Trump Discusses Turkey’s Role in Syria, Weighs in on Gaza, Ukraine, Domestic Issues
President-elect Donald Trump held a wide-ranging press conference on Monday at his Mar-a-Lago estate, offering insights into his foreign and domestic policy plans ahead of his January 20 inauguration, Al Jazeera reports.
His comments covered a spectrum of issues, from the situation in Syria to a potential TikTok ban and recent drone sightings across the US.
On Syria, Trump outlined Turkey’s role in the December 8 ouster of Bashar al-Assad, describing it as an “unfriendly takeover” that resulted in relatively few casualties.
“I think Turkey is very smart,” he said.
While he previously declared the Syrian conflict “not our fight,” Trump avoided committing to a withdrawal of US troops currently advising the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), instead suggesting that “nobody knows” the future of Syria and that Turkey “is going to hold the key.”
Shifting focus to the Middle East, Trump revealed a recent conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, discussing efforts to secure the release of captives held in Gaza. He reiterated a previous social media threat, warning that “all hell’s going to break out” if the hostages are not returned by a certain date, though he didn’t specify the date in this press conference.
Regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine, Trump deflected questions about direct communication with Russian President Vladimir Putin since his election win, but confirmed plans to speak with both Putin and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky to work towards ending the conflict. He expressed concern over the destruction caused by the war, comparing it to demolition projects in Manhattan.
On domestic matters, Trump addressed the impending federal ban on TikTok, saying that he would review the situation, adding that he has a “warm spot in my heart for TikTok.” He also commented on the recent spate of drone sightings across the eastern US, calling for greater government transparency and suggesting that while he doesn’t believe the sightings are from foreign adversaries, more information should be shared with the public.
Finally, Trump defended his controversial nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for Health Secretary, emphasizing his belief in the polio vaccine and asserting that Kennedy would be “much less radical than you would think.” This followed recent criticism from Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell concerning Kennedy’s stance on vaccines.
