UNGA Bilat #1 – President Trump Meets with Prime Minister Khan of Pakistan – Video and Transcript..


The first bilateral discussion meeting at the 2019 United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) takes place between President Trump and Prime Minister Khan of Pakistan.

As customary during each of the bilats the leaders take questions from the media. [Video and Transcript Below]

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[Transcript] – PRESIDENT TRUMP: Thank you very much. It’s a great honor to be with my friend, the Prime Minister of Pakistan. And we have some great discussions going on with Pakistan about a lot of things, including the Taliban and Afghanistan, and many other things. And trade, I think, maybe is one of the most important. We’re going to increase trade with Pakistan by a tremendous margin.

We do a very small amount of trade with them, and they want to do a large, and so do we. And we should be able to do that, I think, Wilbur, very easily. So we’re going to double, triple, quadruple the trade. It will be very easy to do. They make great product, and so do we.

And I was really shocked when I saw the original numbers from last year and the year before, and for many years, that the trade with Pakistan isn’t much greater. But it could be many times the number.

So we’ll be talking about trade and other things. And it’s an honor to be with you. Thank you very much. Please.

PRIME MINISTER KHAN: I look forward, Mr. President, to talk to you about, obviously, Afghanistan, which is a big issue for us Pakistanis, because stability in Afghanistan means stability in Pakistan. We also want to talk about all three neighbors: Afghanistan, India, Kashmir. And, of course, Iran, it’s just — we will discuss the situation there because all — these all three neighbors of Pakistan. And I —

PRESIDENT TRUMP: He lives in a very friendly neighborhood. (Laughter.)

PRIME MINISTER KHAN: I mean, as if there are not already enough challenges.

Q Mr. President, after your last meeting with the Prime Minister, you offered to mediate between India and Pakistan over Kashmir. And since then, the situation has gotten more complicated, and India continues to deny our access in the region. So where does the offer stand now on (inaudible)?

PRESIDENT TRUMP: It would always stand. If I can help, I would certainly do that. And it will be dependent on both of these gentlemen. One without the other doesn’t work, if you’re going to do mediation or if you’re going to do an arbitration.

But certainly, I would be willing to help if both wanted. If both Pakistan, let’s say, and India wanted me to do that, I am ready, willing, and able. It’s a complex issue. It’s been going on for a long time. But if both wanted it, I would be ready to do it.

Q Mr. President, with all the things — reverting back to my question in the Oval Office on Kashmir —

PRESIDENT TRUMP: Yes.

Q — you know, the thing is, you are asking both the parties to accept and one is aggressor, (inaudible) these U.N. resolutions. And that’s non-compliant, plus — you know, merging Kashmir into its own territory.

PRESIDENT TRUMP: This is the kind of reporter I like.

Q Which is (inaudible) U.N. resolution.

PRESIDENT TRUMP: I like this reporter. (Laughter.)

Q And how can you —

PRESIDENT TRUMP: Are you a member of this team? Or are you a —

Q I’m a member of — I’m not a member of this team. I’m an independent journalist.

PRESIDENT TRUMP: You know what? You’re saying — you’re saying what you think.

Q No, let me complete my question, Mr. President.

PRESIDENT TRUMP: No, but I have to be requesting —

Q How can you make —

PRESIDENT TRUMP: Excuse me.

Q — an aggressor and a (inaudible) meet and —

PRESIDENT TRUMP: That’s okay. I understand.

Q — in violation of the U.N. resolutions?

PRESIDENT TRUMP: Very fair question, or statement. I’ll — let me put that one down as a statement, if you don’t mind.

Q Thank you.

PRESIDENT TRUMP: But you’re right, you have to have a — they have to have two parties that want to agree. And if they — when they come — and, at some point, India may come. I have a very good relationship with Prime Minister Modi. I have a very good relationship with Prime Minister Khan.

And if at any time they say, “You know, we have some points that we think we can maybe iron out,” I think I’d be an extremely good arbitrator. I’ve done it before, believe it or not, and I’ve never failed as an arbitrator. I’ve been asked to arbitrate disputes — pretty big ones — from friends. And I’ve done it in a good, successful fashion.

If I can be of help — you know that — if I can be of help, let me know. But you’d have to have the assent also from the other side.

Q Prime Minister Johnson has now called for a new deal, just moments ago — for a new Iran deal. This is the first time he’s called for that. I wonder what your reaction to it. And have you discussed that with him previously?

