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Video33 min read

Press Conference: Donald Trump Holds an Impromptu News Conference - November 9, 2026

12:00 AM
Donald Trump 00:00:00-00:00:08 (8 sec)

Hello, Steve. Well, thank you very much. We have a very distinguished guest with us today. A lot of people think he'll be our new press secretary. And one thing about him, he doesn't play games, because I've known him a long time. But I'll introduce him in a second. I do want to read a statement that I had a excellent conversation with Sheikh Mohammed.

Donald Trump 00:00:08-00:00:22 (15 sec)

And you probably know who that is. He's prime minister of Qatar, wherein much was discussed with respect to the Islamic Republic of Iran. Most importantly, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait and others would prefer the status quo, that we remain as is. In other words, a continuation of the greatest naval blockade in the history of our country, probably in the history of the world.

Donald Trump 00:00:22-00:00:37 (15 sec)

Nothing has gotten through at all, and that's been months. Nothing has gotten through, having a very devastating effect on -- as you know and you've seen, having a very devastating effect on Iran, and also Operation Iron Gate, which was newly imposed, and that's land. So, you have land and sea, total lockdown.

Donald Trump 00:00:37-00:00:52 (15 sec)

I've agreed that Iran cannot have -- and everybody's agreeing Iran will never have a nuclear weapon, and that's a non-negotiable point. They understand that. They accept that. They don't admit that they accept it and they will tell you that they don't accept it, but they accept it 100 percent, more than 100 percent.

Donald Trump 00:00:52-00:01:08 (16 sec)

And should there be any change with respect to developments in the Middle East, the United States of America is fully locked and loaded with the best equipment ever made. And we don't think we -- there's going to be any reason to use it. However, it's going very well. You know, we haven't lost a soldier in six months if you look.

Donald Trump 00:01:08-00:01:32 (24 sec)

You know, they talk about wars, Ukraine and Russia -- and by the way, we're having a very good conversation about that in Abu Dhabi. Ukraine and Russia are losing about 25,000 people a month, mostly soldiers. Two months ago, it was 32,000 people. And compare that with us. We haven't lost a soldier in six months, and nobody, not -- not even an injury, and yet we have -- the strait is closed down and more oil has come -- closed down to Iran.

Donald Trump 00:01:32-00:01:46 (14 sec)

More oil's come out of the strait over the last week than at any point in the history of the Hormuz Strait, so we're doing very well. But at this point, we -- it won't be necessary -- taking the -- the military action doesn't seem to be a very necessary thing. But we're locked and loaded, ready to go for any reason that changes.

Donald Trump 00:01:46-00:02:00 (13 sec)

Israel and the entire Middle East are protected from Iranian danger and threats, and we're seeing momentum toward the end of this conflict. I think it's going to be ending fairly soon. We're also seeing a very strong inclination to end Russia and Ukraine. We're involved in that because I want to see people stop getting killed.

Donald Trump 00:02:00-00:02:21 (22 sec)

Again, 25,000 a month on average are being killed. With respect to Iran -- so in Vietnam, they lost 60,000 soldiers over a period of 21 years. In Afghanistan, they lost thousands over many, many years. In Korea, as you know, they lost about 50,000 soldiers over a period of four years. But numerous of these wars went for over ten years, and basically nothing was won, nothing was -- all that you ended up with was death.

Donald Trump 00:02:21-00:02:35 (13 sec)

So, we had two wars. We had Venezuela, which was over in 48 minutes, and we lost no soldiers and we're taking in billions and billions of dollars a day. And we paid for that war in -- many times over, and we're getting along very well with government. We're much in charge. We're totally in charge and getting along well.

Donald Trump 00:02:35-00:02:47 (12 sec)

And the Venezuelan people love us because we're bringing -- the big oil companies are in there now. They're taking in a lot of money. They're seeing more money now than they've ever seen before. So, Venezuela was 48 minutes. It was over. So, let's say one day, but 48 minutes, it was done. And it's been -- again, millions of barrels of oil are coming in every week, millions of barrels and billions of dollars.

Donald Trump 00:02:47-00:02:57 (11 sec)

So, that's one. And the other is Iran. And Iran militarily is effectively over. We're just keeping it the status quo, and we're doing that really at the behest of countries that are their neighbors. But it's a failing country. It's got 301 percent inflation. It's got problems like you don't want to even think about.

Donald Trump 00:02:57-00:03:12 (15 sec)

They're not paying their military. They're not paying their guard. Their navy is gone. Their air force is gone. They have 158 ships. They're underwater. They have 268 planes that were scattered all over the runways of Iran. So, their military is essentially gone. Their manufacturing capability is reduced to about -- they can still make some limited numbers of missiles and drones, but it's basically about 85 percent gone.

Donald Trump 00:03:12-00:03:25 (13 sec)

And they're talking to us, and they're talking very politely. And we'll see what happens, but there's a good chance that that could get ended. So, at the conclusion of the military engagement, the American people and the people of the world will be far safer and more secure than they've been in many, many years because Iran was killing many people.

