Donald Trump’s two-hour interview with Elon Musk on Monday night marked a significant moment ahead of the upcoming election, as it signified Trump’s return to X (formerly Twitter) after his ban following the January 6, 2021, riots. Although he was reinstated after Musk’s acquisition of the platform, Trump had primarily been posting on Truth Social until now. The conversation between Trump and Musk covered a wide range of topics, featuring plenty of his signature rhetoric.
Here are the top 10 quotes from the interview:
“It was a miracle”
Trump reflected on an assassination attempt against him in Pennsylvania, stating, “If I hadn’t turned my head, I would not be talking to you right now, as much as I like you.”
“Illegal immigration saved my life”
Discussing the assassination bid, Trump humorously noted, “Illegal immigration saved my life, you’re right,” after Musk pointed out the connection to a chart on illegal immigration.
On Immigration
Trump asserted, “If you have a contagious disease, I’m sorry, but we cannot allow you into the country. So we were setting literally records. And all I was doing is showing that.”
“Kamala is as bad as Biden”
He criticized Vice President Kamala Harris, saying, “She’s the border czar. And she never even went there… We cannot have her. She’s incompetent. She’s as bad as Biden.”
“Biden didn’t wanna leave”
Trump claimed, “This was a coup of a president of the United States. He didn’t wanna leave. And they said, we can do it the nice way, or we can do it the hard way.”
“I know Putin very well”
Trump emphasized his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, stating, “So I had a good relationship with Putin, despite the Russia, Russia, Russia hoax… I know Putin very well. I got along with him very well.”
“They’re at the top of their game”
Discussing world leaders, he remarked, “I know every one of them… They’re tough, they’re smart, they’re vicious, and they’re gonna protect their country.”
“It can lead to World War III”
Trump warned, “We had a man that actually made it more prevalent… I said, this guy’s gonna cause us a war. And let me tell you, it can lead to World War III.”
On Kamala skipping Netanyahu’s address
He expressed, “I think it’s highly disrespectful… If you vote for her, you ought to have your head examined.”
“Can you imagine her and him…”
Trump criticized the idea of Kamala Harris negotiating with Xi Jinping, saying, “The whole concept is ridiculous. She is terrible. She’s getting a free ride.”
This interview not only provided insights into Trump’s views but also showcased his signature style as he re-establishes his presence on social media.