievable. The one factor they will’t have is a nuclear weapon. In the event that they wish to achieve success, that’s okay. I need them to be so profitable. And you realize, the Iranian persons are unimaginable. I simply don’t need them to have a nuclear weapon as a result of the world can be destroyed.                                               

KRISTEN WELKER:

Simply to recap, we’re speaking about your want to say Canada, Greenland. What do you say to individuals —                                                

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

You forgot the Panama Canal.                                               

KRISTEN WELKER:

Panama Canal. What do you say to individuals who say they voted for you as a result of they wished you to finish overseas conflicts, not begin new ones?                                               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

I don’t see that as battle. I feel that’s good for our nation, these issues. Look, the Panama Canal was taken over by China, successfully. Now China appears to have left. However the Panama Canal — consider this deal. We constructed the costliest object we’ve ever constructed within the historical past of our nation. That was Mount McKinley, they only took away, I simply gave it again the identify. However, McKinley made the cash, Teddy Roosevelt spent the cash. McKinley takes will get little or no credit score, you realize however you know the way he made the cash? Via tariffs. He was the massive tariff president. Okay, however neglect that. We constructed the Panama Canal. It was the costliest factor. It might be the equal, like, virtually $2 trillion at present. We’ve by no means spent there — and it was very profitable. And Jimmy Carter gave it away for $1. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

Panama insists they — 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

That is the form of management —                                               

KRISTEN WELKER:

Panama says they do management the canal. However we’ve a pair extra questions left, and I’m getting slightly wrap.                                               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Panama stated what? Panama stated what?                                               

KRISTEN WELKER:

Panama says they nonetheless management it. I do know you’re saying China. Panama says they nonetheless management it.                                               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

You recognize, should you would have gone there about 5.2 months in the past, each single signal on the Panama Canal, aside from about 15% of them, was in Chinese language.                                               

KRISTEN WELKER:

Yeah. Let me ask you, as a result of we’re nearing the tip, only a couple extra questions right here.                                               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

I’m not complaining. You retain saying to me like I’m speeding —                                               

KRISTEN WELKER:

No, you’re not. And I actually recognize it.                                               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

I don’t wish to rush you. I don’t wish to make you nervous.                                               

KRISTEN WELKER:

Thanks. The Trump group is promoting hats that say, “Trump 2028.”  

PRES. DONALD TRUMP

Yeah.  

KRISTEN WELKER: 

Are you severely contemplating a 3rd time period, Mr. President, despite the fact that it’s prohibited by the Structure? Or is that this about staying politically viable?                                               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

I’ll say this. So many individuals need me to do it. I’ve by no means had requests so robust as that. But it surely’s one thing that, to one of the best of my information, you’re not allowed to do. I don’t know if that’s constitutional that they’re not permitting you to do it or the rest. However, there are numerous individuals promoting the 2028 hat. However this isn’t one thing I’m seeking to do. I’m seeking to have 4 nice years and switch it over to someone, ideally a terrific Republican, a terrific Republican to hold it ahead. However I feel we’re going to have 4 years, and I feel 4 years is loads of time to do one thing actually spectacular.  

KRISTEN WELKER: 

The Structure does prohibit it. Have you ever — a few of your allies are fairly critical about this, although, Mr. President. And I’ve spoken to them. They are saying they’re arising with potential methods, clearly the most important one could be a constitutional modification.  

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

That’s as a result of they just like the job I’m doing, and it’s a praise. It’s actually a terrific praise.                                               

KRISTEN WELKER:

