Transcript - Press Gaggle: Donald Trump Speaks to the Press Before Marine One Departure - October 9, 2018 | Factba.se

Donald Trump

00:00:00 - 00:00:22 (23 sec)

So we're heading out to Iowa, where we have a big statement to make, as you know, on ethanol and for our farmers. Likewise, we're taking care of our refineries and our refiners, and they've done a fantastic job. But we want to get more fuel into the system, and this is a great thing.

Donald Trump

00:00:22 - 00:00:34 (12 sec)

But they're great for our farmers, and it was a promise that I made during the campaign. And, as you know, I keep my promises. So that's the way it is. So we're heading out to Iowa. I assume some of you are coming. Yes, please.

Question

00:00:34 - 00:00:46 (12 sec)

Mr. President, in terms of who may succeed Nikki Haley at the United Nations, the name "Dina Powell" is out there. That would be a trade -- one strong woman from another. What are the chances of that happening?

Donald Trump

00:00:46 - 00:01:01 (15 sec)

It's certainly a person I would consider. And she is under consideration. We have, actually, many names. And, you know, Nikki has been great. Nikki is going to be working along with us and helping us with the choice. Plus, she's going to help us with 2020.

Donald Trump

00:01:01 - 00:01:12 (11 sec)

And Nikki is a great friend of mine. We've become real friends over the last period of time. But she's done a fantastic job. And so she'll be involved. And Dina, certainly. And there are others. I've heard a lot of names.

Question

00:01:12 - 00:01:13 (1 sec)

What about Ivanka?

Donald Trump

00:01:13 - 00:01:16 (3 sec)

I've heard Ivanka. I've heard -- how good would Ivanka be?

Question

00:01:16 - 00:01:18 (2 sec)

Would you consider her?

Donald Trump

00:01:18 - 00:01:29 (11 sec)

The people that know -- it's nothing to do with nepotism. But I want tell you: The people that know, know that Ivanka would be dynamite. But, you know, I'd then be accused of nepotism, if you can believe it. Right?

Donald Trump

00:01:29 - 00:01:30 (0 sec)

Question

00:01:30 - 00:01:35 (5 sec)

Is it a serious consideration though? Would she be a good fit for that job?

Donald Trump

00:01:35 - 00:01:47 (13 sec)

I think Ivanka would be incredible. That doesn't mean I'd -- you know, I'd pick her, because you'd be accused of nepotism, even though I'm not sure there's anybody more competent in the world. But that's okay.

Donald Trump

00:01:47 - 00:01:53 (5 sec)

But we are looking at numerous people. And it is interesting, the name you just mentioned.

Question

00:01:53 - 00:02:05 (12 sec)

What's the real reason for Ambassador Haley's resignation? There's a lot of speculation about the timing, on a day when you should be celebrating the Kavanaugh nomination.

Donald Trump

00:02:05 - 00:02:24 (19 sec)

We do a lot. You know, this administration does a lot. So, you're right, another administration would -- after like the Kavanaugh victory -- it's really a victory for the people; it's not for me. It's a victory -- they'll have a great Justice for hopefully many years. But a lot of people would celebrate; we go back to business the next day.

Donald Trump

00:02:24 - 00:02:39 (15 sec)

And, you know, Nikki and I talked about this a year ago. And we ought to -- she really wanted to be here for about two years. We finished our big week last week at the U.N. We had a tremendous success. It was great. And we finished 30 days out.

Donald Trump

00:02:39 - 00:02:49 (10 sec)

But, you know, Nikki is going to be involved with us for a long time. And she's going to help me also make that final pick. We're going to make a final pick. I want to get somebody really good.

Donald Trump

00:02:49 - 00:03:06 (17 sec)

I think she's also brought a new level of prestige to that position. That position is -- in terms of people wanting it -- easier now, in a way, than it was before. Nikki has brought, obviously, great competence, but she's brought great prestige to that position.

Question

00:03:06 - 00:03:12 (5 sec)

How do you keep your base energized now that you have this Kavanaugh victory?

Donald Trump

00:03:12 - 00:03:24 (12 sec)

Well, that's a very good question. "How do you keep your base energized now that you have the big Kavanaugh victory?" I would say that just by winning. Got to keep winning. We're doing a lot of winning.

Donald Trump

00:03:24 - 00:03:44 (20 sec)

We're very happy with the USMCA, which is the -- I don't want to use the word "NAFTA" because it's a terrible word, because it was a horrible deal for this country. But our deal with Mexico and Canada was fantastic. China wants to make a deal so badly. We'll see where it goes. But I don't think they're ready yet, personally.

