Trump made the statement at a Republican debate in Miami in March 2016.
TAPPER: Why should voters trust that you will run the country differently from how you run your businesses?
TRUMP: Because nobody knows the system better than me. I know the H1B. I know the H2B. Nobody knows it better than me. I’m a businessman. These are laws. These are regulations. These are rules. We’re allowed to do it. And frankly, because of the devaluations that other countries – the monetary devaluations that other countries are constantly doing and brilliantly doing against us, it’s very, very hard for our companies in this country, in our country, to compete.
So I will take advantage of it; they’re the laws. But I’m the one that knows how to change it. Nobody else on this dais knows how to change it like I do, believe me.
As proof he knew more about trade than Mitt Ronmey, who had raised concerns about Trump’s views, he a Gucci store he owned on 5th Avenue in Manhattan and that was worth “from $400 million to a billion-two,” more than Romney’s net worth.
Romney had called Trump a “phony” and a “fraud.”
In another instance, he called NATO “as bad as NAFTA,” likening a mutual defense pact with allies to unrelated trade agreement.
Trump had recently announced that he would be ending joint military exercises with South Korea, at the North’s request. During an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Trump was asked if North Korea was trying to drive a wedge between the US and South Korea when he made the remark.
WSJ: You think North Korea is trying to drive a wedge between the two countries, between you and President Moon?
Mr. Trump: I’ll let you know in—within the next 12 months, OK, Mike?
WSJ: Sure.
Mr. Trump: I will let you know. But if I were them I would try. But the difference is I’m president; other people aren’t. And I know more about wedges than any human being that’s ever lived, but I’ll let you know. But I’ll tell you, you know, when you talk about driving a wedge, we also have a thing called trade. And South Korea—brilliantly makes—we have a trade deficit with South Korea of $31 billion a year. That’s a pretty strong bargaining chip to me.
When Trump was asked who he was consulting with on foreign policy, he could only specify himself. Of any others, he said, “I listen to a lot of people, I talk to a lot of people, and at the appropriate time I’ll tell you who the people are, but I speak to a lot of people, but my primary consultant is myself, and I have a good instinct for this stuff.”
Trump said, “I’ve always liked American wines better than French wines. Even though I don’t drink wine. I just like the way they look.”
President Trump says he might tax French wine: "France put on a tax on our companies, you know that, and wrong. Wrong thing to do… I've always liked American wines better than French wines. Even though I don't drink wine. I just like the way they look, okay?" pic.twitter.com/QJxNLK1FTg
….As proven last week during a Congressional tour, the Border is clean, efficient & well run, just very crowded. Cumming District is a disgusting, rat and rodent infested mess. If he spent more time in Baltimore, maybe he could help clean up this very dangerous & filthy place
After Trump tried to fire the Special Counsel through White House Counsel Don McGahn, Trump later directed McGahn to put in writing that the request had never been made. The President remarked, “if he doesn’t write a letter, then maybe I’ll have to get rid of him.” McGahn refused, and though Trump backed down from his threat, McGahn ultimately resigned.
McGahn noted that during his tenure, he had been asked to “do crazy shit.”
The Special Counsel originated in an FBI investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election, and officially formed after Trump fired FBI Director James Comey.
During his campaign, Trump’s personal doctor gave a full bill of health, concluding that he would be “the healthiest individual ever elected to the presidency.”
Dr. Harold Bornstein. Screenshot via NBC News
The letter reads,
To Whom My Concern:
I have been the personal physician of Mr Donald J. Trump since 1980. His previous physician was my father, Dr Jacob Bornstein. Over the past 39 years, I am pleased to report that Mr Trump has had no significant medical problems. Mr Trump has had a recent complete medical examination that showed only positive results. Actually, his blood pressure, 110/65, and laboratory test results were astonishingly excellent.
Over the past twelve months, he has lost at least fifteen pounds, Mr Trump takes 81 mg of aspirin daily and a low dose of a statin. His PSA test score is 0.15 (very low). His physical strength and stamina are extraordinary.
Mr Trump has suffered no form of cancer, has never had a hip, knee or shoulder replacement or any other orthopaedic surgery. His only surgery was an appendectomy at age ten. His cardiovascular status is excellent. He has no history of ever using alcohol or tobacco products.
If elected, Mr Trump, I can state unequivocally, will be the healthiest individual ever elected to the presidency.
Released by Donald J. Trump for President campaign
“He dictated that whole letter. I didn’t write that letter,” Bornstein later revealed to CNN. His office was subsequently raided for all of Trump’s medical records.
