Key lines from Trump’s first post-election news conference
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In his first post-election news conference, President-elect Trump addresses vaccine concerns, drone sightings, Ukraine, potential pardons, and federal workforce policies.
During his first post-election news conference, President-elect Donald Trump addressed a range of topics, including the polio vaccine, drone sightings, New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ legal troubles, and the ongoing war in Ukraine. Speaking from his Mar-a-Lago estate, Trump took a measured tone while providing insight into his administration’s plans and positions.
One of the key points Trump made was in response to concerns that his pick for the Department of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., might seek to revoke the authorization of the polio vaccine. Trump, however, reassured the public that such an action was not on the table. He emphasized his strong support for the vaccine and stated, “You’re not going to lose the polio vaccine. It’s not going to happen.” Trump also noted that while he believed in the vaccine’s importance, his administration would investigate rising autism rates and look into potential causes. He described Kennedy as “a very rational guy,” despite the controversy surrounding Kennedy’s past stance on vaccines.
Trump also addressed the recent drone sightings in the Northeast. While he expressed skepticism that these incidents were tied to a foreign power, he criticized the Biden administration for withholding details. “Something strange is going on,” Trump said, urging officials to be more transparent with the public. Federal authorities have suggested that many of the sightings could be misidentified manned aircraft rather than drones.
Regarding New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who faces federal corruption charges, Trump indicated he might consider pardoning Adams, describing the indictment as politically motivated. Adams was accused of accepting illegal foreign travel payments, but Trump likened the charges to receiving an airline upgrade. He also remarked that Adams’ criticisms of President Biden’s immigration policies may have led to the investigation, although the inquiry into his fundraising practices started long before Adams spoke out on the issue.
Trump continued his remarks by discussing the war in Ukraine. He stated that both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin should be open to negotiating a peace deal. He described the conflict as devastating, with cities left in ruins. While Trump did not outline the specifics of a potential deal, he called the war “horrible” and expressed his desire to end the violence.
On the subject of political strategy, Trump warned Republican senators who oppose his Cabinet picks that they could face primary challengers. He emphasized that unreasonable opposition, driven by political motives, would likely lead to challengers running against these senators. Trump’s comments reflect his ongoing influence over the Republican Party as he seeks to reshape it in his image.
Trump also addressed the nomination of Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense. Hegseth, a former Fox News host and military veteran, is facing challenges related to past allegations of workplace misconduct. Despite this, Trump defended Hegseth, calling him a “military guy” who gave up significant opportunities in the private sector to serve his country. Trump expressed confidence in Hegseth’s potential, describing him as highly committed to national defense.
Turning to technology, Trump hinted that he might reconsider the decision to ban TikTok in the U.S. He acknowledged the app’s influence, particularly in helping him connect with younger voters during the 2020 election. Trump is set to meet with TikTok’s CEO, Shou Chew, to further discuss the platform. He also revealed plans to meet with tech executives, including Netflix’s Ted Sarandos and Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, as he seeks closer relationships with tech industry leaders in anticipation of his second term.
Trump also reiterated his stance on federal employees, stating that those who refuse to return to in-person work will be dismissed. He criticized an agreement between the Social Security Administration and its union that allows workers to continue teleworking until 2029. Trump, along with allies like Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, aims to push for greater in-office work as part of an effort to reduce the size of the federal workforce.
On the international front, Trump said he has been in communication with leaders from over 100 countries, many of whom expressed interest in meeting with him. He confirmed that he had extended invitations to world leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, to attend his inauguration, although a senior Chinese delegation will represent Xi instead.
Lastly, Trump addressed several other topics, including his thoughts on the Duke lacrosse case, the shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, and the possibility of his daughter-in-law Lara Trump running for a Senate seat. He also expressed outrage over social media users who appeared to praise the alleged shooter of Thompson, condemning the act as “cold-blooded” and a sign of societal sickness.
Throughout the news conference, Trump offered a glimpse into the priorities and challenges of his forthcoming administration, while reaffirming his commitment to key issues such as transparency, foreign policy, and government efficiency.
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