PRESIDENT TRUMP: Well, I think that’s why he’s a winner. That’s why he’s a man that’s going to be successful in the UK. And I think that’s great. You’re talking about Boris, right?

Q Yes, talking about Boris, sir.

PRESIDENT TRUMP: Boris is a man who — number one, he’s a friend of mine, and, number two, he’s very smart, very tough. And he does want a new deal because the other deal was ready to expire. It was at a very short number of years left. All that money paid and wasted. You didn’t have the right to inspect the appropriate sites. You were looking at sites that would never be used to create nuclear. The sites that they would use, we weren’t allowed to inspect. What kind of a deal is that? And ballistic missiles — they’re allowed to test ballistic missiles and other things.

But one of the biggest things is the fact that the agreement is going to expire in a very short number of years. And what kind of a deal is that? We’re dealing with countries. You have to go long term.

So, I respect Boris a lot, and I am not at all surprised that he was the first one to come out and say that.

Q Mr. President, this is the first time — (inaudible) from (inaudible) Pakistan. So this is the first time we get honest leadership like you in America. And in past —

PRESIDENT TRUMP: I agree with that. This is the first time you’ve had honesty.

Q Sir, in past —

PRESIDENT TRUMP: You’ve had a lot of dishonesty, and they’ve treated Pakistan very badly. The people in my position have treated Pakistan very badly. I think that — I wouldn’t say Pakistan has treated us too well either, but maybe there was a reason. And, in fact, I think there was a reason for it.

Q Sir, in past, you have said that you don’t trust Pakistan. So, when we have honest (inaudible) —

PRESIDENT TRUMP: I trust Pakistan. But people before me didn’t, but they didn’t know what they were doing. So it’s just one of those little problems in life.

You know, I — you know what I do? I trust this gentleman right here. And I do trust Pakistan. I know — I have a lot of Pakistani friends living in New York. They’re smart. Great negotiators, by the way, in case you had any questions. They’re among the toughest negotiators in the world.

And, you know what? It’s all going to work out. But if I can help, I’d like to help. But I don’t think you’ve ever had a President that felt the way I do, in a positive way, about Pakistan. I don’t think you have. I’ve looked back, and I’ve seen where it was. And — and — but I also have a very good relationship with India. I have a good relationship with both.

So, if they decide to use that feeling among both, I think we can help out. But this has been a longstanding — this has been going on for a long time.

Q Mr. President, yesterday you shared the stage with PM Modi. He alleged that Pakistan is the hub of terrorism. Do you endorse that or do you disagree with that? Because you said that Pakistan has made a lot of progress.

PRESIDENT TRUMP: Well, I really have been pointing much more to Iran. I mean, Iran if you look at what, that’s been really the state of terror. And I’ve been saying it’s the number one state of terror in the world. And the agreement we had does not cover that. It was not doing well. It was doing very poorly. And now Iran is doing very poorly. Iran is a different place than when I took over.

When I took over the United States — when I became President — Iran was a real threat to the entire Middle East and maybe beyond. And now they’re having very, very big difficulties, to put it mildly. So we’ll see.

Q Are you happy with the progress that Pakistan has made countering terrorism, particularly eliminating terrorism (inaudible)?

PRESIDENT TRUMP: I’ve heard they’ve made great progress. And under this leader — he’s a great leader — I think he wants to make great progress because there’s no solution the other way. The other way is only going to lead to death and chaos and poverty. It’s all it’s going to lead to. I mean, he understands it. Your Prime Minister understands it.

Q Are you concerned about the human rights situation in Kashmir?

PRESIDENT TRUMP: About which?

Q Human rights situation — human rights violations.

PRESIDENT TRUMP: Sure. I’d like to see everything work out. I want it to be humane. I want everybody to be treated well. You have two big countries, and they’re warring countries and they’ve been fighting.

And — I mean, I heard a very aggressive statement yesterday. I don’t have to say that. I was there. I didn’t know I was going to hear that statement, I had said. But I was sitting there and I heard a very aggressive statement yesterday from India, from the Prime Minister, and I will say it was very well received within the rule — you know, within in the room. The statement itself. That was a big room; there were 59,000 people.

But it was a very aggressive statement, and I hope that they’re going to be able to come together — India and Pakistan — and do something that’s really smart and good for both. And I’m sure there could be — there’s always a solution. And I really believe there’s a solution for that.

(Cross-talk.)