Has anybody approached you, although, with an precise plan, a solution to really begin the method of a constitutional modification?                                               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Nicely, there are methods of doing it. There are methods of doing it. And you realize the identical factor. And should you have a look at the vice presidential factor, and also you hear totally different ideas and totally different different individuals say, “You may have a write-in vote.” There’s numerous various things. With all of that being stated, I wish to be a terrific president. I’ll have served — hopefully every thing will go nicely. I really feel superb. I simply did a bodily. I took — in contrast to all different presidents, I took cognitive exams and I aced it. I bought 100% right. And the physician, one physician stated — there have been quite a few medical doctors watching. And he stated, “I’ve by no means seen that earlier than.” Biden didn’t take a cognitive — he couldn’t have gotten the primary query proper. However I got here out nice with the bodily, each bodily and mentally. And I simply wish to serve, do a terrific job. I’ll be an eight-year president, I’ll be a two-term president. I all the time thought that was essential, to be sincere with you. You recognize, should you have a look at President Polk, he was a one-termer and he did some nice issues, really. Fairly good president. And I’m not saying you’ll be able to’t try this. However, there’s one thing about being a two-term president that was essential to me. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

And simply to place a button on it, has anybody in an official capability introduced you with, “Sir, listed here are some concepts by which you could possibly really get a constitutional modification?” 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Nicely, in a capability of being an enormous supporter, many individuals have stated various things — 

KRISTEN WELKER:

Okay. 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

However, I’m not that. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

You haven’t had official conferences about it? 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

No. And — and simply so that you perceive, 4 years is a very long time. I’ve virtually 4 years. You recognize, all of these items that we’ve completed, we’ve completed greater than any president — and even you may admit that. No person’s completed the extent of — of the issues that we’ve completed. No person’s completed this, in primarily slightly bit greater than three months. As they are saying, 100 days. I’m seeking to do a terrific job as president, and set the nation heading in the right direction. As a result of if I didn’t win, this nation would’ve failed. We’d’ve been a failed nation. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

You could have constructed a political motion that has remodeled the Republican Celebration — 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Best in historical past. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

It’s remodeled the nation — 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

The best — 

KRISTEN WELKER:

– fairly frankly. 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

– political motion in historical past, MAGA. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

Whenever you — 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Make America Nice Once more. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

Whenever you look to the long run, Mr. President, do you assume the MAGA motion can survive with out you as its chief? 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Sure, I do. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

What offers you confidence? 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

I feel it’s so robust. And I feel we’ve great individuals. I feel we’ve an incredible group of individuals. We talked about quite a few them. You have a look at Marco, you have a look at JD Vance, who’s unbelievable. You have a look at — I may identify 10, 15, 20 individuals proper now simply sitting right here. No, I feel we’ve an incredible occasion. And you realize what I can’t identify? I can’t identify one Democrat. I imply, I have a look at the Democrats, they’re in complete disarray. They’ve a brand new individual named Crockett. I watched her communicate the opposite day. She’s positively a low IQ individual. They usually stated she’s the way forward for the occasion. I stated, “You need to be kidding.” I don’t know what they’re going to do. And I actually imagine in a two-party system. I actually — as a result of it’s good to be challenged. It’s actually good to have a two-party — you realize, it’s good. Being challenged is okay. It retains you sharp. I don’t know what they’re going to do. They’ve no one. Bernie’s 87 years outdated or one thing. And you realize, Biden is the worst factor that ever occurred to outdated individuals as a result of he was grossly incompetent. And I feel possibly for synthetic causes. You recognize, he had operations and issues. So possibly that’s a synthetic — however I do know individuals which can be unbelievably sharp they usually’re older than 87. However I watch Bernie Sanders. He’s a nut job, however he’s nonetheless sharp. He’s sharp as — he’s the identical man he was. He hasn’t gone down. However Biden is de facto — he’s the worst factor to occur to outdated individuals.               

KRISTEN WELKER:

I do know that you’re solely 100 days in, however as we sit right here at present, who do you see as your successor, Mr. President?               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Nicely, I — it’s far too early to say that. However you realize, I do have a vice chairman, and sometimes — and JD’s doing a unbelievable job. It —               

KRISTEN WELKER:

He could be on the prime of the checklist?               

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

It — it may very nicely be — I — I don’t wish to get entangled in that. I feel he’s a unbelievable, good man. Marco is nice. There’s quite a lot of them which can be nice. I — I additionally see great unity. However actually you’ll say that someone’s the VP, if that individual is excellent, I suppose that individual would have a bonus. However I feel the opposite individuals would all keep in unbelievably excessive positions. However you realize, it might be that he’d be challenged by someone. We have now quite a lot of good individuals on this occasion. 

