Before he addressed the nation on Tuesday night, President Trump told several television anchors he didn't want to make the speech and was only doing so because people like Kellyanne Conway said he should, The New York Times reports.
Trump met with the anchors in an off-the-record lunch on Tuesday afternoon. On Monday, Trump announced he would give a prime-time address from the Oval Office on border security, and would visit the border on Thursday. Two people with knowledge of the matter told the Times that during Tuesday's lunch, Trump downplayed both the speech and upcoming trip to Texas, calling them pointless.
"It's not going to change a damn thing, but I'm still doing it," Trump reportedly said. He then gestured to Conway, his counselor, as well as White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders and White House Communications Director Bill Shine. "These people behind you say it's worth it," he said. Read more about the lunch at The New York Times.
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