Trump Cites Deportation Policy in Midterm Loss, Hints at 2028 Neutrality

Three billion dollars is the amount by which President Donald Trump’s net worth increased since he returned to the White House, a figure he discussed during an interview aired Sunday. The conversation took place on CBS’s 60 Minutes and marked his first major media engagement since the Republican Party lost control of both the House and the Senate in the midterm elections held in November. During the hour-long discussion, the president addressed his immigration strategy, the composition of his new administration, and his potential role in the 2028 presidential race.

Trump stated that he believes his administration’s approach to deportations was overly aggressive for the electorate. He told the interviewers that he thinks the policy might have been too tough for voters. The president suggested that he can work with the new Democratic majority to reach an immigration deal. He described the potential agreement as doable, though he did not provide specific details on what the compromise would entail. Shortly after taping the interview on Friday, Trump named Stephen Miller, the key architect of the hard-line immigration agenda, as his new chief of staff.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer reacted to the interview on social media on Sunday. He characterized the appointment of Miller as a promotion rather than a course correction. Schumer noted that Miller was the man responsible for the crackdown that Trump admitted was too tough. Democrats in the new Congress have identified oversight of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security as a priority. Trump said he supports deporting individuals he described as killers and drug dealers, but he expressed openness to allowing others to stay if they are good people working in jobs such as landscaping or hotel operations.

The administration’s immigration crackdown was a prominent feature of Trump’s return to office. Major operations in multiple cities led to a sharp increase in arrests. During protests against these operations, two U.S. citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, were killed by federal officers. Trump addressed these events in the context of his broader strategy for managing the country’s borders and interior enforcement.

Regarding the 2028 presidential race, Trump hinted that he may stay neutral among his Republican colleagues. When asked whether he would endorse a successor, he said probably not necessarily. He cited the strength of his political bench and his relationships with many potential candidates. He specifically named Secretary of State Marco Rubio as a great option but stated he would rather not mention other names. He suggested he might be better off not getting involved in the selection process.

The interview also touched on the president’s personal wealth, a topic Democrats sought to emphasize during the midterms. About half of voters nationally said government corruption was crucial for their vote, according to the AP Voter Poll. Trump said he devotes almost no time to his net worth and that his sons manage the family business. He acknowledged that his wealth has gone up, though he said he does not track the exact amount. He addressed questions about foreign investment in his companies by stating that every president has a problem with influence.

When asked if he could forgive his political enemies, Trump said it would be easy to say yes. However, he added that he probably cannot do that because he does hate some of his enemies and always will. The president survived an assassination attempt while campaigning for reelection in 2024. The interview aired on Sunday night, providing a direct look at the president’s assessment of the election results and his immediate plans for the coming year.