Transcript - Remarks: Donald Trump Meets With Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa of Portugal - June 27, 2018 | Factba.se

Donald Trump

00:00:00 - 00:00:25 (25 sec)

Thank you very much. It's a great honor to have the President -- and highly respected, I must say -- President of Portugal with us. We have a tremendous relationship with Portugal for a long time, and I would say it's never been better than it is right now. So I just want to welcome you and your delegation. It is a country of great beauty and great people. And so thank you.

Donald Trump

00:00:25 - 00:01:03 (38 sec)

And if you don't mind, I'll just make a quick statement of a man I also have great respect for, Justice Anthony -- you know who I'm talking about. Justice Kennedy will be retiring. And he is a man that I've known for a long time and a man that I've respected for a long time. He's been a great justice of the Supreme Court. He is a man who is displaying great vision. He's displayed tremendous vision and tremendous heart. And he will be missed, but he will be retiring.

Donald Trump

00:01:03 - 00:01:20 (17 sec)

And we will begin our search for a new justice of the United States Supreme Court. That will begin immediately. And hopefully we're going to pick somebody who will be as outstanding.

Donald Trump

00:01:20 - 00:01:46 (26 sec)

So I just want thank Justice Kennedy for the years of tremendous service. He's a very spectacular man. Really, a spectacular man. And I know that he will be around, hopefully for a long time, to advise. And I believe he's going to be teaching and doing other things. So thank you to Justice Kennedy. Okay? Thank you.

Question

00:01:46 - 00:01:49 (3 sec)

Who will you pick to replace him, sir?

Donald Trump

00:01:49 - 00:02:14 (25 sec)

Well, we have, obviously, numerous people. We have a list of 25 people that I actually had during my election. I had 20, and as you know, I added 5 a little while ago. We have a very excellent list of great talented, highly educated, highly intelligent -- hopefully, tremendous -- people. I think the list is very outstanding.

Donald Trump

00:02:14 - 00:02:42 (28 sec)

When I was running, I put down a list of 20 people. Because not being a politician, I think people wanted to hear what some of my choices may be, and it was pretty effective. And I think you see the kind of quality that we're looking at when you look at that list. But I did add -- I added five additional people to the list. So it will be somebody from that list. So we have now boiled it down to about 25 people.

Question

00:02:42 - 00:02:47 (5 sec)

Mr. President, (inaudible) to the World Cup with President Putin, the final?

Donald Trump

00:02:47 - 00:02:48 (1 sec)

Question

00:02:48 - 00:02:50 (2 sec)

And who are you supporting in the World Cup?

Donald Trump

00:02:50 - 00:03:16 (26 sec)

No, I will tell you, we fought very hard to get it here. I think they're doing a fantastic job with the World Cup right now. It's in Russia, and I will tell you that it's exciting. My son loves soccer, and he loves watching the World Cup. And they have really done a fantastic job with the World Cup. It's exciting even if you're a non-soccer fan. I'm a soccer fan a little bit, but I don't have much time.

Question

00:03:16 - 00:03:16 (1 sec)

Who are you rooting for?

Donald Trump

00:03:16 - 00:03:26 (10 sec)

But -- well, I'm rooting for everybody to do well. But I think the venue has been fantastic. They really have shown something very special.

Donald Trump

00:03:26 - 00:03:44 (18 sec)

I fought very hard to get it to the United States, Mexico, and Canada, as you probably have heard. And we were honored to be chosen. And this is a great gentleman and a great soccer fan too. But we were very honored to be chosen for the World Cup. So we look forward to that.

Question

00:03:44 - 00:03:47 (3 sec)

Mr. President, will you meet with President Putin, sir? And where?

Donald Trump

00:03:47 - 00:04:07 (19 sec)

Most likely. John Bolton is over there now. He's over in Russia right now. I just saw, watching media, that he's met with President Putin. I haven't gotten the full report yet. But it would look like we will probably be meeting sometime in the not-too-distant future.

Donald Trump

00:04:07 - 00:04:22 (15 sec)

And I've said it from day one: Getting along with Russia and with China and with everybody is a very good thing. It's good for the world, it's good for us, it's good for everybody. So we'll probably be meeting sometime around my trip to Europe.

Question

00:04:22 - 00:04:22 (1 sec)

Do you know where?

