Newsroom
In his first television interview since returning to the White House, President Donald Trump offered a wide-ranging assessment of national issues, asserting that America's challenges are "all solvable" and emphasizing the unity of the Republican congressional caucus.
Speaking exclusively to Fox News host Sean Hannity in a White House interview, Trump painted an optimistic picture of the nation's potential, declaring, "We can get our country back." He suggested that had he not won the recent election, the country would have been "lost forever."
The president highlighted the cohesion within the Republican Party, praising House Speaker Mike Johnson as a "terrific" leader who has successfully unified a historically fractious GOP caucus. "These are not easy people," Trump said. "This is a tough group … but they're very unified."
Breaking from his predecessor's media approach, Trump has been notably accessible to reporters during his first three days in office. He has answered questions in the Oval Office while signing executive orders and during policy announcements, including a $500 billion artificial intelligence infrastructure project.
In contrast, former President Joe Biden was characterized as significantly less media-accessible, waiting until February 2021 for his first television interview and holding the fewest press conferences of any modern president.
Trump's interview covered a broad range of topics, including federal emergency response, border security, and potential document releases. He criticized the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), claiming it "has not done their job for the last four years" and specifically lambasted its response to Hurricane Helene.
On border policy, Trump was particularly critical, describing the previous administration's approach as "a gross miscarriage of common sense." He expressed concern about immigrants entering the country, making controversial remarks about potential security risks.
The president also took aim at California Governor Gavin Newsom, whom he called an "idiot" over wildfire management and water policies. Trump suggested potentially withholding federal relief funds, stating, "I don't think we should give California anything until they let water flow down."
In a notable promise, Trump indicated he would soon release secret government files related to the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy and civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., saying he would grant public access "immediately upon getting" the information.
With information from Fox News.
