Transcript - Press Gaggle: Donald Trump Answers Reporters' Questions Prior to Dallas Trip - October 25, 2017 | Factba.se

Question

00:00:00 - 00:00:02 (3 sec)

What's your reaction to Democrats paying for the dossier?

Donald Trump

00:00:02 - 00:00:14 (11 sec)

Well, I think it's very sad what they've done with this fake dossier. It was made up, and I understand they paid a tremendous amount of money, and Hillary Clinton always denied it.

Donald Trump

00:00:14 - 00:00:22 (9 sec)

The Democrats always denied it. And now only because it's going to come out in a court case, they said, yes, they did it. They admitted it, and they're embarrassed by it.

Donald Trump

00:00:22 - 00:00:29 (7 sec)

But I think it's a disgrace. It's just really -- it's a very sad -- it's a very sad commentary on politics in this country.

Question

00:00:29 - 00:00:31 (2 sec)

Do you know which Republicans helped fund that?

Question

00:00:31 - 00:00:35 (4 sec)

Mr. President, [Inaudible] Senator Bob Corker and his chairmanship?

Donald Trump

00:00:35 - 00:00:41 (6 sec)

I don't think so. I think it's fine the way it is. We have actually great unity in the Republican Party. Yesterday, I was --

Question

00:00:41 - 00:00:43 (2 sec)

[Inaudible] Bob Corker and Jeff Flake?

Donald Trump

00:00:43 - 00:00:58 (15 sec)

That's okay. Look, you know they have to do their thing. We have great unity. If you look at what happened yesterday at the meeting, we had, I guess, virtually every senator, including John McCain. We had a great conversation yesterday -- John McCain and myself -- about the military.

Donald Trump

00:00:58 - 00:01:17 (19 sec)

I think we had a -- I called it a lovefest. It was almost a lovefest. Maybe it was a lovefest. But we -- standing ovations. There is great unity. If you look at the Democrats with Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton, that's a mess. There's great unity in the Republican Party.

Question

00:01:17 - 00:01:22 (6 sec)

[Inaudible] this country is in the gutter right now. Do you agree with that? Do you bear any responsibility for that?

Donald Trump

00:01:22 - 00:01:39 (17 sec)

Well, I think it's sad. But I think to a large extent, in all due respect, I think the media causes a lot of it. Fake stories are being reported. A lot of bad things are being reported that aren't true, and I think to a certain extent, maybe I can blame the media.

Donald Trump

00:01:39 - 00:02:04 (25 sec)

But politics is a rough business. There's no question about it. I will say this: I think the Republican Party has a pretty good unity. When I looked at that room yesterday at lunch -- and you know, and you reported on it very well, Kristen. You gave it a very good report. The fact is there was tremendous unity in that room, and we're really unified. We're really unified on what we want to do.

Donald Trump

00:02:04 - 00:02:11 (7 sec)

We want tax cuts for the middle class. We want tax cuts for businesses to produce jobs. There's great unity. Yes.

Question

00:02:11 - 00:02:16 (6 sec)

What about Senator Flake saying you are a danger to democracy?

Donald Trump

00:02:16 - 00:02:33 (17 sec)

Look, he was against me from before he ever knew me. He wrote a book about me before I ever met him, before I ever heard his name. His poll numbers in Arizona are so low that he couldn't win, and I don't blame him for leaving. I think he did the right thing for himself.

Donald Trump

00:02:33 - 00:02:42 (9 sec)

But if you know, long before he ever knew me, during the campaign, even before the campaign -- I mean, he came out with this horrible book, and I said, who is this guy?

Donald Trump

00:02:42 - 00:02:59 (16 sec)

In fact, I remembered the first time I saw him on television I had not really been -- nobody knew me in terms of politics. But the first time I saw him on television, I said, I assume he's a Democrat. Is he a Democrat? They said he's a Republican. I said, that's impossible.

Donald Trump

00:02:59 - 00:03:12 (13 sec)

So, look, his poll numbers are terrible. He's done terribly for the great people of Arizona, a state that likes Donald Trump very much as even you will admit. And he would have never won.

Donald Trump

00:03:12 - 00:03:21 (10 sec)

In fact, even in the primary, he's way down in the primary. So he did the smart thing for himself. This way he can get out somewhat gracefully. But --

Question

00:03:21 - 00:03:24 (3 sec)

What about the comments that you're [Inaudible].

Donald Trump

00:03:24 - 00:03:35 (11 sec)

Well, he's saying that -- he's saying that because he has nothing else to say. But I do think this -- I do think this: I wish him well. I really believe he's going to do the right thing for the country.

