Atlantic Editor-in-Chief Jeffrey Goldberg was a central figure in the first major self-inflicted crisis of Trump’s second term, when the prominent journalist was inadvertently added to a Signal chat where Cabinet officials discussed military strikes in Yemen. Weeks later, Trump sat for an interview with Atlantic reporters — touching on Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, immigration crackdown efforts and more. The Signal chat controversy frustrated Trump, who just a week before had canceled a scheduled interview with the magazine’s reporters. And the president put a spotlight on the planned sitdown ahead of time, saying in a post on Truth Social last week that he was “curious” and seeing if “it’s possible for the Atlantic to be ‘truthful.’” He then spoke with Atlantic reporters Ashley Parker and Michael Scherer as planned, as well as Goldberg. Here’s what we learned from Trump’s conversations with The Atlantic: Trump says Hegseth is “gonna get it together” Trump said he believes that Hegseth is going to “get it together,” after reporting in recent weeks detailed turmoil at the Pentagon, including firings for alleged unauthorized disclosures and military plans being shared in a second Signal group chat that included his wife and brother. The Atlantic reporters mentioned CBS reporting that Hegseth had installed a makeup studio at the Pentagon, costing thousands of dollars. Hegseth has disputed the reporting and defended his leadership at the Pentagon, but the president smiled when asked about the story, per The Atlantic. “I think he’s gonna get it together,” Trump said in the interview. “I had a talk with him, a positive talk, but I had a talk with him.” CNN previously reported that Trump had spoken to Hegseth twice after news of the second Signal chat broke. Trump has asked for feedback about Hegseth’s performance, but he is hesitant to dismiss him or any other Cabinet official, sources told CNN. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt was pressed later Monday on whether Trump was implying that Hegseth does not have it together. “Look, the president has made his position on Secretary Hegseth quite clear. He absolutely has confidence in the secretary’s ability to lead the Pentagon,” she said. Trump also told The Atlantic that Waltz was “fine” after being “beat up.” Asked what his message would be to staff following the fallout, Trump said: “Maybe don’t use Signal, okay?” Trump concedes ‘nothing will ever be perfect’ as he aggressively cracks down on illegal immigration Parker and Scherer asked the president what would happen if his administration accidentally got the wrong person, questioning the possibility of deporting a legal resident or an American citizen. “Let me tell you that nothing will ever be perfect in this world,” he said. Those comments come days after CNN reported that three US citizen children — including a 4-year-old suffering from metastatic cancer — were deported with their undocumented mothers to Honduras by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Border czar Tom Homan said Monday that the mothers were asked if they would rather their children came with them or remained in the US, and that immigration officials deferred to that decision. Trump also told The Atlantic that he’s “not involved” in individual deportations when asked if he was worried that he may have mistakenly deported innocent people. “I have many people, many layers of people that do that,” Trump told The Atlantic. Trump continued, “I would say they are all extremely tough, dangerous people. I would say that. And, don’t forget, they came in the country illegally.” Public opinion on Trump’s handling of immigration, a signature issue for the president, has waned in recent weeks. Around 45% of Americans approve of his immigration efforts, according to a new CNN poll conducted by SSRS, down six points from March. How is Trump’s second term different from his first? ‘I run the country and the world’ Trump has spent the first 100 days of his second term in office testing the limits of his executive authority, reimagining the role of the US in the world, dramatically slashing the federal government and working to overhaul the US and global economic system. In the interview, he deemed his second term in office much different from his first. “The first time, I had two things to do—run the country and survive; I had all these crooked guys,” the president said for the article, which is headlined: “Donald Trump is enjoying this.” “And the second time,” the president added, “I run the country and the world.” Trump has expressed regret about some of the choices he made for top roles in his first administration. Installing loyalists in those roles was a top priority for Trump in his second term. The Atlantic reported that people both inside and outside the White House feel that Trump is having “more fun than he’d had in his first term.” The president told the journalists he agreed with that assessment. “I’m having a lot of fun, considering what I do,” the president said. “You know, what I do is such serious stuff.” Trump initially canceled The Atlantic interview, so the reporters called him instead The Atlantic reporters said that the week of their scheduled interview, which was “tentatively promised,” Trump attacked them by name on Truth Social. “Ashley Parker is not capable of doing a fair and unbiased interview. She is a Radical Left Lunatic, and has been as terrible as is possible for as long as I have known her,” Trump said, calling The Atlantic a “third rate magazine.” “Likewise, Michael Scherer has never written a fair story about me, only negative, and virtually always LIES,” he continued. The interview was scrapped, prompting the reporters to call him directly in late March. “Don’t ask how we got his number,” they wrote. Trump answered and they said he was eager to talk about his accomplishments — seemingly putting aside his grievances with them. When they called a few weeks later to ask some follow-up questions, the call went to voicemail. The president appeared to call them back after 1 a.m. as he was returning from a UFC fight in Miami. “Had he been calling to ask if we’d seen what had transpired—the display of obeisance from these gladiators, and from his base? Or was this merely a late-night pocket dial? His team declined to clarify,” they wrote. Trump ultimately agreed to the subsequent meeting in the Oval Office alongside Goldberg last week.
