White House press briefing transcript, Feb 12, 2025

Karoline, thank you so much. Can you explain how President Trump envisions the war in Russia and Ukraine coming to an end? Does he expect Ukraine to hand over all the territory in question?

Again, these negotiations are ongoing. I will allow the president to divulge any red lines that he may set. But I think as deals in the past have come to fruition, the president has proven one of the things that makes him a very effective negotiator is not revealing what he's anticipating from both sides. But he is at the forefront of these negotiations, in addition to the very qualified individuals who he's tasked with speaking to both President Putin and President Zelenskyy.

And speaking of deals, a meeting with the president of the United States offers any foreign leader credibility. Was it part of the prisoner swap with Fogel that President Trump agreed to meet with Putin?

Again, I was already asked this question. I said I did -- I was not made aware of that. But we can certainly get you an answer on that. I'll check in with the NSC.

Sure. Monica.

Thanks, Karoline. It's clear that this administration is dedicated to both truth and transparency. We know that with DOGE, but we also know that because this administration recently announced it's going to declassify the assassinations of Martin Luther King, Jr.; JFK; and RFK. I'm wondering, is it likely that we're going to see more information regarding the assassination attempts on the president's life while he was on the campaign trail?

In regards to the assassination of the individuals you mentioned, President Trump signed that executive order directing the respective agencies to do it. I know that that process continues and is ongoing. He's committed to transparency and the declassification of these very important files that I think many Americans are not only interested in learning about but also have the right to know about.

As for the two heinous assassination attempts on the president's life, he's spoken to this publicly. I've spoken to him about it privately. And, you know, as he said publicly to all of you, he feels he has a right to know about -- further information about the individuals who tried to kill him, tried to take his life.

And so, if -- and when -- we get that information, I'll leave it up to the president to decide whether or not he would like to reveal it. But I believe, in the effort of transparency that we've seen consistently from this president, he certainly will.

Daniel.

Thanks, Karoline. I wanted to ask you about the $59 million that FEMA sent to New York City migrant hotels. Secretary Kristi Noem just put out a statement --

Yes.

-- saying that she clawed back the full payment that FEMA activists unilaterally gave to NYC migrant hotels. She wrote, "Mark my words, there will not be a single penny spent that goes against the interest and safety of the American people." What does the response of the Trump administration send to any federal bureaucrats that are thinking about obstructing the president's agenda?

They will be held accountable. The president is signing executive orders daily, and he expects all officials across the administration, regardless if they are a political appointee or if they are a career bureaucrat, to adhere to the will of the American people and the 77 million Americans who reelected President Trump.

He is here for a reason, and he is focused every day on implementing his administration's goals. And sending 59 million bucks to a migrant hotel to house illegal immigrants when there are still people in North Carolina and California who have not received FEMA funding is not something that this administration is going to tolerate.

Diana.

Thank you so much, Karoline. One on New York and one on Russia, please. On New York. New York City Comptroller Brad Lander is accusing DOGE of clawing back $80 million that was intended for New York City FEMA funding. Wondering if you've heard about that figure, if that figure is accurate, and why that money was taken back.

I have not heard about that figure. DOGE is moving very quickly, but I can get the receipts and gladly send them to you. I know that story is likely of great interest to the New York Post.

Jon.

And then, one on Russia, please.

Sure.

Is -- is President Trump waiting for a kind of signal or an action from Putin to go to Russia, and just, you know, would he be willing to go to Ukraine in the future?

I don't have any decisions to make on the president's potential visit to Russia or any in-person meeting at this time.

Jon.

Thanks a lot, Karoline. Two questions. One on foreign policy, one on domestic policy. Following up on the president's call that he had with President Putin. Does the president view Russia, does he view President Putin as an ally, as a partner, as a competitor, or as an adversary?

I believe this nation views Putin and Russia as a great competitor in the region, at times an adversary. But as the president has said as well, he enjoys having good diplomatic relationships with leaders around the world -- finding that common ground, also calling them out when they are wrong, and leading from a position of peace through strength.

That's the president's greatest strength, and we've seen that time and time again.

And then, as you pointed out --

Sure.

-- in your statement regarding the confirmation of Tulsi Gabbard, there was one Republican who voted against the nomination of Tulsi Gabbard. It was Senator Mitch McConnell. Similarly, how does the administration view Senator McConnell? Can he be a partner in the president's legislative agenda? Are you disappointed that he voted against not only Tulsi Gabbard but also Pete Hegseth to be the Defense secretary?

I think we're greatly disappointed in any Republican who chooses willfully to vote against the president's exceptionally qualified Cabinet nominees and picks to lead his America First administration. Not a single Democrat swayed from voting against President Biden's nominees, and we know how many of them turned out. They turned out to be atrocious at their jobs, leaving America much worse than they were when they took the oath of office.

And so, I've said it repeatedly from this podium; I addressed it at the beginning of my remarks: We expect all Republicans to vote, to stay tough and strong, vote for President Trump's nominees so we can get to work and continue to work very hard to implement this president's agenda.

Sure.

Thank you. Thank you, Karoline. On South Korea. South Korea is currently in a chaotic situation. How does the President Trump react to the current chaotic situation in South Korea? Secondly, if South Korea needed help from United States, what role do you think the U.S. will play?

Sure. I haven't spoken to the president about the ongoing situation in South Korea. I would defer you to his previous statements. And I can also see if I can get you something new from the National Security Council, who I'm very confident the officials that are focused on South Korea are on this. I just haven't spoken to them about it, but I'm happy to provide that for you.

Yes.

Thank you, Karoline.

Sure.

Does -- does Elon Musk have power of the presidency?

Absolutely not.

All right.

That's a ridiculous question.

I ask that question -- I ask that question because, you know, the Democrats have been hurling insults at Elon Musk, hurling attacks, calling him "President Musk." Most recently, Jamie Raskin, the congressman, took it a step further, calling for Musk's impeachment, saying that he somehow "usurped the power of the presidency." What's your response?

It's utterly ridiculous. Elon Musk addressed this in the Oval Office yesterday. The president addressed it as well. Elon Musk is serving at the pleasure of the president. Just like everybody else on this team, he takes directives directly from the president of the United States.

And I think some of the comments that you referred to are nothing more than a failed attempt from the media and from Democrats to try to sow division in this White House. We saw them do it in the first term. We're not going to let them do it in the second term. This is a unified team who is working at the pleasure of the president to do what's right for the American people.

I have one more quick housekeeping note before I leave you all today. The president wanted me to share with all of you that he had a wonderful meeting with King Abdullah of Jordan yesterday. They discussed many things, including the Gaza Strip and its future, at great length. The king would much prefer that the Palestinians stay in place with the additional land to be used for new development, which would greatly create jobs at levels never seen before. But the president feels it would be much better and more majestic if these Palestinians could be moved to safer areas.

I would just add to that that the president remains wholeheartedly committed to seeing peace in the Middle East, and our Arab partners in the region have been tasked with coming up with a peace plan to present to the president. That is ongoing. King Abdullah mentioned that yesterday. He also committed to accepting 2,000 sick children from the Gaza Strip, which the president called "a beautiful gesture."

So, the administration continues to work with our Arab partners in the region. We stand closely with our ally Israel. And the president has presented this big, new, bold idea to secure peace in the Middle East, and he is not going to waver from that. And we look forward to seeing that goal of this administration achieved as well.

Thank you very much, everybody, and we'll see you very soon.

Have a great day.