President-elect Donald Trump addressed reporters in a wide-ranging information convention on Monday, in Mar-a-Lago, Florida, overlaying subjects from vaccine entry to pharmaceutical costs, the potential TikTok ban, and his evolving political relationships. The occasion marked Trump’s first public Q&A since his election victory.
The prolonged press convention was a stark distinction to President Joe Biden’s extra reserved public presence.
Entry to polio vaccine amid vaccine skepticism
Trump sought to ease issues over vaccine coverage by affirming that the polio vaccine will stay accessible, regardless of his appointment of outstanding vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as well being secretary.
“You’re not going to lose the polio vaccine,” Trump mentioned, addressing fears following experiences of a petition filed by one in every of Kennedy’s advisers to revoke its approval.
Trump acknowledged issues about rising autism diagnoses, reiterating his perception that there is perhaps an undiscovered trigger. “[Kennedy] goes to be a lot much less radical than you’ll suppose,” Trump mentioned, defending his decide whereas expressing a dedication to investigating autism charges additional.
Decreasing drug costs
Trump highlighted the excessive prices of prescription drugs, blaming “middlemen” for inflating costs.
Throughout a latest dinner with Kennedy, Dr. Mehmet Oz, and pharmaceutical executives, Trump mentioned his plans to handle the difficulty. “I don’t know who these middlemen are, however they’re wealthy as hell,” Trump remarked, pledging to prioritize affordability for shoppers.
Skepticism over Lara Trump’s potential Senate appointment
Trump expressed doubt about experiences that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis may appoint his daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, to interchange outgoing Senator Marco Rubio. Whereas praising Lara Trump’s work on the Republican Nationwide Committee, he mentioned, “I most likely don’t [expect it], however I don’t know.”
Intervening in TikTok ban
Trump hinted at the potential of intervening within the looming TikTok ban, crediting the platform for serving to him join with youthful voters throughout his marketing campaign. “I’ve a heat spot in my coronary heart for TikTok,” Trump mentioned, with out providing particular plans.
TikTok should sever ties with its China-based mother or father firm or face a ban by mid-January below federal regulation. Trump’s Justice Division will seemingly play a key position in implementing the regulation as soon as he takes workplace.
‘Everyone desires to be my buddy’
Reflecting on his second election victory, Trump famous a shift in his relationships with enterprise leaders. “This time period, all people desires to be my buddy,” he mentioned, contrasting it with the opposition he confronted throughout his first presidency.
Since his election, Trump has met with high Silicon Valley figures, together with Mark Zuckerberg and Tim Cook dinner, and plans to fulfill Amazon founder Jeff Bezos later this week.
(With inputs from AP)
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