Trump talks about economic worries and opposition to foreign elections: from political desk

Welcome to the online version From a political deskThis is an evening newsletter that brings you the latest reports and analysis from the NBC News Politics team, from the White House, Capitol Hill and the campaign.

In today's version, we have the first comment on Kristen Welker's exclusive interview with President Donald Trump. Additionally, we are looking at another American ally after Canada, which has allowed Trump's upcoming elections to reshape not only American politics but global politics as well.

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- Scott Bland


Trump downplays fears of recession, saying the United States will be "good" in the long term

Alexandra Marquez

Donald Trump downplayed the concerns about potential economic troubles on Friday, saying in the long run, everything would be "okay" even if it experienced a recession in the short term.

The president said if the short-term recession was down, the president said, "Look, yes, everything is good. What we are - I said, it's a transition period. I think we'll do a good job."

Following up, Welk asked Trump if he was worried about the recession, and he responded with "No." When asked if he thought it might happen, Trump replied: "Anything will happen, but I think we will have the largest economy in our country's history."

As Wall Street analysts are increasingly worried that the country could face a recession due to Trump's ever-changing tariff policies.

"Well, you know, you said, 'Some people on Wall Street say' - Well, I'll tell you other things. Some people on Wall Street say we'll have the greatest economy in history. Why don't you talk about them?" Trump said in his interview at the Mar-A-Lago resort in Florida.

"There are a lot of people on Wall Street saying it will be the biggest surprise ever," the president added.

According to the initial The U.S. economy shrank by 0.3% in the first quarter of 2025, driven in large part by a decline in exports, the Department of Commerce released Wednesday. Increase imports ahead of Trump's expected tariffs.

On Wednesday, Trump blamed the first-quarter gross domestic product on blame, saying it was the result of the economy left behind by former President Joe Biden.

"You may have seen some numbers today, and I have to say first, that's biden," Trump said.

Read more →


Trump can also delay Australia's conservatives after Canadian elections

By Mahalia Dobson

Days after the Canadian election, he was best supported by President Donald Trump, the center of elections in another liberal democracy.

In Australia, trust in the United States is declining, which voted on Saturday to impose global financial turmoil caused by Trump tariffs on global trading partners, including Australia, including U.S. allies and key security partners with China.

Just like in Canada, Australia's opposition Conservative Liberal Party won the victory before Trump returned to the office due to public outrage over the cost of living and record housing prices. But since then, it has lost support from increasingly focused on how the administration handles Trump’s voters.

A poll released last month by the Lowy Institute, a research foundation, found that only 36% of Australians expressed any trust in the U.S., the lowest in the two-year history of the annual poll.

Although 81% of Australians disapprove of Trump’s tariffs, the vast majority (80%) continue to say that the U.S. alliance is important to Australia’s security.

These figures reflect the economic and security dichotomy facing Australia: how to balance its relationship with the United States and its trade interests with China.

Learn more in the general election held in Australia on Saturday →


🗞️Other top stories today

  • 📃 Trump's wish list: Trump has released a budget proposal to cut plans related to public health, education and clean energy, and increase military and border security spending. Read more →
  • 🥊 Trump and Harvard University: Trump said in a Truth Society position that his administration “will take away Harvard’s tax-free status.” Read more →
  • 🥊 Trump vs. NPR and PBS: Trump signed an executive order directing the company to broadcast publicly to stop funding NPR and PBS. Read more →
  • 🥊 Trump and law firm: Attorneys who criticize the law firm that has reached a deal with Trump are setting up their own companies to represent clients targeted by the White House. Read more →
  • 🌎 Rubio's World: Secretary of State Marco Rubio's new role as national security adviser is the latest example of his rapid rise in Trump's track. Rubio tried to establish his role as an ally of Trump as some of Trump's early foreign policy announcements were initially caught off guard. Read more →
  • 👀 Eyes of 2026: Trump's strategy in mid-2026 is in place, with the White House closely linked to congressional leaders, his political actions have raised millions of dollars for thousands of external groups, and his party hopes to provide energy for his core supporters. Read more →
  • 💰 Meme Coin Mute: Some Senate Republicans are worrying about Trump’s proposed private dinner and White House tours to investor in his meme coins. Read more →
  • ✍️The alarm sounded: Democratic senators have issued a letter calling on the Trump administration to investigate the deal between Elon Musk's star-striped link and foreign countries, accusing Musk of using his White House habitat to further propose a deal. Read more →
  • 🐶In the United States: More than 20 states have established their own government efficiency departments, but the state-level version has taken a more modest approach to cutting government plans and work. Read more →
  • Not throwing away his schatz: D-Hawaii Senator Brian Schatz has been in some early recognition of the Senator because he is the next Democratic whip. Read more →

At the moment, it's all political desks. Today's newsletter was edited by Scott Bland and Bridget Bowman.

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