First PC after polls

Agencies

PALM BEACH (Florida) 

In his first news conference since the election, President-elect Donald Trump gave wide-ranging remarks for about an hour on Monday at Mar-a-Lago on several topics, including border security, drone sightings and the war in Ukraine. He also announced a $100 billion investment from SoftBank, a Japanese technology company, in US projects.

The news conference was in many ways a return to the past, when Trump relished seizing the world’s attention with question-and-answer sessions that meandered from topic to topic. But in a rare moment of self-reflection, Trump suggested that he is being treated better as he enters his second term, with more of the Republican Party firmly under his dominance and some chief executives rushing to court him, The New York Times said.

In a wide-ranging Q&A session, Trump talked about topics ranging from the Middle East to the future of TikTok.

New Jersey's drone mystery

For days, Americans have been reporting mysterious drone sightings in parts of New Jersey and several other states.  "Something strange is going on," Trump said, and accused the government of covering up the truth. "The government knows what is happening.”  On sightings over Bedminster, his golf club, he said, "I think maybe I won't spend the weekend in Bedminster. I've decided to cancel my trip."

Call with Benjamin Netanyahu

Trump spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu via phone on the weekend.  He did not go into details about the conversation, which he described as a "recap call", but said the "real conversations will start" on January 20, when he assumes the presidency, the ABC reported. "As you know, I gave warning that if these hostages aren't back home by that date, all hell is going to break out," Trump said. He later added: "We had a really good conversation, and I think we're going to be in a good place in the Middle East."

Public praise for Luigi Mangione

Trump described the high levels of public support for Luigi Mangione, the accused killer of health insurance CEO Brian Thompson, as a "sickness". Trump said. "And how people can like this guy, that's a sickness, actually." He said "fake news" may be to blame. 

Fake news

After America's ABC News agreed to pay $15 million to settle a defamation case last week, Trump indicated he had other media outlets in his sights.

The future of TikTok

The clock is ticking on TikTok. A nationwide ban on the app takes effect on January 19 — the day before Trump becomes President. But Trump indicated things could change after he takes power. "We'll take a look at TikTok," he said. "You know, I have a warm spot in my heart for TikTok." Trump said one reason he might reconsider TikTok's future is for the "youth vote".