President Donald J. Trump spoke to reporters before departing the White House, taking questions on the war in Ukraine, energy markets, and construction at the White House itself.
'We Want the War to End'
Asked about intelligence sharing, the president said the United States is working toward a settlement. "We want the war to end," Trump said. "We're working with them and with Russia on getting the war to end."
On whether Russian President Vladimir Putin wants the fighting to stop, Trump said: "I think Putin wants it probably. I think they both wanted to end. They both wanted to end. And they don't know how to get to that point. There's a lot of hatred there between the two of them."
The president framed his role as that of a dealmaker. "Only in dealing. That's what I've done my whole life in deals," he said. "We're going to get them there."
On Striking Diesel Refineries
Trump was asked about striking diesel refineries and described the effect on global fuel markets rather than American consumers. "That's a diesel deal that's going to be released into the world. For the world's market," he said. "And when you knock out diesel refineries, that's not a great thing. But they're not releasing that to us. They're releasing it to the entire world."
Pressed on whether a decision had been made, the president declined to tip his hand: "If I told you I made a decision, that would be a present." He added, "I may be doing something. I may."
'We'll Make a Decision'
On the question of a ranch, Trump described the condition of the counterpart country in blunt terms: "They have no economy, they have 300% of the blame, they have no money. They're not paying their troops, they're not paying their... they're not paying anybody. We'll make a decision on a ranch."
Rallies and the Senate Map
The president said he is maintaining a heavy travel schedule on behalf of Republican candidates. "I'm doing on average a rally a day. You think that's easy? It's not," he said.
He singled out one race where he said the numbers have moved. "I heard he went up nine points yesterday. I did the rally for him. He said to be a great senator. John used to win up nine points yesterday. So I'm doing rally. I'm right now going to Alaska. He's trying to help Dan Sullivan. It's a long way away. And I would only do it if I thought he was good."
Trump also assessed his own standing relative to past presidents. "When you have a city president, no matter how good, nobody's done what I've done. Nobody's not even close," he said. "The level of the enthusiasm for the recovery party is way up."
The Ballroom and the Helipad
Turning to construction at the White House, the president compared the existing helipad unfavorably to the project underway. "The helipad has got nothing compared to what we've built. Right there," he said. "They're lifting up massive steel beams."
He described the scale of the effort and its dual purpose. "They've wanted an year for 150 years. And now they're getting it. And the ballroom will be the greatest anywhere in the world. And it's a military complex also. But the ballroom will be the greatest anywhere in the world."
On the project's cost, Trump said: "We're right on that. We're a little ahead of the casual. That's right on budget."
