U.S. President Donald Trump reacts as U.S. Marshals Service Director Gadyaces Serralta presents him with a badge during the signing of executive orders in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., August 25, 2025. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst
On Monday morning, August 25, President Donald Trump held a White House press conference to discuss new executive orders he was signing — one of them on cashless bail.
The presser was heavily focused on criminal justice, although Trump also discussed tariffs and his foreign policy. Here are six of the wildest moments from the press conference.
1. Trump attacked California Gov. Newsom as ungrateful 'idiot'
When Trump federalized California National Guard troops and sent U.S. marines to Downtown Los Angeles, he drew scathing criticism from California Gov. Gavin Newsom and L.A. Mayor Karen Bass — both of whom described him as disdainful of states' rights. And during the August 25 presser, Trump attacked Newsom as an "idiot" who fails to appreciate his actions in California.
Trump told reporters, "We saved Los Angeles, and all we get is criticized….. He should be thanking us."
2. Trump claimed Chicago will welcome federal military takeover
After federal takeovers of Los Angeles and Washington, DC, Trump is considering a third city: Chicago — much to the chagrin of Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, both of whom are saying that they don't want to see federalized National Guard troops in the Windy City.
Trump said of Chicago, "They need help badly. Chicago desperately needs help."
The president also said, "Chicago is a killing field right now, and they don't acknowledge it."
3. Trump defended DC takeover
Trump's federal takeover of Washington, DC has inspired angry protests in the U.S. capital. But Trump defended the takeover, claiming that most DC residents are thankful.
Trump told reporters, "We went an entire week without a murder."
4. Trump attacked NY AG James as 'fake' and 'corrupt'
Trump bitterly resents New York State Attorney General Letitia James, who led civil investigations of the Trump Organization and his real estate practices. During the August 25 presser, Trump attacked James as a "fake, corrupt attorney general."
Trump told White House reporters, "You can't have a corrupt court system…. You have to have borders."
5. Trump claimed tariffs are preventing wars
Many economists, both left and right, are warning that Trump's steep new tariffs will cause a variety of goods imported into the U.S. to skyrocket — from fruits and vegetables to wines to electronics to construction materials. But Trump, during the press conference, claimed that tariffs are not only beneficial economically — they also prevent wars.
Trump claimed, "I stopped seven wars….. because of tariffs…. We're stopping wars because of tariffs "
6. Trump calls Baltimore bridge collapse 'amazing'
During the presser, reporters brought up Trump's threat to send federal troops to Baltimore. And he mentioned the Baltimore bridge collapse.
Trump told reporters, "And they watched the boat. The engines were off, and they watched the boat. And the power of that boat, the mass of that boat went right through that steel, just like it was nothing. It's amazing. It's called mass. Mass is a big deal."
Watch the clip below or at this link.
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