In a Politico interview released Tuesday, President Donald Trump warned that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s “days are numbered” while refusing to answer questions about sending U.S. troops to the South American country.
Trump’s Venezuela Remarks
During the interview, Trump repeated his earlier assertion that Maduro’s days are numbered. Asked how far he would go to remove Maduro from office, he said, “I don’t want to say that.” When pressed, he echoed the earlier statement, replying, “His days are numbered.”
U.S. Military Options
When questioned about a potential U.S. ground invasion, Trump answered, “I don’t want to rule in or out.” He also mentioned that the administration could “very soon” target Venezuelan drug traffickers by land and that the country’s airspace should be considered “closed.” Trump added, “Yeah, I would. Sure, I would,” when asked if similar actions could be taken against Mexico or Colombia to curb fentanyl trafficking.
Broader Foreign Policy Comments
The interview covered a range of foreign policy topics. Trump said Russia has a stronger negotiating position than Ukraine, stating, “there can be no question about it, it’s Russia.” He added that Russia “always” has the “upper hand,” citing the country’s larger size. Trump praised the Ukrainian people and military, saying, “I give the people of Ukraine and the military of Ukraine tremendous credit for the, you know, bravery and for the fighting and all of that,” but also noted that “at some point, size will win, generally.”
He remarked that the U.S. and Russia “haven’t quite gotten there” in the summit, yet he and Putin “made some headway.” Trump criticized European leaders, calling their immigration policies a “disaster” and describing most European nations as “decaying.” He also targeted Somali immigrants and Rep. Ilhan Omar, stating, “All she does is complain, complain, complain, and yet her country’s a mess. You know, it’s one of the worst in the world. Let her go back, fix up her own country.”
Omar responded on X last week with, “My message to Trump: Your message of bigotry won’t work. Somali Americans are here to stay.”
Domestic Economy and Federal Reserve
Trump rated the U.S. economy as “A+++++” despite polling that suggests voters feel the administration has fallen short on economic issues. He also said an immediate Federal Reserve rate cut would be a litmus test for selecting a new chair.
Key Takeaways
- Trump declares Maduro’s days are numbered but refuses to discuss U.S. troop deployment.
- He signals potential land operations against Venezuelan drug traffickers and closed airspace.
- Trump praises Ukraine while asserting Russia’s upper hand and criticizes European and Somali immigration policies.
Trump’s interview underscores a mix of hardline foreign policy positions and domestic economic optimism, while leaving many policy details unanswered.