Second portion

KRISTEN WELKER:

Mr. President, thanks for having us right here at Mar-a- 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Nicely, thanks. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

– Lago. What does Mar-a-Lago imply to you? It’s a particular place. 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

It’s a particular — there’s no place prefer it. You look irrespective of the place — it’s simply — there’s nothing prefer it. And it’s grow to be actually the center of Florida in a manner however actually the center of Palm Seashore, which is a crucial place. And I simply don’t assume there’s something extra lovely on this nation than Mar-a-Lago as, you realize, as a bodily object. It’s been wonderful, and it’s been very profitable and really particular.

KRISTEN WELKER:

It’s the winter White Home. 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

It’s. It was constructed, you realize by — 

KRISTEN WELKER:

Or it was constructed, primarily, for that cause. 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

– E.F. Hutton and Marjorie Merriweather Publish. They had been married. He was the most important man on Wall Road, and she or he was the richest lady on this planet really. They usually constructed it collectively. And it simply — they picked one of the best website. They picked one of the best architects. That they had limitless cash, they usually constructed it. Now it’s a — it’s a really particular place. And Palm Seashore likes me as a result of I saved it. Most of those locations had been ripped down and 10 or 15 or 20 homes, mansions — lovely mansions additionally however a lot smaller — they had been constructed on these websites. And I used to be in a position to save this, which is essential. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

Nicely, and I do know that you simply had been simply in Michigan. 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Proper. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

You had been simply speaking to of us in Michigan to mark 100 days. 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Proper. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

Do you anticipate doing extra journey throughout the nation? And what do you do to remain in contact with the employees who elected you, sir? 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Nicely, I simply went to a terrific place, College of Alabama, final night time. This was some unbelievable night. And I gave the graduation deal with, and it’s, like, totally different. All people was so awake, so full of life, so — so enticing. And I’m not speaking simply bodily enticing, simply there was such an vitality within the room. And it was very nice. You recognize, I received Alabama by many, many, many factors. They usually requested me to do it. They usually put all of their — they’d 9 totally different, you realize, enterprise and legislation and this and that, all these various things. They put all of them — journalism by the way in which — they put all of them collectively, and we had been within the huge — that huge area. And it was great vitality. And — and that’s slightly bit, you realize, to your query, yeah, I feel I get out fairly a bit. I went to Michigan. I went — 

KRISTEN WELKER:

You assume you’ll do extra in these second 100 days? 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

I feel I’ll. However we’re speaking concerning the nice, huge, lovely invoice, you realize, that we’re attempting to get handed. It’ll be the most important tax cuts within the historical past of our nation, and hopefully it’ll get completed. And the Democrats are combating us. And if it doesn’t get completed, it’s going to be a 68% tax improve. In order that’s going to be the Democrats. However I feel we’re going to have it completed. I feel the Republicans are going to vote for it. And it’ll be essentially the most consequential invoice I feel within the historical past of our nation. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

Chief Thune says he desires to get it completed by July 4th. 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Yeah. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

Do you assume that’s doable? 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

I feel it’s, and I feel he’s doing a unbelievable job. And Mike Johnson, Speaker, is doing a unbelievable job, they usually’re each getting collectively nicely. There’s nice unity within the Republican Celebration. The Republican Celebration’s a a lot totally different occasion than it was. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

What occurs if it involves your desk, has the tax cuts, but additionally cuts to Medicaid? Would you veto that? 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Nicely, we’re not doing that. No, we’re not — 

KRISTEN WELKER:

Would you veto that? 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

I might in the event that they had been slicing it, however they’re not slicing it. They’re fraud, waste and abuse. And no one minds that. If unlawful immigrants are within the combine, if those that aren’t alleged to be there, individuals which can be non-citizens are within the combine, no one minds that. Waste, fraud and abuse. However we’re not slicing Medicaid, we’re not slicing Medicare, and we’re not slicing Social Safety. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

You additionally unveiled a funds. 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Yeah. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

Deep cuts in some social providers. What do you say to of us who might have a look at these cuts and say, “It’s going to impression training. It may impression individuals who depend on providers for the poor?” 