Donald Trump 00:03:25-00:03:39 (14 sec)

You know, that war was started in 1979. We didn't start the war. They did. Even if you go back to the SS Cole, that was their -- that was their situation, and a lot of people were killed. A lot of American people were killed. A lot of people throughout the world were killed. And if you go back just over the last seven or eight months, 75,000, at a minimum, protesters have been killed.

Donald Trump 00:03:39-00:03:59 (20 sec)

So, it's a nasty place, but we think that it's in pretty good shape. We'll see what happens. I don't guarantee anything, but if we do have to go back in, we are locked and loaded and ready to go. With that being said, I was having a little fun, and I said how about Dana White being the press secretary -- you know, press secretary?

Donald Trump 00:03:59-00:04:16 (17 sec)

He's a great guy. He's done an unbelievable job, most successful -- you know, we talk Don King, who's a friend of mine. I got a lot of friends. But you talk about fight promoters, this is more than a fight promoter. This is a man that's done the most incredible job anybody's ever seen, UFC. It's like broadcasting the NFL, the numbers and what he's been able to do. And he's done a lot of press.

Donald Trump 00:04:16-00:04:29 (13 sec)

And I said you know what? I want to elevate you. I'm going to bring you into the press room, and Dana White could be our press secretary if he would only take the job. They would never have been -- even Karoline would admit that Dana is really very unique. The only problem is he'll talk for a little while and then he's going to beat the hell out of you.

Donald Trump 00:04:29-00:04:46 (17 sec)

So -- and I don't know if Daniel would like that. I don't think Daniel wants to take him on. But he -- he's built an amazing -- an amazing machine. He's got a big fight this weekend at Madison Square Garden with the two greatest women fighters of all time as far as I'm concerned. The women's fighting, it's not a nice thing, but they are -- they are very tough.

Donald Trump 00:04:46-00:04:54 (8 sec)

When I say no -- no men in women's sports, that's great. I would not want to fight in -- however, I would not -- how would I do against one of them? Would I do well? I don't think so.

Dana White 00:04:54-00:04:55 (1 sec)

Not well, sir.

Donald Trump 00:04:55-00:05:10 (15 sec)

He said not well. Ok. [Laughter] This would -- this would not be a good occurrence. Anyway, but I thought I'd bring Dana because he loves the idea and I love the idea. The only thing is we have other things we have to think about. But he's a unique -- a unique person. And he was seeing me anyway unrelated, and I thought maybe he would say a few words.

Donald Trump 00:05:10-00:05:22 (12 sec)

And I think he'd probably like the job. He loves the country and he would do a hell of a job. So you were here. He was here. And Dana, please say a few words. Dana White. Thank you.

Dana White 00:05:22-00:05:26 (4 sec)

Gee. I've always wanted to do this. Who has the first question? [Laughter]

Question 00:05:26-00:05:27 (1 sec)

I have a question.

Dana White 00:05:27-00:05:36 (8 sec)

I have zero political aspirations. I was at a fight for Zuffa Boxing in London when he called me and told me that he had done this, and the last 24 hours of my life has been insane.

Donald Trump 00:05:36-00:05:37 (1 sec)

That's true.

Dana White 00:05:37-00:05:40 (3 sec)

But -- yeah. Good to see you. Yes, ma'am.

Question 00:05:40-00:05:53 (13 sec)

I have a question. If there was a pound for pound UFC cage match between President Trump and former President Joe Biden, same age, same weight and considering, like, styles make fights, could you give us an analysis of who --

Dana White 00:05:53-00:06:12 (19 sec)

The toughest, most resilient human being that I've ever met in my entire life. Many times during, you know, the last eight, ten years, whatever it's been, I have told him why -- why do you keep doing this? Why are you doing this, when he was going through everything that he went through. And, I mean, as tough and as resilient as I thought he was, after he got shot, I -- yeah, I -- he's -- he is a one of one unique human being.

Dana White 00:06:12-00:06:13 ( sec)

And -- yeah.

Question 00:06:13-00:06:15 (2 sec)

Would it be a knockout, a knockout victory for President Trump?

Dana White 00:06:15-00:06:18 (3 sec)

It would be -- it would -- it would be very bad. Yeah, I think it would be very bad.

Question 00:06:18-00:06:19 (1 sec)

And just for --

Dana White 00:06:19-00:06:22 (3 sec)

I can't believe you actually have questions for me. Yes.

Question 00:06:22-00:06:28 (6 sec)

The president has said he might consider a pardon for Pete Rose. What is your advice to the president about that pardon?

Dana White 00:06:28-00:06:35 (6 sec)

I don't advise the president on anything ever, but, yeah, I think it's fair. I think it's fair to pardon Pete Rose, yes.

Donald Trump 00:06:35-00:06:38 (3 sec)

I would do that. By the way, but why does he need a pardon? He doesn't -- he was not really convicted of a criminal --

Question 00:06:38-00:06:40 (2 sec)

It was tax charges, sir.

