Trump Agrees to Future Interview with CNN
President Donald Trump made a surprise phone appearance on CNN’s “State of the Union” this past Sunday, expressing his willingness to return for a more in-depth interview with host Jake Tapper. This came after a brief discussion about the sudden passing of Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.).
During the conversation, Tapper invited Trump back to the show after he sidestepped several questions regarding recent military actions in Iran and developments in the Strait of Hormuz. “I understand you may not want to discuss other topics right now, but I have plenty of other questions. It would be great to see you again,” Tapper mentioned.
Trump accepted, though he didn’t pin down a specific date or format for the future chat, simply responding, “Of course I will. I will.”
Graham Scheduled for ‘Meet the Press’ Prior to His Death
Trump also reflected on Graham’s legacy, stating that Graham had called him on Saturday night after returning from a trip to Ukraine. According to Trump, Graham seemed tired from travel but was otherwise in good spirits. “He said, ‘It’s been a long trip and I’m tired,’ but he was full of energy, overall,” Trump recalled.
Senator Graham Passes at 71
Graham, who transitioned from humble beginnings to become a significant Republican figure, passed away at the age of 71.
In the interview, Trump pointed to Graham’s defense of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh during the latter’s 2018 confirmation hearings as a pinnacle moment in Graham’s career. “I think his greatest moment was defending Brett Kavanaugh, who is a great man,” Trump expressed. He remarked on the impact of Graham’s powerful performance, saying, “It turned everything around.”
Trump’s Comments on Iran
Although Tapper attempted to steer the conversation toward recent U.S. actions against Iran, Trump politely declined to delve into details. “Out of respect for Lindsey, I’m not discussing that right now,” he said. Still, he noted, “We hit them very hard last night.”
Trump concluded the call, emphasizing his hope for CNN’s return to a more normalized operation. “We’re trying to get CNN back on track, and we’re going to do that,” he stated. Tapper replied with gratitude for his time, marking the end of an unusual, yet poignant, dialogue.
