Trump talks to the New York Times; explains why he hired Bannon, by RT.
During the campaign, Trump said that he doesn’t read much because he doesn’t have the time, but said Tuesday that he does read the New York Times. “Unfortunately. I’d live about 20 years longer if I didn’t,” he said.
Although he has been repeatedly antagonistic towards reporters and those who disagree with him, when Trump was asked about his attitude towards the First Amendment, he replied: “I think you’ll be happy. I think you’ll be happy.” …
Trump repeatedly praised outgoing President Barack Obama for his role in the transition between administrations. “I didn’t know if I’d like him. I probably thought that maybe I wouldn’t, but I did. I really enjoyed him a lot,” Trump said, adding that they have spoken since their original meeting on November 10. “I think he’s looking to do absolutely the right thing for the country in terms of transition.” …
The president-elect replied to criticism of his hiring of Steve Bannon, whom opponents say is a white nationalist, as his chief strategist. He added that the accusations of racism have been “very hard” on Bannon. “I think he’s having a hard time with it. Because it’s not him.” …
Seemingly walking back his campaign promise to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate Democratic rival Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server during her time as secretary of state, Trump said he no longer wanted to investigate her. “It’s just not something that I feel very strongly about,” Trump added.
Another campaign promise that Trump may not follow through on is withdrawing from the Paris climate accord. “I’m looking at it very closely. I have an open mind to it,” he said.
The billionaire businessman brushed off reports of using his position as president-elect to benefit his corporate interests, saying that “the law’s totally on my side, the president can’t have a conflict of interest,” and said that how his assets are performing is “so unimportant to me relative to what I’m doing.” Trump noted that it would be extremely difficult to sell off all his global real estate holdings, but that he had turned over the management of his businesses to three of his adult children. “If it were up to some people,” he said, “I would never, ever see my daughter Ivanka again.”
hat-tip Stephen Neil
