Meets NYT reporters, execs
In a interview with New York Times reporters and senior management, Trump says that the paper has treated him poorly.
I have great respect for The New York Times. I have tremendous respect. I think I’ve been treated very rough.
He also says he does not want to investigate Hillary Clinton:
I don’t want to hurt the Clintons, I really don’t. She went through a lot and suffered greatly in many different ways. [A prosecution] Is just not something that I feel very strongly about. I don’t think [Clinton Supporters] will be disappointed [with my presidency]. I think I will explain it that we, in many ways, will save our country.
He says he will “keep an open mind” about whether to pull the United States out of agreements on climate change. Trump also disavows his supporters in the alt-right movement, says he would have preferred to have been elected through a victory in the popular vote and reaffirms his commitment to the First Amendment. He also says he has different ideas on how to solve the Syria crisis than other people.
"Syria, we have to solve that problem," Trump says. Adds he has a "different view than everybody else."
— Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) November 22, 2016
Considering Carson as head of HUD
Trump tweets that he is considering Carson as head of the Department of Housing & Urban Development.
I am seriously considering Dr. Ben Carson as the head of HUD. I've gotten to know him well–he's a greatly talented person who loves people!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 22, 2016
NYT Trump meeting back on
After refusing to meet with the New York Times unless the meeting was off the record, Trump says that the meeting is back on. Trump spokesperson:
[Mr Trump] will meet with our publisher off-the-record and that session will be followed by an on-the-record meeting with our journalists and editorial columnists.
The meeting with the @nytimes is back on at 12:30 today. Look forward to it!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 22, 2016
I cancelled today's meeting with the failing @nytimes when the terms and conditions of the meeting were changed at the last moment. Not nice
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 22, 2016
Perhaps a new meeting will be set up with the @nytimes. In the meantime they continue to cover me inaccurately and with a nasty tone!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 22, 2016
Trump won’t pursue charges against Clinton
Conway says that Trump will not pursue charges against Clinton:
I think when the president-elect who’s also the head of your party … tells you before he’s even inaugurated he doesn’t wish to pursue these charges, it sends a very strong message, tone and content, to the members. Look, I think, he’s thinking of many different things as he prepares to become the president of the United States, and things that sound like the campaign are not among them. I think Hillary Clinton still has to face the fact that a majority of Americans don’t find her to be honest or trustworthy, but if Donald Trump can help her heal, then perhaps that’s a good thing.
Transition update video
Trump gives a video update on his transition and his policy plans for the first 100 days.
My agenda will be based on a simple core principle: putting America first. Whether it’s producing steel, building cars, or curing disease, I want the next generation of production and innovation to happen right here, on our great homeland, America, creating wealth and jobs for American workers. As part of this plan I’ve asked my transition team team to develop a list of executive actions to restore our laws and bring back our jobs. On trade, I’m going to withdraw from Trans Pacific Partnership…On Energy, I will cancel job-killing restrictions on the production of American energy including shale energy and clean coal, creating many millions of high-paying jobs. That’s what we want. That’s what we’ve been waiting for. On regulation, I will formulate a rule that says for every one new regulation, two old regulations must be eliminated. On national security I will ask the Department of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to develop a comprehensive plan to protect America’s vital infrastructure from cyber attacks, and all other form of attack. On immigration I will direct the Department of Labor to investigate all abuses of visa programs that undercut the American worker. On ethics reform, as part of our plan to drain the swamp, we will impose a five-year ban on executive officials becoming lobbyists, after they leave the administration. And a lifetime ban on executive officials lobbying for a foreign government. These are just a few of the steps we will take to reform Washington and rebuild our middle class. As we work together to make America great again for everyone. And I mean everyone.
BET Founder: ‘Let’s give Trump a shot’
After meeting with Trump, Johnson says fellow African-Americans should give Trump “the benefit of the doubt,” and hope common ground can be reached with the incoming Republican administration about issues facing the black community.
Trump is a business guy, and I think he’s going to tilt towards finding [a] way to use fiscal policy … to move the economy forward. Let’s give him a shot. Let’s give him the benefit of the doubt; see if we can find common ground. That’s what’s best for African-Americans. Black Americans should have no permanent friends, and no permanent enemies, just permanent interests. That’s where African-American voters should be
Johnson also says he does not want to work for the government.
