(CNN) - US President Donald Trump provided the most comprehensive assessment to date of the historic losses suffered by the Republican Party, and appeared to issue a call to Democrats to work together on the controversial issue of immigration.
In an interview with the “60 Minutes” program that was broadcast on Sunday evening, Trump did not bear any personal responsibility for this crushing defeat, despite his popularity falling to record levels. He attributed the matter to the inability of Republican Party candidates to convert his personal popularity into gains in their election races.
Although he admitted that there were aspects of his policies that were not popular, he made it clear that he was not in the mood to make concessions on most issues, at a time when Democrats were preparing to assume the majority in Congress.
Deportations were 'extremely harsh'
Assessing the reasons for Republicans' poor performance in last week's elections, Trump pointed to Iran and poor political messaging as the main reasons.
He also acknowledged that his administration's crackdown on immigration - which has seen the arrest and deportation of thousands of undocumented immigrants - was unpopular, and he saw it as excessively harsh.
"It was very harsh. I think it was probably a little too harsh," Trump said, referring in particular to immigrants who have been in the country for a decade or more without committing serious crimes.
This is a remarkable admission by the president that the issue on which he built his election campaign has turned, within two years, into a politically “toxic” issue. Reports from within the administration indicate that Trump expressed reservations about some of the methods followed by his administration in pursuing immigrants.
However, it remains unclear whether Trump is considering making any changes to his immigration agenda, despite his acknowledgment that it has been too tough, especially since he has just chosen Stephen Miller - the architect of those policies - for the position of White House chief of staff.
Trump refuses to forgive his opponents
The interview, conducted by CBS's Ross Douthat, concluded with a revealing exchange about whether Trump is capable of forgiving his opponents, even before he faces final judgment before God.
"I think they were very bad people, and I don't like - I could even use the word 'hate' - yes, I hate some of my enemies," Trump said, then concluded by saying: "Maybe I shouldn't say it now, but I do hate some of my enemies, and I always will."
This statement came in response to a question that began by referring to an incident that occurred last year during the funeral of the late activist Charlie Kirk, in which his widow, Erica, publicly forgave the person accused of killing her husband. Moments later, Trump took to the stage to declare: “I hate my opponents, and I do not wish them well.”
Trump has accumulated a long list of grievances; From Democrats and other officials who led investigations against him during his first term, to rival politicians who opposed his agenda.
Although he has sometimes expressed a desire for reconciliation, including last week when he expressed his willingness to work with now more influential Democrats, his usual approach has been to return to what he sees as the injustices he has been exposed to.
Message to Vance
When Vice President J.D. Vance wrote last week that the war with Iran was the cause of Republican crushing defeats, Trump seemed largely supportive.
But a few days later, Trump explained his position differently; He said he wished Vance had shown more support for the conflict, even as he assessed its political ramifications.
Trump said: “The only thing I wish he had said - if that's how he really felt, and you have to ask him about that - is: If he had the opportunity to make the decision again, would he do it? It's part of the decision-making process. And my answer is: Yes, absolutely.”
Trump mentioned that Vance had spoken to him previously about what he wrote about Iran, but it seemed that they did not go into the details of the lengthy article.
Trump recounted the details of the conversation that took place between them, saying: “He asked me: ‘What do you think?’ I replied: ‘Write what you feel.’ And by the way, what are you going to write?”
Trump leaves the door open about his successor
What Vance wrote about Iran was widely interpreted in Washington as an attempt by the Vice President to define his political position in preparation for a possible run for the presidency in the future.
During the interview, Trump hinted that Vance would not automatically receive his support if he decided to run in the presidential race, but rather indicated that he might prefer not to announce his support for any candidate at all.
"Maybe. Not necessarily," Trump said when asked if he might endorse Vance, later adding, "It might be better if I don't get involved."
When asked what other names he might include on his short list, other than Vance, Trump praised Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Trump said: "I think Marco is great. He absolutely loves this job, and he does it excellently; he does a great job. There are other names they are considering, but I would rather not mention them. There are some excellent senators; I know them all and have a lot of respect for them."
As he approaches the final stretch of his presidency, Trump will have to deal with the reality of a Republican Party that may eventually seek to move beyond its era and transition to new leadership. He said in the interview that he still believes his support carries great weight within the party.
He said: "I believe that my endorsement would have a major role if I decided to provide it. My ability to influence by granting endorsement was very strong."
Questions about corruption
The most intense part of the interview came when Douthat pressed Trump about his family's extensive business interests, including its cryptocurrency activities, which have drawn corruption accusations from Democrats.
Trump said in the interview that one of his sons, whom he described as “a very honest and good man,” manages his money, and that most of it is “given to the largest companies on Wall Street for investment.”
The president earned more than $1 billion from various cryptocurrency companies that he and his sons launched shortly before he was sworn in last year.
An investment company linked to the United Arab Emirates also acquired nearly half of the Trump family's cryptocurrency company, before his inauguration for a second presidential term.
The president downplayed concerns about attempts by foreign countries to buy influence within the White House, saying that “every president faces a problem” related to foreign parties seeking to gain his favor and get close to him.
He insisted that he does not interfere in projects that bring in money for his family, although he has not completely given up his business interests.
