Donald Trump’s first televised interview since his ‘shock’ election victory this past Friday has brought some insight into what shape his White House tenure might take following a presidential campaign fraught with controversial and frequently troubling rhetoric.
In an interview Friday with CBS News reporter Lesley Stahl on 60 Minutes at Trump Tower that was broadcast Sunday, Trump’s tone seemed to be more conciliatory, and he clarified which of the things he had said on the stump would be put into effect, and what would be toned down:
1) He intends to appoint a ‘pro-life’ judge to the Supreme Court
He said he intends to fill the late Judge Antonin Scalia’s seat with someone who would likely vote to overturn Roe v Wade, something that could lead to states issuing bans on abortion, but added: “We’ll see what happens. It’s got a long way to go, just so you understand.”
2) Up to three million undocumented immigrants will be deported
In the interview, he stated that he would only send home “people that are criminal and have criminal records, gang members, drug dealers…” rather than indiscriminately deport 6 of the estimated 11 illegal Mexicans in the U.S.. which he had promised to do if he were elected.
3) The wall on the U.S.-Mexican border may be part fence
When asked if he would erect a wall the length of the 2,000-mile U.S.-Mexican border, he said: “There could be some fencing,” but that “in certain areas a wall is more appropriate,” allaying the fears of those who had taken his campaign pledge literally.
4) He dismissed fears of blacks and Muslims
Trump dismissed reports of hate crimes and anti-black, anti-Muslim incidents as having been amplified by a biased media, but said he thought it was “horrible” if it really was happening, and called on the alleged attackers and vandals to stop : “I would say don’t do it, that’s terrible, because I’m going to bring this country together,” he said. “And I say, ‘Stop it.’ If it — if it helps. I will say this, and I will say right to the cameras: Stop it.”
5) He might not repeal Obamacare entirely, after all
He has moderated his stance on the future of the Affordable Care Act, despite the fact that on the campaign trail he pledged to repeal and replace it, suggesting that he would like to keep the law’s provisions which allow children under 26 to remain on their parents’ insurance plans and ban the denial of coverage for people with pre-existing conditions, which he felt was one of the ACA’s “strongest assets.”
6) He might turn to Hillary Clinton for advice
In the run-up to the elections, he had threatened to prosecute and incarcerate Hillary Clinton. However, the morning after he praised her both for her grace in defeat and her public service, saying: “She couldn’t have been nicer.” When asked if he would seek her advice, he said: “Certainly, I would certainly think about that.”