Donald Trump

00:04:22 - 00:04:27 (4 sec)

No, it hasn't been determined yet. Probably, I will know within an hour.

Question

00:04:27 - 00:04:32 (5 sec)

And what about the injunction on immigration? Will you fight that -- the California judge who says reunited families must be put together within a month?

Donald Trump

00:04:32 - 00:04:40 (8 sec)

Well, we're going to see. But we believe that families should be together also. So there's not a lot to fight. But we believe families have to be together.

Donald Trump

00:04:40 - 00:04:51 (11 sec)

But what we really do is we believe in very strong borders, no crime. And the Democrats believe in open borders and plenty of crime, because that's what you get with the open borders.

Donald Trump

00:04:51 - 00:05:26 (35 sec)

I would like to introduce, however, the President of Portugal. And I'm sorry to bother you, but in our country, the selection of a justice of the United States Supreme Court is considered, I think we can all say, one of the most important events -- one of the most important things for our country. I mean, you see the decisions that just came down, how big they are, how vital they are. And they can swing different ways depending on who it might -- whom there might be in the courts. So it's always been considered a tremendous -- a tremendously important thing.

Donald Trump

00:05:26 - 00:05:41 (15 sec)

Some people think outside of, obviously, war and peace, it's the most important thing that you could have. But another very important thing is introducing the President -- the highly respected, I must say -- President of Portugal. Thank you.

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa

00:05:41 - 00:05:47 (6 sec)

Thank you. Thank you, President. Well, as a constitutional law professor --

Donald Trump

00:05:47 - 00:05:49 (2 sec)

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa

00:05:49 - 00:06:14 (24 sec)

-- I know how important it is when a justice in your Supreme Court retires, because it's a key institution for your country. So I just heard the news, and I imagine how important it is for you and for any United States President. Anyway, I'd like to tell you that we have a very long-lasting friendship and partnership --

Donald Trump

00:06:14 - 00:06:14 (1 sec)

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa

00:06:14 - 00:06:33 (18 sec)

-- that started the moment we recognized you. We were the first neutral country to recognize the United States of America's independence, although we had as our oldest ally, England. So it was courageous at that time.

Donald Trump

00:06:33 - 00:06:33 (0 sec)

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa

00:06:33 - 00:06:43 (10 sec)

And, I don't know if you know it, but your Founding Fathers celebrated independence with our wine -- with Madeira wine. They made a toast --

Donald Trump

00:06:43 - 00:06:44 (1 sec)

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa

00:06:44 - 00:07:07 (23 sec)

-- with our wine, Madeira wine. It's a long, long story, this one, of our friendship and partnership based on common values, democracy and freedom and rule of law and human rights, but also of a very strong community, of fellow citizens that are both American and Portuguese and they love United States of America and they love Portugal.

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa

00:07:07 - 00:07:40 (33 sec)

There are around 1,500,000 Portuguese Luso-Americans living here. They're very important. So it's not just a military, a political, and an economic alliance. It's more than that. It's something very human, because we're speaking of a 1,400,000 people that they live their love for two countries at the same time. As you spoke of soccer, let me then ask you something -- well, make you a suggestion.

Donald Trump

00:07:40 - 00:07:40 (0 sec)

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa

00:07:40 - 00:07:44 (3 sec)

If you're going to meet Mr. Putin -- well, I was with him last week.

Donald Trump

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

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa

00:07:44 - 00:07:57 (13 sec)

Yes. And he asked me to greet you. So, of course, he was expecting your visit. But anyway, don't forget that Portugal has the best player in the world that is called Cristiano Ronaldo.

Donald Trump

00:07:57 - 00:07:58 (1 sec)

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa

00:07:58 - 00:07:59 (2 sec)

I'm sure your son knows it and --

Donald Trump

00:07:59 - 00:08:00 (1 sec)

He knows all about him.

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa

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

And so -- and so, don't forget if you ever go to Russia during the championship, don't forget Portugal is still there and wanting to win the championship.

Donald Trump

00:08:10 - 00:08:12 (2 sec)

That's right. They're doing very well.

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa

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

Donald Trump

00:08:12 - 00:08:13 (1 sec)

And they say he is doing --

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa

00:08:13 - 00:08:15 (2 sec)

-- and doing very, very, very well.

