Administration of Donald J. Trump, 2018

October 9, 2018

The President. Hello, everybody.

Q. Mr. Presidentââ

The President. So we're heading out to Iowa, where we have a big statement to make, as you know, on ethanol and for our farmers. Likewise, we're taking care of our refineries and our refiners, and they've done a fantastic job. But we want to get more fuel into the system, and this is a great thing.

But they're great for our farmers, and it was a promise that I made during the campaign. And as you know, I keep my promises. So that's the way it is. So we're heading out to Iowa. I assume some of you are coming.

Yes, please.

Potential Successors to U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations Nikki R. Haley

Q. Mr. President, in terms of who may succeed Nikki Haley at the United Nations, the name Dina Powell is out there. That would be a trade: one strong woman for another. What are the chances of that happening?

The President. Well, Dina is certainly a person I would consider. And she is under consideration. We have, actually, many names. And you know, Nikki has been great. Nikki is going to be working along with us and helping us with the choice. Plus, she's going to help us with 2020. And Nikki is a great friend of mine. We've become real friends over the last period of time. She's done a fantastic job. And so she'll be involved. And Dina, certainly. And there are others. I've heard a lot of names.

Assistant to the President Ivanka M. Trump

Q. Ivanka?

Q. What about Ivanka?

The President. I've heard Ivanka. I've heardâhow good would Ivanka be?

Q. Would you consider her?

Q. Would you consider Ivanka?

The President. The people that knowâthere's nothing to do with nepotism. But I want tell you: The people that know, know that Ivanka would be dynamite.

Q. Would she take the job, sir?

The President. But you know, I'd then be accused of nepotism, if you can believe it. Right? Yes.

Assistant to the President Ivanka M. Trump

Q. Is it a serious consideration though? Would she be a good fit for that job?

The President. I think Ivanka would be incredible. But it doesn't mean I'd useâyou know, I'd pick her, because you'd be accused of nepotism, even though I'm not sure there's anybody more competent in the world. But that's okay.

But we are looking at numerous people. And it is interesting, the name you just mentioned has been thrown about.

Supreme Court Associate Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh/Resignation of U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations Nikki R. Haley

Q. What's the real reason for Ambassador Haley's resignation? There's a lot of speculation about the timing, on a day when you should be celebrating the Kavanaugh nomination.

The President. We do a lot. You know, this administration does a lot. So you're right, another administration wouldâafter like the Kavanaugh victoryâit's really a victory for the people; it's not for me. It's a victoryâthey'll have a great Justice for, hopefully, many years. But a lot of people would celebrate; we go back to business the next day.

And you know, Nikki and I talked about this a year ago. And we ought toâshe really wanted to be here for about 2 years. We finished our big week last week at the U.N. We had a tremendous success. It was great. And we finished 30 days out.

But you know, Nikki is going to be involved with us for a long time. And she's going to help me also make that final pick. We're going to make a final pick. I want to get somebody really good.

I think she's also brought a new level of prestige to that position. That position isâin terms of people wanting itâeasier now, in a way, than it was before. Nikki has brought, obviously, great competence, but she's brought great prestige to that position.

United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement

Q. Mr. President, how do you keep your base energized now that you have this Kavanaugh victory?

The President. Well, that's a very good question. "How do you keep your base energized now that you have the big Kavanaugh victory?" I would say thatâjust by winning. Got to keep winning. We're doing a lot of winning.

We're very happy with the USMCA, which is theâI don't want to use the word NAFTA" because it's a terrible word, because it was a horrible deal for this country. But our deal with Mexico and Canada was fantastic. China wants to make a deal so badly. We'll see where it goes. But I don't think they're ready yet, personally.

Q. Mr. Presidentââ

Opposition to Supreme Court Associate Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh/2018 Congressional Elections

Q. Do you think the Democrats, on the other hand, will be energized because they saw the defeat of someone that they wantedâ[inaudible]?