Question

00:03:44 - 00:03:51 (7 sec)

Do you think the Democrats, on the other hand, will be energized because they saw the defeat of someone that they wanted [Inaudible]?

Donald Trump

00:03:51 - 00:04:14 (23 sec)

Yeah, probably. I mean, there could be. But, you know, a lot of those were paid protestors. You saw that. They were all unhappy because they haven't been paid yet. I've been calling it. They were paid protestors. That was professional. That was orchestrated, when you look in the halls of Congress, and you see screaming like that. And it's like chimes -- one goes; the next goes. These are paid protestors.

Donald Trump

00:04:14 - 00:04:24 (11 sec)

I don't know that their energy is great. I can tell you, the energy on the Republican side, I don't think it's ever been greater -- maybe 2016, where, as you remember, the energy was very good.

Donald Trump

00:04:24 - 00:04:25 (1 sec)

Question

00:04:25 - 00:04:26 (1 sec)

Mr. President --

Donald Trump

00:04:26 - 00:04:27 (1 sec)

Say hello to your father.

Question

00:04:27 - 00:04:36 (9 sec)

I will. You've already got two Supreme Court Justices through in your first term. How many more do you think you might get this term?

Donald Trump

00:04:36 - 00:04:56 (20 sec)

A lot of theories on that. It could be three. Under one theory, it could be four. And then some people could say two could happen. So, you know, it could anywhere be from, I would say, one or two, to four additional. So we’ll see.

Donald Trump

00:04:56 - 00:05:11 (15 sec)

You know what? I hope everyone remains healthy. I’m very happy the way it is right now. And we put a great man, and I think going to be a great Justice on the court. But, you know, it’s a guessing game. You don’t know.

Donald Trump

00:05:11 - 00:05:21 (11 sec)

What is an honor is that there have been Presidents -- many Presidents that never had a choice. And here I am, not even two years, and we have two. And they’re confirmed and [Inaudible].

Question

00:05:21 - 00:05:27 (5 sec)

You're meeting with Kanye West on -- you're meeting with Kanye West on Thursday, Mr. President. When will you talk --

Donald Trump

00:05:27 - 00:05:47 (20 sec)

Yeah, I believe Kanye West is coming to the White House. He’s been a terrific guy. You know, he loves what we’re doing for African American jobs, for so many different things. Median income, as you see, at an all-time high. Poverty level at the best rate -- meaning the lowest rate so far.

Donald Trump

00:05:47 - 00:06:18 (32 sec)

And Kanye is a smart guy. And he sees that. And also coming with him -- he said, “Do you mind if I bring Jim Brown?” Big Jim Brown. Boy, would he be making a lot of money today, right? He was un -- I call him “Unstoppable Jim Brown.” And he’s been a friend of mine. He’s been really with us. Because he gets it. He really gets it. He sees that African American -- and, by the way, Hispanic and Asian -- have never done better in this country. And he likes it.

Question

00:06:18 - 00:06:23 (4 sec)

Were you concerned about the way that China treated Secretary Pompeo when he was there on this most recent visit?

Donald Trump

00:06:23 - 00:06:36 (13 sec)

No. They’re just trying to get me a message. But those messages don't work. They don’t work. But no, I think they treated him with great respect, actually. You know, they had meetings besides just the news conference. And I think they treated him with great respect.

Donald Trump

00:06:36 - 00:06:48 (12 sec)

He had a great meeting with North Korea. And China, it’s -- it wasn’t so much -- I guess he was giving them a message, and they were giving him a message to come back to me.

Question

00:06:48 - 00:06:50 (3 sec)

Do you have any updates about the Saudi journalist? Have you heard anything recently?

Donald Trump

00:06:50 - 00:06:55 (5 sec)

I don’t know anything. No, I don’t have any updates. No. It’s a sad situation.

Question

00:06:55 - 00:07:01 (6 sec)

Have you read the U.N. report this week warning about climate change, requiring drastic action --

Donald Trump

00:07:01 - 00:07:14 (13 sec)

It was given to me. It was given to me. And I want to look at who drew it. You know, which group drew it. Because I can give you reports that are fabulous, and I can give you reports that aren’t so good. But I will be looking at it. Absolutely.

Question

00:07:14 - 00:07:18 (4 sec)

What do you think about Hope Hick’s new job at Fox?

Donald Trump

00:07:18 - 00:07:20 (2 sec)

I think it’s fantastic. Hope?