Donald Trump 00:06:40-00:06:40 (1 sec)

Oh, he did?

Question 00:06:40-00:06:41 ( sec)

Yes, sir.

Donald Trump 00:06:41-00:06:54 (13 sec)

I'd give Pete Rose a pardon. I don't know that. I think Pete Rose was very mistreated. He was, you know, 4,200 and some-odd hits, way ahead of anybody else, a record can never be broken. And he was caught gambling. Now it's legal, right? But he was gambling on his own team, Dana. He wasn't gambling against.

Donald Trump 00:06:54-00:07:05 (11 sec)

That's different. He was gambling. He shouldn't have done it, but he went through 40 years of hell. And they never -- and they should have given him a pardon. They should have given him -- into the Baseball Hall of Fame a long time ago. And I spoke to the commissioner about it, and he agreed to do it. And then he waited, though, and Pete Rose died.

Donald Trump 00:07:05-00:07:08 (3 sec)

So, it didn't help him too much. But I would give Pete Rose a pardon. I would do that.

Question 00:07:08-00:07:10 (1 sec)

Mr. President --

Note 00:07:10-00:07:10 ( sec)

[Crosstalk]

Question 00:07:10-00:07:15 (5 sec)

Mr. President? Just to confirm, did you tell the president no to the press secretary job?

Dana White 00:07:15-00:07:26 (11 sec)

I don't tell the president no to anything. I -- no, I didn't say no. I -- literally everybody, every media outlet was calling me, and I didn't want to be disrespectful and say anything until he -- he -- he said something first. So --

Question 00:07:26-00:07:27 (1 sec)

And Mr. President? Mr. President?

Donald Trump 00:07:27-00:07:42 (16 sec)

We were having a very bad press day, and I said -- I don't know why. I thought of his name. He's been my friend for a long time. I said, you know, I think I'm going to get Dana White to be my new press secretary. I said it to a group of the press, and that was it. I was sort of kidding. And then they wrote the story as though I wasn't kidding, and you were inundated and I was inundated.

Donald Trump 00:07:42-00:07:47 (4 sec)

And he was here anyway. We -- we thought we'd have a little fun, and we brought Dana here. He would be fantastic. Go ahead.

Question 00:07:47-00:07:47 (1 sec)

Mr. President --

Note 00:07:47-00:07:47 ( sec)

[Crosstalk]

Question 00:07:47-00:08:02 (15 sec)

What is the -- Mr. President? Mr. President, for you -- Dana, first of all, were you surprised by the results of the midterms last Tuesday? And Mr. President, you -- on the campaign trail, you have said that you have stopped Iran from having a nuclear weapon. Why not just declare an end to the conflict and be done with it?

Donald Trump 00:08:02-00:08:17 (15 sec)

Because we have some great allies there, and we have to make sure they're not hurt. And they would be hurt. They are right now a lot safer than they were six months ago because Iran's been very much decapitated. But they're still the bully of the Middle East a little bit. And I see that, and we want to make sure they're okay.

Donald Trump 00:08:17-00:08:29 (12 sec)

We want to make sure it's a long term solution, not just a short term. They'll never have a nuclear weapon, but we have to make sure that's the long term. So, it's ending quickly, but we want to take care of people that have been very good to us over the years.

Question 00:08:29-00:08:30 (1 sec)

Mr. President --

Note 00:08:30-00:08:30 ( sec)

[Crosstalk]

Question 00:08:30-00:08:44 (14 sec)

Thank you, Mr. President. You told 60 Minutes that you felt that your deportation policy may have gone too far, but then you named the architect of that policy, Stephen Miller, to be your chief of staff. Have you told him that you want changes to the deportation policy?

Donald Trump 00:08:44-00:08:59 (14 sec)

No, no. We have a very strong deportation policy. There's no amnesty, no -- no anything. We keep that, but we focus on the worst of the worst. We want to get the murderers out. We've gotten most of them out. We've gotten most of the really bad -- you know, they -- they allowed -- Joe Biden allowed 100 -- well, 25 million people to come in, of that 11,888 murderers, most of whom committed more than one murder.

Donald Trump 00:08:59-00:09:09 (11 sec)

We've gotten most of them. We want to get the worst of the worst, and then we'll see what happens. But they came in illegally. Many of them have good jobs now. They're productive. Some of them are even paying taxes. And we're seeing what's going to happen. There won't be amnesty. Somebody suggested will there be amnesty?

Donald Trump 00:09:09-00:09:18 (9 sec)

No. But they came in. They knew the law. And we're working with a lot of different groups to see whether or not -- but my policy hasn't changed. What we are doing is absolutely the worst of the worst. We're getting the murderers. They allowed people to come in from prisons. They emptied their prisons into our country, many countries, and -- and they emptied our prisons into our country.

Donald Trump 00:09:18-00:09:28 (10 sec)

The drug dealers that we have, the people from the mental institutions. Mental institutions all over the world were emptied out, prisons all over the world. The Congo were -- in the Congo, their prison population was emptied into our country, all over South America. All over Asia they did that too. What Biden did to this country should never, ever be forgotten.

