Bartiromo, who Trump simply appointed to the Kennedy Middle Board, sat down with the President for the interview that aired on March 9 and was filmed in the course of the previous week.
Listed here are a few of the key subjects Trump shared his views on:
Recession fears
Shoppers and consultants alike have proven concern a few doable recession, notably amid the Trump Administration’s proposed reciprocal tariffs and the mass layoffs largely triggered by the Division of Authorities Effectivity (DOGE) beneath Elon Musk. The Atlanta Federal Reserve mannequin recommended that financial development may be adverse in Q1 2025.
Trump didn’t rule out the potential for financial hardship, arguing that the financial system and the U.S. inhabitants must alter to the adjustments being made.
“I hate to foretell issues like that,” Trump mentioned, when requested if he’s anticipating a recession this 12 months. “There’s a interval of transition, as a result of what we’re doing may be very massive. We’re bringing wealth again to America. There are at all times intervals of… it takes a bit of time. It takes a bit of time. However I feel it ought to be nice for us.”
Learn Extra: Is the U.S. Heading Right into a Recession Below Trump? Right here’s What to Know
What is going on with Trump’s tariffs
Bartiromo pushed for extra element on tariffs, stating that companies need “readability” and predictability for shareholder functions amid Trump’s proposed tariffs and, extra particularly, his choice to delay a few of these tariffs on Canada and Mexico.
Trump mentioned that companies can have readability after April 2, when his reciprocal tariffs are set to be put in place. However he additionally mentioned that the tariffs could effectively rise over time.
“The tariffs may go up as time goes by, they could go up…” he mentioned. “This nation has been ripped off from each nation on the planet, each firm on the planet. We have been ripped off at ranges by no means seen earlier than, and what we will do is get it again.”
Trump went on to reaffirm his perception that extra enterprise and manufacturing ought to be carried out on American soil. “Construct it right here, there’s no tariff,” he mentioned.
Learn Extra: What Are Tariffs and Why Is Trump In Favor of Them?
The place U.S. and Ukraine relations stand after the Zelensky Oval Workplace confrontation
When requested by Bartiromo concerning the Oval Workplace change between himself and Zelensky, Trump mentioned that Zelensky is a “good and hard man” and likened him getting U.S. assist from the Biden Administration after Russia invaded Ukraine to taking “sweet from a child.”
“He [Zelensky] took cash out of this nation beneath Biden like taking sweet from a child. It was really easy,” Trump mentioned, including: “I simply don’t assume he’s grateful.”
Trump went on to say if he had been President on the time, Russia wouldn’t have invaded Ukraine. He additionally mentioned that different world occasions—similar to Hamas’ assault on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023— wouldn’t have occurred if he was within the White Home.
When requested concerning the U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal—the unique meant focus of Trump and Zelensky’s Oval Workplace assembly—and whether or not it can nonetheless go forward, Trump mentioned he “thinks so.”
Learn Extra: World Leaders React to Zelensky and Trump’s Oval Workplace Showdown
If there are plans to chop protection spending
Trump was requested concerning the Administration’s plan to shrink the scale of the federal authorities, a cost spearheaded by DOGE beneath the watchful eye of Musk. These cuts, although, is not going to have an effect on protection spending in the intervening time.
Trump mentioned he would “love” to chop protection spending, however is not going to accomplish that “now.”
“You may have China, you’ve Russia, you’ve a whole lot of issues on the market,” he mentioned, rueful that the federal government has to spend a lot on nuclear weapons.
He additionally reiterated his message that social safety and Medicaid is not going to be affected by the DOGE spending cuts.
Trump’s proposed “gold card” path to U.S. citizenship
Trump addressed his current proposal of a “gold card” path to citizenship, placing a $5 million price ticket on a card that may permit foreign-born potential immigrants a pathway into america.
Championing his thought, Trump advised Bartiromo that main firms have reached out to him about how onerous it’s to rent expertise from good faculties when immigrants should depart the nation after their training ends.
“You graduate primary on the Wharton Faculty of Finance, or Harvard, or Stanford, and also you get thrown in a foreign country,” Trump mentioned. “And [businesses] need to rent these individuals. Now, they will purchase a gold card they usually can take that gold card and make it part of their deal to get these high college students—no completely different than an athlete.”
Learn Extra: What Is Trump’s ‘Gold Card’ Path to Citizenship and How May It Work?
The way forward for training within the U.S.
Trump spoke out about his ideas on America’s training system amid the information that he needs to dismantle the Division of Training.
“We need to convey the faculties again to the States, as a result of now we have the worst, actually, now we have the worst Training Division and training on the planet,” Trump claimed. “We’re ranked on the backside of the checklist, and but we’re primary in relation to price per pupil.”
Learn Extra: Trump Speaks Out on Recession Fears, Tariffs, and the U.S. Support Given to ‘Ungrateful’ Zelensky
In protection of Elon Musk and DOGE
Amid mounting issues concerning the oversight Musk and DOGE have been given to chop spending on the federal degree—from firing the federal workforce in droves to terminating hundreds of presidency contracts—Trump defended the Tesla and X proprietor.
“What he’s achieved is unbelievable,” Trump mentioned of Musk, referring to him as a “patriot” and championing his means to identify monetary waste. “That is one thing that’s actually not good for him, and but he’s doing it. However, he’s opened a whole lot of eyes.”
Trump’s protection of Musk lands amid reviews that Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Musk have clashed over DOGE’s actions. Trump addressed the reviews through his social media platform, Reality Social, on Saturday night, stating that the 2 cupboard members have a “nice relationship,” and any assertion in any other case is “faux information.”
Learn Extra: Elon Musk Attracts Ire Telling Federal Staff to Justify Their Jobs Over E-mail or Resign
Negotiations with Iran
Trump addressed the information that he just lately despatched a letter to Iran’s Supreme Chief Ali Khamenei over the nation’s advancing nuclear program. There are two methods to “deal” with Iran, Trump mentioned: with the army or with a deal.
“I would favor to make a deal, as a result of I am not seeking to damage Iran. They’re nice individuals,” Trump mentioned. “I’ve written them a letter saying, ‘I hope you are going to negotiate,’ as a result of if now we have to go in militarily, it is going to be a horrible factor for them.”
Trump’s feedback about Iran initially aired on Friday, seemingly prompting a response from the nation’s Supreme Chief the next day. Khamenei reportedly mentioned Iran wouldn’t negotiate with “bullying governments” insisting on discussions.