Question

00:07:20 - 00:07:20 (1 sec)

Donald Trump

00:07:20 - 00:07:31 (11 sec)

She’s the greatest. I love it. I think Hope is -- I’m so proud of her. And I’m very happy. I’m very happy for you, right? Was that announced officially now?

Question

00:07:31 - 00:07:31 (0 sec)

Donald Trump

00:07:31 - 00:07:51 (19 sec)

I’m very happy for Fox because they have a winner. Hope is a winner. And she has been from the beginning. You know, she was like literally right from first day. That was a small group. And -- no, I’m very proud of Hope. And Fox has themselves somebody who's really great.

Question

00:07:51 - 00:08:01 (10 sec)

On ethanol -- the petroleum industry opposes this idea of moving to 15 percent ethanol year-round. They say it’s going to hurt their industry. What do you say to them?

Donald Trump

00:08:01 - 00:08:18 (17 sec)

Well, I want more industry. I want more energy. I want more, because I don’t like $74. It’s up to $74. And if I have to do more, whether it’s through ethanol or through another means, that’s what I want. I want low prices. So I’m okay with it.

Donald Trump

00:08:18 - 00:08:31 (12 sec)

You know, it's an amazing substance. You look at the Indy cars -- they run 100 percent on ethanol. And you look at other certain forms of very modern energy, it's ethanol-based, and that meant a lot to me.

Donald Trump

00:08:31 - 00:08:45 (14 sec)

But what it really means is we're helping our farmers and we're also going to be helping our refiners, and you know that too -- because they're both very important. But the farmers have been so terrific, and they produce great product. So I think it's going to be great.

Donald Trump

00:08:45 - 00:09:02 (17 sec)

And it has no impact -- 12 months. That was a misnomer. There is no negative impact. In fact, there are those that say, you do this and the air is cleaner. I agree with that. But they say, you go 12 months instead of 8 -- you go 12 months, and the air is actually cleaner.

Question

00:09:02 - 00:09:08 (6 sec)

Just yesterday, CREW filed an ethics complaint against Nikki Haley, saying that she misused --

Donald Trump

00:09:08 - 00:09:09 (1 sec)

Question

00:09:09 - 00:09:18 (9 sec)

CREW -- Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics. They fired an ethics complaint, saying that Nikki Haley misused private planes. Did that factor in at all into the timing of the announcement?

Donald Trump

00:09:18 - 00:09:28 (10 sec)

No, I know nothing about it. I know nothing about it. I know Nikki. This is one of the most honest human beings you’ll ever see. So I just -- I haven’t heard about it.

Question

00:09:28 - 00:09:31 (3 sec)

Would you like to see Nikki Haley be the next U.S. Senator from South Carolina, sir?

Donald Trump

00:09:31 - 00:09:32 (1 sec)

Question

00:09:32 - 00:09:36 (4 sec)

Would you like to see Nikki Haley be the next U.S. Senator from South Carolina?

Donald Trump

00:09:36 - 00:09:45 (9 sec)

Well, that all depends on who she’s going to be running against. I mean, I could tell you, you have some few really good ones right there, right now. So I don’t see her doing that, no.

Question

00:09:45 - 00:09:47 (2 sec)

Does Lindsey Graham have a place in your administration after the midterms?

Donald Trump

00:09:47 - 00:10:08 (20 sec)

Well, Lindsey is a terrific guy. I think he wants to stay right where he is. Certainly, I would. But I think he’s really happy. I’ll tell you what: Lindsey really stepped up over the last two or three weeks. I thought it was fantastic. So, Lindsey is a popular guy, and Tim is a popular guy. I think those are two people -- and Nikki doesn’t have that in mind at all.

Question

00:10:08 - 00:10:12 (4 sec)

Is Senator Graham popular enough to be your next Attorney General, sir?

Donald Trump

00:10:12 - 00:10:19 (7 sec)

He is somebody that never asked me that question. I think he's very happy where he is. He’s having a good time. And he really stepped it up. He’s doing great.

Question

00:10:19 - 00:10:24 (5 sec)

Mr. President, do you believe Nikki Haley when she says she doesn’t want to run for President in 2020?

Donald Trump

00:10:24 - 00:10:25 (1 sec)

Oh, yeah, a hundred percent.

Question

00:10:25 - 00:10:26 (1 sec)

You guys used to clash with one another.

Donald Trump

00:10:26 - 00:10:45 (19 sec)

That’s right. But we've -- I didn’t know her. I mean, she supported somebody over me in the primary. It turned out very well for me. She respected it. And after that, we got along, as you would say, very well. She helped me in the election -- you know, once I won the primaries. And we’ve really been friends and we’ve been compatriots. We’ve been -- we’ve done a great job together.

