President Trump Participates in a Bilateral Meeting with the President of the Republic of Lebanon

[0:03] Well, thank you very much. [0:04] It's a great pleasure to be with the president of Lebanon. [0:08] He's highly respected in his country and actually long beyond his country. [0:12] We've spoken previously on numerous occasions through representatives, [0:19] and the relationship is very good. [0:22] I think that Lebanon has been a very mistreated country for a long period of time. [0:26] It's an amazing group of people, professors, doctors, lawyers, great intellects, [0:33] and it's been hit hard for many, many decades, really. [0:38] It's been hit very, very hard. [0:41] And yet I have people that live in Lebanon, [0:43] people that are parents of friends of mine, in many cases, [0:47] and they would never leave. [0:48] They would not leave under any circumstance. [0:50] They love it. [0:50] They love the country, and it's probably a dangerous place in a lot of ways, [0:56] but they live in areas, they say, we hear bombs going off all the time, [0:59] but we want to live in Lebanon. [1:01] They love the country. [1:01] Very smart people, very successful people, and they live there. [1:05] But it has been. [1:06] It's been a country of great intellect, great intellectuals. [1:12] They still love it. [1:14] They want to be there, and we're going to help it. [1:17] We're going to help it a lot. [1:19] So it's an honor to have the president and your representatives here. [1:23] We've already met a couple of times, and we've had some good meetings. [1:27] And we are going to solve a lot of problems. [1:31] We've already solved some of them for Lebanon. [1:34] As you know, there's a Hezbollah problem, [1:36] but we've done some things that I think the world will take notice. [1:43] Again, it's been a very badly treated place and country, [1:48] and we're going to have it properly treated, [1:50] and treated with respect that it deserves. [1:52] And, Mr. President, it's an honor having you. [1:55] Thank you very much. [1:56] Thank you. [1:57] Thank you very much. [1:57] I've been looking forward to this visit for a long time. [2:00] Thank you very much. [2:00] Meeting such a great president like yourself. [2:03] That's a very nice thing. [2:04] See, he knows how to get to me. [2:07] He can have anything. [2:08] Now he can have anything. [2:10] Would you like to say something? [2:11] No, really, I would like to thank President Trump, really, [2:16] and his team for the historic visit [2:19] and for the historic achievement that we did together [2:22] by signing the framework [2:25] with the ultimate objective of ending the state of austerity [2:29] between Lebanon and Israel forever. [2:32] I think, Mr. President, this will be your legacy. [2:34] Together, we'll be able to achieve this objective. [2:38] It's about time for Lebanon and for the whole region [2:40] to be stable and secure. [2:43] And I know your vision is peace. [2:46] Your vision is stability. [2:47] And I think my vision, one side, is your vision. [2:50] And together, I think we will be able to achieve [2:53] and to score success in that regard. [2:55] I agree with that. [2:56] I do agree with that. [2:57] You have tremendous spirit on your side. [2:59] You have people that love that country, [3:01] and they're going to make it work. [3:03] We're going to make it work. [3:05] Right. [3:05] Thank you very much. [3:06] Mr. President, I have two questions. [3:12] One for you. [3:13] President Trump, as you work to expand the Abraham Accords, [3:16] Lebanon still enforces a 1955 law criminalizing contact [3:20] with Israeli for over 70 years. [3:23] You previously stated you would push Lebanon on this issue. [3:26] And people, there is some people still going to prison last month. [3:29] So, did you raise it with President Trump today? [3:33] The President Trump, I will. [3:34] The Abraham Accords have been, I think, a tremendous success. [3:38] I think you're going to see a lot of countries joining pretty soon. [3:41] As you know, we have our original group, [3:44] and it's so successful for them. [3:46] Economically successful. [3:48] It's been that. [3:48] Nobody left, even during this time of conflict. [3:53] So, no, I think Lebanon has a very important place. [3:56] I have a question for President Trump. [4:01] What is your level of concern of a blockade of the Red Sea [4:06] by the Houthi rebels opening up another front? [4:09] Well, I'll just see what happens. [4:10] So far, it hasn't happened. [4:12] It might happen. [4:13] But we take care of things. [4:14] If something like that happens, we take care of it. [4:16] You know, we've done that