Donald Trump and NBC’s “Meet the Press” moderator Kristen Welker discuss the economy, immigration and more. Sovereignty and jockey Junior Alvarado overcome the odds to win the Kentucky Derby. Plus, a look at a potential favorite to succeed Pope Francis ahead of the conclave to elect a new Catholic leader.
Here’s what to know today.
Trump defends the economy, says he won’t seek a third term in ‘Meet the Press’ interview
In a wide-ranging interview with NBC News’ “Meet the Press” moderator Kristen Welker, President Donald Trump downplayed fears from his critics about the economy, skirted a question about whether he has to “uphold the Constitution” when it comes to due process for immigrants and weighed in on whether he would run for a third term as president. The interview at his Mar-a-Lago home in Palm Beach, Florida, covered an array of issues he has addressed in his first 100 days in office.
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Trump’s approval numbers have slid modestly amid a flurry of executive actions that have tested the constitutional limits of presidential power over the size and scope of the government, the due process rights of noncitizens and the punishment of opponents. Still, Trump waved away concerns about his expansive tariffs program.
Here’s what Trump had to say about…
→ The economy, as he implements tariffs: “Look, yeah. Everything’s OK. I said, this is a transition period. I think we’re going to do fantastically.”
→ Whether he would uphold the Constitution’s Fifth Amendment, which concerns due process: “I don’t know. I’m not, I’m not a lawyer.” Trump suggested his wishes to rapidly carry out mass deportations may take precedence over giving immigrants the right to due process.
→ Seeking a third term: “I’ll be an eight-year president; I’ll be a two-term president. I always thought that was very important.” It was his clearest indication yet that he won’t try to extend his stay at the White House, but he didn’t name a potential successor.
→ Calling out CEOs for business tactics he doesn’t agree with, which he did last week to Jeff Bezos when it was reported that Amazon will begin to list tariff charges on certain purchases: “If I think that somebody’s doing something that’s incorrect, wrong or maybe hurtful to the country, I’ll call. Wouldn’t you want me to call?”
→ A milit parade he wants to host on June 14, which is both Flag Day and his birthday: “Peanuts compared to the value of doing it,” Trump said. Defense officials said the estimated cost could be as high as $45 million.
Trump also expressed optimism that lawmakers can reach a July 4 deadline to pass a bill to push forward his agenda; said he will not take TikTok away from Americans; and predicted his policies will prove popular enough that Republicans will retain control of both chambers of Congress in the midterm election.
Read the full story here.
More politics news:
- NBC News also fact-checked Trump’s statements. Here are some of the more notable instances in which he bent the facts or made outright false or misleading claims.
- Trump announced plans to implement a 100% tariff on all foreign movies.
- The president is expected to announce an agreement for Washington, D.C., to host the 2027 NFL draft, with the aim for the event to take place on the National Mall.
- Trump said on Truth Social that he will direct several federal agencies to “reopen a substantially enlarged and rebuilt Alcatraz, which is currently a national park.
- Several prominent Catholics criticized Trump after he posted a seemingly AI-generated image depicting himself as pope.
Kentucky Derby’s winning jockey overcame an injury and the odds
On a muddy track at Churchill Downs, 9-to-1 outsider Sovereignty won the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby, with favorite Journalism ending up in second place. Jockey Junior Alvarado, who took home $3.1 million in winnings, achieved his first career win in horse racing’s signature event after five previous losses.
But even before Saturday, Alvarado had already pulled off an upset of his own, bouncing back from a hairline fracture in his shoulder two months ago that left him sidelined for weeks. “Every day since I got the injury I kept telling God, ‘Please heal me, please heal me,’” Alvarado said. “If it’s meant to be, I know you’re going to put me right back in action before the Derby.” His prayers were answered. Sovereignty trainer Bill Mott also assured Alvarado the horse was his to ride once he recovered. The rest was history. Read the full story here.
And we can’t forget the hats. Take a look at the best Derby Day fashions.