The President. Yes, probably. I mean, there could be. But you know, a lot of those were paid protesters. You saw that. They were all unhappy because they haven't been paid yet. I've been calling it. They were paid protesters. That was professionals. That was orchestrated, when you look in the halls of Congress, and you see screaming like that. And it's like chimes: one goes; the next goes. These are paid protesters.

I don't know that their energy is great. I can tell you, the energy on the Republican side, I don't think it's ever been greaterâmaybe 2016, where, as you remember, the energy was very good.

My man.

Q. Mr. Presidentââ

The President. Say hello to your father.

U.S. Supreme Court

Q. I will. You've already got two Supreme Court Justices through in your first term. How many more do you think you might get this term?

The President. A lot of theories on that. It could be three. Under one theory, it could be four.

And then, some people could say two could happen.

So, you know, it could anywhere be from, I would say, one or two, to four additional. So we'll see.

Q. Mr. Presidentââ

The President. You know what? I hope everyone remains healthy. I'm very happy the way it is right now. And we put a great man, and I think going to be a great Justice on the court. But you know, it's a guessing game. You know nothing.

What is an honor is that there have been Presidentsâmany Presidents that never had a choice. And here I am, not even 2 years, and we have two. And they're confirmed, and they are on the Court.

Q. Are you worried about the way Secretaryââ

Musician Kanye O. West/Former National Football League Player Jim Brown

Q. You're meeting with Kanye West onâyou're meeting with Kanye West on Thursday, Mr. President. What will you talkââ

The President. Yes, I believe Kanye West is coming to the White House. He's been a terrific guy. You know, he loves what we're doing for African American jobs, for so many different things. Median income, as you see, at an alltime high. Poverty level at the best rateâmeaning the lowest rate so far.

And Kanye is a smart guy. And he sees that. And also coming with himâhe said, "Do you mind if I bring Jim Brown?" Big Jim Brown. Boy, would he be making a lot of money today, right? He wasâI call him "Unstoppable Jim Brown." And he's been a friend of mine. He's been really with us. Because he gets it. He really gets it. He sees that African Americanâand by the way, Hispanic and Asianâhave never done better in this country. And he likes it.

Q. What did you think about Kanye's comments about you?

China-U.S. Relations

Q. Were you concerned about the way that China treated Secretary Pompeo when he was there on this most recent visit?

The President. No. They're just trying to get me a message. But those messages don't work.

They don't work. But no, I think they treated him with great respect, actually. You know, they had meetings besides just the news conference. And I think they treated him with great respect.

He had a great meeting with North Korea. And China, it'sâit wasn't so muchâI guess he was giving them a message, and they were giving him a message to come back to me.

Disappearance of Saudi Journalist Jamal Khashoggi

Q. Do you have any updates about the Saudi journalist? Have you heard anything recently?

The President. I don't know anything. No, I don't have any updates. No. It's a sad situation.

Climate Change

Q. Have you read the U.N. report this week warning about climate change, requiring drastic actionââ

The President. It was given to me. It was given to me. And I want to look at who drew it, you know, which group drew it. Because I can give you reports that are fabulous, and I can give you reports that aren't so good. But I will be looking at it. Absolutely.

Former White House Communications Director Hope C. Hicks

Q. What do you think about Hope Hicks' new job? What do you think about Hope Hicks' new job at Fox?

The President. I think it's fantastic. Hope?

Q. Yes.

The President. She's the greatest. I love it. I think Hope isâI'm so proud of her. And I'm very happy. I'm very happy for you, right? [Laughter] Was that announced officially now?

Q. It was, yes.

The President. I'm very happy for Fox because they have a winner. Hope is a winner. And she has been from the beginning. You know, she was like literally right from first day. That was a small group. And no, I'm very proud of Hope. And Fox has themselves somebody who's really great.

Ethanol

Q. Mr. President, on ethanol, the petroleum industry opposes this idea of moving to 15- percent ethanol year round. They say it's going to hurt their industry. What do you say to them?

The President. Well, I want more industry. I want more energy. I want more, because I don't like $74. It's up to $74. And if I have to do more, whether it's through ethanol or through another means, that's what I want. I want low prices. So I'm okay with it.