‘Nothing will ever be perfect’: Trump touches on immigration crackdown and Hegseth in Atlantic interview
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Trump Discusses Immigration Policies and Hegseth's Leadership in Atlantic Interview"
CNN
7.0
TruthLens AI Summary
In a recent interview with The Atlantic, President Donald Trump addressed various topics including his administration's immigration policies and the management of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The discussion was notably influenced by a prior controversy involving a Signal chat where Hegseth and other officials discussed sensitive military operations. Trump expressed confidence in Hegseth's leadership despite reports of turmoil at the Pentagon, including allegations of unauthorized disclosures. He acknowledged the challenges faced by his administration but emphasized a positive dialogue with Hegseth, stating, 'I think he’s gonna get it together.' The president's remarks came amid scrutiny over Hegseth's actions, including the installation of a costly makeup studio at the Pentagon, which Hegseth has denied. Trump's press secretary later clarified that he retains confidence in Hegseth's capabilities, indicating a reluctance to make significant personnel changes within his Cabinet at this time.
Addressing immigration, Trump acknowledged the imperfections of his policies, particularly in light of recent reports of U.S. citizen children being deported alongside their undocumented parents. When questioned about the possibility of mistakenly deporting innocent individuals, Trump conceded that 'nothing will ever be perfect in this world.' He distanced himself from individual deportation decisions, asserting that his administration relies on multiple layers of personnel to handle such matters. Public approval for Trump's immigration efforts has declined, according to recent polling data. Additionally, Trump reflected on the differences between his first and second terms, asserting that he now has the freedom to run both the country and the world, a shift he described as enjoyable. Despite prior tensions with The Atlantic, the interview marked a significant moment for Trump, as he sought to convey his administration's accomplishments and navigate criticism from the media.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article presents an intriguing insight into former President Trump's recent interview with Atlantic reporters, touching upon various topics including his administration's approach to immigration and the performance of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The context of Trump's interview is essential, particularly considering the backdrop of a communication crisis involving his Cabinet officials.
Intent Behind the Publication
The article appears to aim at shedding light on Trump's perspective regarding key issues in his administration, particularly with a focus on leadership in the Pentagon and immigration policies. By discussing Hegseth's challenges, it seems to attempt to frame Trump's administration as actively engaged in addressing internal issues, possibly to mitigate criticisms regarding his leadership style and decision-making processes.
Public Perception and Messaging
The portrayal of Trump as supportive of Hegseth, despite controversies, might be intended to cultivate a narrative of loyalty and resilience within his administration. The statement about Hegseth "getting it together" could serve to reassure supporters about the competence of his team, fostering a sense of stability and control.
Potential Omissions
While the article focuses on Trump's comments, it may not fully address the broader implications of the controversies surrounding Hegseth or the Pentagon's inner workings. By concentrating on Trump's positive outlook, the article risks downplaying the seriousness of the issues at hand, which might lead readers to overlook underlying tensions.
Manipulative Elements
There are aspects of the article that could be seen as manipulative, particularly in how it frames Trump's remarks. The language used tends to evoke a sense of optimism and reassurance, which may gloss over more significant concerns regarding leadership effectiveness and accountability within the Pentagon. This selective emphasis could be interpreted as an attempt to steer public opinion in favor of Trump and his administration.
Authenticity of the Content
The article appears to be based on factual reporting of Trump's comments. However, the interpretation of those comments can vary widely depending on the perspective of the reader. The overall authenticity is contingent upon the accuracy of the sourced information and the integrity of the reporting process.
Target Audience
The content seems designed to resonate with Trump's base, particularly those who value strong leadership and loyalty within his administration. It may also attract readers interested in political dynamics and the workings of government, especially in relation to military and immigration policies.
Economic and Political Implications
While the article itself may not directly influence markets, the discussion around immigration and military leadership could have broader implications for economic policies and national security. Stakeholders in defense contracting and immigration-related industries might be particularly attentive to the developments discussed.
Global Context
Although the article primarily focuses on domestic issues, it indirectly relates to global power dynamics, particularly concerning U.S. military strategy and immigration policies, which can have international ramifications. Current events in these areas continue to be significant in shaping America's standing on the world stage.
Use of AI in Article Composition
It’s possible that AI tools were employed in drafting or editing the article, particularly in structuring the narrative or ensuring clarity in presenting information. The tone and style could reflect algorithms designed to engage readers, emphasizing certain aspects of Trump's statements while softening the implications of the controversies mentioned.
Conclusion
In summary, the article can be seen as a strategic piece aimed at reinforcing a favorable image of Trump’s leadership while addressing ongoing controversies. Its framing and focus may influence public perception, highlighting the complexities of political communication in today's media landscape.