In a wide-ranging press conference, former U.S. President Donald Trump lauded Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, describing him as “strong and hardworking.” Trump stated he had recently spoken with al-Sharaa regarding prisoners in Syria. The former president also touched upon various international matters, including Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and Venezuela.
Trump addressed his administration’s policies on immigration and the economy, highlighting what he considered key achievements in foreign affairs. He discussed the United States’ current relationship with Venezuela, where President Nicolas Maduro has been arrested and labeled a drug trafficker.
“I accomplished far more than any other administration in terms of ending wars,” Trump asserted, claiming to have ended eight conflicts. He further stated that he prevented a conflict between Egypt and Ethiopia over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on the Nile River, adding that the United Nations offered no assistance and he received no peace prize for his efforts.
Trump also claimed success in repatriating all Israeli prisoners and the remains of deceased soldiers from the Gaza Strip. He said he established a peace council to manage affairs and promote stability in the Gaza Strip.
Regarding Iran, Trump stated he had “eliminated Iran’s nuclear capabilities and its destabilizing activities.” When questioned about a potential military strike following recent protests, he responded, “They were going to hang 800 people and decided not to… we don’t know what will happen in the future.”
Turning to Somalia, Trump reiterated his view that it is the “worst country in the world” and criticized U.S. Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, calling her a “corrupt member of Congress.”
On Venezuela, Trump stated that the “interim president (Delcy Rodriguez) is doing a fantastic job,” and that oil companies are preparing to make significant investments in the country. He cited the opening of prisons and the encouragement of migration to the United States as reasons for his strong stance against Venezuela.
In discussing domestic accomplishments, Trump claimed to have achieved accelerated economic growth and reduced the U.S. budget deficit by 27%. He also stated that the trade deficit decreased by 77% through the use of tariffs, and that U.S. exports increased by approximately $150 billion.