Donald Trump 00:09:28-00:09:29 (1 sec)

And I hope the Democrats will not try and allow that to happen again.

Question 00:09:29-00:09:30 (1 sec)

Mr. President --

Note 00:09:30-00:09:30 ( sec)

[Crosstalk]

Question 00:09:30-00:09:34 (4 sec)

Mr. President, we've seen the stock market really take -- up and down like a roller coaster the last couple of days. It's today up. Last week it tanked.

Donald Trump 00:09:34-00:09:47 (13 sec)

No, not last week. Right after the election it went down $3 trillion. That was because of the result of the election, because the stock market does not want to see Democrats. And your 401(k)s have gone way down because of the ridiculous result. It's not even a result. It's almost hard to believe. Now, I wasn't on the ballot.

Donald Trump 00:09:47-00:09:53 (6 sec)

I shouldn't take anything personally. But I will tell you, I thought it was ridiculous. But the stock market went way down right after that event. Today it's way up because I think they feel we have things under control.

Question 00:09:53-00:09:54 (1 sec)

Mr. President --

Note 00:09:54-00:09:54 ( sec)

[Crosstalk]

Question 00:09:54-00:10:01 (7 sec)

Thank you, sir. Thank you, sir. When were you first informed that there was an issue with Jensen Huang and the affair? And what was presented to you at the time? What was the concern?

Donald Trump 00:10:01-00:10:14 (13 sec)

I would say that, when I heard about it, first of all, I was amazed because I view him as a very high quality person. I've known him a long time. It's actually the largest -- I think by value, it's probably the largest or one of the largest companies in the world. He did that with a chip. You know, when you think about it, he's got a chip that's ten years advanced.

Donald Trump 00:10:14-00:10:30 (16 sec)

Can't be -- because of the complexity, can't even -- the Blackwell can't even be copied. He's an amazing guy. I just hope it's -- I hope there's no problem. If there is a problem, we'll let you know about it. But I hope there's no problem. I believe he's suffering greatly. I read his statement, and I believe he's suffering greatly, more so because of his family, his wife, who he loves, and his family.

Donald Trump 00:10:30-00:10:32 (2 sec)

But he is definitely suffering, and I hope --

Question 00:10:32-00:10:33 (1 sec)

Mr. President --

Note 00:10:33-00:10:33 ( sec)

[Crosstalk]

Question 00:10:33-00:10:40 (7 sec)

Just to follow up on the -- when were you first told of these potential issues with Mr. Huang? You didn't answer that question.

Donald Trump 00:10:40-00:10:47 (7 sec)

Well, I've been hearing about it, and I've been reading a little bit about it over a period of time, but not too long ago.

Question 00:10:47-00:10:49 (1 sec)

Well, when is --

Donald Trump 00:10:49-00:10:54 (6 sec)

And we'll look into it. I know the FBI's looking into it in terms of something else, and I think that he'll be in good shape.

Question 00:10:54-00:10:55 (1 sec)

Mr. President --

Note 00:10:55-00:10:55 ( sec)

[Crosstalk]

Question 00:10:55-00:10:56 (1 sec)

Hey, sir?

Donald Trump 00:10:56-00:11:06 (10 sec)

Mr. President, you say the war with Iran will be ending fairly soon, but you've made this claim dozens of times over the past eight months. Why should Americans think -- No, no, I made the claim --

Question 00:11:06-00:11:08 (2 sec)

This time is any different?

Donald Trump 00:11:08-00:11:21 (13 sec)

That they won't have a nuclear weapon, and they won't have a nuclear weapon. When we knocked them out a year ago, that was -- I said I was going to do that and I kept my word on that. Now what we're doing is we're -- it's really status quo territory. We're keeping it going. We have the greatest military blockade ever.

Donald Trump 00:11:21-00:11:31 (10 sec)

We have the new Iron Gate. Iron Gate is land, so by land and by sea. And we will take care of business. Look, Iran, I hope we're going to be able to make a deal with them, but nothing's going to happen. And if we have to, we'll take very serious -- we are so loaded. We just have another aircraft carrier.

Donald Trump 00:11:31-00:11:42 (12 sec)

It's all loaded up to the gills with brand new beautiful stuff. We're making more military equipment and munitions right now than at any time in the history of our country. We've built and are building more plants. Our -- our defense companies are building more plants than ever at any time in the history of our country.

Donald Trump 00:11:42-00:11:58 (15 sec)

And many of those plants are opened -- some opened and some are opening soon. We're building new Patriots. We're building new Tomahawks, new THAAD systems, and we have more under construction now than at any time ever. And -- and we're taking it -- and obviously, we're taking it for ourselves first. What happened, it wasn't so much Iran.