Trump meets top media execs, anchors
In a meeting organised by Conway, Trump meets executives and on-air anchors from CNN, Fox News, NBC, ABC and CBS, the five largest television networks in the United States, for an off-the-record discussion. ABC News is represented by president Goldston and anchors Stephanopoulos, Muir, and Raddatz; NBC by anchors Holt and Todd, along with president Turness; CBS by Rose, King, O’Donnell and Dickerson; CNN by president Zucker, with anchors Blitzer and Burnett; Fox News by several executives including co-presidents Shine and Abernathy; and MSNBC by president Griffin. Transition officials wouldn’t discuss the purpose for the meeting. Sources:
It was like a f-cking firing squad. Trump started with [CNN chief] Jeff Zucker and said ‘I hate your network, everyone at CNN is a liar and you should be ashamed. The meeting was a total disaster. The TV execs and anchors went in there thinking they would be discussing the access they would get to the Trump administration, but instead they got a Trump-style dressing down…Trump didn’t say [NBC reporter] Katy Tur by name, but talked about an NBC female correspondent who got it wrong, then he referred to a horrible network correspondent who cried when Hillary lost who hosted a debate – which was Martha Raddatz who was also in the room.
Conway:
Excellent meetings with the top executives of the major networks. Pretty unprecedented meeting we put together in two days.
Gabbard meets Trump, Pence
Congresswoman Gabbard meets with Trump and Pence, one of the first Democrats to meet with the President-elect. However a Trump spokesman says it is “premature” to discuss her potential role in the Trump administration. Both Trump and Gabbard oppose the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal. Stephen Bannon, Trump’s chief strategist, reportedly likes Gabbard because of her stance on guns, refugees and Islamic extremism along with her ability to invoke strong anti-establishment populist sentiment on the left. Gabbard:
President-elect Trump asked me to meet with him about our current policies regarding Syria, our fight against terrorist groups like al-Qaeda and [the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria], as well as other foreign policy challenges we face. I felt it important to take the opportunity to meet with the President-elect now before the drumbeats of war that neocons have been beating drag us into an escalation of the war to overthrow the Syrian government—a war which has already cost hundreds of thousands of lives and forced millions of refugees to flee their homes in search of safety for themselves and their families.
She says she will not hesitate to express any disagreement with Trump, but believes they can come together on some issues.
In consideration for Dept. of Commerce
Sources say Bolling has discussed the possibility of taking a position in Trump’s administration in the Department of Commerce. Bolling was spotted at Trump Tower in New York City on Wednesday by the press pool and may have visited again on Friday. Bolling:
At this time I can’t confirm anything. I’m sure you understand.
Praises Mattis
Trump says he has met with Mattis in consideration for Secretary of Defense. Transition team:
The President-elect and Vice President-elect were very impressed in their meeting with the ‘real deal’ and American hero General James Mattis,” according to a read-out of Trump’s meeting with Mattis provided by the presidential transition team. “They had an incredibly in-depth conversation on plans for national security.
General James "Mad Dog" Mattis, who is being considered for Secretary of Defense, was very impressive yesterday. A true General's General!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 20, 2016
Queen to invite Trump to Windsor
A UK government source confirms that Trump will visit the UK in June or July 2017 and will meet with the Queen at dine with her at Windsor Castle. Trump is already expecting the invitation and discussed his excitement at the prospect of visiting the Queen when he met Farage and other Brexit backers at his New York apartment last Saturday. One of that group said:
He’s looking forward to it. He’s a massive Anglophile. He was really, really keen. His late mother, Mary, loved the Queen. He said, ‘I’m going to meet her, too. I can’t wait to come over to England. My mum would be chuffed to bits when I meet the Queen.’
Trump told Theresa May when they had their first official phone call 10 days ago that his mother, a Scot, had been a big fan of the Queen, and asked the prime minister to pass on his best wishes to the monarch. UK Cabinet source:
The Queen is the key here. She’s not a secret weapon, she’s the biggest public weapon you have. Nigel Farage can’t get [Trump] in front of the Queen.
Trump, Romney meet
Trump and Romney meet at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, NJ. Romney shakes hands with the president-elect as he greets him at the door of the clubhouse:
Mr. president-elect how are you sir?
