Nicolai Haugsted
Trump leaves Fox News host visibly uncomfortable during an awkward live interview.
President Donald Trump has never been particularly shy about speaking his mind, especially when appearing on television networks that regularly give him a platform.
Fox News has long been one of his preferred destinations for interviews, offering the president opportunities to discuss his administration, political opponents and the latest developments in Washington.
But even a friendly television appearance has to end eventually. And during a Sunday interview, that seemingly, according to The Daily Beast, straightforward requirement became an unexpectedly difficult task for one Fox News presenter.
Trump continued speaking as host Larry Kudlow repeatedly attempted to conclude their conversation, eventually forcing the presenter to interrupt the president mid-sentence.
The exchange unfolded during Fox News’ Sunday Morning Futures, where Kudlow was serving as interim host.
Trump starts by showering the host with compliments
The difficulties began just as Kudlow appeared ready to bring the interview to a close.
Trump had been speaking warmly about the 79-year-old presenter, who previously served as director of the National Economic Council during his first administration.
The president described Kudlow as “one of my great students of all time” and repeatedly expressed how proud he was of his former adviser.
Kudlow thanked him before attempting to steer the conversation toward a final question.
He asked whether Trump would “end this campaign on an optimistic note.”
It was an invitation to deliver a closing message ahead of the November 3 midterm elections.
Trump, however, appeared to have considerably more to say.
Rather than offering a brief conclusion, the president launched into an extended discussion about his campaigning efforts, the American economy and his administration’s accomplishments.
The president launches into a lengthy monologue
Trump began by explaining why he had devoted so much attention to the upcoming congressional elections.
“Well, I think I’m the biggest. That’s why I’m campaigning like crazy. I’ve never campaigned for midterms. You know, a president generally loses midterms no matter if—I don’t know why, nobody’s ever explained that,” he said.
The president continued by emphasizing his support for Republican candidates.
“I’m campaigning harder than I would for myself because we have so many good people, and they want to keep it going, and I don’t want to see them turning around.”
The response continued well beyond what Kudlow appeared to have anticipated.
According to The Daily Beast, the president spoke for nearly two uninterrupted minutes while the presenter tried to keep the segment moving.
Trump then shifted from the election to a series of claims about the country’s economic performance and public safety.
“We have number one growth in the world,” Trump declared.
“Yes,” Kudlow replied.
“We’re the hottest country in the world,” the president continued.
“Yes,” came another response.
“We have the lowest crime now,” Trump added.
“Yes,” Kudlow answered again.
The pattern continued as Trump moved through his talking points, with Kudlow offering brief acknowledgments rather than introducing further questions.
Kudlow struggles to regain control
Television viewers could see Kudlow sitting in the studio as the president continued speaking over the phone.
The host appeared increasingly eager to conclude the segment, shifting in his chair and nodding along while Trump continued his remarks.
Trump, meanwhile, moved on to Washington, D.C., describing the capital before his administration’s efforts as a “killing field” that had looked like “hell.”
He claimed that the city was now “clean and beautiful,” pointing to efforts to address vandalism and improve public spaces.
“Look, this country is so hot right now,” the president said.
“Yes,” Kudlow responded.
Trump also recounted praise he said he had received from Saudi Arabia’s king, claiming the monarch had described the United States as the world’s “hottest country.”
The president’s assertions about economic performance, crime and the capital’s condition were not independently substantiated during the exchange.
For Kudlow, however, the immediate challenge appeared to be finding a suitable moment to end the interview.
Trump moves from the economy to Ukraine
The president’s final stretch of commentary took the conversation into foreign policy.
Trump praised his own record on military spending and criticized former President Joe Biden over American assistance to Ukraine.
He argued that European countries should have contributed more financially and described his administration’s approach to selling military equipment.
“He could have charged Europe. You, know, I did. I sell to Europe. They pay us, they pay a small fare, and they do whatever they want. Maybe they give it to Ukraine, I don’t know. But—but—”
At that point, Kudlow finally interrupted.
“I’ve got to let you go. I’m going to get into trouble. Good luck!” the presenter said.
The remark made clear that the interview had exceeded the time Kudlow was prepared to give it.
Trump nevertheless managed to squeeze in another comment before the conversation ended.
Even the goodbye turns into another exchange
Rather than immediately accepting the farewell, Trump returned to one of his favorite descriptions of the American economy.
“Larry, we’re the hottest country anywhere in the world, and you just got good ratings so they’re not going to bother you,” the president replied.
Kudlow continued trying to say goodbye.
But Trump had one final compliment for his former adviser.
“I’m proud of you, Larry! I’m proud of you,” he said.
The phone connection was cut off shortly afterward.
Back in the studio, Kudlow laughed briefly before offering viewers an affectionate explanation for the unusually prolonged conversation.
“I love talking to him. Old friends,” the presenter said.
The exchange was notable partly because Kudlow is hardly an unfamiliar or hostile interviewer for Trump. The two men have known each other for years, and Kudlow held a senior economic position in the president’s first administration.
Their relationship made the presenter’s difficulty ending the conversation particularly conspicuous.
