President Donald Trump appeared on Fox News’ Sunday Morning Futures with host Maria Bartiromo, in which he discussed a variety of issues from his first few weeks back in the White House. Key talking points included his tariffs, which have resulted in a trade war, mounting fears that the U.S. may be heading into a recession, and foreign relations—specifically that with Ukraine, after Trump clashed with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office on Feb. 28.
Bartiromo, who Trump just appointed to the Kennedy Center Board, sat down with the President for the interview that aired on March 9 and was filmed during the past week.
Here are some of the key topics Trump shared his views on:
Recession fears
Consumers and experts alike have shown concern about a possible recession, particularly amid the Trump Administration’s proposed reciprocal tariffs and the mass layoffs largely triggered by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under Elon Musk. The Atlanta Federal Reserve model suggested that economic growth might be negative in Q1 2025.
Trump did not rule out the possibility of economic hardship, arguing that the economy and the U.S. population will have to adjust to the changes being made.
“I hate to predict things like that,” Trump said, when asked if he is expecting a recession this year. “There is a period of transition, because what we’re doing is very big. We’re bringing wealth back to America. There are always periods of… it takes a little time. It takes a little time. But I think it should be great for us.”
What is happening with Trump’s tariffs
Bartiromo pushed for more detail on tariffs, stating that businesses want “clarity” and predictability for shareholder purposes amid Trump’s proposed tariffs and, more specifically, his decision to delay some of those tariffs on Canada and Mexico.
Trump said that businesses will have clarity after April 2, when his reciprocal tariffs are set to be put in place. But he also said that the tariffs may well rise over time.
“The tariffs could go up as time goes by, they may go up…” he said. “This country has been ripped off from every nation in the world, every company in the world. We’ve been ripped off at levels never seen before, and what we’re going to do is get it back.”
TTrump went on to reaffirm his belief that more business and production should be carried out on American soil. “Build it here, there’s no tariff,” he said.
Where U.S. and Ukraine relations stand after the Zelensky Oval Office confrontation
When asked by Bartiromo about the Oval Office exchange between himself and Zelensky, Trump said that Zelensky is a “smart and tough guy” and likened him getting U.S. aid from the Biden Administration after Russia invaded Ukraine to taking “candy from a baby.”
“He [Zelensky] took money out of this country under Biden like taking candy from a baby. It was so easy,” Trump said, adding: “I just don’t think he’s grateful.”
Trump went on to say if he had been President at the time, Russia wouldn’t have invaded Ukraine. He also said that other global events—such as Hamas’ assault on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023— wouldn’t have happened if he was in the White House.
When asked about the U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal—the original intended focus of Trump and Zelensky’s Oval Office meeting—and whether it will still go ahead, Trump said he “thinks so.”
If there are plans to cut defense spending
Trump was asked about the Administration’s plan to shrink the size of the federal government, a charge spearheaded by DOGE under the watchful eye of Musk. These cuts, though, will not affect defense spending for the time being.
Trump said he would “love” to cut defense spending, but will not do so “now.”
“You have China, you have Russia, you have a lot of problems out there,” he said, rueful that the government has to spend so much on nuclear weapons.
He also reiterated his message that social security and Medicaid will not be affected by the DOGE spending cuts.
Trump’s proposed “gold card” route to U.S. citizenship
Trump addressed his recent proposal of a “gold card” route to citizenship, putting a $5 million price tag on a card that would allow foreign-born potential immigrants a pathway into the United States.
Championing his idea, Trump told Bartiromo that major companies have reached out to him about how hard it is to hire talent from good schools when immigrants must leave the country after their education ends.
“You graduate number one at the Wharton School of Finance, or Harvard, or Stanford, and you get thrown out of the country,” Trump said. “And [businesses] want to hire these people. Now, they can buy a gold card and they can take that gold card and make it a part of their deal to get these top students—no different than an athlete.”
The future of education in the U.S.
Trump spoke out about his thoughts on America’s education system amid the news that he wishes to dismantle the Department of Education.“We want to bring the schools back to the States, because we have the worst, literally, we have the worst Education Department and education in the world,” Trump claimed. “We’re ranked at the bottom of the list, and yet we’re number one when it comes to cost per pupil.”
In defense of Elon Musk and DOGE
Amid mounting concerns about the oversight Musk and DOGE have been given to cut spending at the federal level—from firing the federal workforce in droves to terminating thousands of government contracts—Trump defended the Tesla and X owner.
“What he’s done is unbelievable,” Trump said of Musk, referring to him as a “patriot” and championing his ability to spot financial waste. “This is something that’s really not good for him, and yet he’s doing it. But, he’s opened a lot of eyes.”
Trump’s defense of Musk lands amid reports that Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Musk have clashed over DOGE’s actions. Trump addressed the reports via his social media platform, Truth Social, on Saturday evening, stating that the two cabinet members have a “great relationship,” and any statement otherwise is “fake news.”
Negotiations with Iran
Trump addressed the news that he recently sent a letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei over the country’s advancing nuclear program. There are two ways to “deal” with Iran, Trump said: with the military or with a deal.
“I would prefer to make a deal, because I’m not looking to hurt Iran. They’re great people,” Trump said. “I’ve written them a letter saying, ‘I hope you’re going to negotiate,’ because if we have to go in militarily, it’s going to be a terrible thing for them.”
Trump’s comments about Iran initially aired on Friday, seemingly prompting a response from the country’s Supreme Leader the following day.
Khamenei reportedly said Iran would not negotiate with “bullying governments” insisting on discussions.
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