with the Houthis before, [4:19] and we haven't heard from them in a while [4:22] since we did what we did originally. [4:24] That was about 45 days of very powerful action [4:29] we took against the Houthis. [4:31] And we've had no problem with the Houthis. [4:33] They've had no problem with us for a long period of time, [4:37] including during this conflict. [4:39] I think that if there is something like that, [4:42] we'll just have to take care of business. [4:44] The Speaker, he's finally rejected the agreement [4:49] between Lebanon and Israel and said, [4:51] he said it's a sedition, it's going to cause civil war. [4:54] He's the Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament, [4:56] and he speaks for Hezbollah. [4:57] He's Hezbollah's big brother. [4:59] What do you have to say about that? [5:00] Well, maybe I'll let you speak to that. [5:02] Actually, the framework doesn't require [5:04] the endorsement of the Parliament. [5:06] Okay? [5:07] It's part of our Constitution. [5:08] It's a prerogative of the President. [5:10] And we are committed to it. [5:12] And I think the Speaker of the Parliament [5:13] is really, wants to see the end of this war. [5:19] He's from the South. [5:21] And he knows he did his best to rebuild the South. [5:25] But unfortunately, the South is being destroyed [5:27] in front of his eyes. [5:28] So he's actually supportive of what we are doing. [5:31] But we need to be careful, [5:35] his position as a Speaker [5:38] and as a leader of the Shia community, [5:40] we have to understand how critical is his position. [5:44] But I can tell you that Speaker Barry [5:45] is a man of state. [5:47] He's supportive of what we are doing. [5:48] And he's supportive of ending the state of hostility, [5:51] ending the war once for all. [5:52] And I think when he sees, [5:56] because I've heard that he's a good person, [5:58] good man, [5:59] and when he sees the progress made, [6:01] I'm sure he's going to come on. [6:02] The Presser is from Lebanon, [6:05] from Lebanon, [6:06] from NBC ITV from Lebanon. [6:07] I have two questions, please. [6:08] When will the Israeli army fully withdraw from Lebanon? [6:11] Is there a clear timeline for that? [6:14] And last question, please. [6:15] Last week, you met with the Iraqi Prime Minister [6:17] and discussed him, [6:18] or described him as handsome [6:20] and saying he could become [6:21] one of the best leaders in the Middle East. [6:24] How would you describe the President? [6:25] The Iraqi Prime Minister. [6:27] Yes. [6:27] How would you describe the President in terms of that? [6:29] Well, I'd say he's handsome also. [6:31] And I think he could become [6:32] one of the most important leaders [6:34] in the Middle East, actually. [6:35] We do this, [6:36] because they've been doing, [6:37] trying to do this for decades, right? [6:40] Decades and decades. [6:41] So if I made that statement about somebody else, [6:45] I would put him in the same category. [6:46] When the Israeli army withdraw from Lebanon, [6:48] when the Israeli army withdraw from Lebanon, [6:51] is there a clear timeline for that? [6:52] They're in the process of doing that. [6:53] They're in the process of redeploying [6:55] to other sections. [6:58] And again, they get along very well. [7:00] That was a great agreement they signed with Lebanon. [7:02] And they're redeployed. [7:03] Is there a fire? [7:04] Is there a fire? [7:05] Is there a fire? [7:06] Thank you, Mr. President. [7:06] Thank you, Mr. President. [7:09] The Lebanese army needs help. [7:10] And the United States said [7:12] that it's very important [7:13] for the Lebanese army [7:14] to take over the villages [7:15] that Hezbollah withdraw from. [7:18] How are you going to help them? [7:19] And how does it come to be called? [7:20] Well, we're going to be speaking about that today. [7:21] Making sure that you'll be in the south. [7:23] We'll be speaking about that today with the President. [7:25] And we have some very concrete plans [7:29] already in store for that [7:30] with others going in and helping. [7:32] But they're also becoming [7:34] much more self-sufficient. [7:37] And we will be speaking about that. [7:38] That's one of the subjects [7:39] we're going to be talking about. [7:40] Thank you, Mr. President. [7:41] My question is, sorry. [7:45] The Lebanese army said today [7:47] that Israeli forces opened fire [7:48] in proximity to the Lebanese [7:51] trying to deploy in one of these pilot zones. [7:53] This is day two of the pilot zones. [7:55] Are you prepared to take any steps, [7:57] additional steps, [7:58] to put pressure on Israel to withdraw? [8:01] Which I believe President