President Donald Trump joined Fox News host Larry Kudlow for a wide-ranging phone interview on Sunday Morning Futures, discussing everything from his campaign schedule to Republican Senate candidates.
Near the end of the almost 30-minute conversation, Kudlow was forced to interrupt the raspy-voiced president. “I got to let you go,” he said, adding, “I’m going to get into trouble.”
Trump replied, “Larry, we’re the hottest country anywhere in the world,” before turning his attention to praising the Fox News host.
“You just got good ratings, so they’re not going to bother you,” Trump said. Kudlow responded with a nervous chuckle.
“Thank you, sir. Safe travels today, and give ’em hell on the campaign trail,” Kudlow said, making another attempt to bring the interview to a close.
Trump continued praising the host, telling him, “I’m proud of you.”
After Trump ended the call, Kudlow again sought to ease the awkward conclusion. Chuckling, he said the two men were “old friends” and that he “loves talking to him.” Fox News has been contacted for comment on the exchange.
Earlier in the interview, Trump said he had been working extremely hard. He told Kudlow that he had held “14 rallies in 9 days,” before acknowledging, “it’s a lot.” The demanding campaign schedule may help explain the raspy voice he displayed during the interview.
Fox News host Larry Kudlow interviewed President Donald Trump on Sunday Morning Futures
President Donald Trump dances at a campaign rally in Perry, Georgia on Saturday
Trump also recounted what he described as praise from the leaders of China and Saudi Arabia for his work in the United States.
“The king, I tell you, the king of Saudi Arabia said, ‘You know, you were a dead country, and now you have the hottest country in the world,’” Trump told Kudlow.
Trump said China’s President Xi Jinping had likewise praised his record during a visit to the White House the previous month.
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“Yes, President Xi was here two weeks ago. He said, ‘You have the hottest country in the world. The job you’ve done is incredible,’” Trump said, describing the compliment he claimed to have received.
The president also used the interview to promote several candidates he is supporting ahead of November’s midterm elections.
Trump called Republican U.S. Senate nominee and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton “the greatest attorney general in Texas” and one of “the few greatest in the whole country.” He also attacked Paxton’s Democratic opponent, James Talarico, whom Trump has nicknamed “Talafreako.”
Trump claimed Talarico opposes the oil and gas industry, firearms and meat. The Texas Senate race is rated a “toss-up” by the Cook Political Report after previously being categorized as “lean Republican,” a change that reflects growing movement toward Democrats.
In Michigan, Trump endorsed Republican Senate nominee Mike Rogers, saying he would “be a great senator” and would be “good on the issues.” Trump also described Rogers as “apple pie,” seemingly suggesting that he embodies traditional Americana in contrast with his Democratic opponent, Abdul El-Sayed.
Ken Paxton (R) and James Talarico (D)
Mike Rogers (R) and Abdul El-Sayed (D)
El-Sayed, a son of Egyptian immigrants who could be the first Muslim US Senator, is running on a platform that includes ideas such as Medicare for All. Michigan’s US Senate seat is rated as a ‘toss up’ by the Cook Political Report.
Incumbent Republican Senator Pete Ricketts of Nebraska also earned a mention from Trump in his Sunday Fox News interview.
Trump claimed that Ricketts, who was ‘struggling a little bit,’ in his race against Independent Dan Osborn, went ‘through the roof,’ following a campaign stop from the president in early October.
Pete Ricketts (R) and Dan Osborn (I)
Kudlow and Trump also discussed a slew of international issues during their wide-ranging conversation.
President Trump touted the US action in Venezuela earlier this year as a rousing success, claiming that ‘total control’ over the nation enables America to secure ‘millions of barrels of oil a week.’
