At Thursday's Fox News debate in Detroit, Megyn Kelly asked Donald Trump about a report in BuzzFeed that he told The New York Times in an off-the-record conversation that he is flexible about his immigration proposals, including his promise to deport 11 million immigrants. She asked Trump if he said those things, especially about his "deportation plan." Trump didn't respond directly.
First he questioned BuzzFeed's accuracy, then he said he believed in the sanctity of off-the-record conversation. "I think being off the record is a very important thing, a very powerful thing," he said. Next, Trump endorsed the idea of dealmaking, saying "there always have to be some tug and pull and deal," especially when a president deals with Congress. He then returned to how the conversation was off-the-record. "How flexible are you on this issue?" Kelly asked about his immigration plans. "Not very. No, not very flexible."
When the moderators turned to Marco Rubio, he lectured Trump on what off-the-record means. "Off-the-record isn't up to The New York Times, Donald, it's up to you," he said, noting that if Trump asked The Times to release the transcript, they would. Kelly asked if Trump would tell The Times to release the audio tapes. No, Trump said. "I have too much respect for that process."
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.
-
Jaguar Land Rover’s cyber bailoutTalking Point Should the government do more to protect business from the ‘cyber shockwave’?
-
Russia: already at war with Europe?Talking Point As Kremlin begins ‘cranking up attacks’ on Ukraine’s European allies, questions about future action remain unanswered
-
Crossword: October 5, 2025The Week's daily crossword puzzle
-
Museum head ousted after Trump sword gift denialSpeed Read Todd Arrington, who led the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum, denied the Trump administration a sword from the collection as a gift for King Charles
-
Trump declares ‘armed conflict’ with drug cartelsspeed read This provides a legal justification for recent lethal military strikes on three alleged drug trafficking boats
-
Supreme Court rules for Fed’s Cook in Trump feudSpeed Read Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook can remain in her role following Trump’s attempts to oust her
-
Judge rules Trump illegally targeted Gaza protestersSpeed Read The Trump administration’s push to arrest and deport international students for supporting Palestine is deemed illegal
-
Trump: US cities should be military ‘training grounds’Speed Read In a hastily assembled summit, Trump said he wants the military to fight the ‘enemy within’ the US
-
US government shuts down amid health care standoffSpeed Read Democrats said they won’t vote for a deal that doesn’t renew Affordable Care Act health care subsidies
-
YouTube to pay Trump $22M over Jan. 6 expulsionSpeed Read The president accused the company of censorship following the suspension of accounts post-Capitol riot
-
Oregon sues to stop Trump military deploymentSpeed Read The president wants to send the National Guard into Portland
