# Trump's first press conference as president-elect **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [January 11, 2017, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-first-press-conference-as-president-elect/776878 "2017-01-11T17:33:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2017, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-first-press-conference-as-president-elect/776878/1 "2017-01-11T17:33:39Z")
His first press conference in 160+ days. I wasn’t able to watch the whole thing, but a couple things I saw: [He refused to answer a question from CNN](https://www.facebook.com/politico/videos/10154187088231680/), and called them “fake news.” He actually turned it over to a lawyer for a while. This seemed…unorthodox for an event at which he was supposed to be answering questions himself. He actually cited his germaphobia as proof that the pissing hooker story couldn’t be true. I saw from a friend that he at one time used the word “crap.” That’s gotta be a first for this type of thing. Any other observations from folks who saw more than I did? Thoughts? Will we have to wait until July for his next one? ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2017, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-first-press-conference-as-president-elect/776878/2 "2017-01-11T17:38:41Z")
So! THAT went well, I think! I thought human piss was sterile? Seems like this would be “right up his alley.” His “cup of tea,” so to speak. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2017, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-first-press-conference-as-president-elect/776878/3 "2017-01-11T17:42:04Z")
I also heard he admitted his promise to release his tax returns during the campaign was a lie. Yawn. Lies by our “straight shooter” just don’t resonate. ---
**Author:** ![AtomThought](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e68b1a/32.png) [@AtomThought](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AtomThought)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2017, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-first-press-conference-as-president-elect/776878/4 "2017-01-11T17:42:24Z")
I liked the part where he said he didn’t have to release his tax returns now because he won. Ooh, and the part where he said that the intelligence report leak is like what they did in Nazi Germany. ---
**Author:** ![Donald\_Rump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9fc29f/32.png) [@Donald\_Rump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Donald_Rump)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2017, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-first-press-conference-as-president-elect/776878/5 "2017-01-11T17:52:18Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > Thoughts? Will we have to wait until July for his next one? My thought it: press conferences are totally pointless in the Trump presidency for anything other than entertainment value. He chews out individual reporters like rag dolls, heaps abuse on their employers, and ignores questions he doesn’t like. His answers are vacuous and substance-free (e.g. asked about healthcare, all he said was the ACA will be replaced with something terrific, in essence) and he doesn’t hesitate to lie outright (I have no dealings in Russia). None of which has the potential to hurt him, until the political tides turn. The press conference isn’t an opportunity for the public to learn what his administration is doing or to hold him accountable, but an opportunity for him to burnish his brand as being tough on the media. Mostly for the consumption of his die-hard fans. So why bother scheduling them at all? ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c57346/32.png) [@Little\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Pig)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2017, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-first-press-conference-as-president-elect/776878/6 "2017-01-11T17:53:05Z")
I really hope that [they](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/intelligence-chiefs-briefed-trump-and-obama-on-unconfirmed-claims-russia-has-compromising-information-on-president-elect/2017/01/10/9da3969e-d788-11e6-9a36-1d296534b31e_story.html?utm_term=.6f2d00122f62) have film of the rodeo clown getting butt-fucked by a herd of goats. ---
**Author:** ![OwnRules](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ea666f/32.png) [@OwnRules](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OwnRules)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2017, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-first-press-conference-as-president-elect/776878/7 "2017-01-11T18:48:10Z")
I didn’t get to witness the rise of Hitler, but I’m legitimately horrified watching the rise of Trump. _This_ was a “press conference” or a lunatic dictator taking charge? Fucking nightmare… ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2017, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-first-press-conference-as-president-elect/776878/8 "2017-01-11T19:00:06Z")
Joined half-way through but saw his habit of insulting-then-false-complimenting someone continued: in this case, Lindsay Graham, a member of his own party. Anyone else specifically? Also, I think it’s only a matter of time before the RNC gets hacked just because Trump threw down the gauntlet about how impregnable they are. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2017, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-first-press-conference-as-president-elect/776878/9 "2017-01-11T19:02:50Z")
