ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE - President Donald Trump offered a candid 20-minute Q&A session with reporters during a flight from Las Vegas to Florida on Saturday night, addressing topics ranging from the color of Air Force One to issues surrounding TikTok, Greenland, and Canada.
While traveling to his Doral golf club, where he planned to stay until Monday evening, Trump emphasized his willingness to engage with the media, joking about the increased access reporters now have compared to the previous administration under Joe Biden. He remarked that the level of accessibility is "like 5,000% different," highlighting his readiness to answer questions. Discussing Air Force One, he characterized it as a "special plane," noting it has not undergone significant changes since his last term, and reiterated his desire to alter its exterior colors, advocating for "power blue" instead of "baby blue."
On the topic of TikTok, Trump revealed that he is engaged in discussions with potential investors interested in acquiring the app, citing the possibility of a U.S. ban should it not be sold by its Chinese parent company. He mentioned that "numerous people" are in contact with him, indicating that he expects to make a decision regarding the app's future within the next 30 days. Although he denied recent reports of discussions with Oracle, he emphasized his strong belief that any sale should benefit the United States.
Moreover, Trump expressed a nostalgia for his connection with younger voters stemming from TikTok's popularity during the last election, saying, "I have a warm spot in my heart for TikTok."
In a shift towards federal employment policy, Trump described his opposition to remote work arrangements that became prevalent during the COVID-19 pandemic. He insisted that federal employees must return to the office or risk losing their jobs, stating, "You have to go to your office and you have to work." He dismissed concerns regarding employee attrition, claiming the federal talent pool remains robust despite a bloated workforce that he attributed to Democratic policies.
Trump’s ambitions extended internationally to both Greenland and Canada. He reiterated his interest in purchasing Greenland from Denmark, despite explicit declarations from Denmark that it is not for sale. He framed this interest as tied to "freedom of the world," with the U.S. playing a central role in providing that freedom.
Additionally, Trump made comments on Canada, suggesting that the country should be admitted as a state. He stated, "I love Canada," but accused it of "taking advantage" of the United States economically. He claimed that the U.S. faces significant trade deficits with Canada, while hinting that becoming a U.S. state would grant Canadians superior benefits, including lower taxes and improved security.
Trump's views reflect a blend of personal anecdotes and policy aspirations, illustrating his administration's approach to international relations and federal workforce management during a tumultuous period in U.S. politics.
