Podcast Summary: The Daily

Episode: An Interview With the President
Date: January 9, 2026
Host: Michael Barbaro (with Times reporters David Sanger, Katie Rogers, Tyler Pager, and Zolan Kanno-Youngs)
Guest: President Donald Trump

Overview:

This episode features a high-stakes, in-depth interview with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office as he approaches the end of the first year of his second term. The Times' reporting team presses Trump on his recent audacious foreign policy moves, particularly in Venezuela, and probes his evolving views and actions on American power, immigration, race, the economy, and his own legacy. The conversation reveals Trump’s complex, often contradictory worldview — unconstrained by traditional checks and prone to defining his own rules in international affairs and domestic policy.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Oval Office Atmosphere and Setup

• The interview lasted nearly two hours in the Oval Office, punctuated by interruptions (calls from foreign leaders, aides dropping in, and the President showing off architectural plans) ([03:31–04:20]).
• Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President J.D. Vance were present for part of the discussion ([04:44–06:34]).

2. Foreign Policy: Venezuela, International Norms, and American Power

• Audacious Intervention: Trump discusses his direct intervention in Venezuela, ousting Nicolas Maduro and effectively placing the U.S. in charge for the foreseeable future.

  • “If there’s a threat, you use the word ‘threat,’ you certainly would have the right—any country would have the right to do that...” ([08:10] – Trump).

• Oil as Motivation: Trump claims security was the main rationale, but admits the importance of oil:

  • “We have to rebuild the country. And we will rebuild it in a very profitable way. We’re going to be using oil and we’re going to be taking oil.” ([11:17] – Trump).

• Precedent for Other Aggressors: Times reporters challenge Trump on the global implications (i.e., whether China or Russia could justify similar actions).

  • "No, because this was a real threat. You didn’t have people pouring into China, you didn’t have drugs pouring into China." ([10:23] – Trump).

• Checks on Presidential Power:

  • Asked what constrains him, Trump points to himself:
    • “Yeah, there’s one thing. My own morality, my own mind. It’s the only thing that can stop.” ([13:26] – Trump).
  • Asked about international law:
    • “I do, but it depends what your definition of international law is. But the answer is I do. But we have to keep the United States safe.” ([14:19] – Trump).

3. Greenland, NATO, and Ownership

• Trump emphasizes a preference for U.S. ownership versus alliances or treaties:

  • “Ownership is very important. That’s what I feel is psychologically needed for success. I think that ownership gives you a thing that you can’t do, whether you’re talking about a lease or a treaty…Psychologically important for me. Now, maybe another president would feel differently, but so far I’ve been right about everything.” ([17:47] and [18:07] – Trump).

• He refuses to rule out military force to acquire Greenland but downplays the likelihood (“I wouldn’t comment on that. I don’t think it’ll be necessary.” — [18:18] – Trump).

4. Reflections on Presidential Power

• David Sanger notes Trump feels “unconstrained by law, convention, or the systems…the United States itself built at the end of World War II.” ([19:37]).
• Yet, Trump wants a legacy as a peacemaker (“He does want that peace prize…he wants to be known as a president of peace.” — [19:55] – David Sanger).

5. Immigration, Race, and Domestic Policy

• ICE Shooting and Policing: Pressed about an ICE-involved fatality, Trump reflexively defends law enforcement, yet is confronted by reporters on the facts ([23:14–25:39]).

  • “Everything makes me uncomfortable. I want to see nobody get shot.” ([23:47] – Trump).
  • On reviewing video evidence: “Does not look like the ICE officer has been run over there…” ([25:14] – Michael Barbaro, fact-checking Trump’s claims).

• Stripping Citizenship: Trump is open to stripping citizenship, particularly for people from Somalia:

  • “If they deserve to be stripped, I’d do it in a heartbeat.” ([26:53] – Trump).
  • “Many of the people that came in from Somalia, they hate our country.” ([27:07] – Trump).

• Race and Immigration: Challenged on whether policy is about changing America’s racial makeup, Trump denies it:

  • “No, not at all. I just want people that love our country.” ([27:55] – Trump).
  • Reporters note only white South Africans are being admitted as refugees (“I haven’t seen that…Over the years, it’s been very much the opposite.” — [28:24] – Trump; analysis at [28:39] – Michael Barbaro).

• Labor Needs & Deferential Enforcement:

  • Trump admits certain industries need immigrant labor (“I want them to come in legally…I want them more than they want me” — [29:50] – Trump).
  • He has instructed ICE to ease up on farmers and some industries ([30:33] – Trump on Georgia’s Hyundai plant).