PRES DONALD TRUMP:

Nicely, from what I perceive — and to begin with, the funds is a really preliminary instrument — 

KRISTEN WELKER:

Sure. 

PRES DONALD TRUMP:

– and I feel that when it’s all stated and completed you’re going to see an exquisite funds for everyone, actually all people. I might really say the center class in all probability goes to the fore, and it’s about time. However we took care of the center class throughout my — in the course of the authentic Trump tax cuts we actually took care of the center class. The individuals with the least amount of cash really had been the most important — and this isn’t simply the center class. The least amount of cash, the poorest individuals, proportionately gained essentially the most. And that’s what we’re seeking to do right here. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

So that you’re not involved about it impacting training and different providers? 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

No. It relies upon what training. Should you’re speaking about Harvard, which has a — 

KRISTEN WELKER:

No, no, I’m speaking about training — 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

– $53 billion within the financial institution due to quite a lot of issues that they’ve been in a position to do and that the federal government assist them with. That’s totally different. However, no, not training. We’re bringing training again to the states. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

Let me discuss to you about TikTok — 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

You recognize, that’s an enormous factor as a result of training coming again to the states is a really huge factor. We’re going to deliver it again. America doesn’t do nicely with training. We’re quantity 37, 38, 39 and 40 out of 40. And we’re going to deliver it again to the states and we’re going to go to among the many prime ten I imagine. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

Let me ask you about TikTok, sir. Would you lengthen that deadline if there’s nonetheless no deal? You already — 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

I might. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

– put one extension — you’ll? 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Yeah, I might. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

So, you’re going to — you wish to see a deal? 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

I’d prefer to see it completed. I’ve slightly candy spot in my coronary heart as a result of, as you realize, I received younger individuals by 36 factors. That’s rather a lot. No Republican ever received younger individuals, and I received it by 36 factors, and I centered on TikTok. So maybe I shouldn’t say this, however I’ve slightly heat spot in my coronary heart for TikTok. TikTok is — it’s very fascinating, but it surely’ll be protected. It’ll be very strongly protected. But when it wants an extension, I might be prepared to offer it an extension, won’t want it. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

However the place are discussions? Is it near a deal? 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Nicely we’re not — 

KRISTEN WELKER:

Is somebody near — 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Yeah. Yeah, we — 

KRISTEN WELKER:

– buying it? 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

– even have a deal. We have now a bunch of purchasers, very substantial individuals. They’re going to pay some huge cash. It’s a very good factor for us. It’s a very good factor for China. It’s going to be, I feel, superb. However due to the truth that I’ve primarily reduce off China proper now with the tariffs which can be so excessive that they’re not going to have the ability to do a lot enterprise with the US. But when we make a cope with China I’m positive that’ll be a topic, and it’ll be an easy topic to resolve. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

We’re speaking about your agenda, your funds invoice, your tax invoice, and you concentrate on the subsequent huge check, which is the midterms. How do you see your position within the midterms? 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

I’m going to be very lively. I’ve raised some huge cash for congressmen and senators that I feel are good — actually good individuals. We have now some nice Republican congressmen and girls and senators that love this nation, they usually’re not lunatics like a few of these Democrats. What they’re doing to the nation is unimaginable. It’s insane. There’s one thing unsuitable with them. They endure a significant case of Trump Derangement Syndrome. I imply, it doesn’t — nothing issues to them apart from that. Yeah, I’m going to be a lot concerned. The fascinating factor is — and no one can clarify why — however when someone wins the presidency they appear to lose Congress. They appear to lose the Home and the Senate or — 

KRISTEN WELKER:

How involved are you about that? 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

