The Trump Show, Season II

​French President Emmanuel Macron shakes hands with US President-elect Donald Trump as he arrives for a meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris as part of ceremonies to mark the reopening of the Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral, in Paris, on Dec. 7, 2024.
French President Emmanuel Macron shakes hands with US President-elect Donald Trump as he arrives for a meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris as part of ceremonies to mark the reopening of the Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral, in Paris, on Dec. 7, 2024.
REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier
Forget the Eras Tour: From Paris to New York City, US President-elect Donald Trump had a whirlwind weekend. On Saturday, Trump took his first trip abroad since his election for the unveiling of the restoration of Notre Dame Cathedral. Afterward, he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and French President Emmanuel Macron, with whom he engaged in a notably intense handshake.

A senior Ukrainian official said Zelensky and Trump discussed "some key conditions" for ending the war with Russia but gave no details. On his Truth Social account, Trump posted “Zelenskyy and Ukraine would like to make a deal and stop the madness. There should be an immediate ceasefire and negotiations should begin.”

Then, on Sunday, NBC aired Trump’s first post-election interview, taped earlier at Trump Tower in New York. Speaking to Kristen Welker on “Meet the Press,” Trump pledged sweeping Day-One actions, from pardoning Jan. 6 rioters to deporting millions of undocumented immigrants. On birthright citizenship? He’d end it. On tariffs? Americans might pay more for goods, but “I can’t guarantee tomorrow.”

On his political enemies? No time for retribution. Instead, he’s focused on “Drill baby drill.” Trump also refused to concede the 2020 election. When asked why he didn’t think Democrats fixed the 2024 vote, he quipped that it was “too big to rig.” Yuuuuge.

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