• Comprehensive Immigration Reform: Trump expresses openness to it (“I would love to do it if it was possible” — [33:18] – Trump), contradicting prior hardline positions.

  • Reporters note this would shock Trump’s own base ([34:29] – Michael Barbaro).

6. The Economy and Voter Anxiety

• Trump adamantly claims the economy is strong, rejects poll findings that suggest otherwise:

  • “The economy is probably the best...I have trillions and trillions of dollars coming into this economy…our economy is unbelievable.” ([36:15] – Trump).

• He downplays struggles of low and middle earners, blaming his predecessor and touting statistics:

  • “If you look at my achievements, the greatest beneficiaries of my economy in my first term were low income workers.” ([37:21] – Trump).

• On technology and jobs, Trump is optimistic about AI:

  • “I think AI is going to be a tremendous job producer. My biggest problem isn't taking the jobs, it’s that we don’t have enough people to fill the jobs.” ([39:06] – Trump).

7. The Chaotic Oval Office, Legacy, and Personal Style

• The interview is repeatedly interrupted by aides, phone calls, and Trump’s desire to show off White House renovations ([39:53–41:02]).
• Trump is described as seeking respect and validation, not only from Americans but from the media and political rivals ([43:07] – Katie Rogers).
• Notably, on allegations of family self-dealing, Trump seems unconcerned, feeling emboldened in his second term ([44:21] – Zolan Kanno-Youngs).
• He draws a hard line against antisemitism within the MAGA movement, setting himself apart from others in his party ([45:43] – Tyler Pager).

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• On checks to his power:
  • “Yeah, there’s one thing. My own morality, my own mind. It’s the only thing that can stop.” — Donald Trump ([13:26])
• On international law:
  • “I do, but it depends what your definition of international law is.” — Donald Trump ([14:19])
• On Greenland and control:
  • “Ownership is very important. That’s what I feel is psychologically needed for success.” — Donald Trump ([17:47])
• On stripping citizenship:
  • “If they deserve to be stripped, I’d do it in a heartbeat.” — Donald Trump ([26:53])
• On potential for immigration reform:
  • “I would love to do it if it was possible.” — Donald Trump ([33:18])
• On economic anxieties:
  • “The economy is probably the best…our economy is unbelievable.” — Donald Trump ([36:15])
• Katie Rogers on Trump’s need for credit:
  • “He’s sort of almost telling us and himself…they’ll be thanking me, as if this is the project that will do it, that will give him this credit that he has been seeking.” ([43:07])
• Zolan Kanno-Youngs on Trump's emboldenment:
  • “He was pretty much unbothered about the business deals that his family has been able to pursue…a president who’s so much more emboldened.” ([44:21])
• Tyler Pager on antisemitism:
  • “He said, no, I don’t think we need them. I don’t think we like them.” ([45:53])

Memorable Moments

• Fact-checking video with the president on ICE shooting ([24:55–25:45])
• Repeated efforts to show off architectural plans and remodels ([39:53–41:02])
• Trump’s openness to comprehensive immigration reform, surprising even his own interviewers ([33:18; 34:29])
• Strong assertion of personal morality as the only check on power ([13:26])
• Sharp distinctions with his own VP and others over the limits of tolerance for extremism within the Republican movement ([45:53])

Reflections and Takeaways from Times Reporters ([42:41–51:06])

• Katie Rogers: Trump deeply motivated by need for credit and legacy, combining “builder” persona with that of political disruptor.
• Zolan Kanno-Youngs: Trump is emboldened, concerned less with appearances or restraint, sometimes acting as a bystander to his own policies.
• Tyler Pager: Trump sets a hard line against antisemitism within his movement, marking a contrast with some of his allies.
• Overarching Reporter Consensus: The interview underscores Trump’s erratic, complicated leadership style — freely mixing contradiction, self-assertion, and an improvisational approach to American power.

Conclusion

This rare, candid interview pulls back the curtain on Trump’s mindset and presidency in a second term. It illustrates his conviction that American might, guided by his own judgment, trumps international consensus and law. On domestic policy, he maintains hard lines on enforcement but offers surprising flexibility on reform. Throughout, the president craves recognition — a legacy not just of power, but of being seen as an unparalleled builder and decision-maker. The episode closes with a sense of unease and fascination — a window into how Trump makes decisions and the unpredictable future of his America.

For those who missed the episode:
This summary distills the major themes and highlights the most important, revealing moments. The episode offers a vivid example of contemporary political journalism grappling with a president unbound, and whose complex, often contradictory approach to governance delivers both disruption and unpredictability.