Watch: Trump takes questions on Epstein files, Venezuela, 2026 FIFA World Cup and more

Key Concepts

• 2026 FIFA World Cup: Hosting of the international soccer tournament in North America, with specific mention of U.S. cities.
• Venezuela: Discussion of the political situation, the release of prisoners into the U.S., and potential U.S. actions.
• U.S. Immigration and Border Security: Concerns about millions of people entering the U.S., including members of the "Tren de Aragua" gang.
• Trade and Tariffs: President Trump's stance on trade deals, tariffs as a tool to protect U.S. businesses, and the impact on industries like chip manufacturing.
• H-1B Visas: The need for training Americans in certain skills, like chip manufacturing, and the role of foreign workers.
• Epstein Files Release Bill: President Trump's position on a bill to release documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, and his desire to avoid it overshadowing Republican accomplishments.
• Farmer Relief: Commitment to supporting farmers, especially in light of trade deals.
• Saudi Arabia and F-35 Sales: Plans to sell F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia.
• Mexico and Drug Interdiction: President Trump's strong stance on stopping drug flow from Mexico, including potential military action.
• Ted Cruz 2020 Presidential Run: President Trump's reaction to a potential presidential run by Senator Ted Cruz.
• Affordability and Pricing: President Trump's emphasis on his administration's success in lowering prices.

White House Press Conference Summary

Following an event with members of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Task Force, President Trump took questions from reporters on a wide range of topics.

2026 FIFA World Cup and Event Security

President Trump expressed his honor in hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup, alongside the upcoming Olympics. He announced a special initiative for World Cup ticket holders, allowing them to apply for visas on a fast track with prioritized interviews. This program aims to prevent any "snafus" and ensure a smooth experience for international visitors, given the current mass immigration crackdown. He stressed that safety and security are the number one priority for a successful World Cup, with record-breaking ticket sales already indicating strong public trust.

The President also addressed concerns about potential crime in host cities, specifically mentioning Seattle and its "very, very liberal slash communist mayor." He stated that if there is any sign of trouble or if a city's leadership is perceived as incompetent (citing Los Angeles as an example where federal intervention was crucial during fires), he would ask for the event to be moved to a different, more appreciative and safe city. He emphasized that governors and mayors must "behave" and that the federal government is prepared to provide assistance, including the National Guard, to ensure safety. He urged cities to request federal help proactively if they anticipate problems.

Venezuela and Immigration

President Trump reiterated his strong stance on Venezuela, stating he does not rule out any options regarding U.S. action. He highlighted the issue of Venezuela "dumping hundreds of thousands of people into our country from prisons," including members of the dangerous "Tren de Aragua" gang, which he described as worse than MS-13. He expressed his love for the Venezuelan people but not for those running the country. He indicated he would likely speak with Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, stating, "I talk to everybody." He also mentioned that the U.S. has a tight border now, but millions of people were previously pouring through.

Trade, Tariffs, and Economic Policy

President Trump's voice was noted as hoarse, which he attributed to shouting at individuals who were "stupid about something having to do with trade." He refused to name the specific country that wanted to renegotiate its trade deal, stating, "Why would I say that to you?" He emphasized that the U.S. has taken in hundreds of millions of dollars in tariff money, which will be distributed as dividends to moderate and middle-income individuals. He argued that without tariffs, the nation would be in serious trouble and that tariffs protect U.S. businesses.

He specifically discussed the chip manufacturing industry, lamenting that the U.S. lost this business to Taiwan "foolishly." He criticized the CHIPS Act as a "disaster" that gave away billions of dollars. He asserted that tariffs are bringing chip manufacturing back to the U.S., and he anticipates a significant portion of the global chip market will be in the United States within a few years. He also mentioned that Apple and NVIDIA have seen tremendous financial growth. He linked economic security to national security and predicted a substantial decrease in food prices.

H-1B Visas and American Workforce

Regarding H-1B visas, President Trump suggested that Americans need to be trained in certain skills, such as chip manufacturing, which the U.S. is now re-establishing. He implied that until Americans are adequately trained, there might be a need for foreign workers in these specialized areas.

Epstein Files Release Bill

President Trump urged House Republicans to vote in favor of a bill to release the Epstein files, stating he wants people to recognize the great job he has done on pricing and affordability. He expressed a desire to avoid the Epstein issue detracting from Republican accomplishments. He noted that Democrats were Epstein's friends and that the entire situation is a "hoax" and a "Democrat problem." He indicated he would let the Senate look at it and that they would "give them everything," but he did not explicitly commit to signing the bill if it reached his desk, expressing a non-committal stance. He mentioned that 50,000 pages of documents have already been provided.

Saudi Arabia and F-35 Sales

President Trump confirmed plans to sell F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, calling them a "great ally" and noting their desire to purchase the aircraft. He also mentioned their role in the Iran situation, stating the U.S. "obliterated their nuclear capability."

Mexico and Drug Interdiction

President Trump expressed his unhappiness with Mexico regarding the flow of drugs. He stated that he would be "okay" with launching strikes in Mexico to stop drugs and would consider going to Congress for authorization. He described the situation as "like a war" due to the hundreds of thousands of lives lost to drugs annually. He highlighted the success of stopping drugs coming in through waterways (down 85%) and stated that the U.S. knows the addresses and routes of every drug lord. He expressed pride in potentially knocking out drug factories in Colombia and stated he would be proud to do so personally, emphasizing the goal of saving millions of lives. He did not directly answer whether he would do so with Mexico's permission but reiterated that Mexico knows his stance.

Ted Cruz 2020 Presidential Run

When asked about a potential 2020 presidential run by Senator Ted Cruz, President Trump called him a "friend" and a "very good guy," but noted it was "a little early." He recalled their past campaign against each other and stated he was "not that surprised to hear that."

Farmer Relief

President Trump reaffirmed his commitment to helping farmers, stating, "I'm always going to help our farmers." He indicated that if they need relief, the administration will be there for them, especially in light of the trade deal with China.

Conclusion

The press conference revealed President Trump's active engagement on multiple fronts, from international events and geopolitical tensions to domestic economic policies and immigration. His remarks underscored a focus on national security, economic protectionism through tariffs, and a strong stance against illegal immigration and drug trafficking. He also demonstrated a strategic approach to managing public perception, aiming to pivot from controversial topics like the Epstein files to his perceived successes in areas like affordability and trade. The discussions highlighted his willingness to consider aggressive actions in foreign policy and his commitment to protecting American interests.