In his first Oval Office interview on Wednesday, President Donald Trump discussed the California wildfires, Jan. 6 pardons and TikTok.
Regarding the emergency funding that Los Angeles needs after wildfires ravaged over 40,000 acres, Trump suggested a tradeoff involving the reconciliation bill he is hoping to get through Congress.
In the Fox News interview Trump repeated claims that California Gov. Gavin Newsom could put a stop to the fires happening in Southern California by releasing water from the north and threatened to withhold aid to California unless they “let water flow.”
“I’m going to put a statement out today, I think, maybe it’s already written,” Trump said. “I said, I don’t think we should give California anything until they let water flow down into there.”
Trump continued to defend his pardoning of those convicted of assaulting police officers at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, calling the attacks “very minor incidents.”
When discussing TikTok, Trump dismissed the security concerns many have regarding the app, while questioning if it’s bad that China is spying on kids.
“We have so many things made in China. So why don’t they mention that? You know, interesting thing with TikTok, though, is you’re dealing with a lot of young people,” Trump said. “Is it that important for China to be spying on young people, on young kids watching crazy videos?”
-ABC News’ Kelsey Walsh, Fritz Farrow, Hannah Demissie
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