Donald Trump 00:11:58-00:12:11 (13 sec)

Joe Biden gave $350 billion worth of free equipment to Ukraine. Now, that was unbelievable. Now they pay and we give it to the European Union. We have a very good relationship. We took them from 2 percent to -- 5 percent is what they're paying now, which is pretty amazing. Nobody thought that could happen.

Donald Trump 00:12:11-00:12:23 (12 sec)

But they pay full for the equipment. Joe Biden gave free equipment, $350 billion. And we are now building more military equipment and munitions than at any time in the history of our country. We just had -- just in case, we had another aircraft carrier, we have many, sailing over and just arriving in the Middle East.

Donald Trump 00:12:23-00:12:28 (5 sec)

So, we have three, and they're all locked and loaded, and hopefully we don't have to use them.

Question 00:12:28-00:12:29 (1 sec)

Mr. President --

Note 00:12:29-00:12:29 ( sec)

[Crosstalk]

Question 00:12:29-00:12:37 (8 sec)

Mr. President, are you going -- are you going to bring up the case of Jensen Huang with President Xi when you visit with him next week?

Donald Trump 00:12:37-00:12:39 (2 sec)

No, I don't think so. I mean, maybe. I'm sure President --

Question 00:12:39-00:12:39 ( sec)

Why wouldn't you?

Donald Trump 00:12:39-00:12:46 (7 sec)

Xi will ask me about it. I just know Jensen very well. I just think he's a very honorable man. I mean, he's a great -- he built a great company, American company, and I think he's a very honorable guy.

Question 00:12:46-00:12:46 ( sec)

Is he going --

Donald Trump 00:12:46-00:12:49 (2 sec)

And I feel very confident that he'll be in good shape.

Question 00:12:49-00:12:50 (1 sec)

Mr. President --

Note 00:12:50-00:12:50 ( sec)

[Crosstalk]

Question 00:12:50-00:12:56 (6 sec)

And sticking with Jensen Huang, when you went to China earlier this year in May, did you know about these alleged ties with the Chinese spy then, or --

Donald Trump 00:12:56-00:13:12 (16 sec)

No, I didn't hear about it then. But a lot of people have heard about it, and Jensen totally denies that. He had -- I asked him today, because I did speak to him today just to see if he's feeling all right. How you doing? And I asked him about that, and he had -- he said he had absolutely no idea that the person in question was a spy.

Question 00:13:12-00:13:12 (1 sec)

Are you concerned about that?

Donald Trump 00:13:12-00:13:18 (6 sec)

I asked him that question, did you have any idea that she was a spy? He said I had no idea that she was a spy. And I really believe him. Yeah.

Question 00:13:18-00:13:19 (1 sec)

Mr. President --

Note 00:13:19-00:13:19 ( sec)

[Crosstalk]

Question 00:13:19-00:13:26 (7 sec)

Are you hoping for a breakthrough on Ukraine at the talks in Abu Dhabi this week? And if so, why --

Donald Trump 00:13:26-00:13:51 (25 sec)

I just think that Ukraine and Russia are tired of fighting. They're tired of seeing dead young soldiers, mostly soldiers. Most of the people are soldiers. Think of it. They're losing 25,000 -- Dana, can you imagine 25,000? That's like a stadium, Madison Square Garden. You have your fights, 25,000. That's what it holds, and they're losing that every single month, dead, young beautiful people, and it's -- it's got to stop.

Donald Trump 00:13:51-00:14:07 (16 sec)

You know, it doesn't affect us, but I'm able to get them together. And we're meeting now -- right now as we speak, and the meetings are going ok. But we're trying to get it settled only because we want to see -- it doesn't affect us as a country, but it affects me. 25,000 people a month are being killed.

Question 00:14:07-00:14:09 (2 sec)

Mr. President --

Note 00:14:09-00:14:09 ( sec)

[Crosstalk]

Question 00:14:09-00:14:20 (11 sec)

Mr. President, a number of Senate GOP members are urging the conference to delay their leadership votes tomorrow. We know that John Thune is running unopposed in the Senate. Do you think that Mr. Thune has earned the right to lead Senate --

Donald Trump 00:14:20-00:14:34 (14 sec)

Well, look, he's a very fine man. I know him very well. But that's really up to the senators. I like John Thune. I wish they could get more produced. You know, we -- we've had Save America up there. We've had, you know, voter ID and proof of citizenship and many other things. It's not easy. He's got some people that -- first of all, you have 100 percent negative Democrats.

Donald Trump 00:14:34-00:14:47 (13 sec)

They never vote yes. They always vote no. That means he has to get almost 100 percent of the Republicans. And you have some Republicans in there -- I can name them but why should I -- that are very difficult. And, you know, I said, as leader, you have to get those people. But John's a good man. I guess they're going to be voting tomorrow, or maybe it's delayed.

Donald Trump 00:14:47-00:14:52 (4 sec)

I don't know what -- the status. But, you know, he's a friend of mine. I wish the Senate could get more done.

Question 00:14:52-00:14:52 (1 sec)

Mr. President --

Note 00:14:52-00:14:52 ( sec)

[Crosstalk]

Question 00:14:52-00:14:56 (3 sec)

You spoke about Venezuela. Do you plan on having elections there before the end of the term?