Easy. Easy. You’ve asked one already. Go ahead. Quickly. Make a one-second statement. Go ahead, make a statement.

Q Now, if you can solve this outstanding issue of Kashmir —

PRESIDENT TRUMP: Yeah.

Q — very likely and definitely you will be deserving a Nobel Prize on that.

PRESIDENT TRUMP: I think I’ll get a Nobel Prize for a lot of things. I think I’m going to get a Nobel Prize for a lot of things, if they gave it out fairly, which they don’t.

They gave it out — well, they gave one to Obama immediately upon his ascent to the presidency, and he had no idea why he got it. And you know what? That was the only thing I agreed with him on.

(Cross-talk.)

Come on.

Q Other than Pakistan and India, the Kashmiri people are suffering the last 50 days. They will talk later on, but right now there was human rights violation in Kashmir. Fifty days lockdown — no Internet, no food, nothing. So, you know, what do you want do for the Kashmiri people?

PRESIDENT TRUMP: Where do you find reporters like this? (Laughter.) These guys are fantastic.

All right, go ahead.

(Cross-talk.)

Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait. He’s talking. Let the American talk for a change.

Q Thank you, sir. Have talks with the Taliban resumed in any way? And have you looked to Pakistan leaders to help you in any way —

PRESIDENT TRUMP: No, we’ve hit the Taliban very hard.

Q — with assistance in Afghanistan.

PRESIDENT TRUMP: Yes, I have. And I think that the Pakistan — I think Pakistan will be a great help. I know the Prime Minister wants to be a help. But we’ve hit the Taliban harder than we’ve ever hit them — in all of the years. I guess we’ve been there now 19 years. How ridiculous is that? And when they killed 12 people — one of them an American soldier, as you know, and one a United Nations solider — for the sake of going into the meeting with a little strength, they thought. They went in with weakness. And I cancelled everything. We have hit them harder in the last two weeks than we’ve ever hit them before.

Q When do you think talks could resume again, sir?

PRESIDENT TRUMP: We’ll see what happens. But I will say that the Prime Minister has been very helpful and he wants to do something. He wants to see something happen. So, that’s fine.

Q My question is on Pakistan. Mr. Prime Minister, would you like to raise the issue of curfew and lockdown, and the atrocities in Kashmir before the President of America?

PRIME MINISTER KHAN: You know, Mr. President, I was going to raise it in private, but it needs to be said that, for 50 days, 8 million people are under siege by 900,000 troops. And it’s a humanitarian issue. And so I was going to say that — were you supposed to meet Narendra Modi now, I would’ve asked you to at least lift the siege. I mean, it’s a huge humanitarian crisis taking place.

PRESIDENT TRUMP: Yes, so we’re going to talking about that in a little while.

PRIME MINISTER KHAN: We’ll discuss that.

Q Mr. Prime Minister, what are your expectations from American President about the Kashmir issue?

PRIME MINISTER KHAN: My expectations: President Trump heads the most powerful country in the world, and the most powerful country in the world has a responsibility. And, you know, you very kindly want to mediate this and you also said that to do both, first India and Pakistan has to agree to mediation.

But, unfortunately, India is refusing to talk to us. So, in this situation, I feel that this is the beginning of a crisis. I honestly feel that this crisis is going to get much bigger — what is happening in Kashmir. So we would like to talk about that later.

But just the fact that the position of the United States — it’s the most powerful country. It can affect the United Nations Security Council. It has a voice. So we look to the U.S. to put out flames in the world.

PRESIDENT TRUMP: And I will say this: Look, I have my respect for your Prime Minister, I will say that many countries wanted to meet with me and us — the United States — during this very short three-day period, and we were unable to meet with many of them. One of the countries I wanted to meet with was Pakistan and your Prime Minister. And it’s an honor to be here with you. And I think you should let us start talking now because —

PRIME MINISTER KHAN: Thank you.

PRESIDENT TRUMP: — but I do appreciate it. There’s a tremendous spirit from your press. I don’t see that. With us, they want to always tear our country down. And with your press, it’s really — they would like to see something positive for your country.

And I will tell you this: You have a great leader. And he’s a good man. He’s a nice man. Happens to be a great athlete — not that that matters, but it’s always nice.

Q You are a great leader, too, sir.

PRESIDENT TRUMP: Thank you very much. You take care of yourselves. Thank you. Thank you. Thanks everybody.

