Trump and Sean Hannity agree that SNL is bad and getting along with Russia is good
On Thursday night, Fox News host Sean Hannity broadcast his hour-long interview with President Trump, and he noted that in all the years they've known each other, they've only talked around midnight or at 5 or 6 a.m. "Well, I like working," Trump said. "I don't think I'm a workaholic, I just like what I'm doing. I don't go too much with the vacations because I'm bored." "You get bored?" Hannity asked, laughing. "And the good thing about this, I have plenty to do," Trump said.
The interview touched on some weighty subjects, but Hannity dwelled a lot on softer topics. On a tour of the West Wing, he asked about Trump's family, noting the "attack" on 10-year-old son Barron — a reference to a Saturday Night Live writer who tweeted something tasteless, apologized, and was then suspended indefinitely. "Well, Saturday Night Live, a person from Saturday Night Live was terrible," Trump said. "It's a failing show, it's not funny, Alec Baldwin's a disaster, he's terrible on the show — and, by the way, I don't mind some humor — but terrible. But for them to attack, for NBC to attack my 10-year-old son is a disgrace."
Trump talked about being briefed on the nuclear launch codes: "When you see the kind of destruction that's explained to you, you realize that getting along with people is a very good thing." Hannity brought up Russia, and Trump agreed it's better to get along. In the Oval Office, he complained about the quickly corrected pool report that incorrectly said Trump had removed the bust of Martin Luther King Jr. from the Oval Office — "these are lying people, these are bad people" — then pointed to his desk, smartphone visible among the stacks of paper: "Look at my desk — papers. You don't see presidents with papers on that desk."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Hannity asked about the letter former President Barack Obama left on Trump's desk, and Trump said that he and Obama have been very cordial since the election. "I was tough on him, he was tough on me," he said, "and I like him, he likes me — I think he likes me, I mean you're gonna have to ask him." "He doesn't talk to me," Hannity said.
In the more substantive parts of the interview, Trump criticized media dishonesty again, called terrorists "sneaky, dirty rats," and told Hannity he will pick his Supreme Court nominee from the list he unveiled during the campaign. "I have made my decision, pretty much, in my mind — I mean, subject to change at the last moment," he said. If "obstructionist" Democrats demand 60 votes for confirmation, Trump said, he wants Senate Republicans to kill the filibuster. Peter Weber
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
When is an offensive social media post a crime?
The Explainer UK legal system walks a 'difficult tightrope' between defending free speech and prosecuting hate speech
By The Week UK Published
-
Women are getting their own baseball league again
In the Spotlight The league is on track to debut in 2026
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Giant TVs are becoming the next big retail commodity
Under the Radar Some manufacturers are introducing TVs over 8 feet long
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Quincy Jones, music icon, is dead at 91
Speed Read The legendary producer is perhaps best known as the architect behind Michael Jackson's 'Thriller'
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?
Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 wins
speed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughter
speed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Beatles are getting 4 intersecting biopics
Speed Read Director Sam Mendes is making four separate movies, each told from the perspective of one band member
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published