Here's what's making headlines in the political world on May 25, 2018:
Trump says North Korea summit could still happen
-- President Trump told reporters Friday morning that the summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un that he canceled 24 hours before could still take place.
The president, who was on his way to deliver a speech at the Naval Academy commencement in Annapolis, Maryland, said that members of his administration remain in contact with North Korean officials despite the cancellation of the June 12 meeting in Singapore.
Trump called off the summit on Thursday in a letter addressed to Kim, but on Friday, he was optimistic the meeting could still occur.
“We’re talking to them now. It was a very nice statement they put out. We’ll see what happens, it could even be the 12th,” Trump said. “They very much want to do it. We’d like to do it. We’re going to see what happens.”
In comments published by the country’s state-run news agency following Trump’s announcement letter, Kim said, “We would like to make known to the U.S. side once again that we have the intent to sit with the U.S. side to solve problem(s) regardless of ways at any time.”
Earlier Friday morning, Trump tweeted in response to Kim’s statement: “Very good news to receive the warm and productive statement from North Korea. We will soon see where it will lead, hopefully to long and enduring prosperity and peace. Only time (and talent) will tell!”
Very good news to receive the warm and productive statement from North Korea. We will soon see where it will lead, hopefully to long and enduring prosperity and peace. Only time (and talent) will tell!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 25, 2018
However, he also accused Democrats of “rooting against us in our negotiations with North Korea.”
Trump tweeted: “Democrats are so obviously rooting against us in our negotiations with North Korea. Just like they are coming to the defense of MS 13 thugs, saying that they are individuals & must be nurtured, or asking to end your big Tax Cuts & raise your taxes instead. Dems have lost touch!”
Democrats are so obviously rooting against us in our negotiations with North Korea. Just like they are coming to the defense of MS 13 thugs, saying that they are individuals & must be nurtured, or asking to end your big Tax Cuts & raise your taxes instead. Dems have lost touch!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 25, 2018
Trump continues to push campaign “spy” claims
-- President Trump took to Twitter Friday morning and continued to push his own claim that the FBI used a “spy” to infiltrate his campaign.
The president, who earlier this week referred to the allegations as “spygate,” tweeted: “The Democrats are now alluding to the the concept that having an Informant placed in an opposing party’s campaign is different than having a Spy, as illegal as that may be. But what about an ‘Informant’ who is paid a fortune and who ‘sets up’ way earlier than the Russian Hoax?
The Democrats are now alluding to the the concept that having an Informant placed in an opposing party’s campaign is different than having a Spy, as illegal as that may be. But what about an “Informant” who is paid a fortune and who “sets up” way earlier than the Russian Hoax?
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 25, 2018
He added: “Can anyone even imagine having Spies placed in a competing campaign, by the people and party in absolute power, for the sole purpose of political advantage and gain? And to think that the party in question, even with the expenditure of far more money, LOST!”
Can anyone even imagine having Spies placed in a competing campaign, by the people and party in absolute power, for the sole purpose of political advantage and gain? And to think that the party in question, even with the expenditure of far more money, LOST!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 25, 2018
The president later quoted a writer who was interviewed on Fox News in a tweet on the allegations: “’Everyone knows there was a Spy, and in fact the people who were involved in the Spying are admitting that there was a Spy...Widespread Spying involving multiple people.’ Mollie Hemingway, The Federalist Senior Editor But the corrupt Mainstream Media hates this monster story!”
“Everyone knows there was a Spy, and in fact the people who were involved in the Spying are admitting that there was a Spy...Widespread Spying involving multiple people.” Mollie Hemingway, The Federalist Senior Editor But the corrupt Mainstream Media hates this monster story!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 25, 2018