END 1:18 P.M. EDT

President Trump and Vice President Pence Deliver Remarks During U.N. Meeting on Religious Freedom – (Video and Transcript)…


President Donald Trump and Vice-President Mike Pence convened a meeting at the U.N. General Assembly of international leaders to discuss religious persecution and religious freedom.  It is the first such discussion initiated by a U.S. President.

[Video and Transcript Below]

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[Transcript] – PRESIDENT TRUMP: That’s very nice. Thank you very much. That’s very nice. And I want to thank Mike. Today, it’s a true honor to be the first President of the United States to host a meeting at the United Nations on religious freedom. And an honor it is. It’s long overdue. And I was shocked when I was given that statistic that I would be the first. That’s very sad, in many ways. And it’s great to be with you.

I want to thank Vice President Pence for the outstanding job he’s doing. He’s been a fantastic and valuable representative of our country.

Likewise, Secretary Mike Pompeo, Ambassador Kelly Craft, Secretary Ross, Secretary Mnuchin, Ambassador Sam Brownback all for joining us today. And we have other representatives of our Cabinet and the administration in the room. We’ve done a lot.

The Johnson Amendment doesn’t get spoken about enough, but I’m very proud to say that we’ve obliterated the Johnson Amendment within our country so that now we can listen to the people that we want to listen to — religious leaders — without recrimination against them. It’s a very important thing, and I said that at the beginning and I say it now: It’s something I’m very proud of.

We’re also grateful that U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres could be here, along with so many of his friends and my friends — world leaders. I’ve gotten to know a lot of them, and I would imagine you know all of them. I would imagine. If you don’t, you’re not doing your job. (Laughter.)

And also, I want to thank my daughter Ivanka for being here. She works so hard on all of the things that are very important to the people in this room. So, thank you, Ivanka, for being here. (Applause.)

The United States is founded on the principle that our rights do not come from government; they come from God. This immortal truth is proclaimed in our Declaration of Independence and enshrined in the First Amendment to our Constitution’s Bill of Rights. Our Founders understood that no right is more fundamental to a peaceful, prosperous, and virtuous society than the right to follow one’s religious convictions.

Regrettably, the religious freedom enjoyed by American citizens is rare in the world. Approximately 80 percent of the world’s population live in countries where religious liberty is threatened, restricted, or even banned. And when I heard that number, I said, “Please go back and check it because it can’t possibly be correct.” And, sadly, it was. Eighty percent.

As we speak, Jews, Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Sikhs, Yazidis, and many other people of faith are being jailed, sanctioned, tortured, and even murdered, often at the hands of their own government, simply for expressing their deeply held religious beliefs. So hard to believe.

Today, with one clear voice, the United States of America calls upon the nations of the world to end religious persecution. (Applause.)

To stop the crimes against people of faith, release prisoners of conscience, repeal laws restricting freedom of religion and belief, protect the vulnerable, the defenseless, and the oppressed, America stands with believers in every country who ask only for the freedom to live according to the faith that is within their own hearts.

As President, protecting religious freedom is one of my highest priorities and always has been. Last year, our Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, hosted the first-ever Ministerial to Advance International Religious Freedom.

In this year’s ministerial, Secretary Pompeo announced plans to create the International Religious Freedom Alliance — an alliance of likeminded nations devoted to confronting religious persecution all around the world.

I’ve appointed a special envoy to monitor and combat anti-Semitism. We’re standing up for almost 250 million Christians around the world who are persecuted for their faith. It is estimated that 11 Christians are killed every day for the following — I mean, just think of this: Eleven Christians a day, for following the teachings of Christ. Who would even think that’s possible in this day and age? Who would think it’s possible?

With us today is Pastor Andrew Brunson, who was imprisoned in Turkey for a long period of time. Last year, my administration was thrilled to bring him back home after a very short and respectful negotiation with a very strong man — and a man who has become a friend of mine, fortunately — President Erdoğan of Turkey.

I called the President, and I said, “He’s an innocent man.” They’ve been trying to get Andrew out for a long time — previous administration. I don’t think they tried too hard, unfortunately.

But I want to thank President Erdoğan, and I want to thank you, Pastor, for being here with us today. Where is Andrew? Is he around someplace? Thank you, Andrew. (Applause.)

We did a good job with that negotiation, Andrew. You got back. It wasn’t easy. It wasn’t pretty. But you got back. And we’re proud of you. You have a great family. And the love — when Andrew came back, the love from so many people, it was — actually, I hadn’t seen anything quite like it.