Donald Trump

00:08:15 - 00:08:19 (4 sec)

That's very good. And so tell me, how good a player is he? Are you impressed?

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa

00:08:19 - 00:08:27 (9 sec)

I'm very much impressed. He's the best player in the world, Cristiano Ronaldo. So in a sense -- well, I think, has been a success. I do agree with you -- the championship Yeah.

Donald Trump

00:08:27 - 00:08:30 (2 sec)

Yeah, great. No. No. I think -- I think (inaudible) --

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa

00:08:30 - 00:08:33 (3 sec)

No doubt about it for the world -- for the world.

Donald Trump

00:08:33 - 00:08:40 (7 sec)

So will Cristian ever run for President against you? [Laughter] He wouldn't win. You know he won't

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa

00:08:40 - 00:08:45 (5 sec)

President, you know -- you know something -- I must tell you, Portugal is not just United States.

Donald Trump

00:08:45 - 00:08:46 (1 sec)

That's right. That's right.

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa

00:08:46 - 00:08:46 (0 sec)

It's a little different.

Donald Trump

00:08:46 - 00:08:47 (0 sec)

Question

00:08:47 - 00:08:51 (4 sec)

Mr. President, when did you learn that Justice Kennedy would be retiring?

Donald Trump

00:08:51 - 00:08:52 (1 sec)

About a half hour ago.

Question

00:08:52 - 00:08:53 (1 sec)

Were you surprised?

Donald Trump

00:08:53 - 00:09:15 (22 sec)

He came to the White House. We had a wonderful discussion just prior to meeting the President and really had a very deep discussion. I got his ideas on things, including -- I asked him if he had certain people that he had great respect for that potentially could take his seat -- which is a very hard seat to fill.

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa

00:09:15 - 00:09:33 (18 sec)

So we talked about different things. And he was here for about a half an hour. I don't think you folks saw him come in and out, did you? I'm shocked. Boy, they've done a great job. That's a shocker. That's a shocker. But, yeah, we had a -- he just left a little while ago, just prior to meeting the President.

Question

00:09:33 - 00:09:36 (3 sec)

Will you tell us who he recommended? Will you give us any sense of --

Donald Trump

00:09:36 - 00:09:59 (23 sec)

No, I won't do that. But he has -- you know, there are certain names that are just outstanding -- names that you already know, to be honest with you. I mean, there are names that you know that are outstanding, highly respected -- names that you would know, President. And we'll be looking at them; we'll be looking at some others. But they will come from the list of 25 people. Okay?

Question

00:09:59 - 00:10:05 (6 sec)

Mr. President, it's an election year. Would you give consideration to holding that spot open until the makeup of Congress is determined come November?

Donald Trump

00:10:05 - 00:10:23 (18 sec)

I haven't really thought about that. I think you want to go as quickly as possible. It's a process, but haven't really thought of that. But we had a big day yesterday, very big. We had a great decision today, in terms of what was just released by the Supreme Court. Yesterday, obviously, with the travel ban was extremely big.

Donald Trump

00:10:23 - 00:10:37 (14 sec)

And we had some tremendous elections. South Carolina, from my own standpoint, South Carolina -- the governor, McMaster -- It was a big win. And as you know, I was very much involved in New York with the Congressman, Donovan.

Donald Trump

00:10:37 - 00:10:52 (15 sec)

So we're very happy. We're -- this was a good few days, and now I get to cap it off by meeting with the President of Portugal. And Portugal has been actually very important to our nation. And you're right, we have about a million and a half people from Portugal here. So that's very important.

Question

00:10:52 - 00:10:55 (3 sec)

Do you have a message to House Republicans who have failed to pass the immigration bill earlier?

Donald Trump

00:10:55 - 00:11:13 (18 sec)

No, I want them to do what they wanted. You know, the problem we have -- and I told them this morning, I said, "Hey, pass it, if you can." But I also want them to do what they want. We have a big immigration bill, like everybody does -- like you're talking and everybody talks about immigration now, I think, more than ever before.

Donald Trump

00:11:13 - 00:11:40 (27 sec)

I told them -- a few hours ago, I said, "Look, pass something or come back with something that would be a derivation, but get something you want." The problem we have is we need Democratic votes in the Senate, and that's why I don't get overly excited with the House bill right now, because it's not going to pass in the Senate. You're not going to get the Democrats to vote for anything. If we gave them 100 percent of what they wanted, and then doubled it, they still wouldn't pass it because they think it's a good election point.

