Remarks transcript, Aug 31, 2026 (Donald Trump)

Thank you. And thanks for taking questions.

Good.

On the Venezuela deal, analysts predict it could take several years before the Venezuela oil actually brings down gas prices.

Could be a little bit, but it's going to go fast. Going to go fast.

When you say "fast," when?

Well, because analysts predicted that a thing like this could never happen too. Nobody ever thought it was possible.

Remember, Russia was there. China was there. They're not there anymore, are they? You know who's there? U.S.A. is there.

It will go fast. Much faster than what the analysts—and they say 2 years, 3 years. But if it was 2 years, that's a, you know, short period of time.

It's hundreds of billions of dollars. It's actually trillions of dollars we're talking about. Trillions. And it will come out as fast as possible.

One of the things I want to do with all of that oil that we now have: I want to fill up these strategic reserves, and we'll get that done fairly quickly.

And back on Iran, several military leaders have reportedly told Secretary Hegseth that a prolonged, large-scale operation there weakens our ability to confront threats elsewhere, including the homeland. Have you heard those warnings?

Well, number one, we have nothing else in mind. Number two, we're very respected. Nobody else would be crazy enough to do it. Number three, we have so much ammunition and munitions, as they like to call it, all over the world that we can always take from if we want.

And this is a relatively little war for us. This is not a big war. You know where the money went—was Ukraine. The money was really taken out—the ammunition, if you talk about low. We have tremendous amounts, unlimited amounts of mid-grade and older stuff that's also very powerful. Unlimited amounts.

We're only talking about what we call the elite—the elite stuff. And even that, we're in very good shape. But we can always take from other sources. But I don't think we're going to need it because nobody is going to mess with us. Nobody.

Have you ruled out——

Mr. President——

Have you ruled out using——

A lot of the—I just want to finish.

They say we used it in Iran. We used very little in Iran by comparison. Joe Biden gave Ukraine over 300 billion dollars' worth of stuff free. Now, I also help Ukraine, but they have to pay for it. So Europe is paying for it. It goes to the European nations. It goes to NATO. They pay us for it, and we help them out. But he gave away 300 billion dollars' worth of ammunition. That's—can't do that.

I do have a question for you about Flock cameras. But first, on Iran, have you ruled out using a nuclear weapon against Iran?

Well, I would never say that, but the answer is yes. I ruled out—I rule out nuclear—use—there's no reason for it.

And has that been——

What—what a stupid question that is, actually.

Well, on——

Here they are, they're totally defeated militarily. So now I defeat them, and now I should use a nuclear weapon on top of them? What a stupid question.

Okay. Thank you very much, everybody. Thank you.

Mr. President, should the Senate vote to confirm Dr. Overton before November?

I hope so.

You hope so?

I hope so. She's fantastic.

You want them to prioritize that, then, the confirmation?

I would like her to be prioritized.

All right. Thank you.

If I didn't like her, I would say no. But I would like it.

Bobby wants it fast, so we'll put Bobby on it.

Let's go.

Are you reviewing the Falkland Islands, sir?

Excuse me?

Are you reviewing the U.S. position on the Falkland Islands?

I always review it. Every position. That's just one of many.

Steve.

What was——

Do you want the U.K. to——

Steve, go ahead.

cut its—or increase its - percent spending on military?

The U.K. has got some problems, but they'll get solved.

What was the thinking behind inviting the Russians to the G–20 meeting in Asheville? There's—the Europeans are criticizing——

Well, we're going to see what happens, but we like getting along with everybody.

Sure.

One of the reasons that I'm so successful: I get along with everybody.

Thank you, Steve. Thank you.

Thank you very much, everybody.