Watch: Donald Trump perfects the art of the U-Turn on his first long interview after the elections
He's already moderating his aggressive promises during the campaign.
Donald Trump got a preview of being the president of the USA as he fielded several tough questions in an interview with Lesley Stahl on CBS’s 60 Minutes, which was aired on Sunday night.
The turnaround was remarkable. Reflecting on his meeting with outgoing President Barack Obama, Trump showered him with praise. “I found him to be terrific, I found him to be very smart, very nice, great sense of humour.”
This was the same Trump who had suggested earlier that Obama wasn’t born in America. He claimed there was “zero” awkwardness between them – photos suggest otherwise – and that it was a very interesting conversation.
When asked about how he plans to present himself as president, Trump said, “I’ll conduct myself in a very good manner, but it depends on what the situation is. Sometimes you have to be rougher.”
He confirmed that he is pro-life when he was questioned on abortion rights in the country but on marriage equality for same-sex couples, he declared, “It’s irrelevant because it was already settled, it’s law, it was already settled at the Supreme Court. It’s done…And I’m fine with that.”
Trump said he doesn’t intend to take a salary as president. and said he’ll release his tax returns “at the appropriate time”.
He answered several other queries, acknowledging his plans on building a wall along the US-Mexico border, asserting that he will zero down on illegal immigrants first.
As for his supporters who went on a hate crime spree after the election, the president-elect said, “I am so saddened to hear that, and I say stop it. And if it helps, I’ll say it right to the cameras: Stop it.”