I will always will find funny that Trump is tooting his own horn because Ford, FIAT/Chrisler are going to make more cars in America. Nevermind that almost all was planned during the Obama years, but the biggest contradiction/poison pill (for the Trump crew) is that most of the new cars that will be built are electrical or very low emission ones. Meaning that unless Trump drops the idea of removing EPA regulations all those new car manufacturing jobs will be lost because it was thanks to those new regulations that the automakers were planning for. If regulations are gone, no tax for carbon put in place and subsidies for electrical vehicles are gone it is not likely that the new cars will be made in enough quantities to keep the plants open in the long run. What I do think is going on is that the automakers are “praising Trump” or letting him have some credit because next the point will be made by them that his efforts to remove environmental regulations will lead to the loss of those jobs he praised as his magnificent victory. Your move, Mr. Cheeto. ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2017, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-first-press-conference-as-president-elect/776878/10 "2017-01-11T19:03:46Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > He actually turned it over to a lawyer for a while. This seemed…unorthodox for an event at which he was supposed to be answering questions himself. An interesting choice of a law [firm](https://www.morganlewis.com/news/chambers-partners-names-morgan-lewis-as-russia-law-firm-of-the-year) as well… > [@](#): > > Chambers & Partners Names Morgan Lewis as Russia Law Firm of the Year ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2017, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-first-press-conference-as-president-elect/776878/11 "2017-01-11T19:13:11Z")
> [@GIGObuster](#): > > I will always will find funny that Trump is tooting his own horn because Ford, FIAT/Chrisler are going to make more cars in America. I seem to remember something about “making the trains run on time”. I wouldn’t downplay what might seem like an insignificance to you. The average man has fairly common-day criteria for success. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2017, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-first-press-conference-as-president-elect/776878/12 "2017-01-11T20:07:56Z")
> [@Sage\_Rat](#): > > I seem to remember something about “making the trains run on time”. > > I wouldn’t downplay what might seem like an insignificance to you. The average man has fairly common-day criteria for success. Of course, but that was not the point I was making. It is crucial for Ford and others that the rubes do think that Trump succeeded. He will be forced then to follow the long term plans regarding the environment and the regulations in place, or otherwise face the fact that he sabotaged the new jobs that he had “succeeded” in bringing back to America. ---
**Author:** ![CatandMouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c89c15/32.png) [@CatandMouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CatandMouse)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2017, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-first-press-conference-as-president-elect/776878/13 "2017-01-11T20:15:47Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > His first press conference in 160+ days. I wasn’t able to watch the whole thing, but a couple things I saw: > > [He refused to answer a question from CNN](https://www.facebook.com/politico/videos/10154187088231680/), and called them “fake news.” > > He actually turned it over to a lawyer for a while. This seemed…unorthodox for an event at which he was supposed to be answering questions himself. > > He actually cited his germaphobia as proof that the pissing hooker story couldn’t be true. > > I saw from a friend that he at one time used the word “crap.” That’s gotta be a first for this type of thing. > > Any other observations from folks who saw more than I did? Thoughts? Will we have to wait until July for his next one? I watched half of it today, and will probably watch the other half later. Trump did make it clear today that journalists will be punished unless they’re willing to be his personal stenographer. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2017, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-first-press-conference-as-president-elect/776878/14 "2017-01-11T20:22:52Z")
Making an enemy of the media is not a wise thing to do. Ask Richard Nixon. ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2017, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-first-press-conference-as-president-elect/776878/15 "2017-01-11T20:25:55Z")
> [@CatandMouse](#): > > I watched half of it today, and will probably watch the other half later. Trump did make it clear today that journalists will be punished unless they’re willing to be his personal stenographer. Katy Tur of NBC tweeted that all of the other reporters should defer to the reporters that He Who Must Not Be Named won’t call on. ---
**Author:** ![up\_the\_junction](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f1d935/32.png) [@up\_the\_junction](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/up_the_junction)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2017, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-first-press-conference-as-president-elect/776878/16 "2017-01-11T20:31:48Z")
Atm, it’s a real tight call between this guy and Dubya. You could almost think non-effective communication was part of the job description. Urine? Really, Mr President-elect? ---
**Author:** ![up\_the\_junction](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f1d935/32.png) [@up\_the\_junction](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/up_the_junction)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2017, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-first-press-conference-as-president-elect/776878/17 "2017-01-11T20:34:12Z")
> [@CatandMouse](#): > > I watched half of it today, and will probably watch the other half later. Trump did make it clear today that journalists will be punished unless they’re willing to be his personal stenographer. Well again, this was the neo-con strategy - and it worked perfectly. Nothing works better than the threat of exclusion. Hell, they invaded Iraq on the back of it. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2017, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-first-press-conference-as-president-elect/776878/18 "2017-01-11T21:00:00Z")
