US President Donald Trump: A Hundred Days of Controversy and Reform
In an exclusive interview with ABC News, US President Donald Trump marked the 100-day milestone of his second term, discussing his policies, accomplishments, and challenges. The interview, conducted by ABC News anchor and Senior National Correspondent Terry Moran, took place in the Oval Office and was broadcast on ABC at 8 p.m. ET.
President Trump’s first 100 days back in the White House have been marked by significant changes, including the implementation of controversial tariffs, an overhaul of US immigration enforcement, and massive cuts to the federal workforce. According to the President, these policies were part of his campaign promises, and he believes they have been successful so far.
The President’s top priority has been the border, which he considers the most significant issue. He noted that the border was "really going bad" under the previous administration, with many criminals, including murderers, being allowed into the country. However, he claimed that the situation has improved dramatically, with a 99.9% decline in illegal crossings.
On the economy, President Trump acknowledged that the trade war with China has raised concerns among Americans, with Moody’s and other analysts warning that it could cost families thousands of dollars per year. However, he maintained that the tariffs were necessary to fix the "abuse" that the US had suffered from other countries, including China. He claimed that the US was losing $3 to 5 billion a day on trade and that the previous administration’s policies were unsustainable.
When asked about the impact of tariffs on prices, President Trump disputed the notion that they would raise prices, citing his experience with tariffs in his first term, which he claimed did not lead to inflation. He also pointed to the decline in energy prices, gasoline prices, and egg prices as evidence that his policies were working.
The President also discussed his relationship with Vladimir Putin and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. He claimed that Putin wanted to take over Ukraine but was deterred by his presence in the White House. President Trump also suggested that Putin might be "tapping me along" on the issue, implying that he was seeking to gauge the President’s reaction.
Regarding immigration, President Trump acknowledged that the law requires deported individuals to receive a hearing before being sent back to their home country. However, he questioned whether it was feasible to provide hearings for the estimated 21 million people who had entered the country illegally under the previous administration.
The President also addressed concerns about his methods, particularly with regards to the deportation of Venezuelans to El Salvador. He claimed that the individuals being deported were violent gang members and terrorists, but acknowledged that some did not have a criminal record.
On the issue of presidential power, President Trump defended his actions, including revoking security clearances and using his executive order to pressure law firms into dropping certain clients. He claimed that he was not using his powers for personal revenge but rather to protect national interests.
Finally, President Trump addressed concerns about his reputation and the perceived reputational damage to the United States under his presidency. He claimed that his country’s reputation had improved and that he was respected again on the world stage.
In response to a question about his use of power, President Trump stated, "No, I would hate them to think that. I’m doing one thing: I’m makin’ America great again. We have a country that was failing. We have a country that was laughed at all over the world."
The full transcript of the interview is available from ABC News.
Source: ABC News – Full Transcript: Trump’s Exclusive 100-Days Broadcast Interview