Donald Trump

00:11:40 - 00:11:53 (13 sec)

I think it's good for us because I think strong borders -- I don't even know how you feel about that, but I think strong borders and no crime is -- that's us. And I think that's going to be a great election point for us.

Donald Trump

00:11:53 - 00:12:11 (18 sec)

So I told them two hours ago, I said, "You know, do what you want, and ultimately we'll come to something." And perhaps it'll be after the election, maybe it'll be before. But as of this moment, Democrats are not going to vote for anything, because they really are resisting or obstructing. Okay? Thank you very much.

Question

00:12:11 - 00:12:16 (5 sec)

John Bolton said he doesn't expect a specific outcome from your meeting with President Putin. Do you expect an outcome?

Donald Trump

00:12:16 - 00:12:24 (8 sec)

Well, I think we'll be talking about Syria. I think we'll be talking about Ukraine. I think we'll be talking about many other subjects. And we'll see what happens. So you never know.

Question

00:12:24 - 00:12:25 (1 sec)

Election meddling?

Donald Trump

00:12:25 - 00:12:40 (15 sec)

You never know about meetings, what happens. Right? But I think a lot of good things can come with meetings with people. We had great meetings with President Xi of China. We have -- every place I've been, we have had great meetings. So maybe something positive will come out of it.

Question

00:12:40 - 00:12:45 (5 sec)

Mr. President, what about the progressive challenger that beat Joe Crowley, that young woman from New York? Are you worried about a blue wave? Does that --

Donald Trump

00:12:45 - 00:13:20 (35 sec)

Well, that was a shocker. Losing -- for Crowley to lose that election, that was a shocker. I was surprised. Everybody was surprised. We had somebody that's been in there for many years, Mr. President, and I think he probably took it for granted. And I can't say that I'm disappointed because I was never a big fan, but he lost his election. Probably shouldn't have lost his election. Maybe you get a little complacent, you know? That does happen; you get complacent. And he lost. That's a big loss. I tell you what, that's an amazing -- that was a shocking loss. But it is what it is. Thank you all very much. Thank you.

Question

00:13:20 - 00:13:28 (8 sec)

Sir, Mr. President, are you worried your tariffs are backfiring?

Donald Trump

00:13:28 - 00:13:38 (10 sec)

No, they're doing great. By the way, the steel industry is absolutely doing great. The tariffs have been incredible. And the steel industry is doing great, and our country is doing great. You're seeing the results.

Donald Trump

00:13:38 - 00:13:52 (14 sec)

The numbers coming out from the companies are far beyond what anybody ever thought possible. We're doing really good. But we have to have fair trade deals, and we working on really fair trade deals. We're working with your representatives on fair trade deals. So --

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa

00:13:52 - 00:13:54 (3 sec)

Oh, I heard you're going to receive President (inaudible). That's good news.

Donald Trump

00:13:54 - 00:13:55 (1 sec)

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa

00:13:55 - 00:13:56 (1 sec)

That's good news. Must speak with (inaudible).

Donald Trump

00:13:56 - 00:13:57 (0 sec)

Thank you everybody.

Question

00:13:57 - 00:13:57 (0 sec)

Donald Trump

00:13:57 - 00:13:58 (1 sec)

They're working -- it's going to be very good. It's going be good.

Question

00:13:58 - 00:14:07 (9 sec)

And, Mr. President, as far as when you might meet with Putin, will it be after NATO?

Donald Trump

00:14:07 - 00:14:08 (1 sec)

Probably after.

Question

00:14:08 - 00:14:10 (2 sec)

Right after NATO, you think?

Donald Trump

00:14:10 - 00:14:12 (1 sec)

Probably after.

Question

00:14:12 - 00:14:12 (1 sec)

Thank you, sir.

Donald Trump

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

Thank you everybody. Thank you very much.

Question

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

Donald Trump

00:14:14 - 00:14:17 (2 sec)

Could be. Or Vienna.

Question

00:14:17 - 00:14:17 (1 sec)

Donald Trump

00:14:17 - 00:14:19 (1 sec)

It'll be announced very soon.