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Donald Trump |
Republican billionaire Donald Trump said in an interview broadcast Sunday he would forgo
the $400,000 salary that comes with the US president’s job.
“I’m not going to take the salary. I’m not taking it,”
he told CBS’s “60 minutes,” confirming a promise he made in a campaign video in
September. “I think I have to by law take $1, so I’ll take $1 a year,”
he added.
He also sought in his first televised interview as
president-elect to reassure Americans fearful of a crackdown on minorities —
while assuring his core supporters he will not let them down on gun rights,
abortion or immigration.
The Republican billionaire — whose shock election on a
populist and anti-immigration platform has spurred days of protests — told
demonstrators they have no reason to fear his presidency.
“Don’t be afraid. We are going to bring our country back,”
he said in the interview with CBS’s “60 Minutes.” Trump said he was “saddened”
by reports that incidents of harassment and intimidation of minorities had
spiked since his election — and called for it to end.
“I hate to hear that. I am so saddened to hear that,”
Trump said when asked about the reports. “If it helps, I will say this, and I will say right to the
cameras: Stop it.” Millions were expected to tune in to “60 Minutes” for clues on
how the populist billionaire will govern, and how far he intends to convert his
strident campaign slogans into hard and fast policy.
Trump sent out clear signals to his core electorate on a
string of flashpoint issues. He reaffirmed plans to aggressively deport or jail
as many as three million undocumented immigrants — those with criminal records,
he said.
Trump also said he stood by his pledge to build a wall on the Mexican border — although he said it could include some fencing. And on the key issue of the Supreme Court — where one of nine seats is currently vacant — he vowed his nominees would support abortion restrictions, and defend the constitutional right to bear arms.
“The judges will be pro-life,”
Trump told CBS. “In terms of the whole gun situation,” he added, “they’re
going to be very pro-Second Amendment.” But he also signaled that he would not seek to overturn
the legalization of same-sex marriage in the United States.
“It’s law. It was settled in the Supreme Court. I mean
it’s done,” Trump said when asked on CBS’s “60 minutes” if he supports
marriage equality. “And I’m — I’m fine with that,”
he added.
And in a final conciliatory gesture, the billionaire
said he would forego the $400,000 salary that comes with the function of US
president. “I’m not going to take the salary. I’m not taking it,” he said. “I
think I have to by law take $1, so I’ll take $1 a year,”
he added.
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