Aoun [8:03] is planning to ask you. [8:04] Well, I'll look at it. [8:04] I just heard about that [8:05] before this conference just happened. [8:07] And we'll be looking at that. [8:09] Yeah. [8:09] Thank you, Mr. President. [8:10] Mr. President, there are no signs [8:11] that Iran is ready to stop fighting. [8:13] So what is the plan? [8:14] Is the plan to just keep bombing [8:16] until they keep up? [8:16] How would you know if there are no signs? [8:18] What? You know something that I don't know? [8:20] Well, they continue to attack our allies. [8:22] But you don't know what the dialogue is [8:24] behind the scenes [8:25] that they want to meet desperately [8:26] to try and end it [8:27] because they're getting decimated. [8:29] You don't get that [8:30] when you listen to your fake station. [8:32] But you don't know. [8:35] You don't know anything. [8:36] So talks aren't still possible? [8:37] You know something that I don't know? [8:39] You know something I don't know? [8:40] Well, tell us. [8:41] I will tell you. [8:42] They want to desperately meet. [8:45] And until they're ready to meet [8:46] in a meaningful way, [8:48] we have no interest in even... [8:49] Mr. President, [8:53] are you planning on beating [8:54] any pressure or consequences on China [8:57] for what you announced [8:58] about them meddling [8:59] in the time of his last year? [9:00] Well, we're going to talk to them about it. [9:02] It took place a long time ago. [9:04] I think China is maybe [9:05] a little bit different today [9:06] than it was then. [9:07] But look, they do things [9:09] and we do things to them. [9:10] I'll be honest. [9:11] We do things to them, too. [9:12] It's not a one-way street. [9:13] But we'll be talking to them. [9:15] Yeah. [9:15] Well, thank you for that question. [9:38] The fact is, [9:40] and maybe it pertains a little bit [9:41] with respect to you [9:42] and borders and everything else. [9:43] We had a border [9:45] that was totally out of control. [9:47] I probably won the election, [9:48] at least partially, [9:49] on the border, would you say? [9:51] And the border now, [9:52] we literally, in 14 months, [9:54] I think it came out this morning, [9:55] actually, it was just announced, [9:56] and in 14 months, [9:57] we had nobody coming through. [9:59] Zero. [10:00] There's zero people. [10:01] I have to understand, [10:02] millions came through. [10:04] And we had zero people [10:05] come in illegally into our country. [10:08] And that's made by people [10:09] that happen to be Democrats, [10:11] largely Democrats, [10:12] lots of people that do those stats. [10:15] And I'm sure they don't like saying it, [10:17] but we really had virtually nobody coming in. [10:19] And they actually say nobody, [10:20] not even virtually. [10:21] So it's amazing what's happened there. [10:24] And very people talk about that anymore. [10:26] You know, [10:26] they don't like talking about that. [10:28] They don't like talking about Venezuela, [10:29] where we lost no people. [10:31] I'll be going to Dover [10:33] for something that I feel is, [10:36] it's a great honor for me to do it. [10:39] These are people that want it, [10:41] and they feel like I do, [10:42] that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. [10:44] Very simple. [10:45] It's a very simple dictum. [10:47] They cannot have a nuclear weapon. [10:49] And they won't have. [10:50] They're not going to, [10:50] they have no chance [10:51] of having a nuclear weapon. [10:53] And as far as Iran is concerned, [10:55] I'll let Pete maybe say a couple of words, [10:57] but we are doing very well. [11:00] We are degrading them at levels [11:01] that nobody thought was possible. [11:03] They're being degraded really so seriously. [11:08] They did slip something through in Jordan. [11:11] And if we had other operators, [11:14] you know, would have not happened, [11:17] unfortunately. [11:18] But we, [11:19] because we have the best equipment in the world, [11:21] you know, [11:21] we've stopped almost everything. [11:23] But when you let other people do your job, [11:26] with the United States, [11:27] we let other people do the job, [11:28] and sometimes it doesn't work out so well. [11:31] But we're going to be going [11:33] and paying our respects at Dover. [11:35] Pete, would you like to say, [11:36] just how we're doing, [11:38] generally speaking? [11:38] Well, it'll be an honor as well [11:40] to join you at Dover [11:41] to recognize these incredible Americans [11:43] who are committed to the cause [11:44] just like you are. [11:46] Something no president's been willing to do. [11:47] 47 years, [11:49] they've built up a conventional