I don’t know why it might be. I feel we should always do higher. However should you look it’s fairly constant that whoever wins the presidency finally ends up dropping the Home, dropping the Senate. I feel we’re going to show that round. I feel we’re going to show it round straightforward. It must be the other. If we do a very good job, let’s say as president if I do a very good job, it must be the other. So hopefully we’ll dispel that. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

Nicely, it appears to be like such as you’re additionally wanting on the historical past books. 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Yeah. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

How involved are you about dropping one or each chambers? 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

It’s a good distance away. It’s a good distance. You recognize, we’re in right here for slightly greater than three months. We have now an extended solution to go. I’ve raised some huge cash. We’re having a fundraiser at Mar-a-Lago tonight for precisely that objective. We wish to win the Home in greater numbers. However, you realize, we had a one majority three months in the past. Now we’ve seven as a result of we received a number of races. I suppose you realize that. However we received a number of races. However we’re up seven now, and we’re up — we’ve 53 senators. And I feel we’re going to be in superb place. I count on to win by an even bigger margin than we’ve now. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

Should you do lose one chamber, are there areas the place you assume you could possibly discover frequent floor with Democrats? 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Nicely, there must be, however they appear to be stone chilly. Look — 

KRISTEN WELKER:

Is there something — 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

– the one — 

KRISTEN WELKER:

– in your thoughts although? 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

– factor I’ll say concerning the Democrats, they stick collectively. They’ve horrible coverage. Males in girls’s sports activities, transgender for everybody, open borders. The craziest insurance policies I’ve ever seen. However no matter how loopy they’re, they stick collectively. And I respect that. I feel it’s a terrific factor. And I feel the Republicans are beginning to do this additionally. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

So wanting ahead, sir, one of many huge options of your first administration was the primary girl. She had her “Be Greatest” marketing campaign.  

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Proper. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

Will individuals begin to see extra of her? Will she come again — 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Yeah — 

KRISTEN WELKER:

– together with her “Be Greatest” marketing campaign, for instance? Are you able to give us slightly — 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Positive. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

– little bit of a preview of what we are able to see? 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Nicely, for example, she did a ebook and she or he was primary bestseller for a very long time, for a lot of, many weeks. The individuals love her. She’s a really non-public individual, which I respect rather a lot. She doesn’t need to be out. I do know individuals the place they’ve wives in politics and the spouse desires to be in entrance of the husband all day lengthy, waving to all people. She’s bought nice confidence in herself and she or he doesn’t want that. However when she goes out. We had been out, as you realize, final weekend. It was an incredible, wonderful day. The individuals love her. They actually respect her, they usually love her. Yeah, she’ll be very a lot concerned. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

And that’s a part of why I’m asking you. I imply, can individuals count on to see her revive her “Be Greatest” marketing campaign? Are you able to give — 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Nicely, she is — 

KRISTEN WELKER:

– us slightly preview? 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Nicely, it’s nonetheless a marketing campaign that’s essential to her, and it’s form of a cute identify, “Be Greatest.” I stated, “That’s a wierd identify,” but it surely’s actually lovely and it form of, you realize, means one thing now that I didn’t perceive, lot of individuals didn’t perceive. And he or she’s completed a terrific job. She’s raised some huge cash. She cares rather a lot about individuals, actually cares rather a lot about individuals — 

KRISTEN WELKER:

Whenever you and I talked in December we talked about the truth that on this second administration your loved ones shouldn’t be there.  

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Nicely, that was — 

KRISTEN WELKER:

They usually had been actually a few of your closest advisors — 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Positive. Positive. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

What’s it prefer to be there and are they nonetheless, I might think about, your closest advisors? 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

They’re with me all the way in which. However I feel they had been handled very unfairly. Ivanka labored so arduous on getting jobs for individuals. You recognize, I wished to make her the pinnacle of — the ambassador to the United Nations. There could be no one that will be higher than her. She stated, “Dad, I don’t wish to try this. I simply wish to get” — you realize, she labored on getting individuals jobs. It sounds good in a technique, but it surely doesn’t sound as thrilling as different jobs. And he or she simply wished to do this. And he or she bought lots of of 1000’s of jobs for individuals. It made her so pleased. She’s a very good individual. The best way they went after Don and Eric, I stated, “Simply chill out,” as a result of I assumed it was unfair. They went after these youngsters, they usually’re actually good. They usually’re now not youngsters, however they’re all the time going to be my youngsters.  