Donald Trump

00:10:45 - 00:11:06 (21 sec)

You know, the United Nations is at, I think, really a new level of respect. And we work together. We had a tremendous week last week. So, no, Nikki wants to work with us and also to keep it going. She wants to work -- I guess she said today, a few times, she wants to work on the 2020 Election with us.

Question

00:11:06 - 00:11:11 (5 sec)

Mr. President, what about your comments yesterday that some of these forces against Brett Kavanaugh were, quote, “evil”?

Donald Trump

00:11:11 - 00:11:13 (2 sec)

Yeah, I think they were. I think they were. Yeah.

Question

00:11:13 - 00:11:14 (1 sec)

Who do you [Inaudible] -- when you say “evil” you mean evil?

Donald Trump

00:11:14 - 00:11:30 (16 sec)

Yeah, I’m not going to say who I mean. I’m just telling you, you had forces saying things that were evil. They were bad people. And he is a very, very fine man. And what was said about him should never have been said.

Question

00:11:30 - 00:11:33 (3 sec)

[Inaudible] fellow Americans?

Donald Trump

00:11:33 - 00:11:44 (11 sec)

I know many. I know fellow Americans that are evil. I know -- are you saying we shouldn’t say that a fellow American is “evil”? I’ve known some fellow Americans that are pretty evil.

Question

00:11:44 - 00:11:44 (0 sec)

Donald Trump

00:11:44 - 00:11:55 (11 sec)

Well, I like to see low interest rates. The Fed is doing what they think is necessary, but I don’t like what they're doing. Because we have inflation really checked, and we have a lot of good things happening.

Donald Trump

00:11:55 - 00:12:23 (28 sec)

So, I will say this: We’re normalizing money, and that’s good, but I think we don’t have to go as fast. I want to be able to pay off debt. Also, and very importantly, I think that the numbers that we’re producing are record setting. I don’t want to slow it down even a little bit, especially when you don’t have the problem of inflation. And you don’t see that inflation going back. Now, at some point it will, and you go up. I just don’t think it’s necessary to go as fast.

Question

00:12:23 - 00:12:27 (4 sec)

Have you talked to Jay Powell about that? Have you told him what you think?

Donald Trump

00:12:27 - 00:12:30 (3 sec)

I have not spoken to him about that.

Question

00:12:30 - 00:12:32 (2 sec)

Have you met with him this year?

Donald Trump

00:12:32 - 00:12:36 (4 sec)

No, I like to stay uninvolved with them. I have not spoken. How are you?

Question

00:12:36 - 00:12:44 (8 sec)

Mr. President, again -- hi, good, how are you? Have you considered Jared Kushner, your son-in-law, for U.N. Ambassador?

Donald Trump

00:12:44 - 00:12:46 (2 sec)

Well, he's very talented, but no, I haven’t.

Question

00:12:46 - 00:12:47 (1 sec)

Okay. And the second question --

Donald Trump

00:12:47 - 00:12:51 (4 sec)

Only because I know you people. What would you do if I said that, right? What would they do?

Question

00:12:51 - 00:12:53 (1 sec)

But Ivanka is in the running?

Donald Trump

00:12:53 - 00:12:55 (2 sec)

Jared or -- how do you feel about Ivanka?

Question

00:12:55 - 00:12:57 (2 sec)

Donald Trump

00:12:57 - 00:12:58 (2 sec)

I think CNN would support her.

Question

00:12:58 - 00:13:02 (4 sec)

What about the difference between Kushner and Ivanka?

Donald Trump

00:13:02 - 00:13:05 (3 sec)

Well, look, they’re two very competent people.

Question

00:13:05 - 00:13:07 (2 sec)

And on Rosenstein, he [Inaudible] Congress. Is he a --

Donald Trump

00:13:07 - 00:13:34 (27 sec)

Well, I guess he’s going before Congress. We had a very good talk yesterday. And he’s going before Congress. We’ll see how it all works out. In the meantime, as you know, Senator Richard Burr came out just recently and said there was no collusion. He saw no collusion. This is after what? A year and a half. And Devin Nunes, as you know, a very -- smart people. He came out. There’s no collusion. There is no collusion. So that’s all I care about.

Question

00:13:34 - 00:13:40 (6 sec)

Mr. President, with the nomination of Kavanaugh now behind us, how do you recommend we address the divide in the American political climate?

Donald Trump

00:13:40 - 00:13:48 (7 sec)

We’ll start getting together. We’ll start getting together. Thank you, everybody. Thank you.