Administration of Donald J. Trump, 2026
Remarks in an Exchange With Reporters Prior to Departure From Los Angeles, California
August 4, 2026
The President. Thank you very much.
So we had a very successful event, as you probably know. A lot of good things happened. I have not found out who won the election tonight with Abdul. Who won?
Q. It looks like it's going to go a little—it will be a long night.
The President. Oh, really?
Q. It's not clear.
The President. Ooh.
Q. It's close.
The President. That's interesting. That's what I heard. That's surprising.
Democratic Party
Q. The DSA cochair says that Socialists are the new base of the party. Is that true for Democrats?
The President. It could be. I would say so. The Communists are the new base. Yes, I'd say
so.
[At this point, several reporters began asking questions at once.]
Q. [Inaudible]—Iran? Where are we with Iran?
The President. I mean, don't forget, Abdul was way down a few weeks ago. Now I guess it
looks like it's going to be a little bit of a horse race.
Q. Mr. President, where are we with Iran?
Q. What did Jeanine Pirro say to you yesterday?
U.S. Military Operations in Iran
Q. Mr. President, where are we with Iran?
The President. We're moving along very nicely. We'll find out. We'll know in 48 hours, I would say.
U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro
Q. Mr. President, what did you say to Jeanine Pirro yesterday in the Oval Office, and how did she explain what happened with the indictment?
The President. Well, I just think she was totally wrong. They did a beautiful job. There were a couple of little things, but that was not a big deal.
And everybody saw the vandalism. All you have to do is look at the tape. If you look at the tape, plus we have a witness or two witnesses that saw the vandalism. So, certainly, where—there was vandalism. It was actually—in my opinion, it was major vandalism. And I told her I was not happy.
U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro
Q. Is she safe? Are you going to keep her in the position?
The President. I haven't made a determination.
Democratic Party
Q. Well, on Socialists, if more Socialists prevail for Democrats, does that hurt Democrats in the midterms so Republicans keep the majority?
The President. What? What? Does what hurt?
Q. If more Socialists keep winning.
The President. Look, they've got a party. It's a mess. I think it's a mess.
I think they should form another party: the Communists of America Party. You know?
Q. Mr. President, Republicans have seven——
The President. I think they should have a new party, the Communists of America, and it will do well. It will get about 10 percent of the vote.
Commercial Transit Through the Strait of Hormuz/Iran/U.S. Diplomatic Engagement/Stock Market/National Economy
Q. And then on the Strait of Hormuz, the—Axios is reporting that it might open as soon as tomorrow.
The President. It could happen.
Q. It could be open——
The President. Tomorrow or the next day, yes.
Q. ——tomorrow or Thursday?
The President. A lot of progress has been made. And they called me, and they said, "Please, let's talk." They want to talk. The funny thing is, they never mention that. They always say, "We're not talking."
But they called. They wanted to talk. We've been talking. They want to make a deal. They do not want to be hit.
This was the biggest hit since World War II, as I've said. They did not—and they saw it happening. They saw all the goods being loaded. They saw everything. They knew exactly what was happening.
And I think they'd be very smart to make a deal. We'll see what happens.
They had a very good day. The negotiations were good. The stock market was up tremendously over the last 3, 4 days. We set new records today in the stock market—yesterday, today. I think it's, like, 78 times now during a very short period of time.
So a lot of good things are happening. The trade numbers are phenomenal. You saw that. Our economic numbers are unbelievable, that—like never ever before. The investment into our country is at a number that nobody's ever even imagined. We are doing really well.
I'll see you on the plane. Okay? [Several reporters spoke at once.]
Representative Max Miller
Q. On Max Miller, can you comment on Representative Miller?
The President. I hope he's able to work it out. I feel badly for him.
NOTE: The President spoke at 8:53 p.m. on the tarmac at the Los Angeles International Airport prior to boarding Air Force One en route to Las Vegas, NV. In his remarks, he referred to Michigan Democratic senatorial candidate Abdul El-Sayed. A reporter referred to Megan Romer, cochair, Democratic Socialists of America. The transcript was released by the Office of Communications on August 5.
Categories: Interviews With the News Media : Exchanges with reporters, Los Angeles, CA. Locations: Los Angeles, CA.
Names: El-Sayed, Abdul; Miller, Max; Pirro, Jeanine.
Subjects: 2026 midterm elections; California, President's visit; Economic improvement; Iran, commercial transit through Strait of Hormuz; Iran, diplomatic engagement with U.S.; Iran, U.S. military operations; Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, suspected vandalism; News media, Presidential interviews; Stock market.
DCPD Number: DCPD202600517.