Trump's 'Meet the Press' Interview Highlights

In a wide-ranging interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press” moderator Kristen Welker that aired on September 17, 2023, former President Donald Trump made a number of notable statements, including:

  • On the 2020 election: Trump continued to falsely claim that the election was stolen from him, despite the overwhelming evidence to the contrary. He also said that he ignored the advice of his own lawyers, who told him that there was no evidence of widespread fraud.
  • On abortion: Trump said that he supports abortion bans with exceptions for rape, incest, and the life of the mother. He also criticized members of his own party who push for abortion bans without exceptions.
  • On immigration: Trump repeated his false claims that immigrants are “flooding” the country and that they are responsible for crime and other problems. He also said that he would support a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants who are already in the United States, but only if they meet certain requirements.
  • On foreign policy: Trump praised Russian President Vladimir Putin and said that he would be willing to meet with him again if he is elected president in 2024. He also criticized President Joe Biden’s handling of the war in Ukraine.

Trump’s interview was met with mixed reactions. Some praised him for his honesty and willingness to tackle difficult topics. Others criticized him for his continued false claims about the 2020 election and his praise for Putin.

Analysis

Trump’s interview on “Meet the Press” is significant for a number of reasons. First, it shows that he is still very much in the political arena and that he is not afraid to speak his mind. Second, it gives us a glimpse into his thinking on a number of key issues, including the 2020 election, abortion, immigration, and foreign policy.

Trump’s continued false claims about the 2020 election are particularly concerning. They undermine faith in our democracy and could lead to violence in future elections. His praise for Putin is also concerning, given Putin’s invasion of Ukraine and his human rights abuses.

Overall, Trump’s interview on “Meet the Press” was a revealing look into the mind of a former president who is still very much a political force.