So, congratulations. And I understand you’re doing fantastic work with your family. Thank you very much. Thank you, Andrew. (Applause.)

And I also want to thank Franklin Graham because he’s been so instrumental in everything we’re doing. He’s done such an incredible job in so many different ways, including floods and hurricanes. And every time I go, I see Franklin there. He’s always there before me. I don’t know how he gets there before me. I’m going to beat him one day. But he’s always at these places of — really, disaster areas. He’s right there with an incredible, large staff of volunteers that are just amazing. Thank you very much. And, CeCe, thank you very much. (Applause.) Thank you very much. And, Paula White, thank you very much.

In July, I met with survivors of religious persecution at the White House. And we’re honored that many of them could be here today as well. Some of these individuals suffered as a result of state-sponsored persecution; others, at the hands of terrorists and criminals. No matter the case, America will always be a voice for victims of religious persecution everywhere. No matter where you go, you have a place in the United States of America. Could I ask those folks to stand up, please? Please, stand up. (Applause.) Thank you. Thank you very much.

In recent times, the world has also witnessed devastating acts of violence in sacred places of worship. In 2016, an 85-year-old Catholic priest was viciously killed while celebrating mass in Normandy, France. In the past year, the United States endured horrifying anti-Semitic attacks against Jewish Americans at synagogues in Pennsylvania and California. In March, Muslims praying with their families were sadistically murdered in New Zealand. On Easter Sunday this year, terrorists bombed Christian churches in Sri Lanka, killing hundreds of faithful worshippers. Who would believe this is even possible?

These evil attacks are a wound on all humanity. We must all work together to protect communities of every faith. We’re also urging every nation to increase the prosecution and punishment of crimes against religious communities. There can be no greater crime than that. This includes measures to prevent the intentional destruction of religious sites and relics. Today, the Trump administration will dedicate an additional $25 million to protect religious freedom and religious sites and relics.

We’re also pleased to be joined today by many of the partners from the business community, as we announce a very critical initiative.

The United States is forming a coalition of U.S. businesses for the protection of religious freedom. This is the first time this has been done. This initiative will encourage the private sector to protect people of all faiths in the workplace. And the private sector has brilliant leadership. And that’s why some of the people in this room are among the most successful men and women on Earth. They know how things get done and they know how to take care of things. And they’re with us now for the first time, to this extent. First time, ever. And we’re really honored to have you in the room. Great business leaders, great people of strength.

Too often, people in positions of power preach diversity while silencing, shunning, or censoring the faithful. True tolerance means respecting the right of all people to express their deeply held religious beliefs.

Before I conclude, I want to once again thank all of the survivors in the room for their courage and resilience. You’re an inspiration to the world. You remind us that no force on Earth is stronger than the faith of religious believers. The United States of America will forever remain at your side and the side of all who seek religious freedom.

Today, I ask all nations to join us in this urgent moral duty. We ask the governments of the world to honor the eternal right of every person to follow their conscience, live by their faith, and give glory to God. The United States has a vital role in this critical mission.

Secretary-General Guterres will now share a few words on the U.N’s efforts to promote religious liberty for all. And he has been a champion of exactly what we’re in this room for.

So I want to thank everybody for being here. God bless you. God bless the faithful. And God bless America. Thank you very much. (Applause.) Thank you.

END 11:58 A.M. EDT

Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham Discusses Current Events….


President Trump is in New York City for the majority of this week attending the United Nations General Assembly.  Today, White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham makes two rare appearances on television to discuss ongoing events/issues.

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Ms. Grisham also appeared on Fox Business News with Maria Bartiromo:

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Trump was Right – Baltimore is a Disaster


Armstrong Economics Blog/Politics

Trump’s comments on Baltimore naturally led to the press saying he wrongly insulted Baltimore. What is interesting is that the Daily Mail from London did its own investigation and found that Trump was correct. On top of that, some $16 billion in federal money that was given to the city cannot be accounted for. That is completely understandable because the pockets of politicians have big holes in them, and surely the money stuffed in their pockets fell out and was probably blown away into the sea.

The Daily Mail found that indeed Baltimore “is home to some of the most dangerous housing projects in the country, where homicide is an epidemic; drugs are on every corner and rats root around in the mounds of trash strewn in side alleys.”

So why will the American press report that Trump is wrong? Could it be just politics?