capability, [11:50] like the North Koreans did. [11:51] Remember, that's how North Korea [11:52] made their way to a bomb. [11:54] So much weaponry [11:55] that no one was willing to stand up to them. [11:57] President Trump was, [11:58] and he continues to to this day. [12:01] Iran's been given every opportunity [12:02] to negotiate. [12:04] To show that they're reasonable [12:05] on the Strait of Hormuz. [12:06] But if they're going to shoot [12:07] a commercial shipping, [12:08] then we're going to hit them, [12:09] as the president said, [12:10] 10 times harder, [12:11] which every night [12:12] we're degrading them further and further. [12:14] And the president has [12:15] all the options necessary. [12:16] If they want to talk, [12:18] they can talk. [12:18] Otherwise, [12:19] they can deal with the War Department. [12:20] And the blockade is up [12:22] and fully, [12:23] I mean, [12:24] it's, [12:25] nobody gets through. [12:27] Nobody gets through the blockade. [12:28] It's like a steel wall. [12:29] Mr. President, [12:30] I'll see you go. [12:32] Thank you, Mr. President. [12:33] Yesterday, [12:34] there was another attack [12:35] on an ice facility, [12:35] this time in New York City. [12:37] What, in your view, [12:38] is prompting these attacks? [12:39] And do you have a message [12:40] for those who are attacking ice? [12:42] You're talking about the fire [12:43] that was set [12:43] in front of the federal building? [12:46] Well, [12:46] this is what's happening [12:48] with the people [12:48] that they allowed [12:49] to come into our country. [12:50] They shouldn't have allowed them [12:51] to come in. [12:52] They shouldn't be here. [12:54] They're radical lunatics. [12:56] And I'm getting them out. [12:59] You know, [12:59] we're getting them out [13:00] at a pace. [13:01] You know, [13:01] we've gotten rid of more [13:02] than any other president. [13:03] I read stories [13:05] that try and give you [13:05] phony stats. [13:07] I was with Tom Holman [13:08] this morning. [13:08] He'll give you the statistics [13:09] if you want. [13:11] But we're getting [13:12] bad people out of our country [13:14] at levels never seen before. [13:16] There's never been a time [13:18] when more bad people, [13:19] and you take a look [13:20] just here in Washington, [13:22] we got almost five, [13:24] we took out almost 5,000 [13:26] hard-line, [13:27] hardcore criminals, [13:29] most of whom came in [13:31] during the open border periods [13:32] of the previous administration. [13:35] An amazing statistic, [13:37] and this is something [13:38] that I hate to be talking about [13:40] in front of the president [13:41] of Lebanon, [13:43] but he's got his problems [13:45] and had different problems [13:46] but we don't have any problems [13:48] in Washington, D.C. [13:49] We have virtually, [13:50] we've wiped out [13:51] about 92% of the crime, [13:53] and we're going to get [13:54] very close to, [13:55] I believe we're going to get [13:56] close to 100% of the crime. [13:58] And if you take a look [14:00] at this city, [14:01] compare this to what it was [14:02] 15, 16 months ago, [14:04] this was a dangerous city. [14:06] I don't know how, [14:07] I better not compare it to Lebanon [14:09] because I don't exactly [14:10] have your stats, [14:10] but it might have been [14:12] Lebanon was safer. [14:14] This was a dangerous city [14:16] under the previous administration, [14:17] Biden, [14:18] and now it's a very safe city. [14:20] There was an article [14:21] that came out two days ago [14:22] that Washington, D.C. [14:24] has made the greatest progress [14:27] of any city in the nation. [14:29] Now, Memphis also, [14:30] and New Orleans also. [14:32] And if they would ask us [14:33] for help in Chicago, [14:34] we would turn that around so fast. [14:36] If they'd ask us [14:37] for help in New York, [14:38] we would turn that around so fast. [14:40] Los Angeles, [14:41] we would turn that around so fast. [14:43] But the stat that's so amazing [14:45] is that 2% of the people [14:46] create 91% of the crime. [14:49] Think of that. [14:49] It's a great stat [14:50] because if it was 70% of the people, [14:54] that's a problem. [14:55] If it was 20%, [14:56] that's a... [14:57] 2% of the people [14:58] create 91% of the crime. [15:01] Think of that. [15:02] 2% of the people, [15:03] you can handle that easily. [15:06] So Washington, D.C. [15:07] is now one of the hottest cities [15:08] in the country. [15:09] We have the hottest country [15:10] in the world. [15:11] But Washington is now hot. [15:15] And I do have to say [15:17] one other thing. [15:18] We just had the World Cup, [15:19] as you know very