Trump gives the Wall Street Journal an "impromptu" interview

Why the Journal, I do not know.

Mr. Trump said some people may complain that in the short term steel prices may be “a little more expensive,” but that they ultimately will drop and his moves will have preserved an industry important to national security.

Competition will be “internal, like it used to be in the old days when we actually had steel, and U.S. Steel was our greatest company,” he said.

[...]

In upbeat tones, the Republican president talked about the strong domestic economy and his own political power as he said was demonstrated in GOP primaries throughout the country. He reiterated that he would like to see the investigation into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 presidential race end, but said he is considering giving an interview to the investigator, special counsel Robert Mueller.

“We’re looking at it,” he said.

[...]

In what he called a sign that the tariffs are working, Mr. Trump said steel companies are opening new U.S. plants and “our steel industry is one of the talks of the world. It’s booming.”

  WSJ

Three lies right there.

While some steelmakers have expanded U.S. production in the wake of the tariffs, other U.S. manufacturers remain heavily dependent on imported metals. Moreover, even the administration’s own estimates of the tariffs’ impact project a reduction in imports, not their elimination, still leaving significant foreign competition for U.S. makers.

[...]

On the midterms, the president said his endorsements are making a crucial difference, vaulting GOP candidates to victory in races they were on track to lose had he stayed out.

[...]

Several times Mr. Trump interrupted the conversation to summon aides to the Oval Office to share charts showing his endorsement record and to discuss the size of his following on social media.

Making it appear that was the point of arranging the interview.

“So what’s my record?” he asked political director Bill Stepien, who said the president had yet to lose a candidate he has backed in Republican primary races.

Mr. Trump said he notched eight wins out of nine in special elections.

[...]

“As long as I can get out and campaign, I think they’re going to win, I really do,” he said. “It’s a lot of work for me. I have to make 50 stops, it’s a lot. So, there aren’t a lot of people that can do that, physically. Fortunately, I have no problem with that.”

If nobody else will proclaim his godhood, he will just have to do it himself.

“I think the Democrats give up when I turn out,” he said. “If you want to know the truth, I don’t think it energizes them. I think it de-energizes them. I think they give up when I turn out.”

[...]

Asked about the White House decision to yank Mr. Brennan’s security clearance and to evaluate the clearances held by others, Mr. Trump said was prepared to do it last week, but it was too “hectic.”

It was already done several weeks ago, and only just now announced. Did the Journal reporter not know that? Or just failed to call him on it?

Mr. Trump said the Russia probe is unwarranted. “Of course they say it’s not an investigation. You know, in theory I’m not under investigation…I’m not a target. But regardless, I think that whole—I call it the rigged witch hunt, is a sham.”

Who says it's not an investigation? Those voices in his head, I'm guessing.

...but hey, do what you want...you will anyway.