The extensive news conference marked his second appearance since being elected president
Trump asserts he will rename the ‘Gulf of Mexico’ to the ‘Gulf of America.’ President-elect Donald Trump targeted Mexico once more on Tuesday, proudly declaring that he would alter the name of the Gulf of Mexico as part of his response to the country.
President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday criticized President Joe Biden and suggested renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America” during a wide-ranging news conference at Mar-a-Lago, just under two weeks before he officially takes office.
Trump kicked off his comments by announcing a $20 billion investment from DAMAC Properties, a company based in the Middle East, aimed at constructing new data centers throughout the United States, especially in the Midwest and Sun Belt regions.
However, he quickly pivoted to attacking President Biden’s final actions before leaving office and expressed his ambitions to acquire Greenland and the Panama Canal, indicating he wouldn’t rule out military action to protect what he described as U.S. economic and national security.
Here are the key takeaways from Trump’s press conference, his second since being elected president.
Trump blasts Biden on transition
Trump criticized Biden’s decision to prohibit any future offshore oil and natural gas drilling along the East and West coasts of the United States.
This move is part of a series of actions by Biden aimed at undermining Trump’s objectives for a potential second term.
“We’re facing a tough situation left by the previous administration, and they’re doing everything possible to complicate matters,” Trump stated, arguing that they were not ensuring a “smooth transition.”
Regarding Biden’s oil drilling ban, Trump promised: “I will reverse it right away. It will be done immediately. And we will drill, baby, drill,” although this could be quite challenging since the Biden ban is viewed as permanent under the law, requiring Congressional
action to change it.
Trump muses on creating ‘Gulf of America’ and seizing Panama Canal
As he expressed his interest in U.S. control over Greenland and the Panama Canal, Trump contemplated renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America.”
“What a beautiful name. It really fits. It really does,” he remarked.
Trump expressed interest in purchasing Greenland during his first term, but the island territory firmly rejected the idea. After his election victory, Trump renewed his efforts, prompting Greenland’s prime minister to emphasize that the territory is not for sale.
When a reporter asked if he would refrain from using military force or economic pressure to obtain the territories, Trump did not dismiss the possibility.
“No, I can’t assure you on either of those two. But I can say this, we need them for economic security,” Trump stated.
He also suggested the idea of imposing “very high” tariffs on Denmark to facilitate the acquisition of Greenland, arguing that Denmark might not have any “legal right” to the territory.
While Trump was making these comments, his eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., was in Greenland for what he described as a personal visit.
Trump was direct in his criticism of former President Jimmy Carter, who passed away last week at the age of 100, for his role in the Panama Canal Treaty that ultimately handed control of the vital waterway to Panama.
While Trump referred to Carter as a “good man,” he expressed the belief that giving up the Panama Canal was a key reason Carter failed to secure a second term. These remarks were made as Carter’s remains were being transported from Georgia to Washington in preparation for his state funeral.
“That was a big mistake,” Trump stated regarding Carter’s decision on the Panama Canal.
All hell will break out’ if Hamas doesn’t release hostages by inauguration.
Trump was at Mar-a-Lago with Steven Witkoff, whom he has appointed as his special envoy to the Middle East. They were questioned about the ongoing efforts to secure a deal for the release of Israeli and other hostages still held by Hamas.
“All hell will break out. If those hostages aren’t back … If they’re not back by the time I get into office, all hell will break out in the Middle East,” Trump stated.
When asked to provide more details, Trump simply replied: “And it will not be good for Hamas. And it will not be good, frankly, for anyone.”
Witkoff mentioned that “really great progress” has been made in the hostage negotiations during his brief comments.
Ceasefire discussions between Hamas and Israel are “ongoing,” according to Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majid al-Ansari on Tuesday.
Not ruling out pardons for violent Jan. 6 rioters
Trump did not rule out the possibility of pardoning Jan. 6 defendants charged with violent crimes, including those who assaulted police officers, when questioned by ABC News Senior White House Correspondent Selina Wang.
“Well, you know, the only one that was killed was a beautiful young lady named Ashley Babbitt,” Trump stated, attempting to minimize the violence that unfolded as thousands of his supporters breached the U.S. Capitol.
Approximately 140 law enforcement officers sustained injuries during the riot, according to the DOJ.
He also reiterated the false claim that no one in the crowd was armed.
Praises end of Facebook, Instagram fact-checkers
Trump was asked about Meta’s announcement that it will replace its fact-checking program with “community notes.” This change was revealed by CEO Mark Zuckerberg on Tuesday.
“I watched their news conference, and I thought it was very good. Honestly, I think Meta, Facebook, has come a long way. I watched it, and the man was quite impressive,” Trump stated.
When asked if he thinks Zuckerberg was reacting to “threats” he had made in the past, Trump replied, “Probably.”
Meta launched the fact-checking program following Trump’s victory in 2016. Trump was later banned from Facebook and Instagram after the events of January 6, due to concerns that his posts were inciting violence.
Trump says he’ll change name to ‘Gulf of America,’ threatens ‘all hell will break loose’ over Israeli hostages
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