President Trump told “60 Minutes” that he blames the party's midterm defeat on the war in Iran, gas prices, and hostility toward Israel. During the interview with correspondent Ross Douthat, Trump stated, “They didn’t like the war,” and noted that voters did not like the increase in gasoline prices after he had previously kept them low. He also cited a "great dislike, incredibly, for Israel" as a factor in the results.
Trump suggested that Israel would have to “pay us back” for the costs of the war, asserting, “Without us, Israel wouldn’t exist,” and “Israel would not exist except for Donald Trump.” Despite the election results, Trump stated he would do the Iran war all over again and did not signal a major change in course on other issues, claiming, “I’ve had the best two years in the history of the presidency.”
Regarding his administration's immigration policies, Trump appeared open to the idea that his deportation policy had been too punitive. He admitted, “It was too tough,” and added, “I think it might be too tough.” However, shortly after the Friday interview, he elevated immigration hardliner Stephen Miller to the position of chief of staff. Trump did suggest he may work with Democrats on an immigration bill next year.
When asked by Douthat if he could forgive enemies like James Comey and Nancy Pelosi as a condition for entering heaven, Trump described them as “very bad people” and “very dishonest.” He stated that pretending to forgive them would mean he wasn't being “real.” When Douthat asked if he could not find in his heart to forgive them after what he had been given, Trump responded, “Can I be honest? I probably cannot do that, no, because I do hate some of my enemies, and I always will.”
The interview also touched on metaphysical and personal subjects. Trump described himself as a “religious person” who hopes to go to heaven, and when asked what he thinks happens when he dies, he replied, “I hope I’m missed.” On the topic of his massive increase in wealth since returning to the White House, Trump deflected the question by saying his son runs his company and he is unaware of his net worth, stating, “I guess it’s gone up. I don’t even know.”
