Politics
‘I Run the Country — and the World’: Inside Trump’s Revealing Atlantic Interview
By Jake Beardslee · April 28, 2025
Trump Reflects on Second Term and Global Leadership in Atlantic Interview
President Donald Trump, in an interview with The Atlantic, reflected on his second term, expressed satisfaction with his current presidency, and openly mused about topics ranging from global leadership to a potential third term.The interview followed last month’s “Signalgate” controversy, after Atlantic editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg was inadvertently added to a Signal group chat involving sensitive military information. The White House / Wikimedia
Trump: "Tell the People at The Atlantic to Write Good Stories"
Reporters Ashley Parker and Michael Scherer described Trump as eager to negotiate favorable coverage. "As ever, Trump was on the hunt for a deal," they wrote. Trump reportedly told them, "'Tell the people at The Atlantic, if they'd write good stories and truthful stories, the magazine would be hot.'" The White House / Wikimedia
Trump Says He's 'Having a Lot of Fun' Despite Serious Responsibilities
In the interview Trump emphasized that he was enjoying his presidency more this time around. "I'm having a lot of fun, considering what I do. You know, what I do is such serious stuff," Trump said. René DeAnda / Unsplash
“The Second Time, I Run the Country — and the World,” Trump Said
Trump compared his first and second terms by stating, "'The first time, I had two things to do — run the country and survive; I had all these crooked guys. And the second time, I run the country — and the world.'" Josh Morgan-USA TODAY via Imagn Images
Trump Laughs Off Third-Term Rumors but Hints at 'Shattering' Norms
When asked about rumors that he had tasked the Justice Department to explore the legality of running for a third term, Trump denied making formal inquiries but left the door open. "'That would be a big shattering, wouldn’t it?'" he said with a laugh, according to the report. "'Well, maybe I'm just trying to shatter [democratic norms].'" Nonetheless, Trump acknowledged, "'It’s not something that I’m looking to do, and I think it would be a very hard thing to do.'" Josh Morgan / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Trump Claims Billionaires Now Show Him 'Higher Level of Respect'
Trump also described receiving a "higher level of respect" from billionaires during his second term, noting that moguls like Jeff Bezos have become supportive. He claimed Bezos is now "'100 percent. He's been great,'" and praised Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg. Saul Loeb-Pool via Imagn Images
Trump Defends Defense Secretary Hegseth Amid Signal Scandal Turmoil
The president defended embattled Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth amid the Pentagon turmoil triggered by the accidental leak of sensitive military plans. "'I think he's gonna get it together,'" Trump said, acknowledging that he had a "positive talk" with Hegseth. Win McNamee-Pool via Imagn Images
Trump on Immigration Critics: 'Nothing Will Ever Be Perfect'
Despite criticism over immigration crackdowns and deportations without due process, Trump was unapologetic. "'Let me tell you that nothing will ever be perfect in this world,'" he remarked. Wm. Glasheen/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
“Just to See if It’s Possible for The Atlantic to Be Truthful,” Trump Said
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump previously explained that he agreed to the interview "'out of curiosity, and as a competition with myself, just to see if it’s possible for The Atlantic to be truthful.'" KEN BLEVINS/WILMINGTON STAR-NEWS / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images