Israeli ministers okay plan to capture all of Gaza
Israel plans to expand its milit offensive in the Gaza Strip and seize the entire Palestinian enclave, an Israeli official with knowledge of the matter told NBC News Monday.
The new plan, which was earlier approved unanimously by the country’s security cabinet, foresees a full Israeli occupation of the Gaza Strip, the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to southern Gaza, and making sure humanitarian aid does not fall into Hamas’ hands.
Israel, before the last ceasefire went into effect, had already taken full control of a third of the Palestinian enclave.
On Sunday, the Israeli army began calling up tens of thousands of its reserve soldiers to “intensify and expand” its presence in an attempt to increase the pressure on Hamas to return the remaining hostages held since the Oct. 7, 2023 terrorist attack.
Read the full story here.
Jury selection in Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs trial
Music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sex trafficking trial is set to begin today in New York with jury selection. The trial comes after his arrest in September, when he was indicted by federal prosecutors. He faces five criminal counts, including one count of racketeering conspiracy, two counts of sex trafficking and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. Combs has pleaded not guilty and vehemently denied wrongdoing.
The federal case revolves around four alleged victims who are all expected to testify over the course of what is predicted to be a monthslong trial. Here’s what else to know about allegations in the case, the judge and more.
NBC News will be following the action closely. Sign up to receive a newsletter with exclusive reporting and analysis throughout the trial.
Guatemalan mother and days-old baby detained at border
A Guatemalan woman who gave birth to an American baby less than a week ago is being held along with her newborn in ICE custody as she faces deportation, U.S. officials said.
A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said that the woman was apprehended by Customs and Border Patrol agents and hospitalized after she crossed the U.S.-Mexico border illegally between checkpoints in Arizona while she was eight months pregnant. The spokesperson said she gave birth in a hospital “under supervision” and was transferred to ICE custody after she was discharged by medical staff. Luis Campos, a lawyer for the woman, told NBC affiliate KVOA of Tucson that his client gave birth last Wednesday.
Campos said he believes the woman will be deported and her child will be removed with her, despite the newborn’s status as a natural-born U.S. citizen. In recent weeks, three other U.S. citizen children from two families were removed from the country with their mothers under what representatives and critics have characterized as rapid deportation that aims to circumvent their right to due process. Federal border agencies have denied the allegation. Read the full story here.
Read All About It
- The federal government will resume collecting defaulted student loan payments from millions of people, starting today. Here’s what to know. Meanwhile, pessimism is running high among this year’s new college graduates, who face a tougher job market than in past years.
- Philadelphia police are investigating and a Temple University student has been suspended after an alleged antisemitic incident at a Barstool Sports bar. Barstool founder Dave Portnoy also commented on the incident.
- Is kissing someone who just ate gluten safe for people with celiac disease? New findings suggest the answer is yes.
- Oscar Piastri won an action-packed Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix, extending his championship lead over fellow McLaren driver Lando Norris, who won second.
- Lady Gaga’s team said they found out about an alleged bomb threat through media reports after Brazilian authorities announced they thwarted an alleged attack at her Rio de Janeiro concert on Saturday.
Staff Pick: The ‘Asian Francis’ possibly in contention to be the next pope
Who will be the next pope? Good question. The bigger question: Which way will the Catholic Church’s pendulum of liberal-versus-conservatism swing? The conclave to elect Pope Francis’ successor begins Wednesday, and one favorite to be elected is Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of the Philippines.
Tagle, 67, has been dubbed the “Asian Francis” for his emphasis on poor and marginalized people. But what makes his potential selection interesting is his country of origin. Despite being the biggest Catholic nation in Asia and the third-largest in the world, the Philippines is one of the more LGBTQ-friendly countries in the region, opening the possibility of continuing Francis’ embrace of gay Catholics into the next papacy.
But Tagle also has been dogged by a record of poor administration in his role leading a Vatican organization, making for a big decision for the 100-or-so cardinals this week. — Jeremy Mikula, weekend platforms director
NBC Select: Online Shopping, Simplified
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