well. [15:21] And it was the most successful [15:23] World Cup ever. [15:25] We didn't even have a protest. [15:27] We had no crime. [15:29] With all those events, [15:30] it was like having [15:31] many, many Super Bowls. [15:33] Each one was like a Super Bowl. [15:35] And with all of that, [15:36] we didn't have crime. [15:37] We didn't have bedlam. [15:39] Everybody left here [15:40] with a different opinion [15:41] than what they read [15:44] in the fake news. [15:45] They loved this country. [15:46] I saw Scotland. [15:47] I saw Norway. [15:48] I saw all these countries. [15:50] I mean, [15:50] the level of love [15:52] that nobody wanted to leave. [15:55] And I just want [15:55] to congratulate everybody, [15:57] the job that we did [15:58] and all of us, [15:59] everybody in this room, [16:00] because everybody [16:00] in this room was involved. [16:01] The Vice President [16:02] was very much involved. [16:06] It was amazing. [16:07] I was with Johnny [16:08] the other day. [16:10] The job he did is great. [16:12] But he said he never thought [16:14] in a million years [16:15] he could be so free [16:17] of any difficulty. [16:18] Think of it. [16:19] We didn't even have a protest. [16:22] Not only no crime. [16:23] Now, there's a reason [16:24] for all this, [16:25] but part of it [16:26] was that people [16:26] just wanted to pull together. [16:29] This country, [16:30] for like a four-week period, [16:32] just pulled together. [16:35] Really amazing. [16:36] And I didn't want [16:36] to say it before the final. [16:37] I didn't want to say [16:38] how well it was doing. [16:39] I wanted to get the final up with, [16:41] because you never know. [16:42] It only takes... [16:43] But we just had [16:45] the most successful [16:46] World Cup in history. [16:48] Did five times the business [16:50] of any World Cup in history. [16:53] And I can't wait [16:55] to get him back, [16:56] but I think we won't be able [16:57] to get him for the next time. [16:57] Mr. President, [16:58] do you feel safe here, [17:03] especially with this upcoming... [17:04] Say what? [17:04] Do you feel safe, [17:05] especially considering [17:06] you're talking about your life, [17:08] the upcoming dinner... [17:09] Why wouldn't I feel safe? [17:10] President Trump... [17:11] On Syria. [17:11] Why would I... [17:12] I'm President Obama [17:16] from Al-Jadeen. [17:16] Are you still speaking [17:18] with Hezbollah? [17:18] You said in previous interviews [17:20] that you're speaking... [17:21] Well, I don't want to say that, [17:22] but I would speak to Hezbollah. [17:23] I speak to everybody. [17:25] I'll speak to people [17:26] that a lot of people [17:26] think I shouldn't be speaking to, [17:28] and things work out. [17:29] I always speak to him. [17:30] Mr. President, on Syria. [17:32] I would say this. [17:32] If the President wanted me [17:34] to speak to Hezbollah, [17:35] you know, [17:35] he's lived with Hezbollah [17:37] for a long time. [17:38] And if the President wanted me [17:40] to speak to Hezbollah, [17:41] I would. [17:41] I wouldn't. [17:42] I wouldn't. [17:42] I wouldn't. [17:43] If the Iranians do not make a deal, [17:52] ultimately, [17:53] how long will it take [17:55] for you to stamp out their threats [17:56] to the strait [17:57] and enable cold shipping? [17:59] So if we left right now, [18:00] it would take Iran [18:01] 20, 25 years to rebuild. [18:05] Okay? [18:06] And we're not finished at all. [18:07] But if we left right now, [18:09] it would take them a long time, [18:11] years, years to rebuild. [18:13] But we're not leaving right now. [18:16] So we've had a big impact on Iran. [18:19] If we didn't do what I did [18:21] with regard to two things, [18:23] the Iran nuclear deal [18:26] done by Barack Hussein Obama, [18:28] I terminated that. [18:30] If I didn't terminate it, [18:31] you wouldn't have Israel right now [18:32] because they would have had [18:33] a nuclear weapon years ago. [18:36] And if we didn't do the B-2 bombers [18:37] knocking out the nuclear sites [18:41] a year ago, [18:43] one of the first things we did [18:44] early in the administration, [18:46] they would have a nuclear weapon. [18:48] And you wouldn't have Israel. [18:50] And in my opinion, [18:51] you wouldn't have various other countries [18:53] in the Middle East [18:54] that all be gone. [18:55] They would have been terminated, [18:56] extinguished. [18:57] But I believe that by doing what we did, [19:01] by terminating Iran, [19:03] it was very evil people [19:05] leading that country. [19:07] You saw the number of protesters [19:09] that they killed, [19:10] 52,000 plus. [19:11] I put a couple of them up today, [19:13] young