President Donald Trump has dismissed calls to remove officials involved in the recent Signal app incident, where sensitive military plans were inadvertently exposed to a journalist. In a phone interview with NBC News on Saturday, Trump also shrugged off concerns about rising car prices due to his newly imposed 25% tariffs on foreign vehicles, saying he “couldn’t care less.”
No Consequences for Signal Leak
During the interview, Trump firmly supported his national security adviser Michael Waltz and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, both of whom were part of the Signal group chat. Waltz had mistakenly added a journalist to the chat, exposing plans for a military strike on Houthi militants in Yemen.
“I don’t fire people over fake news and witch hunts,” Trump said, reiterating his belief that the media exaggerated the situation. He praised the strike’s effectiveness, arguing that the real focus should be on the military operation’s success rather than the controversy surrounding it.
When asked about Signal, Trump appeared unconcerned. “I don’t know what Signal is. I don’t care what Signal is,” he stated.
Defending Tariffs Despite Backlash
Trump also stood by his decision to impose steep tariffs on foreign-made cars and auto parts. Critics, including Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, condemned the move, warning of economic strain and deteriorating trade relations.
Yet Trump remained unmoved. “I couldn’t care less if they raise prices,” he said, suggesting that higher prices on foreign cars would push consumers to buy American-made vehicles.
He emphasized that the tariffs would stay in place unless other countries offered significant concessions. “Only if people are willing to give us something of great value,” he remarked, labeling the tariffs as a permanent measure to correct decades of what he described as unfair trade practices.
Temporary Relief for USMCA-Compliant Parts
To mitigate the immediate impact on domestic manufacturers, the White House announced that companies operating under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) would receive temporary exemptions. Until a review process is established, USMCA-compliant auto parts will remain tariff-free.
Greenland Annexation Back in Focus
Trump also reiterated his interest in annexing Greenland, the semiautonomous Danish territory, a proposal that had previously drawn international criticism.
“We’ll get Greenland. Yeah, 100%,” Trump stated confidently. While he did not rule out military action, he suggested a peaceful acquisition was preferable. “There’s a good possibility that we could do it without military force.”
His comments followed a recent visit to Greenland by Vice President JD Vance, who criticized Denmark’s governance of the territory. Trump insisted the move would enhance international security, downplaying concerns from Russia and China.
“I don’t really think about that. I don’t really care,” Trump remarked, asserting that controlling Greenland would ensure peace and stability.
Confidence in Public Support
Amid criticism on multiple fronts, Trump pointed to polling data that he claimed reflected strong public approval of his leadership.
“It’s the first time in like 40 years where it was right track,” he said, citing the belief that Americans see the country heading in the right direction.
To underscore his confidence, Trump briefly handed the phone to Finnish President Alexander Stubb, who was golfing with him in Florida. The move seemed intended to emphasize international camaraderie despite mounting criticism.
With no plans to reverse course on tariffs, dismiss officials over the Signal incident, or abandon his Greenland ambitions, Trump remains steadfast in his belief that his policies will ultimately benefit the United States. Yet as global leaders voice concerns and domestic opposition grows, the fallout from his controversial decisions is likely to remain a central issue in the political landscape.
