Trump Unfiltered: 10 Jaw-Dropping Moments from the White House

On a bustling Monday evening at the White House, President Donald Trump hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for dinner. Before the formal proceedings, Trump, ever the showman, held an impromptu press conference, fielding questions from reporters on a whirlwind of global topics. From tense geopolitical standoffs to the intricacies of international trade, Trump's remarks offered a candid, and at times controversial, glimpse into his views.

Here are 10 key takeaways from what Donald Trump had to say:

1. Claiming Credit for Defusing India-Pakistan Tensions: Trump once again took a victory lap for what he asserted was his role in "stopping" a major conflict between India and Pakistan in May. "We stopped a lot of fights, very, very big one was India and Pakistan. We stopped that over trade," Trump declared. He emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, "They were maybe at a nuclear stage. Stopping that was really important."

2. Tariff Deadlines: Firm, But Flexible? When pressed about the August 1 deadline for tariff letters sent to 14 countries, Trump offered a nuanced response. "I would say firm but not a hundred percent firm," he stated, leaving a sliver of room for negotiation. "If they call up and they say we would like to do something in a different way, we will be open to that."

3. Teasing a US-India Trade Breakthrough: In a development that will undoubtedly capture attention, Trump hinted that a significant trade deal with India was on the horizon. "We are close to making a deal with India. We've made a deal with the United Kingdom. We've made a deal with China," he proudly announced, suggesting a string of successful negotiations.

4. The Logic Behind the Tariff Letters: Elaborating on the tariff letters, Trump explained, "Others we met with, and we don't think we're going to be able to make a deal, so we just send them a letter." He reiterated the purpose: "We're sending out letters to various countries telling them how much tariffs they have to pay. Some will maybe adjust a little bit depending if they have a cause, we're not going to be unfair about it."

5. Hoping to Avoid Another Strike on Iran: On the escalating tensions with Iran, Trump expressed a strong desire to avoid further military action. "I hope we're not going to have to do that. I can't imagine wanting to do that. I can't imagine them wanting to do that," he remarked, signaling a preference for de-escalation.

6. Iran Reportedly Ready for Talks: In a surprising revelation, Trump indicated that Iran was now open to negotiations with the United States. "They (Iran) want to meet. They want to work something out. They are very different now than they were two weeks ago," he observed, hinting at a shift in the Iranian stance.

7. Sanctions on Iran: A Path to Rebuilding? Discussing the possibility of lifting sanctions on Iran, Trump outlined his conditions: "I would love to be able to, at the right time, take those sanctions off, give them a chance at rebuilding, because I'd like to see Iran build itself back up in a peaceful manner, and not going around saying, 'death to America,' 'death to the USA,' 'death to Israel,' as they were doing."

8. Hamas Willing to Consider Truce with Israel: Amidst his meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu, Trump stated that Hamas was amenable to a truce with Israel. "They want to meet, and they want to have that ceasefire," he told reporters, suggesting a potential pathway to de-escalation in the Gaza conflict.

9. More Weapons for Ukraine: Turning his attention to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, Trump confirmed that the US would be sending additional weaponry to Ukraine. "We are going to send some more weapons (to Ukraine). They have to be able to defend themselves. They are getting hit very hard. So many people are dying in that mess."

10. "Unhappy" with Putin Over Ukraine: Expressing his disappointment with the continuation of the conflict in Ukraine, Trump didn't mince words about Russian President Vladimir Putin. "I’m disappointed, frankly, that President Putin hasn’t stopped," Trump lamented. "I’m not happy about it."