Donald Trump

00:03:35 - 00:03:49 (14 sec)

He's going to vote for tax cuts because we desperately need tax cuts to put our people back to work. We need tax cuts also to be able to compete with other countries.

Question

00:03:49 - 00:04:15 (26 sec)

[Inaudible] Bob Corker -- "liddle"" Bob Corker?"

Donald Trump

00:04:15 - 00:04:21 (6 sec)

You know what, I hope Bob -- and I really believe that Bob Corker is going to do the right thing also. Yes, go ahead.

Question

00:04:21 - 00:04:24 (4 sec)

[Inaudible], Mr. President -- do you feel like that's [Inaudible]?

Donald Trump

00:04:24 - 00:04:27 (3 sec)

I can't hear you. I can't -- what? Say it again.

Question

00:04:27 - 00:04:28 (1 sec)

Donald Trump

00:04:28 - 00:04:33 (5 sec)

Well, Senator Flake did vote with me. I understand it was about 91 or even more than that. So from that standpoint, good.

Donald Trump

00:04:33 - 00:04:50 (18 sec)

No, I think I'll be boosted in Arizona because he's very unpopular. I think the fact that he did it the way he did it probably -- I mean, I'm very high in Arizona. I love the people; they like me. They like security at the border. You know, all of the things. But I think I'm probably helped greatly in Arizona by what happened with Senator Flake.

Question

00:04:50 - 00:04:51 (1 sec)

Donald Trump

00:04:51 - 00:05:04 (13 sec)

I don't think they'd do that. I really know that they want tax cuts. They know we need it. We need it for the country, we need it for the people, we need if for the middle class, we need it for jobs. I don't think they'd do that. I really don't.

Donald Trump

00:05:04 - 00:05:13 (9 sec)

I know them well enough. I don't know Flake very well, but I know Bob Corker. I think they really would do it. I think they feel they have to do it for the country.

Question

00:05:13 - 00:05:15 (2 sec)

Donald Trump

00:05:15 - 00:05:16 (1 sec)

Question

00:05:16 - 00:05:17 (2 sec)

[Inaudible] Democrats?

Donald Trump

00:05:17 - 00:05:36 (18 sec)

I think we're going to get some Democrat votes, yeah. I do believe -- I haven't started the process, but I believe that there are certain Democrats that, if they don't vote for these massive tax cuts for business, for jobs, and for the middle class, they will lose their races in '18.

Question

00:05:36 - 00:05:39 (3 sec)

Mr. President, should you be more civil [Inaudible]?

Donald Trump

00:05:39 - 00:06:00 (21 sec)

Well, I think the press makes me more uncivil than I am. You know, people don't understand -- I went to an Ivy League college, I was a nice student, I did very well, I'm a very intelligent person. The fact is, I think -- I really believe -- I think the press creates a different image of Donald Trump than the real person.

Question

00:06:00 - 00:06:07 (7 sec)

In that vein, Mr. President, would you ever apologize to Sergeant La David Johnson's wife?

Question

00:06:07 - 00:06:11 (4 sec)

When is it okay for you to [Inaudible] your punches --

Donald Trump

00:06:11 - 00:06:22 (11 sec)

Well, I think it's always okay -- when somebody says something about you that's false, I think it's always okay to counterpunch or to fight back. John.

Question

00:06:22 - 00:06:34 (11 sec)

You have talked, Mr. President, about the idea that any changes to tax-free contributions to 401(k)s are off the table. That was the source of your spat --

Donald Trump

00:06:34 - 00:06:45 (11 sec)

I wanted to end that quickly. 401(k)s, to me, are very important. And they're important because that's one of the great benefits to the middle class. I didn't want that to go too far. That's why I ended it very quickly.

Question

00:06:45 - 00:06:50 (5 sec)

But Kevin Brady, who is the Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, said this morning it could be on the table.

Donald Trump

00:06:50 - 00:07:10 (20 sec)

Well, maybe it is, and maybe we'll use it as negotiating. But trust me, that's one of the great things. You know, there are certain elements of deals you don't want to negotiate with. 401(k)s -- and Kevin knows it, and I think Kevin Brady is fantastic, but he knows how important 401(k)s are.

Question

00:07:10 - 00:07:23 (14 sec)

You told me last week you thought that the uranium sale to Russia was one of the big stories of the decade. Three congressional committees are now looking at that. We haven't heard you comment on it since those investigations were launched.

Donald Trump

00:07:23 - 00:07:35 (12 sec)

Well, I think the uranium sale to Russia and the way it was done, so underhanded, with tremendous amounts of money being passed -- I actually think that's Watergate, modern age.