Donald Trump 00:14:56-00:14:59 (4 sec)

At some point, yeah. At some point, yes.

Question 00:14:59-00:15:05 (5 sec)

Mr. President, earlier today you posted on social media where you questioned whether the midterm election results were honest.

Donald Trump 00:15:05-00:15:05 ( sec)

Yeah.

Question 00:15:05-00:15:11 (6 sec)

Do you believe that the election was rigged? And separately, did you -- did you watch Senator Thomas Massie lay out his articles of impeachment this afternoon?

Donald Trump 00:15:11-00:15:28 (17 sec)

No, I don't watch Massie. Look, Massie's a loser. He shouldn't be taking up the time of Congress or the Senate or anything that he's doing. The guy's a stone cold loser. Would always -- he's a Republican. Always he would vote against -- he just would -- we could come up with the best bill -- we could come up with -- and he would always vote against.

Donald Trump 00:15:28-00:15:43 (14 sec)

There's something wrong with him. And I said, look, I've got to challenge him. And I challenged him and he lost in a landslide to a very good man. We have a very good man. Ed Gallrein, who's great, took his place. But, you know, I went and did something that is very tough to do. Now, I challenged others also.

Donald Trump 00:15:43-00:15:54 (11 sec)

I challenged Cornyn, I challenged Tillis, and I challenged, if you look at Louisiana, Cassidy, three. So, that makes things a little bit harder to get their votes, because I wouldn't say they like me. But of all of them, I would say there's -- there's something wrong with Thomas Massie. He was an automatic no vote.

Donald Trump 00:15:54-00:16:09 (15 sec)

You could go in with the greatest bill, bills where even Democrats were voting, and it'd be no. And I said what is wrong with this guy? He's a sick -- a sick guy. There's something wrong with him, actually. Now, he's -- he's after Pete Hegseth. He doesn't like Hegseth. But really, what has Hegseth done? He won the war.

Donald Trump 00:16:09-00:16:24 (15 sec)

He was in charge. He won the war in Venezuela, as I said, 48 minutes. It was flawless, nobody killed. And he certainly, I think he's won the war in Iran, but he's certainly winning the war. Iran would love to make a deal and they've been obliterated, their Navy and their air force. So he won the war in two places, two big places, very important, very impactful, and they were won.

Donald Trump 00:16:24-00:16:37 (13 sec)

They're not like Vietnam, where nothing was won or Afghanistan or Iraq or any of these wars where nothing was won. There was nothing won, just lots of death and then let's leave. In one case, he's not -- they're not going to have a nuclear weapon. In the other, we're making hundreds of billions of dollars for this country.

Donald Trump 00:16:37-00:16:57 (21 sec)

So I say this, Pete Hegseth won two wars, oh, let's impeach him. What about impeaching the gentleman from Biden, his person that disappeared for two weeks and nobody had any idea where he was? What about impeaching the people that ran the Vietnam War? What about impeaching that when -- that ran Iraq and Afghanistan and all of these other wars where thousands of lives have been -- you know, we lost 18 people, 18. They lost 65,000 in Vietnam.

Donald Trump 00:16:57-00:17:13 (15 sec)

We're in there for seven months, they're in there for 21 years. What about impeaching those people? What about impeaching the leaders of these stupid wars that were done where nothing was gained? In Iran, they won't have a nuclear weapon. That's a big thing. Now, short term, probably bad for me because people want to have a little bit lower energy cost.

Donald Trump 00:17:13-00:17:22 (9 sec)

We'll get it back down. I created the lowest cost. You know, it's even lower now than it was with Biden and Obama, but I've done something different. They won't have a nuclear weapon. That's a big thing.

Donald Trump 00:17:22-00:17:31 (9 sec)

And with the other, we're making a fortune and we have tremendous amounts of oil. We're going to have -- we have more oil, including Venezuela, than Saudi Arabia and Russia combined, by far. In fact, by two. Yeah, please.

Question 00:17:31-00:17:32 (2 sec)

Sir, to follow up, do you believe the midterms were rigged?

Donald Trump 00:17:32-00:17:48 (16 sec)

Well, I think the numbers were terrible in terms of those early votes. You look at all those early votes. And look at another one. I'm watching Alaska. So you have a guy named Dan Sullivan and another guy named Dan Sullivan runs. And one's a J and one's an S. And the one with a J, which is the fake Dan Sullivan tries to have his initial change to S. He never ran before.

Donald Trump 00:17:48-00:18:11 (23 sec)

He never was a political person before. He was fraudulently put in the race, and then they tried to change his middle name so it was an S to confuse. So Dan Sullivan and the woman, Peltola, is -- they're very close. He's only -- I guess she's 400 or 500 votes up, but this fake Dan Sullivan because of confusion, only because they're meant to vote -- has 2,500, almost 3,000 votes.

