Welcome to the online edition of From the Politics Desk, an evening newsletter that delivers the latest reporting and insights from the NBC News Politics team, covering the White House, Capitol Hill, and the campaign trail.

In today’s issue, we share the first remarks from Kristen Welker’s exclusive interview with President Donald Trump. Additionally, we examine another U.S. ally — following Canada — whose upcoming election has been impacted by Trump, as he influences not just American politics but global politics as well.

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— Scott Bland

Trump downplays recession fears, saying the U.S. would be ‘OK’ in the long term

By Alexandra Marquez

On Friday, President Donald Trump minimized concerns regarding potential economic challenges, asserting that everything would be “OK” in the long run, despite a possible short-term recession in the U.S. economy.

Asked twice by “Meet the Press” moderator Kristen Welker whether it would be OK in the long term if there was a recession in the short term, the president said, “Look, yeah, it’s — everything’s OK. What we are — I said, this is a transition period. I think we’re going to do fantastically.” 

Following up, Welker asked Trump if he was worried about a recession, to which he responded, “No.” Asked whether he thinks one could happen, Trump replied, “Anything can happen, but I think we’re going to have the greatest economy in the history of our country.” 

The remarks come as analysts on Wall Street are increasingly worried that the country could face a recession due to Trump’s changing tariff policy. 

“Well, you know, you say, ‘Some people on Wall Street say’ — well, I tell you something else. Some people on Wall Street say that we’re going to have the greatest economy in history. Why don’t you talk about them?” Trump said during the interview at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. 

“There are many people on Wall Street say this is going to be the greatest windfall ever happen,” the president added. 

According to initial measurements released by the Commerce Department on Wednesday, the U.S. economy shrunk by 0.3% in the first quarter of 2025, a reduction largely driven by a fall in exports and a boost in imports ahead of Trump’s expected tariffs. 

On Wednesday, while meeting with members of his Cabinet, Trump deflected blame for the first-quarter gross domestic product numbers, saying that it was a result of the economy former President Joe Biden left behind. 

“You probably saw some numbers today,” Trump said, “and I have to start off by saying, that’s Biden.” 

Read more →

After Canadian election, Trump could drag down conservatives in Australia too

By Mahalia Dobson

Days after a Canadian election that hinged on who would best stand up to U.S. President Donald Trump, he is at the center of an election in another liberal democracy.

Trust in the United States is plummeting in Australia, which votes Saturday amid global financial turmoil sparked by tariffs Trump has imposed on trading partners around the world including Australia, a U.S. ally and vital security partner in countering China. 

As in Canada, Australia’s opposition conservative party, the Liberal Party, was primed to win before Trump returned to office, thanks to public anger over the cost of living and record-high home prices. But it has since lost support among voters increasingly concerned about how their government will handle Trump. 

A poll released last month by the Lowy Institute, a research foundation, found only 36% of Australians expressed any level of trust in the United States — the lowest in the annual poll’s two-decade history.

While 81% of Australians disapprove of Trump’s tariffs, the vast majority (80%) continue to say the U.S. alliance is important for Australia’s security.

Those numbers reflect the economic and security dichotomy Australia faces: how to balance its security ties with the U.S. and its trade interests with China.

Read more on Saturday’s election in Australia →

That’s all From the Politics Desk for now. Today’s newsletter was compiled by Scott Bland and Bridget Bowman.

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