Mid-term elections: Trump admits mistakes on the economy and migrants. Dana White as spokesperson? ‘I was joking’

“I think it was a case of miscommunication, perhaps on my part as well,” he said. “But I was talking about it all the time. So I don’t know, how much more could I have said about it?”

According to exit polls, three-quarters of voters consider the state of the economy to be poor or unsatisfactory, whilst two-thirds believe that the tariffs introduced by Trump have harmed the country. The President said he was convinced that the positive effects of his policies would become apparent over the next two to four months, thanks mainly to a recovery in manufacturing employment.

A more significant admission came on the subject of immigration. Trump acknowledged that the crackdown on deportations had had negative political consequences, particularly when it affected people who were part of the US labour market.

“I’d give myself top marks for closing the border,” he said, whilst arguing, however, that the problem lay in the fact that immigrants who were in employment – and whose only offence had been entering the United States illegally – were also being deported.

“I think it’s been too harsh,” he admitted, referring to the deportation policy. Trump added that he would like to reach an agreement on immigration with the Democrats in Congress.

These statements come as the White House undergoes a period of reorganisation. Trump has announced the replacement of Chief of Staff Susie Wiles with Stephen Miller, who is regarded as one of the main architects of the hardline stance on immigration. In the interview, the President had hinted at the possibility of further changes to his cabinet, whilst stating that he had confidence in his ministers.

Looking ahead to 2028, Donald Trump regards Secretary of State Marco Rubio as one of the possible Republican candidates for the 2028 presidential election, alongside Vice-President JD Vance. The US President has praised Rubio’s work, whilst also confirming that he is expected to retain his post in the administration even after the Republicans’ defeat in the mid-term elections.

“I think Marco is brilliant,” said Trump, responding to a question about possible candidates to succeed him other than Vance.

The President therefore ruled out, at least for the time being, any change at the helm of US diplomacy. “She will remain, amongst other things, as Secretary of State, I believe. She certainly loves this job and is doing it very well. She’s doing a fantastic job,” he said.

US President Donald Trump later stated that he had only been joking about the possibility of appointing UFC boss Dana White as his next White House press secretary, after announcing on social media that he had offered the post to his close friend.

Following the heavy losses suffered by his party in Tuesday’s mid-term elections, Trump carried out a reshuffle of his administration on Friday, replacing his chief of staff; the following day, he published a post stating that he had offered White the role of press secretary. On Sunday, Trump clarified that it was “just a bit of fun”. “I was joking, but I think Dana likes the idea; she’s a very capable person,” Trump told reporters in Florida before leaving for the White House. White is expected to visit Trump at the White House on Monday. On Friday, Trump appointed his long-standing aide Stephen Miller as the new chief of staff, replacing Susie Wiles. Miller is the architect of the administration’s hardline immigration policies. Trump currently has no press secretary: the role had been briefly entrusted to Katie Zacharia, who, however, struggled both at the lectern and during interviews, leaving the post after just five days.