President Trump Tours Pratt Industry New Plant with Owner Anthony Pratt and Prime Minister Morrison…


President Trump tours a new cardboard manufacturing plant in Ohio with plant owner Anthony Pratt and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison.   During the tour President Trump stopped to make remarks to the traveling press pool:

President Trump Ribbon Cutting Pratt Industries in Wapakoneta, Ohio – 5:45pm Livestream…


President Donald Trump meets-up with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison to deliver remarks at the Grand Opening of a Pratt Industries Plant in Wapakoneta Ohio. Anticipated start time is between 5:00pm ET and 6:00pm ET.

UPDATE: Video Added

WH Livestream Link – Alternate Livestream Link (Active Now)

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Sunday Talks: Secretary Pompeo -vs- John Roberts…


Secretary of State Mike Pompeo appears on Fox News Sunday to discuss the latest act of aggression by Iran and the Trump administration response.

President Trump Delivers Impromptu Remarks Departing White House – (Video and Transcript)…


Chopper pressers are the best pressers. As President Trump departs the White House traveling to Houston, Texas, the President stops to answer questions from the assembled press pool.  [Video and Transcript Below]

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[Transcript] THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. We have a busy day planned. We’re leaving now for Ellington Air Force Base in Texas. We’re going to spend some time on the floods. We’re going to be briefed on the flood. We’re going to make a big investment so we can try and help Texas with this terrible flooding that they’ve been having. So we’ll be talking to a lot of people and meeting a lot of people. That’s going to be at Ellington Air Force Base.

Then we’re going to Houston. Some of you are coming with me, I guess. And we’ll be going to Houston, and we’ll be at a very nice, big stadium packed full of people with Prime Minister Modi of India. He asked if I’d go with him, and I’ve accepted. And we’re going to have a good time with Prime Minister Modi. We have — I hear it’s a tremendous crowd. So that will be in Houston.

And then after that, I’m going to Ohio. Pratt Industries is opening a $1 billion plant. And I told Mr. Pratt, who is a great — Anthony — I told him if he does something really spectacular, I’ll go and cut the ribbon. And he did; he invested a billion dollars in Ohio. So that’s Pratt Industries. They’re great people. It’s a great company, headed by a very great businessman from Australia. So they’re bringing a billion dollars into Ohio, and I said I’d go and cut the ribbon, and here it is. We’re ready to cut a ribbon. It’s a great plant. So we look forward to that.

Then we’re coming home and then we have a lot of work at the United Nations during the next week.

Q Mr. President, is a meeting at the U.N. with Iran completely off the table?

THE PRESIDENT: Nothing is ever off the table completely, but I have no intention of meeting with Iran. And that doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen. I’m a very flexible person. But we have no intention — it’s not set up. We’re meeting with a lot of leaders. We have about 15 meetings set up, but Iran is not one of them.

Q (Inaudible.)

THE PRESIDENT: We had a great conversation. The conversation I had was largely congratulatory. It was largely corruption — all of the corruption taking place. It was largely the fact that we don’t want our people, like Vice President Biden and his son, creating to the corruption already in the Ukraine.

And Ukraine — Ukraine has got a lot of problems. He — the new President is saying that he’s going to be able to rid the country of corruption. And I said that would be a great thing.

We had a great conversation. We had a conversation on many things. In fact, I believe Ukraine put out a statement yesterday saying that we covered many different topics. It was a warm and friendly conversation. We backed — I backed Ukraine from the beginning.

But I’m very upset that other countries aren’t doing the same. Germany should be spending much more. France, all of the European Union should be spending money. Why are we spending money and they’re not? Or least they’re spending very little by comparison.

So I’m not happy about that.

Q Will you let Rudy Giuliani talk to Congress about what he asked Ukraine to do?

THE PRESIDENT: Oh, I would have no problem with it. Rudy is a very straight shooter. And Rudy wants to see the same thing as a lot of other people with respect to your Ukraine. Ukraine has had a tremendous corruption problem. Somehow they were involved in a lot of different things that took place in our country, and hopefully it can be straightened out.

And I will say, the new President — we had a very good talk. The new President got elected based on the fact that he would end corruption. That was probably his number-one thing.

Q Mr. President, do you think somebody was spying one you on that call with Ukraine?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, this whistleblower — or whoever it was — because it sounds like it’s not a whistleblower. You can’t have that happen to a President of the United States.

