President-elect Donald Trump, ahead of his January inauguration, showcased his proactive approach to leadership by holding a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago resort on Monday. Flanked by SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son and Commerce Secretary nominee Howard Lutnick, Trump revealed an ambitious $100 billion investment plan by SoftBank, promising to create at least 100,000 American jobs.
“Today, I am thrilled to announce that SoftBank will be investing $100 billion in America... because [Masayoshi Son] feels very optimistic about our country since the election,” Trump said, marking the investment as a significant victory for his administration-in-waiting. The announcement comes as Trump prepares to take office with a Republican-controlled Congress, setting the stage for a bold legislative agenda.
Key Highlights from the Press Conference
Trump’s Warm Reception for TikTok Amid Ban Concerns
Trump expressed a surprisingly favorable view of the social media platform TikTok, which faces a January 19 ban unless its Chinese parent company ByteDance divests. While not committing to reversing the ban, Trump remarked, “I have a warm spot in my heart for TikTok because I won youth by 34 points, and there are those that say TikTok had something to do with that.” This contrasts with his previous efforts to ban the app during his first term.
Sharp Criticism of Biden Over Border Wall Material Sales
Trump urged outgoing President Joe Biden to halt the sale of unused materials from the southern border wall, claiming it undermines national security. “We spent a tremendous amount of money on building the wall… Biden is selling wall materials cheaply, and it’s almost a criminal act,” Trump asserted, calling for the sales to stop immediately.
Return to Office Mandate for Federal Workers
Declaring an end to pandemic-era remote work policies, Trump vowed to mandate federal employees’ return to the office, warning that those who refuse could face dismissal. “If people don’t come back to work, come back into the office, they’re going to be dismissed,” he said, promising legal action to reverse any Biden administration policies delaying the return.
Defending RFK Jr.’s Nomination
Trump defended his choice of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for Secretary of Health and Human Services, despite concerns over Kennedy’s controversial vaccine views. “I think he’s going to be much less radical than you would think,” Trump stated, emphasizing his own support for the polio vaccine while criticizing vaccine mandates.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ Role in Filling Senate Seat
With speculation swirling about who will fill Sen. Marco Rubio’s seat if confirmed as Secretary of State, Trump deferred to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. “Ron’s doing a good job. That’s his choice,” Trump said, while downplaying rumors that Lara Trump, his daughter-in-law, might be a contender.
Backing Controversial Defense Secretary Nominee Pete Hegseth
Trump reiterated his support for Pete Hegseth, his nominee for Secretary of Defense, despite allegations of misconduct and opposition from some Republican senators. Praising Hegseth’s sacrifice in leaving a lucrative Fox News career, Trump remarked, “He loves the military, and I believe he’s the right choice.”
Mystery Drone Sightings in New Jersey
Addressing recent unexplained drone sightings in New Jersey, Trump criticized the Biden administration’s silence on the matter. “Our military knows where [the drones] took off from… but for some reason, they want to keep people in suspense,” Trump said, suggesting a lack of transparency from current officials.
Legal Threat Over Iowa Polling
Trump announced plans to sue a prominent Iowa pollster after an inaccurate survey predicted he would lose the state to Vice President Kamala Harris. Calling the polling “fraud” and “election interference,” Trump vowed to pursue legal action to hold the pollster accountable.
Praise for Tariffs
Reiterating his support for tariffs as a key economic policy, Trump dismissed concerns about their inflationary impact. “To me, tariffs, the most beautiful word in the dictionary. It will make our country rich,” he declared, citing prior successes with Chinese tariffs.
Hamas Warning
Trump issued a stark warning to Hamas regarding the release of hostages from the October 7 attack on Israel. “If these hostages aren’t back home [by January 20], all hell is going to break out,” Trump said, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation.
Looking Ahead
The press conference illustrated Trump’s readiness to reclaim the presidency with a strong agenda and a confident vision for America’s future. Whether tackling border security, federal workforce policies, or international conflicts, Trump made clear his intention to hit the ground running in January.
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