Trump Vows 'Retribution Through Success' as He Rejects Pursuit of Political Enemies

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Donald Trump, in his first interview since securing the presidency for a second term, pledged that his administration would not be marked by retribution against political opponents. Speaking on NBC’s *Meet the Press*, the president-elect emphasized that his focus would be on policies such as energy independence and migration reform, not revenge. "Retribution will be through success," Trump declared, signaling a shift away from the combative tone many critics anticipated.

 

The 78-year-old president-elect, who has spent the last month assembling his new administration, stated that his upcoming inauguration speech on January 20 would call for "unity." When pressed about whether he would use the federal government to pursue figures like Liz Cheney, a prominent critic and member of the committee investigating the January 6 Capitol riots, Trump dismissed the idea. Referring to Cheney and others as “political thugs” who “should go to jail,” he clarified that he would not direct the FBI to prosecute her. Instead, he reiterated his intention to prioritize energy policies, underscoring his commitment to “drill, baby, drill.”

 

Rejecting claims that his presidency would revolve around vendettas, Trump remarked, “I’m not looking to go back into the past. Retribution will be through success.” 

 

Trump also addressed foreign policy during the interview, renewing his critique of NATO allies who he believes are not contributing their fair share to defense. He proposed raising the alliance's spending target to three percent of GDP, a 50 percent increase from current levels. Trump accused countries like France and Germany of "free-riding" on the strength of the U.S. military. “If they’re treating us fairly, the answer is absolutely, I’d stay with NATO,” he said. However, he warned that the U.S. could leave the alliance if member nations failed to “pay their bills.”

 

In a notable policy stance, Trump suggested that Ukraine should “probably” expect a reduction in U.S. military aid under his administration. He attributed the blame for Russia’s invasion in February 2022 to President Joe Biden, claiming that it was avoidable under different leadership.

 

On the Israel & Hamas war Donald Trump tells NBC News that he does not think many of the hostages held in Gaza are alive, 14 months on from the October 7 Hamas onslaught in southern Israel. “I’m not a big believer in the fact that there are too many of them living, sadly,” he says, when asked about the 96 hostages still believed to be captive in Gaza.

 

“I hate to say it, I think you have far fewer hostages than people think,” he tells NBC. “It’s only my opinion, but I’ve been right on just about everything.”

Asked whether he would pressure Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to end the war in Gaza, where Israel has been battling Hamas, Trump says: “Yeah. Sure.” “I want him to end it, but you have to have a victory,” he says. “People forget about October 7…I noticed that a lot of people are saying ‘Oh, it never really happened.’ That’s like the Holocaust,” Trump continues. “You know, you have Holocaust deniers. Now you have October 7th deniers, and it just happened. 

 

The interview, recorded ahead of a trilateral meeting between Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, comes as Trump seeks to position himself as a leader focused on policy-driven governance rather than partisan retribution. The meeting took place on the sidelines of a ceremony celebrating the reopening of Paris’s Notre-Dame Cathedral, further underscoring Trump’s intent to engage in global diplomacy while reshaping his domestic agenda.

 

Based on a report by Daily Telegraph | TOI 2024-12-10

 

 

 

[Jingthing]

The lame duck felonious president elect Mr. Trump acts like a mob boss.

He doesn't need to directly order his goons to do the dirty.
He simply signals what he wants.

That there are still clueless fools that don't get his vile authoritarian games by now beggars belief.

 

 

As far as his comment on Ukraine -- HOW STUPID!

Putin is clearly teetering, the ruble in shambles. butter being locked up in markets, pensioners living on a few hundred dollars a month with rapidly rising prices, massive casualties he is unable to replace even with his North Korean slaves, the incredibly dramatic and historic HUMILIATION in Syria, and what does Trump do?!?

Instead of trying to strengthen Ukraine's possible negotiating position with a weakened Russia, he flippin' trashes Ukraine and threatens cut of aid.

 

 

 

[Cryingdick]

He heard what you said and he is coming for you.