The conversation, by the way, was absolutely perfect. It was a beautiful, warm, nice conversation, and it was put out last night, also, by Ukraine.

But you can’t have people doing this. And you can’t have people doing false alarms like this.

And, you know, when the President speaks to the head of another country, he has to be able to speak to those people. And those people don’t want to know that that they’re being recorded or that you have a stenographer working. You don’t want to have to hear that. You can’t do that to a President and you can’t do that to other countries.

But with all of that being said, we had a very great conversation — very straight, very honest conversation. I hope they can put it out.

Q Is there a recording, sir, of that call?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, I don’t say anything, but whenever I speak to a foreign leader, I assume there are many people on the line. I don’t assume I’m talking to the leader. Any time I’m on the phone with a foreign leader, many, many people are on the line. Sometimes they’re taping calls. Sometimes they’re doing a stenographer.

But I also assume many people are on the line from the other side. So if I’m speaking to a country, they also have people on the line. So who would say a thing like what you’re saying?

Now, I will say this: I said absolutely nothing wrong. It was perfect.

Q Mr. President, you acknowledged that (inaudible) —

THE PRESIDENT: Listen to me. Listen.

Q — talked about the Bidens in your earlier answer.

THE PRESIDENT: Listen to me.

Q You acknowledged that you —

THE PRESIDENT: Listen to me.

Q — talked about the Bidens. Is that correct, sir?

THE PRESIDENT: Listen to me. I assume many people are on the line. I know that before I make the call. And that’s what you have — intelligence agencies, everybody listening. That call was a great call. It was a perfect call. A perfect call.

What wasn’t perfect is the horrible thing that Joe Biden said. And now he made it a lie when he said he never spoke to his son. I mean, give me a break, he’s already said he spoke to his son. And now he said, yesterday, very firmly. Who wouldn’t speak to your son? Of course, you spoke to your son. So, he made the mistake of saying he never spoke to his son. He spoke to his son.

But more importantly, what he said about the billions of dollars that he wouldn’t give them unless they fired the prosecutor. And then he bragged about how they fired the prosecutor and they got the money.

Q (Inaudible.) Was that a snub (inaudible)?

THE PRESIDENT: No, it’s not a snub at all. I’m very busy. I’m going on the floods today. The floods are very important to me. And climate change — everything is very important.

But today I’m going to Texas on the floods. Then I’m going to Houston on the big rally. It’s a rally for Prime Minister Modi, and he asked me to do it — of India — and I look forward to doing it.

Q (Inaudible) Joe and Hunter Biden (inaudible) because of their involvement in Ukraine?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, not only in Ukraine; take a look at China. They took a tremendous amount of money out of China. Now, if they ever took over a China negotiation, he would sell us out. Look at all the money he made in China.

The son, he knew nothing. The son is a stiff. He knew nothing, and he’s making hundreds of thousands and millions of dollars. And he did the same thing in Ukraine. He knows nothing.

This is a very dishonest thing that Joe Biden did. And then he said he never spoke to this son. Does anybody believe that one? But then he also said, long before, that that he did speak to his son. So he lied, again.

But what he said is that he wouldn’t give I think it was billions of dollars to Ukraine unless they fired the prosecutor who was looking at his son and his son’s company — the company that his son worked with. And that’s a very dishonest thing. And I’m not looking to hurt Biden.

I’m not even looing to hold him to it, to be honest. But he said a very bad thing. He said a very foolish thing.

Now, me, on the other hand, my conversation with the President — the new President of Ukraine was perfect. They put out a statement last night. They said the same thing. It was a warm, friendly conversation. There was no quid pro quo. There was nothing. It was a perfect conversation.

Q (Inaudible.)

THE PRESIDENT: Go ahead.

Q How do you explain the military aid, sir? How do you explain delaying military aid (inaudible)?

THE PRESIDENT: Because I want Germany and I want France and I want the European Union to put up money. And I didn’t delay anything. We paid the military aid, to the best of my knowledge.

Q (Inaudible.)

THE PRESIDENT: Listen to me. I gave so much more to Ukraine than Obama did. Go back and check your record.

Q (Inaudible.)

THE PRESIDENT: And you know what you should do? Also ask —

Q (Inaudible.)

Q Mr. President, can you tell us why anybody should be allowed to buy a gun without a background check?

