Former President Donald Trump spoke with NPR on Tuesday about a number of topics, ranging from COVID-19 vaccinations, the 2020 election and the 2022 midterms for Republicans.
Yes, but: Trump abruptly ended the interview with NPR after facing multiple questions about his claims of election fraud for the 2020 election, according to The Daily Beast.
- Video footage from NPR shows Trump acting irritated with the questions over conspiracy theories and election fraud.
What he said: Trump criticized President Joe Biden’s vaccine mandate, saying that “a lot of Americans aren’t standing for it, and it’s hurting our country.”
On vaccines, Trump said, “I recommend taking them, but I think that has to be an individual choice. I mean, it’s got to be individual, but I recommend taking them. Many people recommend them. And if some people don’t want, they shouldn’t have to take them.
- “They can’t be mandated, as the expression goes. And I think that’s very important.
- “Personally, I feel very comfortable having taken them. I’ve had absolutely no reverberation.”
On the future of the pandemic, Trump said he expects COVID-19 “to phase out.”
Why this matters: Any interview with the former president is bound to draw headlines, especially as speculation mounts about a potential 2024 run. Trump has been scheduling rallies in recent weeks as a sign that his campaign might be on the way, the Deseret News’ Hunter Schwarz reports.