In a wide-ranging Trump 60 Minutes interview with correspondent Ross Douthat, President Trump said he is unable to forgive certain adversaries, conceded that his deportation policy was overly harsh, and assigned blame for the Republican Party’s midterm losses to the war in Iran, rising gas prices, and hostility toward Israel.
No Forgiveness for Enemies
Douthat, described as a Catholic conservative, pressed Trump on whether he could extend forgiveness to foes such as James Comey and Nancy Pelosi as a condition for entering heaven. Trump dismissed the pair as “very bad people” and “very dishonest,” arguing that feigning forgiveness would not be genuine.
When Douthat followed up by asking if Trump truly could not find it in his heart to forgive after all he had been given, the president answered candidly. He said he probably could not, explaining that he hates some of his enemies and always will.
Midterm Defeat and the Iran War
Reflecting on the Republicans’ decisive midterm defeat, Trump cited the conventional explanations of the Iran war and gasoline prices, but also pointed to what he called an incredible dislike for Israel. He said voters opposed the war and were unhappy that gas prices had climbed after he had brought them down.
Trump also suggested that Israel would need to reimburse the United States for war costs, asserting that Israel would not exist without him. Despite the electoral setback, he said he would pursue the Iran war again and indicated no major policy shifts on other issues, declaring that he has had the best two years in presidential history.
Immigration: 'Too Tough'
The president appeared open to the possibility that his mass deportation policy had been too punitive, saying it was “too tough” and that it might have been. He also suggested he could work with Democrats on an immigration bill next year.
Yet shortly after the Friday interview, Trump promoted immigration hardliner Stephen Miller to chief of staff, a move that underscored the tension between his conciliatory comments and his administration’s continuing enforcement posture.
Death, Heaven, and Wealth
Douthat’s line of questioning also turned metaphysical. Asked what he thinks happens when people die, Trump replied that he hopes he will be missed. He described himself as a religious person and said he hopes to go to heaven.
On the subject of his wealth, which has grown substantially since his return to the White House, Trump deflected. He said his son runs his company and that he is unaware of his own net worth, adding only that he guesses it has gone up.