Trump gave the same response as both grip each other’s arms. Romney then shakes hands with Vice President-elect Pence and pats him on the back as the threesome walk into the clubhouse together. said that he and Trump exchanged views and that he looks forward to the new administration:
[We had a] very thorough and in-depth discussion [regarding] the various theaters in the world where there are interests of the United States of real significance.
Trump:
It went great.
Defends Pence after Hamilton call-out
After Pence is called out from the stage by the cast of Hamilton, Trump tweets his support and asks for an apology;
The cast of Hamilton was very rude last night to a very good man, Mike Pence. Apologize!
The Theater must always be a safe and special place.The cast of Hamilton was very rude last night to a very good man, Mike Pence. Apologize!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 19, 2016
Our wonderful future V.P. Mike Pence was harassed last night at the theater by the cast of Hamilton, cameras blazing.This should not happen!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 19, 2016
The Theater must always be a safe and special place.The cast of Hamilton was very rude last night to a very good man, Mike Pence. Apologize!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 19, 2016
Settles Trump University suit for $25 million
Trump agrees to settle three cases relating to Trump University for $25 million. The cases were brought by former students who paid $35,000 for real estate “secrets” from his “hand-picked” instructors. Trump will not admit any wrongdoing in the settlement. Schneiderman
Today’s $25 million [£20m] settlement agreement is a stunning reversal by Donald Trump and a major victory for the over 6,000 victims of his fraudulent university. The victims of Trump University have waited years for today’s result and I am pleased that their patience – and persistence – will be rewarded by this $25 million settlement.
Denies Ambassador to Israel appointment
An official serving with Trump’s transition team says Huckabee will be appointed as America’s ambassador to Israel. The official also says, his first order of business will be to move the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Official:
That’s going to happen. Governor Huckabee is going to see it through.
However, Huckabee denies the appointment:
Media buzz that I was named Amb to Israel is NOT true. Was never discussed with PE Trump; slot probably not picked until State Dept in place
— Gov. Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) November 18, 2016
‘I would have voted on Trump’
At his Saint Pablo Tour show in San Jose, West, as part of a 40 minute speech, says he would have voted for Trump, if he had voted. The crowd responds with boos, stunned silence. Some fans throw projectiles, including a Yeezy shoe, which West signs and returns to the thrower. West also reiterates his desire to run for president in 2020, saying his focus would be on education and that his campaign would use a different political model.
I would have voted on Trump. This is my platform and I’m going to talk about the paradigm shift that’s happening right now. Whether you voted for Hillary or Trump, this is a safe space for both of you…People who voted for either side come out to the show, I know media is more liberal, what I’m saying is I’m not judging Trump voters…There are Hillary supporters that may be louder, but MY fact is that there are people who who voted for Trump here at the show…The dumbest thing about politics is that politics separate, not one side or the other side is bad, it’s not Democratic or Republican…Stop focusing on racism. We are in a racist country – period.
https://twitter.com/billycrossover/status/799519080483057664
Appointed to Attorney General
Trump’s transition officials say that Sessions has been appointed to be Attorney General. No official statement has come from Trump at this time. Transition official:
Until Donald Trump says it, it’s not official.
Named as CIA chief
Trump officials say Pompeo has been offered and has accepted the job of CIA director.
Says Lincoln plant will not move to Mexico
Trump says that Bill Ford has told him that the company will not move their Lincoln plant to Mexico
Just got a call from my friend Bill Ford, Chairman of Ford, who advised me that he will be keeping the Lincoln plant in Kentucky – no Mexico
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 18, 2016
I worked hard with Bill Ford to keep the Lincoln plant in Kentucky. I owed it to the great State of Kentucky for their confidence in me!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 18, 2016
Abe: Trump ‘a leader I can have great confidence in’
Tr
ump and Japanese PM Abe meet at Trump Tower. Abe:
As an outcome of today’s discussion I am convinced Mr. Trump is a leader with whom I can have great confidence in…I conveyed my basic views on various issues to Mr. Trump but with regard to more of the specifics or details, because of the fact that Mr. Trump has not assumed the office as the president of the United States or today’s discussion was an unofficial discussion, I’d like to refrain from touching on details.
Trump:
It was a pleasure to have Prime Minister Shinzo Abe stop by my home and begin a great friendship.