You know, it's an amazing substance. You look at the Indy cars; they run a hundred percent on ethanol. And you look at other certain forms of very modern energy, it's ethanol based, and that meant a lot to me. But what it really means is, we're helping our farmers and we're also going to be helping our refiners, and you know that too, because they're both very important groups. But the farmers have been so terrific, and they produce great product. So I think it's going to be great.

Q. Mr. Presidentââ

The President. And it has no impact, 12 months. That was a misnomer. It has noâthere is no negative impact. In fact, there are those that say, you do this, and the air is cleaner. I agree with that. But they say, you go 12 months instead of 8âyou go 12 months, and the air is actually cleaner.

U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations Nikki R. Haley

Q. Mr. President, just yesterday CREW filed an ethics complaint against Nikki Haley, saying that she misused private planesââ

The President. Who did?

Q. CREW, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics. They filed an ethics complaint, saying that Nikki Haley misused private planes. Did that factor in at all into the timing of the announcement?

The President. No, I know nothing about it.

Q. Mr. President, whyââ

The President. I know nothing about it. I know Nikki. This is one of the most honest human beings you'll ever see. So I justâI haven't heard about it.

Q. Why announce it today then, sir?

U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations Nikki R. Haley

Q. Would you like to see Nikki Haley be the next U.S. Senator from South Carolina, sir?

The President. Say it?

Q. Would you like to see Nikki Haley be the next U.S. Senator from South Carolina?

The President. Well, that all depends on who she's going to be running against. I mean, I could tell you, you have someâtwo really good ones right there, right now. So I don't see her doing that, no.

Senator Lindsey O. Graham

Q. Does Lindsey Graham have a place in your administration after the midterms?

The President. Well, Lindsey is a terrific guy. I think he wants to stay right where he is.

Certainly, I would. But I think he's really happy. I'll tell you what: Lindsey really stepped up over the last 2 or 3 weeks. I thought it was fantastic. So Lindsey is a popular guy, and Tim is a popular guy. I think those are two peopleâand Nikki doesn't have that in mind at all.

Q. Is Senator Graham popular enough to be your next Attorney General, sir?

The President. He is somebody that never asked me that question. I think he's very happy where he is. He's having a good time. And he really stepped it up. He's doing great.

U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations Nikki R. Haley

Q. And, Mr. President, do you believe Nikki Haley when she says she doesn't want to run for President in 2020?

The President. Oh, yes, a hundred percent.

Q. You guys used to clash with one another.

The President. That's right. But we'veâI didn't know her. I mean, she supported somebody over me in the primary. It turned out very well for me. She respected it. And after that, we got along, as you would say, very well. She helped me in the election, you know, once I won the primaries. And we've really been friends, and we've been compatriots. We've beenâwe've done a great job together.

You know, the United Nations is at, I think, really a new level of respect. And we work together. We had a tremendous week last week. So no, Nikki wants to work with us and also to keep it going. She wants to workâI guess she said today a few times to a few of you, she wants to work on the 2020 election with us.

Opposition to Supreme Court Associate Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh

Q. Mr. President, what about your comment yesterday that some of these forces against Brett Kavanaugh were, quote, "evil"?

The President. Yes, I think they were. I think they were. Yes.

Q. You mean "evil." When you say "evil," you mean evil?

The President. Yes, I'm not going to say who I mean. I'm just telling you, you had forces saying things that were evil. They were bad people. And he is a very, very fine man. And what was said about him should never have been said. Soââ

Q. But should we say that about our fellow Americans?

The President. I know many. I know fellow Americans that are evil. I knowâare you saying we shouldn't say that a fellow American is "evil"? I've known some fellow Americans that are pretty evil.

Q. But are you saying that these protestersââ

Federal Reserve System/Interest Rates

Q. Sir, are you concerned that interest rates are too high, thatâ[inaudible]?

The President. Well, I like to see low interest rates. The Fed is doing what they think is necessary, but I don't like what they're doing, because we have inflation really checked, and we have a lot of good things happening.