KRISTEN WELKER:

Yeah. 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

They had been handled so unfairly. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

Barron’s in faculty now. How is he liking faculty? 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Proper.  

KRISTEN WELKER:

How’s he doing? 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

He’s a terrific scholar. He’s doing very nicely, goes to a terrific faculty. However he’s doing very well. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

And is there any problem being in faculty, having your dad as president of the US? 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Nicely, you’ll need to ask him sometime that, however we try to make it as regular as doable. There’s nothing regular about it. However he’s a really nice man and fantastic child. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

Your birthday’s arising. 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Yeah. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

And there are experiences that you simply’re wanting into the opportunity of a army — 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Yeah — 

KRISTEN WELKER:

— parade. 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Not for my birthday. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

When are you able to inform — when wouldn’t it be? What are you able to inform me? 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Nicely, my birthday occurs to be on Flag Day. So — 

KRISTEN WELKER:

Nicely, there you go — 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

– I feel they’re speaking about Flag Day. However I view it for Flag Day, not essentially my birthday. Anyone put it collectively. However no, I feel we’re going to do one thing on June 14th possibly or someplace round there. However I feel June 14th, it’s a vital day. It’s Flag Day, plus we’re going to have totally different days. You recognize, should you have a look at Russia, they have fun Victory Day.  

KRISTEN WELKER:

Yeah. 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Should you have a look at France, I used to be speaking to Prime Minister Macron and he says, “Sure, there’s Victory Day, Victory Day.” And I say, “Victory Day for what?” “World Battle II.” I stated, “Nicely, we had extra to do with profitable World Battle II than another nation. Why don’t we’ve a Victory Day?” So we’re going to have a Victory Day for World Battle I and for World Battle II. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

And can it’s a army parade? What can individuals count on? 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

And you’ve got breaking information as a result of no one is aware of this. We’re going to have Victory Day for World Battle I and for World Battle II. Nicely, it’s going to begin off by saying, “It’s Victory Day,” as a result of, you realize, when different nations, a few of which weren’t even very profitable within the struggle, they’ve Victory Days and the US doesn’t. And we’re the one which received these wars with the assistance of others, with the assistance of others. However we’re going to have a Victory Day for I and II. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

However at some point, proper? Each on at some point? 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Possibly not as a result of — 

KRISTEN WELKER:

Oh, actually? Greater than at some point? 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Nicely, they passed off on very totally different days, you realize. They’re about six months aside. So I feel you’ll be able to have two days. This doesn’t imply we’re going to go and never work and have a nationwide vacation and all of that as a result of we don’t have lots of these days left. You recognize, ultimately our nation will grow to be all nationwide holidays. However we’re going to acknowledge by having days for World Battle I victory and World Battle II victory — 

KRISTEN WELKER:

And simply paint an image for me. What’s going to these parades seem like? Will it’s army parades? 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

You imply, like, on Flag Day? 

KRISTEN WELKER:

Sure. 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

We’re going to have an enormous, lovely parade. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

A army parade? 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Yeah, positive.

KRISTEN WELKER:

Okay. 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

We’re going to have fun our army. We have now the best army on this planet — 

KRISTEN WELKER:

What’s the worth tag? Are you aware? 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Peanuts in comparison with the worth of doing it. We have now the best missiles on this planet. We have now the best submarines on this planet. We have now the best military tanks on this planet. We have now the best weapons on this planet. And we’re going to have fun it. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

And, sir, lastly, you’ve talked about the truth that you’re placing a few of your individual touches on the White Home — 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Yeah. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

Something that you may share about what you could be planning for the White Home?  

