President Donald J. Trump took questions from reporters before departing the White House earlier this afternoon, according to a post from Rapid Response 47. The president was leaving for a trip to Cherokee, where he said he would be campaigning for candidates.
Trump began by announcing that former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson would be accompanying him. "We're going up to the place called Cherokee and we're going to get some wonderful people elected," Trump said. "This is Iron Mike Tyson. I won't be fighting him today, but I've been in Spain for a long time. We've been friends for a long time."
The president also mentioned other figures joining the trip. "Gentlemen, Bruce Blakepinney and the government congressman, we think we have a chance at the Congress too," he said. He described large crowds awaiting them. "We can show that at every arena. And like every single arena, we have a line waiting trying to get in."
Trump on Death Penalty: 'I Really Don't Care How He Goes'
Asked about a request to livestream an execution, Trump responded with strong support for the death penalty. "He killed 13-14 people. Manly wounded. Wanted so much people. And he's totally nuts," Trump said, referring to the convicted killer. "So I really don't care how he goes as long as he goes. And I think that the death penalty is a very worthy way of going."
Trump also appeared to endorse the idea of broadcasting the execution. "He wants the execution of the fourth Earth to be live streamed," he said. "But he will be killed. He will be a new firing squad."
Oil Deal with Russia Praised
Trump then shifted to an oil agreement, thanking Russian President Vladimir Putin. "By the way, I think you heard about the oil deal with Russia. That is a big deal. That is massive amounts of oil coming into a country," Trump said. "And I want to thank President Putin to be honest with you. We have massive amounts of oil being coming into our country. And it's diesel, which is what we wanted to sell."
The president framed the deal in global terms. "We need the oil to the world, and this is Indonesia, this is what we're doing, so we're very happy together," he said.
Trump also commented on the state of a foreign adversary, though the transcript does not specify which country. "They're failing badly, their country is failing badly, their military is defeated, they have no navy, they have no Air Force, they have 300% inflation, and Iran is in great bad shape," he said.
The president's remarks came during a brief question-and-answer session with reporters on the White House grounds before his departure. The trip to Cherokee was described by Trump as an opportunity to support candidates he believes can win, both at the state and congressional level.
