President Donald Trump dismissed ABC News’ Terry Moran’s question about his confidence in Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as “stupid.”
In a prime-time interview marking his 100th day in office on Tuesday, Trump was asked about his discussions with Hegseth, who has recently drawn attention for using the encrypted Signal app for official business and the ongoing shake-up at the Pentagon that resulted in the departure of his top aides.
“Did you take him to the woodshed?” Moran asked at one point.
“I had a talk with him, and whatever I said, I probably wouldn’t be inclined to tell you, but we had a good talk,” Trump responded.
“He’s a talented guy, he’s young, he’s smart, highly educated, and I think he’s gonna be a very good defense- hopefully a great defense secretary, but he’ll be a very good defense secretary,” Trump added.
“You have 100% confidence in Pete Hegseth,” said in a follow-up.
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“I don’t have 100% confidence in anything, okay? Anything,” Trump fired back. “‘Do I have 100%’ – It’s a stupid question.”
“It’s a pretty important position,” Moran quickly responded.
“No, no, no,” Trump pushed back. “You don’t have 100% – only a liar would say I have 100% confidence. I don’t have 100% confidence that we’re gonna finish this interview.”“We will,” Moran replied.
During the first of two events marking his initial 100 days in office on Tuesday, President Donald Trump surprised Democratic Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a likely 2028 presidential contender, by unexpectedly calling her to the podium.
The 78-year-old president was addressing service members at Selfridge Air National Guard Base northeast of Detroit when he singled her out, according to video clips circulating online.
“I want to thank Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer,” the president began. “You know, I’m not supposed to do that. She’s a Democrat. They say, ‘don’t do that, don’t have her here.’ I said, ‘No, she’s going to be here… she’s done a very good job.’”
“For decades, they’ve been trying to save this facility,” Trump also said, “including your governor, who has done a very good job. She came to see me. That’s the reason she came to see me, by the way, to save Selfridge. She was very effective.”
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Shortly thereafter, Trump then prompted Whitmer to come to the podium to say a few words, during which she appeared visibly uncomfortable.
“Well, I hadn’t planned to speak,” Whitmer began, “but on behalf of all the military men and women who serve our country — and serve so honorably on behalf of the state of Michigan — I am really damn happy we’re here to celebrate this recapitalization.”
It was the second awkward moment Whitmer has experienced near the president in recent weeks. Earlier this month, she hid her face behind a stack of binders rather than face photographers in the Oval Office as she waited to meet with Trump about the air base’s future.
