Unscripted Moments with Trump: Candid Press Engagement on Trade, South Africa, and Musk

By Pearl Matibe (In Washington D.C.)

03 February 2025

On Sunday, 2 February 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump arrived back in Washington, D.C. after spending the weekend at his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida, in the early evening. The flight had been smooth, with no incidents and he made no visits during the flight to the press cabin. Once Air Force One touched down, Trump deplaned and walked over to meet a group of journalists who had gathered to ask him questions.

In a candid, unscripted moment, Trump took questions on various important topics, offering direct responses that ranged from international trade to his views on South Africa’s controversial land policies and Elon Musk’s work.

On trade relations with Canada and Mexico, Trump was clear about the conditions for lifting tariffs. “To lift tariffs, Canada and Mexico would have to balance out the trade deficit and stop fentanyl (Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use as an analgesic (pain relief) and anaesthetic) from coming into the U.S.,” Trump explained, noting that he would be speaking with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican leaders on Monday to continue those discussions. Bear in mind that this week, he is also slated to meet with Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington.

When asked about his thoughts on Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, and now Head of the new U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Trump was complimentary. “I do. I think Elon is doing a good job… smart guy. Very smart,” Trump said, acknowledging Musk’s influence in the tech world.

However, Trump’s comments were not all positive. He criticised the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), calling it out for being led by “radical lunatics.” His frustration appeared to be aimed at the agency’s direction, which he seemed to view as out of line with his administration’s goals—clearly, there is a new dispensation in Washington.

The most charged exchange came when Trump was asked about the situation in South Africa. The President has been vocal about his views on the country, particularly regarding land reforms. “Terrible things are happening in South Africa. The leadership is doing some terrible things, horrible things. So that’s under investigation right now, we’ll make a determination, and until such a time as we find out what South Africa is doing, they’re taking away land, they’re confiscating land and actually they’re doing things that are perhaps far worse than that,” President Trump said. This marked a continuation of his criticism of South Africa’s land confiscation policies, a subject that has drawn significant international attention.

Trump also addressed the possibility of new tariffs on the United Kingdom and the European Union. His comments were notably critical, particularly toward the European Union. “The UK is way out of line, and we’ll see. The UK… but the European Union is really out of line. The UK is out of line but I’m sure that one…I think that one can be worked out. But the European Union, it’s an atrocity what they’ve done,” Trump said, reaffirming his tough stance on trade with these global entities.

Earlier in the day, on 1 February 2025, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth made a statement about U.S. military operations in Africa. At President Trump’s direction and in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command launched airstrikes targeting ISIS-Somalia operatives in the Golis Mountains. The command reported that initial assessments indicated that multiple ISIS operatives were killed, with no civilian casualties. This operation is part of ongoing efforts to combat terrorism and enhance stability across Africa, with a focus on minimizing civilian harm.

After taking questions from the press for about 10 minutes, President Trump concluded his impromptu engagement, and his Marine One helicopter lifted off, marking the end of his impromptu remarks. 

President Trump had no public events on his schedule this weekend and had left Washington, D.C., and headed to his Mar-a-Lago estate for the weekend. On Sunday, he visited the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach.

The White House released a statement on President Trump’s position on tariffs. They have asserted that they are necessary to address trade imbalances and protect American interests. As the president’s comments continue to make waves globally, attention will turn to his next steps, particularly concerning South Africa, international trade, and his ongoing influence on figures like Elon Musk.

Pearl Matibe is a Washington, D.C.-based geopolitical analyst and correspondent covering Congress, the Pentagon, State Department, and White House, with expertise in foreign and defense policy. Follow her on Twitter: @PearlMatibe.