«No, I didn't [convince him not to]. No. I said you do what you want to do. I said you do what you want because it doesn't matter, because he listens to other people. No matter how good a job he does... no matter how good a job, he's got a hostile board.»

«Well, I will tell you, interest rates are too high.»

«No, I don't think so. I think I want him to be independent. But my opinion, I'm very good at this stuff, interest rates are too high. We should have the lowest interest rate anywhere in the world because we're the best credit.»

«...lowest interest rate anywhere in the world because we're the best credit.»

Q: «Do you acknowledge that they’re raising rates to bring down prices because of the war in Iran?»

«No, they're raising the rates to make Trump do as bad as they can possibly do. The problem they have is that we have the greatest economy in history. We have over $21 trillion being invested in this country, which is five times more than they've ever had before. So they're raising that only for political reasons and that's a raise against Trump.»

«Well, hopefully we're towards the end of the war. They want to make a deal and we'll see how that works out.»

Q: «What have you heard from them recently, sir? Have you heard from them directly or through intermediaries?»

«Intermediaries.»

«Canada's in a terrible trade position. [...] If they do that, if I think it's an overall hostile act, I will put very serious tariffs or stop trading with Europe on many things. So if they do that, if Europe does that with a bad intention—if it's a good intention, that's fine—if it's a bad intention, we'll put very heavy tariffs on Europe.»

«Well, it's a very easy question to answer, because it's a mess. It's lost... the Kennedy Center for many years has lost tens of millions of dollars, even hundreds of millions of dollars. It's a loser financially. [...] They were losing hundreds of millions of dollars, and sometimes hundreds of millions—this is before I got involved.

So for the Trump administration, for me to get involved and to take that on long term and to carry it, or to raise money to carry it, I think the Trump administration should certainly have recognition. Because, frankly, if we don't do that, it's going to close. It'll end up being ripped down. It's in very, very bad shape, very dangerous shape. [...] It's been very badly maintained for 25 years.

I'd like to be able to save it, but it's going to take a lot of subsidy into the future. And for us as an administration to want to do that, I think the Trump administration should be recognized.»

«Successful consultations in China with our partners. Iran values strategic partnership we have built over time. Today's decisions will decide future strategic balance in the region, with immeasurable knock-on effects. 4 principles for peace outlined by President Xi are key.»