Bartiromo, who Trump just appointed to the Kennedy Center Board, sat down with the President for the interview that aired on March 9 and was filmed throughout the previous week.
Listed here are a few of the key matters Trump shared his views on:
Recession fears
Customers and specialists alike have proven concern about a possible recession, notably amid the Trump Administration’s proposed reciprocal tariffs and the mass layoffs largely triggered by the Division of Authorities Effectivity (DOGE) below Elon Musk. The Atlanta Federal Reserve mannequin suggested that economic growth might be negative in Q1 2025.
Trump didn’t rule out the opportunity of 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 huge. We’re bringing wealth again to America. There are all the time intervals of… it takes a bit time. It takes a bit time. However I feel it ought to be nice for us.”
Learn Extra: Is the U.S. Heading Into a Recession Under Trump? 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 determination to delay some of those 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 might properly rise over time.
“The tariffs may go up as time goes by, they might go up…” he mentioned. “This nation has been ripped off from each nation on this planet, each firm on this planet. We have been ripped off at ranges by no means seen earlier than, and what we’ll 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 alternate between himself and Zelensky, Trump mentioned that Zelensky is a “sensible and hard man” and likened him getting U.S. help from the Biden Administration after Russia invaded Ukraine to taking “sweet from a child.”
“He [Zelensky] took cash out of this nation below 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 supposed focus of Trump and Zelensky’s Oval Workplace assembly—and whether or not it’ll nonetheless go forward, Trump mentioned he “thinks so.”
Learn Extra: World Leaders React to Zelensky and Trump’s Oval Office 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 below 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 achieve this “now.”
“You will have China, you’ve gotten Russia, you’ve gotten numerous 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” route to citizenship, placing a $5 million price ticket on a card that will enable foreign-born potential immigrants a pathway into the US.
Championing his concept, Trump instructed Bartiromo that main firms have reached out to him about how laborious it’s to rent expertise from good colleges when immigrants should depart the nation after their schooling ends.
“You graduate primary on the Wharton College of Finance, or Harvard, or Stanford, and also you get thrown overseas,” Trump mentioned. “And [businesses] need to rent these folks. Now, they’ll purchase a gold card and so they 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’ Route to Citizenship and How Might It Work?
The way forward for schooling within the U.S.
Trump spoke out about his ideas on America’s schooling system amid the information that he needs to dismantle the Department of Education.
“We need to convey the faculties again to the States, as a result of we have the worst, actually, we’ve the worst Training Division and schooling on this planet,” Trump claimed. “We’re ranked on the backside of the record, and but we’re primary with regards to price per pupil.”
Learn Extra: Trump Speaks Out on Recession Fears, Tariffs, and the U.S. Aid 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 stage—from firing the federal workforce in droves to terminating 1000’s of presidency contracts—Trump defended the Tesla and X proprietor.
“What he’s completed is unbelievable,” Trump mentioned of Musk, referring to him as a “patriot” and championing his capacity 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 numerous eyes.”
Trump’s protection of Musk lands amid experiences that Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Musk have clashed over DOGE’s actions. Trump addressed the experiences by way of his social media platform, Truth 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 Draws Ire Telling Federal Employees to Justify Their Jobs Over Email or Resign
Negotiations with Iran
Trump addressed the information that he not too long ago sent 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 trying to harm Iran. They’re nice folks,” Trump mentioned. “I’ve written them a letter saying, ‘I hope you are going to negotiate,’ as a result of if we’ve to go in militarily, it will 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.