THE PRESIDENT: We’re looking at it right now. We’re studying it very hard. It’s an issue that, frankly, Congress is wasting all their time on nonsense. We’re studying it very hard. If Congress would ever get back to work, we could work something. But Congress is doing all of this nonsense, this garbage that they’re doing. And I’ll tell you what — they don’t have any time. The Democrats in Congress are doing nothing. I’ll tell you what: They’re going to lose the election. You know why? Because they’re not doing anything.

Q (Inaudible.)

THE PRESIDENT: Well, we’re working very hard with some Democrats. The problem I have is that Jerry Nadler and all these people — they keep wasting time in Congress over nothing. They’re studying nothing. The Mueller report was perfect. Corey Lewandowski was magnificent. Everybody is perfect. They’re wasting time. They couldn’t accept the Mueller report. They couldn’t accept that defeat. They can’t now accept the fact that we have the best economy we’ve ever had, and we may be hitting another all-time high in the stock market.

Q (Inaudible.)

THE PRESIDENT: We’re looking at a lot of different things. They problem we find is the Democrats have very little time to talk because they’re wasting their time. You take a look at what they’re doing. It’s a total waste of time, and they know it. They know it.

Q (Inaudible.)

THE PRESIDENT: Say it.

Q (Inaudible.)

THE PRESIDENT: Well, we’re working with Joe Manchin, the senator, and we’re working with Pat Toomey. And we have a lot of people working on this. And we’ll be seeing, I’d say, over a period of time.

The problem that I have is the Democrats in the House especially, they’re totally unavailable to talk because they have hearings all day over something that’s already been won by us. They made up a story. It was a false story. It was a hoax. And, frankly, we have to get to the bottom of how it started. But they’re wasting all of their time on a hoax.

Q You said Jay Powell was a “bonehead” with “no guts.” But then you said his job is safe. Why?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, he’s got a job. And I could do things if I wanted. But I don’t want to do that. We’re so strong, despite Jay Powell. But Jay Powell is not helping us. Other countries have lower interest rates. We’re the primest of them all. But he has the rate —

Look, it’s very simple. He lifted the rates far too quickly, and he lowered them far too slowly. And it’s a shame. And it’s a shame.

Q Are there other boneheads in your administration whose jobs are safe?

THE PRESIDENT: Not too many. Not too many boneheads. We have a great — I’ll tell you what, we really now have a great administration. But what we have is a great Cabinet. Our Cabinet has done a great job.

Q (Inaudible.)

THE PRESIDENT: Go ahead.

Q Is the White House blocking the Director of National Intelligence from sending the whistleblower complaint to Congress?

THE PRESIDENT: No, he is a great gentleman — Joe. He’s doing a fantastic job. And I know one thing: He’s only going to do what’s right. But he is doing a fantastic job. And he’s only going to do what’s right. But just so you understand, the conversation I had with the President of Ukraine was absolutely perfect. And people better find out who these people are that are trying to subvert our country, because here we go again. These are bad people.

But the conversation I had with the President of Ukraine was absolutely a 10. It was perfect.

Now, what you have to do is look at the corruption on the Democrat side. Take a look at how the whole witch hunt started. Now they want to try and start another witch hunt. But unfortunately this one is reverting now to Joe Biden, because he’s done some very bad things.

And I’m not even looking to hurt him, to be honest. He needs all the help he can get. I’m not looking to hurt him. I’m not looking to hurt his family. But the corruption and what he said is a terrible thing.

Thank you.

[Transcript End]

President Trump Joins Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at “Howdy Modi” Event in Texas – 12:00pm ET Livestream…


Today President Trump will be traveling to NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, to join Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a celebratory event. India is a key geopolitical ally in President Trump’s Indo-Pacific strategy. [Economics, Trade and Security]

Update: Video Added

President Trump will deliver remarks at “Howdy Modi: Shared Dreams, Bright Futures” at approximately 12:00pm ET / 11:00am CT.  (Livestream Links Below)

GST Livestream Link – Alternate NTV Houston Livestream

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Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison Remarks on State Visit, and First Lady Melania’s Attention to Detail…


Prime Minister Scott Morrison and U.S. President Donald Trump will meet up again on Sunday in Ohio as both leaders continue to emphasize the relationship.  Today, PM Morrison laid a wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier, and then delivered remarks to diplomats during a celebration at the official residence of the Australian Ambassador.

Prime Minister Morrison shares his, and his wife Jennifer’s, experience yesterday with President Trump and First Lady Melania.  The official state dinner was apparently an overwhelming hit with the Australian leadership….  Good Stuff: