Trump Unvarnished: The Axios Interview Is A Must-See

Jonathan Swan’s interview with Donald Trump is getting high marks for the interviewer, not the subject. CNN media analyst Oliver Darcy says, “this is hands down the best TV interview of Trump during his presidency. It’s not even close. Swan displays a masterful grasp of the facts & how be confronts Trump with them is remarkable to watch.”

Axios’ Swan was able to follow up and challenge the president in several areas, including on the topic that is front and center, coronavirus. When asked about the high number of people dying everything, instead of offering empathy to those who have lost loved ones, Trump remarks, “it is what it is.”

And watch as he fumbles through papers to try and prove the U.S. death toll isn’t actually that bad. He even seems to suggest South Korea is cooking the books.

Trump also failed to show empathy when asked about the death of Congressman John Lewis.

Trump: “I don’t know. I don’t know John Lewis. He chose not to come to my inauguration. I never met John Lewis…

Swan: Do you find him impressive?

Trump: I find a lot of people impressive. I find many people not impressive, but no… He didn’t come to my inauguration. He didn’t come to my state of the union speeches. And that’s okay,t hat’s his right. And again, nobody has done more for the Black Americans than I have. He should’ve come. I think he made a big mistake.”

Swan: “Do you find his story impressive, what he’s done for this country?”

Trump: “He was a person that devoted a lot of energy and a lot of heart to civil rights, but there were many others also?”

One person Trump does continue to offer sympathy for is accused child sex traffickers Ghislaine Maxwell.

Swan: “Mr. President, Ghislaine Maxwell has been arrested on allegations of child sex trafficking. Why would you wish such a person well?”

Trump: “First of all, I don’t know that, but I do know that her friend or boyfriend was either killed or committed suicide in jail. She’s now in jail, so yeah, I wish her well. I would wish you well. I would wish a lot of people well. Good luck. Let them prove somebody was guilty… her boyfriend died in jail… and I do wish her well, I’m not looking for anything bad for her… all it is, is her boyfriend died in jail… I do, I wish her well.”

HBO has made this entire episode of “Axios on HBO” available to watch for free. Watch above.