President Donald Trump sat down with ABC News Senior National Correspondent Terry Moran in the Oval Office for a primetime interview marking his first 100 days in his second term.
The interview, titled "President Trump the First 100 Days: The Interview in the Oval Office," aired at 8 p.m. EDT on ABC and was later streamed on ABC News Live, Disney+, and Hulu.
Described as tense and confrontational, the exchange saw Trump clashing with Moran over several contentious issues, including immigration, tariffs, and allegations of authoritarianism. Below is a detailed overview of the interview, its key moments, and the public and media reactions, drawing from available sources.
A significant point of contention was the deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland father and El Salvador native mistakenly sent to a prison in El Salvador. Trump claimed Garcia was an MS-13 gang member, citing a photo allegedly showing "MS-13" tattooed on his knuckles. Moran challenged this, stating the image was "Photoshopped," a claim supported by critics who argue there’s no evidence linking Garcia to the gang.
Trump grew defensive, saying, “Terry, they’re giving you the big break of a lifetime. I picked you because, frankly, I never heard of you, but that’s OK. You’re not being very nice.” He insisted the tattoos were real and accused Moran of spreading "fake news."
Moran pressed Trump on the rule of law, noting a Supreme Court order to facilitate Garcia’s return. Trump deflected, saying he wasn’t making the decision and criticized a lawyer for admitting the deportation was an error, claiming the lawyer “should not have said that.” He suggested he could bring Garcia back if deemed a “gentleman,” despite previously denying such authority.
Moran highlighted the presidency’s power, stating, “You could pick up the phone and call the president of El Salvador,” to which Trump responded by shifting responsibility. This exchange underscored tensions over Trump’s immigration policies and due process for undocumented migrants, with Trump asserting, “If people come into our country illegally, there’s a different standard.”
Tariffs and Economic Policy:
Trump defended his controversial trade war with China, particularly his tariffs, which economists warn will raise costs for American consumers. When Moran cited concerns from voters, including Trump supporters, about higher prices, Trump insisted, “They did sign up for it, actually. And this is what I campaigned on.” He claimed China would “probably eat those tariffs,” despite evidence suggesting consumers bear the cost.
Trump took credit for lower prices on gasoline, groceries, and eggs, though these claims lack substantiation in the context of broader economic trends. Moran challenged the economic fallout, referencing Moody’s and other analysts predicting thousands in additional annual costs for families, but Trump dismissed these concerns, asserting “great times” were ahead.