Question

00:07:35 - 00:07:43 (8 sec)

Mr. President, what more do you want to know about the mission in Niger? And what have you asked the Pentagon to tell you and tell the country?

Donald Trump

00:07:43 - 00:07:44 (1 sec)

Say it again, please.

Question

00:07:44 - 00:07:51 (7 sec)

What more do you want to know about the mission in Niger? And what have you asked the Pentagon to tell you and tell the country about what went wrong?

Donald Trump

00:07:51 - 00:07:52 (1 sec)

Question

00:07:52 - 00:07:53 (1 sec)

What more do you want to know about the mission in Niger --

Question

00:07:53 - 00:07:56 (3 sec)

And what went wrong, and what do you want the country to know about that.

Donald Trump

00:07:56 - 00:08:12 (16 sec)

Well, we're going to look at it. Now, I have to say, we are decimating ISIS in the Middle East. What's happening is, they'll go to parts of Africa, they'll go to other places. When they get there, we meet them. It's a dangerous business -- I have to say, it's a dangerous business. So what --

Question

00:08:12 - 00:08:12 (0 sec)

Donald Trump

00:08:12 - 00:08:19 (6 sec)

No, I didn't. Not specifically. But I have generals that are great generals. These are great fighters. These are warriors and --

Question

00:08:19 - 00:08:20 (2 sec)

You gave them authority to do this mission.

Donald Trump

00:08:20 - 00:08:38 (18 sec)

I gave them authority to do what's right so that we win. That's the authority they have. I want to win and we're going to win, and we're beating ISIS very badly. You look at what's happened in the Middle East -- we have done more in eight months than the previous administration has done in many years.

Donald Trump

00:08:38 - 00:08:59 (21 sec)

Now, what happens is, you decimate them and that's all we've done. We have decimated ISIS in the Middle East. They go to Africa, they go to places. When they get there, we meet them there. That's what goes on. It's a tough business. It's a tough war, but we are winning it. And you know what? We're going to continue winning it.

Donald Trump

00:08:59 - 00:09:18 (19 sec)

With that being said, my generals and my military, they have decision-making ability. As far as the incident that we're talking about, I've been seeing it just like you've been seeing it. I've been getting reports. They have to meet the enemy and they meet them tough, and that's what happens.

Question

00:09:18 - 00:09:22 (4 sec)

Did Sergeant Johnson's wife [Inaudible]. Would you ever apologize to her?

Donald Trump

00:09:22 - 00:09:35 (14 sec)

I was extremely nice to her. She sounds like a lovely lady. I've never seen her. I've never met her, but she sounds likes a lovely lady. But I was extremely nice to her. I was extremely courteous, as I was to everyone else.

Donald Trump

00:09:35 - 00:09:43 (8 sec)

You know, it's interesting, you folks have called many people that I spoke to. Everybody has said unbelievable, good thing about me, but you never report that.

Question

00:09:43 - 00:09:44 (1 sec)

We reported that.

Question

00:09:44 - 00:09:48 (3 sec)

Mr. President, but she was really upset by your phone call --

Donald Trump

00:09:48 - 00:09:50 (2 sec)

Did you report it? Did you report it?

Question

00:09:50 - 00:09:52 (3 sec)

We have reported that. You've talked about the --

Donald Trump

00:09:52 - 00:09:53 (1 sec)

Question

00:09:53 - 00:09:55 (2 sec)

You're welcome. But what about your --

Donald Trump

00:09:55 - 00:10:13 (18 sec)

I can only say this: I was really nice to her. I respect her. I respect her family. I certainly respect La David, who -- I, by the way, called La David right from the beginning. Just so you understand, they put a chart in front -- "La David."" It says

Donald Trump

00:10:13 - 00:10:27 (13 sec)

So I called right from the beginning. There's no hesitation. One of the great memories of all time. There was no hesitation. I think she's a fantastic woman. I was extremely nice to her, extremely respectful.

Question

00:10:27 - 00:10:36 (9 sec)

You made four phone calls to four different families that day. Did you say anything different to Myeshia Johnson than you did to any of the other three families?

Donald Trump

00:10:36 - 00:10:50 (15 sec)

I would say, basically, we talked condolence. I mean, it's all about condolence, it's about warmth. In many cases you listen, because in so many cases -- one of the families, they were saying, yes, he was a great football star.

Donald Trump

00:10:50 - 00:11:07 (16 sec)

And honestly, they pour their heart out, John. It's the hardest calls. They pour their heart out. But I am always -- and look, you people have called many people that I've spoken to, and every one of them has said I couldn't have been nicer.

