In a wide-ranging and at times confrontational 60 Minutes interview, President Donald Trump unleashed a barrage of criticism against Democratic leaders, reignited the national security debate over nuclear weapons testing, and reiterated his hardline immigration stance—all while taking aim at what he views as a dangerous ideological shift in American cities like New York.
NEW: President Trump is asked about how people are comparing him to Socialist Zohran Mamdani.
Norah O’Donnell: Some people have compared him to a left-wing version of you, charismatic, breaking the old rules…. What do you think about that?
Trump: Well, I think I’m a much… pic.twitter.com/2A8eVrhxxP
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) November 2, 2025
Sitting across from CBS anchor Norah O’Donnell, Trump wasted no time placing the blame for the historic government shutdown on Democrats, and specifically on Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, whom he labeled a “kamikaze pilot” with “nothing to lose.” The shutdown, now in its 33rd day, has become a flashpoint in the political standoff over federal spending, border security, and welfare priorities. Trump lambasted Schumer’s latest proposal—a narrow food-stamp-only funding bill—as emblematic of what he called the Democrats’ refusal to govern in good faith. “There’s something wrong with these people,” Trump said bluntly, defending his own refusal to cave under what he described as extortion.
CBS: “Have some of these [ICE] raids gone too far?”
TRUMP: “No, I think they haven’t gone far enough” pic.twitter.com/FkHEJve5bu
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) November 2, 2025
The interview quickly escalated into deeper geopolitical territory when Trump addressed his administration’s controversial decision to restart nuclear weapons testing. With characteristic bravado, he declared, “We’re the only country that doesn’t test, and I don’t wanna be the only country that doesn’t test.” His rationale? Strategic parity with nuclear adversaries like Russia and China—nations he claims are actively advancing their arsenals while the U.S. remains stagnant. He referenced recent Russian weapons demonstrations, including a nuclear-powered cruise missile that experts have dubbed a “tiny flying Chernobyl.”
On immigration, Trump showed no sign of retreat. When pressed on the scope and impact of ICE raids, he not only defended the operations but insisted they haven’t “gone far enough.” For Trump, immigration enforcement remains central to national identity and public safety, and he dismissed criticism as political posturing by progressive activists.
TRUMP: You can’t have fake news. You gotta have legit news. pic.twitter.com/0k6hoshlOD
— Jorge Bonilla (@BonillaJL) November 3, 2025
Perhaps most strikingly, Trump turned his attention to the New York City mayoral race, zeroing in on Democratic Socialist candidate Zohran Mamdani. Trump labeled Mamdani a “Communist” and warned of federal consequences should he win. He threatened to cut funding to the city, stating: “If you have a Communist running New York, all you’re doing is wasting the money you’re sending there.”
The comment echoed earlier remarks in which Trump floated the idea of deploying troops to the city if Mamdani prevails—a notion that stirred outrage from critics and raised constitutional questions. Still, Trump dismissed the possibility of a Mamdani win as “a fluke,” while implying that a shift toward socialism in major U.S. cities is not only possible—but dangerous.
“I’ve been working too hard”, says CBS’s Norah O’Donnell, rather than admitting the D.C. streets are safer under Trump pic.twitter.com/T6CaTa6bxp
— Jorge Bonilla (@BonillaJL) November 3, 2025
As always, Trump’s remarks ignited fierce reactions. But whether one views him as a fearless truth-teller or a destabilizing force, the interview left no doubt: Trump is reasserting his voice in the national conversation, and he’s doing it with fire.