So I will say this: We're normalizing money, and that's good, but I think we don't have to go as fast. I want to be able to pay off debt. Also, and very importantly, I think that the numbers that we're producing are record setting. I don't want to slow it down even a little bit, especially when you don't have the problem of inflation. And you don't see that inflation coming back. Now, at some point it will, and you go up. I just don't think it's necessary to go as fast.

Q. Have you talked to Jay Powell about that? Have you told him what you think?

The President. I have not spoken to him about that.

Q. Have you met with him this year?

The President. No, I like to stay uninvolved with that. I have not spoken. How are you?

White House Senior Adviser Jared C. Kushner

Q. Mr. President, againâhi, good, how are you? Have you considered Jared Kushner, your son-in-law, for U.N. Ambassador?

The President. Well, he's very talented, but no, I haven't.

Q. Okay. And the second questionââ

The President. Only because I know you people. What would you do if I said that, right?

What would they do?

Assistant to the President Ivanka M. Trump

Q. But Ivanka is in the running?

The President. How do you feel about Ivanka?

Q. I feel great.

The President. I think CNN would support her.

Q. What about the difference between Kushner and Ivanka?

The President. Well, look, they're two very competent people.

Deputy Attorney General Rod J. Rosenstein/Investigation Into Russia's Interference in 2016 Presidential Election

Q. And on Rosenstein, heâ[inaudible]âbefore Congress. Is he a factorââ

The President. Well, I guess he's going before Congress. We had a very good talk yesterday.

And he's going before Congress. We'll see how it all works out.

In the meantime, as you know, Senator Richard Burr came out just recently and said there was no collusion. He saw no collusion. This is after what? A year and a half. And Devin Nunes, as you know, a veryâsmart people. He came out. There's no collusion. There is no collusion. So that's all I care about.

Q. Why have we not heard about the Russia investigation?

Opposition to Supreme Court Associate Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh

Q. Mr. President, with the nomination of Kavanaugh now behind us, how do you recommend we address the divide in the American political climate?

The President. We'll start getting together. We'll start getting together. Thank you, everybody. Thank you.

NOTE: The President spoke at 3:38 p.m. on the South Lawn at the White House prior to boarding Marine One. In his remarks, he referred to former Deputy National Security Adviser for Strategy Dina Habib Powell; Steve Doocy, cohost of Fox News's "Fox and Friends" program and father of Fox News reporter Peter Doocy; Sen. Timothy E. Scott; and Rep. Devin G. Nunes, in his capacity as the chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

Categories: Interviews With the News Media : Exchange with reporters :: White House. Locations: Washington, DC.

Names: Alexander, David; Brown, Jim; Burr, Richard M.; Doocy, Steve; Graham, Lindsey O.; Haley, Nikki R.; Hicks, Hope C.; Kavanaugh, Brett M.; Khashoggi, Jamal; Kushner, Jared C.; Nunes, Devin G.; Pompeo, Michael R.; Powell, Dina Habib; Powell, Jerome H.; Rosenstein, Rod J.; Scott, Timothy E.; Trump, Ivanka M.; West, Kanye O.

Subjects: Agriculture : Domestic production, strengthening efforts; Canada : Free trade agreement with U.S.; China : Relations with U.S.; China : Trade with U.S.; Communications : News media

:: Presidential interviews :: White House; Congress : Senate :: Presidential nominations, confirmation process; Economy, national : Household income and wages; Economy, national : Poverty; Elections : 2018 congressional elections; Energy : Domestic production, promotion efforts; Energy : Ethanol and biofuels; Environment : Climate change; Judiciary : Federal court nominations and confirmations; Judiciary : Supreme Court :: Associate Justice; Justice, Department of : Deputy Attorney General; Mexico : Free trade agreement with U.S.; North Korea

: International diplomatic efforts; Reserve System, Federal; Russia : 2016 U.S. elections, interference; State, Department of : Secretary; United Nations : U.S. Representatives :: Permanent Representative; White House Office : Assistants to the President :: Assistant to the President; White House Office : Assistants to the President :: Senior Adviser.

DCPD Number: DCPD201800683.