Trump admits immigration enforcement went too far in 60 Minutes interview
The president told CBS that removing undocumented workers who did not commit crimes hurt his reelection bid, while also blaming communication for GOP losses.
By Leah Thompson ·
President Donald Trump acknowledged on Sunday that his administration's immigration enforcement was overly strict. Speaking in an interview with CBS 60 Minutes that aired Sunday, the president stated that mass deportations of undocumented immigrants who had not committed crimes negatively affected his performance in the midterm elections held last week.
Trump explained that the policy caught too many people who were employed and contributing to the economy. He noted that these individuals often had good jobs and had only committed a single violation by entering the country illegally. He said he personally felt the political damage from removing those workers.
The president indicated that a large segment of the public believes immigrants who work in fields like landscaping or hotels, and sometimes pay taxes, should be permitted to remain in the United States. He identified immigration as a key area where he is willing to negotiate with Democrats. When asked if a potential deal could involve creating legal status for undocumented workers, Trump answered affirmatively.
Despite his openness to compromise, Trump noted that some members of his own base prefer a stricter approach. He referred to individuals on the far right who want all undocumented immigrants removed from the country. He pointed to the recent promotion of Stephen Miller as evidence of the influence of that viewpoint within the administration. Miller, who designed the mass deportation policy, was named White House chief of staff on Friday, replacing Susie Wiles.
Trump also attributed the Republican Party's poor showing in the midterms to communication failures. He suggested that the messaging was flawed, possibly due to his own efforts to speak frequently about the administration's agenda. He claimed that mainstream media did not cover positive news about his presidency, forcing him to take charge of the narrative himself. When Ross Douthat pressed him to define the bad message, Trump simply stated that the administration failed to get the word across.
The White House has operated without a consistent press secretary since late August. Karoline Leavitt departed the administration at that time. Katie Zacharia briefly stepped into the role but resigned after only five days in the position.
The interview also covered the president's financial situation. Douthat noted that Trump's net worth increased by nearly $3 billion since he returned to office. Trump initially responded by suggesting that the net worth of many people had increased during the same period. According to Forbes, the president's net worth is currently $7 billion. The publication reported that this figure rose by $2.7 billion since his 2024 election. His financial disclosure forms indicate he earned $1.4 billion in cryptocurrency.
Trump said he devotes little time to tracking his wealth and does not know the exact current amount. He stated that one of his sons oversees the family money and that the two rarely discuss finances. Trump and his sons founded World Liberty Financial, a cryptocurrency company, two years ago. Trump is a co-owner. Investors in the firm include Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, a member of the Abu Dhabi royal family and the national security adviser for the United Arab Emirates.
Douthat asked how Trump's stake in the company differs from a scenario where a former president holds a partial ownership role in a company with Middle Eastern investments. Trump replied that he knows nothing about the business operations. When asked if foreign investors might believe they are buying influence, he said he did not know the answer.