Donald Trump 00:18:11-00:18:27 (16 sec)

That means he wins the election. But in addition, they have a second person they put in and they made a big issue with the second, and that person has 4,000 or 5,000 votes. Those votes should go also. But even if you don't include that, you have a Dan Sullivan and a Dan Sullivan, and the Democrats put him up in order to confuse the voters.

Donald Trump 00:18:27-00:18:44 (17 sec)

So anybody that voted for that second Dan Sullivan, the fake Dan Sullivan, was supposed to be a vote for the real Dan Sullivan. So they stole it. And that election should be called right now, because Dan Sullivan won easily if you add up the numbers. Now, if you add up the numbers for the second person they put in, he's leading by 6,000, 7,000 votes.

Note 00:18:44-00:18:44 ( sec)

[Crosstalk]

Donald Trump 00:18:44-00:18:45 (1 sec)

Go ahead, please.

Question 00:18:45-00:18:46 (2 sec)

You have multiple times given Vladimir Putin --

Donald Trump 00:18:46-00:18:48 (2 sec)

Yeah, I'll stand by.

Question 00:18:48-00:18:50 (2 sec)

You have multiple -- Mr. President?

Donald Trump 00:18:50-00:18:55 (5 sec)

I'll stand by him. He won two wars. He was in charge. We all won. I had great people. You what?

Question 00:18:55-00:18:56 (1 sec)

Massie says that he's carried out --

Donald Trump 00:18:56-00:19:09 (13 sec)

Massie's a loser, just like you're a loser at CNN. Just like your ratings are a loser. Massie is a loser, stone-cold loser. Uh, Iran. I did something that nobody's done, I took on a guy that was, in his own way, sort of popular in his state, and I beat him badly, beat him easily with a man that never ran before, but a good man.

Donald Trump 00:19:09-00:19:25 (16 sec)

Uh, Massie has a lot of hatred in his heart. I watched -- I heard what Massie did. I don't want to watch. I don't want to waste my time watching him. Uh, we won two wars. We won two wars, and we've made the world a lot safer place, and then we're supposed to be -- why haven't we gone after all these other people that ran wars that lost?

Donald Trump 00:19:25-00:19:43 (18 sec)

What about this? What about -- what about -- what about good old Lloyd? Why didn't we go after him? Why didn't we go after the people that disappeared? They're in charge of the military and they disappeared from -- nobody knew, had any idea. Nothing happened to him? Uh, what about all these people that lost wars?

Donald Trump 00:19:43-00:20:00 (18 sec)

You don't go after them. All I can say is this, we have the highest recruit -- the recruitment numbers of -- you know, when I came in, when I was campaigning, we had the worst recruitment, people wanting to join the military in the history of our country. We couldn't fill any of the spots. It was a disaster.

Donald Trump 00:20:00-00:20:17 (16 sec)

Now we have the best numbers we've ever had. More people want to be in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, even the police, Space Force firemen, anybody with a uniform. So now we have the best numbers we've ever had. And I will say this, the soldiers, the actual soldiers, the -- the great people that do the work, the great patriots, they love Pete Hegseth.

Donald Trump 00:20:17-00:20:30 (13 sec)

So if you go back two years ago, before I got into office, two years ago, we could not recruit people. And you know that better -- the Army was way behind, everybody. Now we have waiting lists of people trying to get in. He's done a very good job.

Note 00:20:30-00:20:30 ( sec)

[Crosstalk]

Donald Trump 00:20:30-00:20:31 (1 sec)

Go ahead. Go ahead.

Question 00:20:31-00:20:44 (13 sec)

Vladimir Putin, you have given Vladimir Putin multiple deadlines over the last 22 months to enter into a cease fire, but also to meet directly with Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He has repeatedly ignored your demands, yet you have provided -- he's provided --

Donald Trump 00:20:44-00:20:49 (5 sec)

Well, you know, you say he's ignored. Has he been fighting us in the war? Yeah, yeah, let me ask you this question. Who are you with? Who are you with?

Question 00:20:49-00:20:49 (1 sec)

With MS Now.

Donald Trump 00:20:49-00:21:05 (15 sec)

MS Now, it's a fake -- that's a fake deal. I don't want to take your question. Go ahead. Go ahead. MS Now gets the worst ratings in their history, used to be MSDNC. It's one of the worst. Uh, you're a fake network. Go ahead, please. Jennifer, Jennifer. Go ahead. Jennifer. Go ahead.

Question 00:21:05-00:21:06 (1 sec)

Today was Stephen Miller --

Donald Trump 00:21:06-00:21:07 (1 sec)

MS Now, what a joke you are. Go ahead.

Question 00:21:07-00:21:10 (3 sec)

Stephen Miller's first full day here at the White House.

Donald Trump 00:21:10-00:21:12 (2 sec)

Stephen Miller is doing a great job.

Question 00:21:12-00:21:16 (4 sec)

What changes has he made so far, sir, policy wise?