kids that kill them. [19:14] They kill them like they're candy. [19:18] It's crazy what they do. [19:21] They treat them so badly. [19:23] They're just killing people [19:24] just at random. [19:26] Over 52,000 people [19:27] and nobody talks about it. [19:29] But if I didn't do the attack [19:32] on their nuclear sites [19:34] or if I didn't terminate [19:36] the Obama agreement with Iran, [19:38] which was an absolute hit [19:43] on having them get... [19:45] That was a road to a nuclear weapon. [19:48] And our deal will be a wall. [19:50] It already is. [19:51] They can't have a nuclear weapon right now. [19:53] It would take them years to produce it. [19:55] And we will absolutely attack [19:57] the new site that they're talking about. [20:01] I mean, how about these people? [20:03] They're in this because of nuclear weapons [20:05] and they're trying to possibly reconstitute a site. [20:10] We'll hit that site. [20:11] Any site where they're even thinking about nuclear, [20:14] we'll be hitting it very, very powerfully. [20:16] Now, nobody knows, [20:19] except the Iranians, [20:20] the damage that we've done to them. [20:22] We have done damage [20:24] that will take them 20, 25 years to recover from. [20:28] So, if we left tomorrow, [20:31] we had a big success. [20:33] But we're not leaving tomorrow. [20:34] Mr. President, [20:35] there's a bill right now [20:41] that's being considered [20:42] that would allow illegal aliens [20:43] who are working in farming [20:44] to get legal status. [20:46] Do you support that legislation? [20:48] I don't know about it. [20:48] I'll take a look at it. [20:50] I don't know about it. [20:50] The President, [20:51] the President, [20:52] the President, [20:52] last night, [20:53] the Canada tariffs. [20:54] One, are those a response [20:55] to the wildfires? [20:56] No. [20:57] No. [20:57] That's separate. [20:58] We're looking at that separately. [20:59] And what? [21:00] Is there anything... [21:01] It's only a response [21:02] to the way they've treated [21:02] our farmers and our people. [21:05] Yeah. [21:05] Canada's been very, [21:07] very tough on us over the years. [21:09] Oh, for many years. [21:10] And no other President [21:11] has done anything about it. [21:12] I love Canada. [21:14] I love the people of Canada. [21:16] Many friends that live in Canada. [21:17] But their leadership from Trudeau [21:19] to the current leadership, [21:23] I mean, in all fairness to them, [21:24] they need us to survive. [21:26] Without us, [21:28] there's no way they can survive. [21:30] So... [21:30] But they've been very, [21:32] very tough over a period [21:33] of the last 50 years, actually. [21:39] On Syria. [21:41] Tony Mrad, ABC ITV, from Lebanon. [21:43] Do you still support Syria [21:44] entering Lebanon [21:45] to disarm Hezbollah? [21:47] You mean coming in [21:48] and doing something with Hezbollah? [21:49] Yes. [21:50] Well, it's a concept, you know. [21:52] We get along very well [21:52] with the President of Syria. [21:54] He's done a very good job. [21:55] I wouldn't be surprised [21:56] if this gentleman's [21:57] going to do a job just like that. [21:58] He's done a very good job. [21:59] He's pulled Syria together. [22:01] He would like to come in [22:02] and do something with Hezbollah. [22:06] You know, they've been fighting... [22:07] He's been fighting Hezbollah [22:08] for a long time. [22:09] I think it'd be very effective. [22:11] So it's something, I think, [22:12] I think it's... [22:12] The President, on tariffs, [22:17] you increased tariffs [22:18] on Canada yesterday. [22:20] Can you say [22:20] if you still expect [22:21] to impose tariffs [22:22] on the wildfire problem [22:23] and can you say... [22:24] We're looking at that. [22:25] A lot of damage has been done. [22:28] They're not managing [22:29] their forests properly [22:30] and the wind has a tendency [22:31] to blow right over New York City, [22:34] right over... [22:34] You saw Detroit. [22:35] They had to close the whole place. [22:37] Michigan was really affected. [22:39] They had to close [22:39] businesses for four days. [22:42] It's very serious [22:43] what they're doing [22:44] and they don't seem to be able [22:46] to do anything about it. [22:47] If they managed their forests, [22:48] they wouldn't have the fire. [22:49] The President... [22:50] Do you believe that Iran [22:54] is trying to impact [22:55] the midterm elections [22:56] by threatening [22:57] the street of foreign countries? [22:58] Probably. [22:59] They won't have any impact on me. [23:01] I'm just going to do [23:01] the right thing. [23:02] I don't view it as, [23:03] gee, we're having an