[Transcript of entire conference](https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/11/us/politics/trump-press-conference-transcript.html?_r=0) for those who want to know what was said but have no interest in watching the old bag bloviate on video. Some interesting nuggets: > [@Donald Trump](#): > > […] and I must say that I want to thank a lot of the news organizations here today because they looked at that nonsense that was released by maybe the intelligence agencies? Who knows, but maybe the intelligence agencies which would be a tremendous blot on their record if they in fact did that. A tremendous blot, because a thing like that should have never been written, it should never have been had and it should certainly never been released. […] > > A lot of car companies are going to be moving in, we have other companies — big news is going to be announced over the next couple of weeks about companies that are getting building in the Midwest. > > You saw yesterday Fiat Chrysler; big, big factory going to be built in this country as opposed to another country. [**[Expected number of created jobs: 2000.]**](http://fortune.com/2017/01/08/fiat-chrysler-plans-to-invest-1-billion-in-two-u-s-factories-creating-2000-jobs/) Ford just announced that they stopped plans for a billion dollar plant in Mexico and they’re going to be moving into Michigan and expanding, very substantially, an existing plant. [**[Expected number of created jobs: 700.]**](http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/01/03/ford-to-scrap-mexico-plant-invest-in-michigan-due-to-trump-policies.html) […] > > If somebody said about me, what Podesta said about Hillary, I was the boss, I would’ve fired him immediately or that person. Because what he said about her was horrible. […] > > Over the weekend, I was offered $2 billion to do a deal in Dubai with a very, very, very amazing man, a great, great developer from the Middle East, Hussein Damack, a friend of mine, great guy. And I was offered $2 billion to do a deal in Dubai — a number of deals and I turned it down. > > I didn’t have to turn it down, because as you know, I have a no-conflict situation because I’m president, which is — I didn’t know about that until about three months ago, but it’s a nice thing to have. […]So I could actually run my business, I could actually run my business and run government at the same time. […] But as president, I could run the Trump organization, great, great company, and I could run the company — the country. I’d do a very good job, but I don’t want to do that. […] > > I’m not releasing the tax returns because as you know, they’re under audit. […] > > And what I’m going to be doing is my two sons, who are right here, Don and Eric, are going to be running the company. They are going to be running it in a very professional manner. […] > > So, I really think that they are — I think we have one of the great Cabinets ever put together. And we’ve been hearing that from so many people. People are so happy. […] > > You want to move your plant and you think, as an example, you’re going to build that plant in Mexico […] You’re going to pay a very large border tax. […] > > We’re going to start building. Mexico in some form, and there are many different forms, will reimburse us and they will reimburse us for the cost of the wall. […] > > I would say we are going to build a wall and people would go crazy. I would then say, who is going to pay for the wall? And people would all scream out — 25,000, 30,000 people, because nobody has ever had crowds like Trump has had. You know that. You don’t like to report that, but that’s OK. […] But I say who is going to pay for the wall? And they will scream out, “Mexico.” […] > > So, in order to get the wall started, Mexico will pay for the wall, but it will be reimbursed. OK? […] > > So this is all — just so you understand, these papers — because I’m not sure that was explained properly. But these papers are all just a piece of the many, many companies that are being put into trust to be run by my two sons that I hope at the end of eight years, I’ll come back and say, oh, you did a good job. Otherwise, if they do a bad job, I’ll say, “You’re fired.” > > Good-bye, everybody. Good-bye. :rolleyes: > [@GIGObuster](#): > > I will always will find funny that Trump is tooting his own horn because Ford, FIAT/Chrisler are going to make more cars in America. > > Nevermind that almost all was planned during the Obama years, but the biggest contradiction/poison pill (for the Trump crew) is that most of the new cars that will be built are electrical or very low emission ones. > > Meaning that unless Trump drops the idea of removing EPA regulations all those new car manufacturing jobs will be lost because it was thanks to those new regulations that the automakers were planning for. If regulations are gone, no tax for carbon put in place and subsidies for electrical vehicles are gone it is not likely that the new cars will be made in enough quantities to keep the plants open in the long run. Not to mention that the Trump administration and the Republican Congress are [mounting an all-out attack on unions and other worker protections](http://prospect.org/article/kentucky-attack-unions-provides-glimpse-gop-impending-war-workers). So they’re making sure that the comparatively few manufacturing jobs that they **do** create are going to be as crappy as possible for the workers who actually hold them. But of course, they’re going to try to spin them as a YUUUUGE ACCOMPLISHMENT for worker prosperity. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2017, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-first-press-conference-as-president-elect/776878/19 "2017-01-11T21:03:08Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > [Transcript of entire conference](https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/11/us/politics/trump-press-conference-transcript.html?_r=0) for those who want to know what was said but have no interest in watching the old bag bloviate on video. > > Some interesting nuggets: > > :rolleyes: For entertainment value, try reading it and imagining it being spoken by Alec Baldwin, imitating Trump. It works surprisingly well as comedy!! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2017, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-first-press-conference-as-president-elect/776878/20 "2017-01-11T21:11:53Z")
"So, in order to get the wall started, Mexico will pay for the wall, but it will be reimbursed. " What the hell? Mexico will be reimbursed? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-first-press-conference-as-president-elect/776878.md?page=2)