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Positive. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

What’s going to look totally different? I do know you’re enthusiastic about making the Rose Backyard look slightly bit totally different. Something you’ll be able to share? 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Nicely, the issue with the Rose Backyard is the grass is all the time soaking moist and you’ll’t use it for information conferences. You’re alleged to have information conferences, conferences, all this within the Rose Backyard. So we’re going to place an attractive stone floor down so that individuals — as an illustration, we had one thing the opposite day and it really didn’t rain for 3 or 4 days and the ladies had been nonetheless getting caught within the grass. And we wish to put it to work. So we’re going to do one thing when it comes to a tough floor. It’ll look lovely, you realize — 

KRISTEN WELKER:

And the place will it’s particularly? 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

The place the grass is, the place there’s — 

KRISTEN WELKER:

The place the grass is — 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

– grass is. There’s grass within the center. The roses keep. Every part stays simply the way in which it was, together with the limestone paths and every thing else. However we had the prime minister of India right here they usually had quite a lot of press, and the ladies had been strolling out with their footwear filled with mud. So we are able to’t have that. The opposite factor — and also you see what I’ve completed to the Oval Workplace and that continues, 24-carat gold. It’s lovely. And we’ve actually gotten — as a result of I do know that individuals could be recent and nasty, you realize, however we’ve been getting rave evaluations. It was not taken care of the way in which it ought to. Now, I’ve a bonus. I used to be a very good actual property developer so I understand how to get issues completed. I understand how to construct it. You’ll see it in a minute whenever you have a look at the ballroom, which I constructed at Mar-a-Lago.  

KRISTEN WELKER:

May something — 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

However the different factor, and the massive factor, goes to be for 50 years they’ve wished to construct a ballroom on the White Home. They usually’ve tried, however the presidents weren’t actual property individuals. That they had no clue. All it’s a must to do is have a look at President Obama and have a look at his museum or library, no matter they name it, in Chicago. It’s a disaster. It’s manner over-budget. Possibly it involves an finish. I don’t know what’s occurring. But it surely’s a catastrophe as a result of — and it’s not his fault. He’s not an actual property individual. He doesn’t know construct. I do very well. And what we’re going to do, you’re going to see essentially the most lovely ballroom on this planet proper now whenever you have a look. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

Is —  

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

However we’re going to make and construct a ballroom, which they’ve wished for in all probability 100 years on the White Home. And it’ll be a world-class, lovely ballroom, they usually’ll use the assembly rooms already current. And we’re going to get that began over the subsequent few months, and it’s going to be lovely. And it’ll be completed correctly, and I’ll fund it. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

Will you deliver — you’ll fund it? 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Yeah. Yeah, I’m not going to ask the federal government for cash. I’ll fund it, and I’m positive we’ll have some donations to it. But it surely’s not a reasonable factor. It’ll value some huge cash. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

The place will it’s? 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

It’ll be close to the — I suppose you’ll say the East Wing, close to the East Wing, slightly sophisticated to elucidate and not using a drawing. However we’ve three or 4 totally different ideas, and we’re working with nice architects, with nice planners. And will probably be one thing actually lovely, prime of the road.  

KRISTEN WELKER:

Lastly, sir — 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

You recognize, after they have a celebration for, like, when the pinnacle of China is available in — 

KRISTEN WELKER:

Yeah. 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

– or the pinnacle of anyone, you realize, head of something, they’ve a celebration the place they’ve a tent 200 yards away, the place individuals need to stroll within the rain to get to a tent. And that’s not for us. That’s not for the US of America. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

I do know you — you’re solely 100 days into this second time period, however have you considered what you need your legacy to be? 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

I need my legacy to be very a lot because the identify of MAGA and what it represents. It’s known as “Make America Nice Once more.” We had been a terrific nation for a time period, and the final 4 years have been a catastrophe for the repute of this nation and for the actual fact of the nation. It’s been a catastrophe. We’re going to make America nice once more. That’s all I wish to do. I wish to make it better than ever earlier than. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

Thanks, Mr. President. 

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Thanks very a lot. 

KRISTEN WELKER:

Recognize it.