U.S. President Donald Trump said in a podcast aired Monday that if Democrats take control of Congress, he will not sign their bills and will probably become “Mr. Veto.” He also said the polls ahead of Tuesday’s elections are not credible.
On the podcast Pod Force One, Trump said he believes his involvement in the campaign ahead of Tuesday’s midterm congressional elections is helping Republicans. “Well, I think so. We have huge crowds,” he said, referring to the rallies he has headlined.
He noted that in the past, presidents, whether Republican or Democrat, have not done well in midterm elections.
He also stressed that he has never been as involved in a midterm election as he is this time. “We’ve accomplished so much. The country is in great shape now. We want it to stay that way,” he added.
Asked about polls indicating a defeat for Republicans, he replied that they are rigged.
“I think a lot of polling firms don’t even send people out to conduct the surveys. I think they just collect a hefty check. They say they have a thousand pollsters across the country, and then they sit behind a desk. That’s just my opinion,” Trump said.
“I don’t know anyone who has ever taken part in a poll, and yet pollsters come up with some results. Maybe they don’t poll Republicans. But I think we’ll do quite well. I think so based on the rallies,” the president continued.
He again accused Democrats of election fraud. Trump also said that if the Democratic Party takes control of Congress, he will probably become “Mr. Veto.”
“Well, if it comes to that, I guess I’ll be Mr. Veto,” he said. “And then at some point we’ll probably make some deals. That’s how it’s done. It wouldn’t be the first time,” he added.
“They’ll keep sending more things. I’ll veto them, and eventually, after a month or two, when all of them are vetoed (…) a deal gets made,” Trump continued.
He said he may preemptively pardon all of his staff. He also admitted that he would like to run in another U.S. presidential election. “I would very much like to run again if I had the chance, but the rules are very precise,” he added.
From Washington, Natalia Dziurdzińska (PAP)
