Palm Beach, Fla. — In a dynamic press conference held at his Mar-a-Lago club, President-elect Donald Trump addressed several key issues on Monday, including a potential pardon for New York Mayor Eric Adams and the status of the polio vaccine amidst rising drone sightings over New Jersey.
This marked Trump’s first engagement with reporters since his election win, where he also criticized the Biden administration’s handling of surplus parts of the southern border wall, threatening legal action to halt sales. "We’re going to spend hundreds of millions of dollars more on building the same wall we already have," Trump stated, labeling the situation as "almost a criminal act."
Trump’s remarks underscored his re-emergence in national politics as he prepares for another term in office. He used the conference to discuss policy initiatives, challenge opponents, and preview forthcoming activities.
Trump mentioned a lawsuit against prominent Iowa pollster Ann Selzer, whose predictions failed to accurately reflect his support in the state. "In my opinion, it was fraud and election interference," Trump asserted.
In a separate announcement, significant developments came as a major news organization agreed to pay $15 million related to Trump’s defamation lawsuit concerning earlier claims made on air regarding civil liability.
Trump’s frustration toward the Biden administration’s border wall sales was evident as he consulted with Texas officials about possibly seeking a restraining order. Last year’s congressional requirement compelled the Biden administration to sell unused wall components, allowing items to be repurposed for existing barriers.
While characterizing the Biden transition as “friendly,” Trump expressed discontent with proposals allowing federal workers to continue remote work, threatening to dismiss employees who do not return to the office under his administration.
On the subject of Mayor Adams, who faces federal corruption charges, Trump said he would consider a pardon, though he admitted he was not fully briefed on the specifics of the accusations, which include accepting lavish travel perks and illegal campaign contributions.
Amid concerns over vaccine policies, Trump defended the polio vaccine, proclaiming, "You’re not going to lose the polio vaccine," emphasizing his support for vaccination measures despite previous controversies regarding anti-vaccine sentiments.
Turning to recent drone sightings over New Jersey, Trump posited that the government is aware of more than it reveals, suggesting, “Our military knows and our president knows,” while refraining from providing additional details.
Following his election victory, Trump has actively engaged with global leaders and industry executives, including a recent dinner with corporate leaders, indicating a more collaborative transition compared to his previous term. He reinforced his approach to encourage investment in the U.S., with a notable commitment from a major company to invest $100 billion over the next four years.
In a show of confidence, Trump declared that his current transition is more productive than that of his predecessor, signaling potential shifts in policy and economic direction as he prepares to assume office once again.