Donald Trump 00:21:16-00:21:25 (8 sec)

I think he's going to be great. He's been with me from the beginning. He's smart, he's tough, he's fair and he actually will get along, I think, very well with the Democrats.

Note 00:21:25-00:21:25 ( sec)

[Crosstalk]

Question 00:21:25-00:21:28 (3 sec)

-- you cut a deal with Democrats on immigration? I want to put a finer point on --

Donald Trump 00:21:28-00:21:39 (11 sec)

They're going to try and, you know, I'm open to it. We're not going to have amnesty or anything. We're going to -- you know, people are going to do it the right way. You have to do it, it's unfair to other people, but certainly, I'm open to it. Yeah.

Question 00:21:39-00:21:40 (1 sec)

Is Stephen Miller open --

Donald Trump 00:21:40-00:21:41 (1 sec)

No, no, not you, not you. Go ahead.

Question 00:21:41-00:21:45 (4 sec)

I wanted you to put a finer point on what exactly you were made aware of the intelligence around Jensen Huang.

Donald Trump 00:21:45-00:21:47 (1 sec)

Oh, I'd have to check, but this has been going on --

Question 00:21:47-00:21:51 (5 sec)

But there are reports that Secretary Rubio put an intelligence memo out last year. Did you read that memo?

Donald Trump 00:21:51-00:22:00 (8 sec)

Well, I'd certainly check with the intelligence people. It could have been mentioned. Certainly, it didn't make much of an impact on me. Yeah.

Question 00:22:00-00:22:10 (11 sec)

Mr. President, one of your first tests for bipartisanship in this new era is going to be working with Democrats on this permitting bill, which is expected to get a vote tonight.

Donald Trump 00:22:10-00:22:17 (7 sec)

The permitting bill is a great bill that's supposed to be bipartisan. We -- we are behind it 100 percent.

Question 00:22:17-00:22:20 (3 sec)

Are you going to whip that in the House? It faces a hard --

Donald Trump 00:22:20-00:22:26 (6 sec)

Well, we may see, but the Democrats want that -- I mean, maybe they've changed, but they want it as much as the Republicans.

Question 00:22:26-00:22:32 (6 sec)

You're going to approve wind turbines in the future? You've been very critical of them. That's part of this bill.

Donald Trump 00:22:32-00:22:33 (1 sec)

No, I will not approve wind turbines.

Question 00:22:33-00:22:38 (5 sec)

Well, that's part of the bill, sir, a key part of the bill. You're not going to --

Donald Trump 00:22:38-00:22:44 (6 sec)

I know, but I won't approve it. Well, the bill hasn't been fully negotiated. I will not approve wind turbines because wind turbines are a major loser.

Note 00:22:44-00:22:44 ( sec)

[Crosstalk]

Donald Trump 00:22:44-00:22:45 (1 sec)

Go ahead.

Question 00:22:45-00:22:50 (5 sec)

As you said before, it was going to be your pleasure to take Cuba in your mandate. Do you still plan on taking Cuba, or --

Donald Trump 00:22:50-00:23:14 (24 sec)

Well, Cuba is falling. It's a failing nation. It's got an ideology very similar to what the Democrat ideology is, and it's a failing nation. It's a communist nation, socialist nation, sort of everything all wrapped into one. Uh, we have tremendous people who were treated very badly, Cuban Americans, and they voted for me 94 percent, and we take care of those people.

Donald Trump 00:23:14-00:23:22 (8 sec)

But Cuba is a failing nation. Uh, we will help them on a humanitarian basis. We are helping them, actually, but we'll see what happens. Cuba is going to be interesting. I would imagine it will fall fairly soon.

Note 00:23:22-00:23:22 ( sec)

[Crosstalk]

Donald Trump 00:23:22-00:23:30 (8 sec)

OK. I can't keep this man waiting. He's a very, very powerful man. So let me ask -- wait, wait, wait.

Donald Trump 00:23:30-00:23:47 (17 sec)

So let me ask you the big question. Dana, would you like to be press secretary of the United States of America? Look at the sign. You'd have this behind you all the time, the White House, Washington. Would you like that, or do you just want to stay with this ridiculous UFC? Huh?

Dana White 00:23:47-00:23:51 (4 sec)

Thank you for the offer, sir, for the offer. I have no -- no -- I do not want to be in politics. No.

Donald Trump 00:23:51-00:23:53 (2 sec)

I am devastated to hear this. Goodbye, everybody.

Note 00:23:53-00:23:53 ( sec)

[Crosstalk]

Donald Trump 00:23:53-00:23:54 (1 sec)

Thank you. Thank you.

Note 00:23:54-00:23:54 ( sec)

[Crosstalk]

Donald Trump 00:23:54-00:24:05 (12 sec)

Thank you, everybody. Just to conclude, our country is doing really well. We're respected by everybody in the world, something that was not true two years ago. Our country is doing better than it's ever done before.

Donald Trump 00:24:05-00:24:06 (1 sec)

Thank you very much.

Note 00:24:06-00:24:06 ( sec)

[Crosstalk]

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