Trump administration latest: House to vote on defense bill as president dismisses affordability concerns
President Donald Trump just answered media questions on a range of topics at a roundtable discussion with business leaders at the White House today.
Here’s some of what he said:
Gold cards: The president announced that his “gold card” immigration policy, which he said would fast-track visas for certain immigrants in exchange for a hefty fee, is officially launching today.
Today’s Fed rate cut: Trump dismissed the quarter-point cut as “rather small,” going after outgoing Fed chairman Jerome Powell. The president echoed his handpicked Federal Reserve governor Stephen Miran, who was one of three dissenting votes, and said he wanted more of a rate cut.
The battle over Warner Bros. Discovery: Trump says he will “probably” be involved in regulatory decisions around the battle to purchase Warner Bros. Discovery (the parent of CNN) after Netflix announced a $72 billion deal to buy a large part of the company last week and rival Paramount launched a hostile takeover bid.
His Cabinet: Trump defended members amid reports that some of those high-level officials could be leaving the administration.
Tensions with Venezuela: Trump confirmed that the US has taken control of an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela. The president did not offer any detailed explanation for the move, saying only that it was seized “for very good reason.”
The “double-tap” strike: He dismissed calls to release footage of the military’s second strike on survivors of an attack on an alleged drug boat in September, insisting it was a “dead” issue. Trump initially supported publicizing the video, but he has backpedaled in recent weeks.
Ukraine: The president said he discussed Ukraine in “pretty strong words” with European leaders during a phone call today.
Fresh fighting: The president said he’s expecting to hold a phone call tomorrow to address the fighting between Thailand and Cambodia.
Gaza: Trump said the Board of Peace for Gaza will be unveiled next year, saying “the heads of the most important countries” want to be on it.
CNN’s Samantha Waldenberg, Betsy Klein and Adam Cancryn contributed reporting.