Donald Trump

00:11:07 - 00:11:18 (11 sec)

Now, it's a rough time for these people. I mean, how tough is it? There's nothing tougher. But I have such respect for those families. Nobody has more respect than I do -- nobody.

Question

00:11:18 - 00:11:22 (4 sec)

In the budget deal in December, do you want DACA in that?

Donald Trump

00:11:22 - 00:11:41 (19 sec)

We're looking at DACA. We have to get something for it, but we are looking at DACA. And we'll see what happens. I would love to do a DACA deal, but we have to get something very substantial for it, including the wall, including security, including a strong border. We have to be able to stop drugs from pouring into our nation.

Question

00:11:41 - 00:11:50 (10 sec)

On taxes, sir, you talk about what the American people will get out of your tax plan. Why not tell them how it will affect you by releasing your taxes?

Donald Trump

00:11:50 - 00:12:02 (12 sec)

The tax plan is going to be incredible for this country. It's going to bring back jobs, it's going to cut taxes tremendously. We're going to bring back $4 trillion, I think at least from overseas.

Donald Trump

00:12:02 - 00:12:13 (11 sec)

That money is going to be put back to work in our country instead of other countries. The tax cut is going to be massive. It's going to keep companies from leaving our country. So important.

Question

00:12:13 - 00:12:20 (7 sec)

Have any of your family members or advisors been interviewed by the special counsel?

Donald Trump

00:12:20 - 00:12:22 (2 sec)

Not that I know of, no.

Question

00:12:22 - 00:12:24 (2 sec)

Have you been contacted --

Donald Trump

00:12:24 - 00:12:47 (23 sec)

And I have to say, the whole Russian thing is what it's turned out to be. This was the Democrats coming up with an excuse for losing an election. It's an election that's very hard for a Democrat to lose because the Electoral College is set in such a way that it's very hard to lose that election for a Democrat. They lost it. They lost it very badly and very easily.

Donald Trump

00:12:47 - 00:13:12 (25 sec)

I mean, you look at the votes; it was 306 to what -- 223 or something. They lost it by a lot. They didn't know what to say, so they made up the whole Russia hoax. Now it's turning out that the hoax has turned around. And you look at what's happened with Russia, and you look at the uranium deal, and you look at the fake dossier. So that's all turned around.

Question

00:13:12 - 00:13:14 (2 sec)

[Inaudible], yes or no?

Donald Trump

00:13:14 - 00:13:15 (1 sec)

No, not at all.

Question

00:13:15 - 00:13:16 (1 sec)

Donald Trump

00:13:16 - 00:13:38 (22 sec)

No. We have a very good relationship. Honestly, when you look at -- when you take a look at what's happened with Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders, and the hatred and the division and the animosity -- I'll tell you what, honestly, the Republicans are very, very well united.

Question

00:13:38 - 00:13:39 (1 sec)

Donald Trump

00:13:39 - 00:14:03 (24 sec)

We're going to have a big meeting on opioids tomorrow. We're going to be doing a very, very important meeting sometime in the very short -- the very near future on opioids, in terms of declaring a national emergency, which gives us power to do things that you can't do right now.

Question

00:14:03 - 00:14:12 (9 sec)

This Fusion GPS investigation began on the Republican side of things during the primary. Do you have any idea who it was who was collecting opposition data on you?

Donald Trump

00:14:12 - 00:14:19 (7 sec)

Well, they say it began with the Republicans. I think I would know, but I won't say. It'll be determined. It'll be determined.

Donald Trump

00:14:19 - 00:14:40 (21 sec)

Look, Hillary would have never announced it was them, except for this great court case that's going on where the judge was going to reveal it. So they figured, we'll do it first. They're very embarrassed by it. It's a disgrace. Yes, it might have started with the Republicans early on in the primaries. I think I would know, but let's find out who it is. I'm sure that will come out.

Question

00:14:40 - 00:14:42 (2 sec)

Do you know who those Republicans are?

Donald Trump

00:14:42 - 00:14:46 (5 sec)

I think I would have, if I were to guess, I have one name in mind.

Question

00:14:46 - 00:14:48 (2 sec)

What's the name?

Donald Trump

00:14:48 - 00:14:50 (2 sec)

It will probably be revealed.

Question

00:14:50 - 00:14:57 (6 sec)

The DMZ. Yes or no, are you going? Yes or no?

Donald Trump

00:14:57 - 00:15:00 (4 sec)

Well, I'd rather not say but you'll be surprised.

Question

00:15:00 - 00:15:03 (2 sec)

What does that mean?