election [23:04] in a period of time. [23:06] You know, everyone says, [23:07] oh, I'm doing something before... [23:09] No. [23:09] The election... [23:11] I can't think about that [23:12] having to do with this. [23:14] I think people [23:15] are very impressed. [23:16] I mean, we took over Venezuela. [23:18] We now have a great relationship [23:20] with Venezuela. [23:21] We went to war with Venezuela [23:22] and the war ended in one day. [23:26] And we have now [23:27] an incredible relationship [23:29] with Venezuela. [23:30] We're taking out [23:30] millions of barrels of oil. [23:32] They're making more money now [23:33] than they ever made before, [23:35] ever. [23:36] And we're making a lot of money. [23:37] We paid for the war [23:38] many times over [23:39] with Venezuela. [23:40] We lost nobody. [23:42] We lost nobody. [23:43] We didn't lose one... [23:44] That was a violent attack. [23:46] As you know, [23:47] we took out a man [23:48] who was a very evil man. [23:50] What he did was very evil [23:51] in many different ways. [23:53] We took him out. [23:55] But, you know, [23:57] Venezuela, [23:58] they said the same thing. [23:59] When I did Venezuela, [24:00] everyone said, [24:00] because look at the drugs. [24:01] Look at what they did [24:03] where they took [24:04] all of their prisons. [24:05] They opened up their prisons [24:06] and they have everybody [24:07] in a prison come in [24:08] through Biden's [24:10] absolutely insane [24:11] open borders policy. [24:14] And we did that in one day. [24:16] Think of it. [24:18] And now we are working [24:20] very closely [24:20] with the administration. [24:22] And we get along very well. [24:25] Venezuela is a very happy place. [24:27] They had a tragic incident [24:28] with the, you know, [24:30] the event that took place [24:31] a couple of days ago, [24:33] a couple of weeks ago. [24:34] What a terrible thing that was. [24:36] They had a movement, [24:38] a shifting of earth [24:39] that was unbelievable. [24:40] Nobody's ever. [24:42] They've never seen anything like it. [24:43] A lot of people were killed. [24:45] So it's all unrelated. [24:47] But, by the way, [24:48] we were the first ones there to help. [24:49] We were there to help Venezuela. [24:51] It was an earthquake. [24:52] I guess you'd call it. [24:53] It was a pretty massive earthquake. [24:56] And we were able to do a lot of good. [24:58] But they lost a lot of people. [25:00] Venezuela, [25:02] the people are so happy [25:03] that we're there. [25:04] The jobs, [25:05] everything's happening. [25:06] And we're taking out [25:07] many, many times [25:09] the money that we spent on the war. [25:12] This one, [25:14] Iran is bigger. [25:16] It's a more complex situation. [25:18] But we're probably doing equally as well [25:21] if you look at the damage [25:23] that's been done. [25:24] And again, [25:24] as I said to the young man [25:26] that just posed the question over here, [25:29] if we left today, [25:31] it would take them decades to rebuild. [25:35] And I don't believe [25:35] they could ever rebuild. [25:37] And honestly, [25:39] they haven't seen anything yet. [25:41] We've been nice. [25:43] We've been nice. [25:43] Because there's a lot of people [25:45] who are going to be here. [25:46] Where are you going to be? [25:47] Go ahead. [25:48] Haley Bull with Scripps News. [25:49] Thank you for the question. [25:51] Do you believe that Iran [25:52] has moved nuclear centrifuges [25:54] into Pickaxe Mountain? [25:56] And when you say, [25:57] we're not done yet, [25:57] what is left to finish? [25:59] Well, I think that they may have, [26:02] we don't have it on record. [26:04] All we do is read the fake news. [26:06] You know, [26:06] we see the news is so wrong [26:08] so many times. [26:09] So, you know, [26:10] maybe this one they have right. [26:11] But it's okay. [26:13] It doesn't mean anything [26:14] unless they have the material. [26:16] You're talking about [26:16] the centrifuges. [26:18] It doesn't mean anything [26:18] unless they have the material. [26:19] They don't have, [26:20] we follow the material. [26:21] That's where the action is. [26:22] And we'll be hitting that area [26:25] very, probably pretty soon. [26:27] And there's not, [26:27] not a thing they can do about it. [26:29] You know, [26:30] normally I wouldn't say that. [26:31] If I thought they could [26:32] do something about it, [26:33] I would never say that. [26:34] But we'll be hitting [26:35] that area pretty soon. [26:37] And, [26:38] and very heavily. [26:39] President Trump told me [26:43] during the campaign, [26:46] I interviewed you [26:48] and you told me [26:48] on MTV Lebanon [26:49] that the peace [26:50] would happen in Lebanon. [26:51] And every word you said [26:52] during the interview [26:53] that's happening today, [26:55] like from the first day [26:56] in the administration, [26:57] you were working hard [26:58] for peace. [26:59] It's true. [26:59] I have been... [27:00] Because I understood Lebanon [27:01] and I understood [27:02] how horribly Lebanon [27:05] has been treated [27:06] as a country. [27:07] They've been like [27:07] a whipping post. [27:08] what's happened with Iran [27:09] and with Hezbollah. [27:12] But Lebanon's been treated [27:13] very incredibly badly. [27:15] And maybe I'm a little [27:16] prejudiced in favor [27:17] of Lebanon [27:18] because I have so many [27:19] Lebanese friends. [27:20] Do you not at all? [27:21] Well, no, [27:22] but there's so many [27:22] Lebanese friends. [27:24] And so I know [27:24] I understand Lebanon. [27:26] Tom Barrack is Lebanese, [27:27] the ambassador. [27:29] President Amdahl, [27:31] the Lebanese army, [27:35] President Amdahl, [27:36] the Lebanese army [27:37] currently have the funding, [27:39] equipment, [27:39] and manpower necessary [27:41] to implement the agreement [27:42] or you are asking today, [27:44] President Trump, [27:45] for additional U.S. assistance [27:46] today to do that job. [27:48] Definitely. [27:49] With the support [27:50] of President Trump [27:51] and we spoke of it [27:51] on the phone [27:52] and I told him [27:53] I need two things from you, [27:54] political support [27:55] and supporting of the LAF, [27:57] which is the LAF [27:58] is the most trusted institution [28:00] in the country [28:00] and it has the most powerful weapon, [28:03] which is the trust [28:04] of the public. [28:05] Like any other, [28:06] any armed forces in the world, [28:08] the Lebanese armed forces [28:09] is the backbone [28:10] of security and stability. [28:12] We need to support the LAF. [28:15] The LAF maintain the country [28:16] safe and stable. [28:17] Without the LAF, [28:18] everything will collapse. [28:19] We don't want that. [28:20] I think President Trump [28:21] doesn't want that. [28:22] In 1975, [28:23] the first institution [28:24] to collapse was the LAF. [28:26] And as a result, [28:27] we saw the emergence [28:28] of many local militias [28:29] and the South was empty, [28:31] allowing the Palestinians [28:32] to run the South [28:33] and launch attack [28:34] against Israel. [28:35] We don't want to see [28:36] that back again. [28:37] All we're asking [28:37] is keep supporting the LAF. [28:39] And they know [28:40] that the LAF [28:40] is doing a great job [28:42] with performing [28:42] instituted to the fullest. [28:44] I fully trust the LAF. [28:45] I fully trust [28:46] the leadership of the LAF. [28:47] We will have to... [28:48] Well, Senator, [28:48] we have to... [28:49] And they did a great, [28:51] a great step forward [28:53] with the recent signing [28:54] with Israel. [28:55] That was a big step. [28:56] Are you going to allow [28:57] a direct flight [29:00] from America [29:01] to Lebanon again? [29:02] I'm Pedro. [29:02] I can see that happening. [29:03] I'm sure. [29:04] President Trump, [29:05] question from President Trump. [29:06] Question from President Trump. [29:08] Tony Barad from NBC ITV. [29:09] So, Ambassador Exeter, [29:10] the U.S. Ambassador [29:11] to Lebanon, [29:12] Shahisa, [29:12] told me [29:13] that the President Trump [29:14] would not leave [29:14] Washington empty-handed. [29:16] What concrete outcomes [29:18] were you bringing back [29:20] to Lebanon? [29:21] You'll find out. [29:22] Thank you all [29:25] very much. [29:26] We're doing very well [29:27] with Iran. [29:28] We're doing unbelievably [29:29] with the economy. [29:31] We have investment. [29:32] As you know, [29:33] Toyota is coming in [29:35] with the biggest plant, [29:36] I understand, [29:37] anywhere in the world. [29:39] They're leaving Mexico. [29:40] They're coming [29:40] into our country. [29:42] They're going to come [29:42] into Texas, [29:43] to be specific. [29:45] We have more plants [29:46] under construction now [29:47] than at any time. [29:48] By far, [29:49] by many times. [29:50] We have over $19.2 trillion [29:53] being spent in America. [29:55] And they're going [29:56] to be opening up [29:56] in a year, [29:57] year and a half. [29:58] And there's never been [30:00] a time like this [30:01] in America. [30:02] Truly, [30:02] it's the golden age [30:03] of America. [30:04] Thank you very much, [30:05] everybody. [30:05] Thank you, guys. [30:07] Thank you, guys. [30:08] Thank you. [30:08] Thank you. [30:09] Thank you. [30:10] Thank you. [30:11] Thank you.