In a high-stakes Oval Office interview marking the 100-day milestone of his second term, President Donald Trump engaged in a heated exchange with ABC News anchor Terry Moran over immigration enforcement and media credibility.
The discussion aired Tuesday and quickly turned confrontational as Moran questioned the president about Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran national and alleged MS-13 gang member who was deported under the Trump administration despite being under a judicial protective order.
The U.S. Supreme Court recently upheld a lower court ruling requiring the government to facilitate Garcia’s return to the United States.
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Moran accused the administration of defying the court’s order and suggested Trump had the authority to personally intervene.
President Trump defended his administration’s actions, challenged the characterization of Garcia, and questioned the integrity of the media’s portrayal of the case.
“The person that you’re talkin’ about… this is a MS-13 gang member, a tough cookie,” Trump said.
“Beat the hell out of his wife, and the wife was petrified to even talk about him… This is not an innocent, wonderful gentleman.”
Trump: “This is an MS13 gang member. This is not an innocent wonderful gentleman from Maryland.”
ABC: “It’s about the Rule of Law. You could call El Salvador and say send him back.”
Trump: “If he were the gentleman you say he is, I would do that. But he’s not.” https://t.co/x9FFlWHzsS
— TheBlaze (@theblaze) April 30, 2025
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Moran acknowledged Garcia’s criminal history but pressed Trump about compliance with the Supreme Court ruling.
“The Supreme Court says what the law is,” Moran said, to which Trump responded, “I was elected to take care of a problem… a unforced error that was made by a very incompetent man… who allowed us to have open borders.”
When Moran suggested Trump could simply call El Salvador’s president and demand Garcia’s return, Trump replied, “And if he were the gentleman that you say he is, I would do that.” He then clarified that he would not make that call given Garcia’s violent record.
The conversation escalated further when Moran pushed back on Trump’s description of Garcia’s gang ties.
Trump stated that Garcia had “MS-13 tattooed on his knuckles,” a claim Moran attempted to dispute.
Moran suggested there was disagreement over the meaning of the tattoos, calling them “interpreted that way.”
Trump rejected that defense.
“Don’t do that. M-S-one-three — It says M-S-one-three,” Trump said.
When Moran claimed the image might have been Photoshopped, Trump fired back, “Terry, you can’t do that.”
The interview grew increasingly tense as Moran tried to shift the topic to foreign policy.
Trump resisted the transition, continuing to criticize what he characterized as media dishonesty.
“Terry, you’re doin’ the interview. I picked you because — frankly I never heard of you, but that’s okay,” Trump said.
“You’re not being very nice… You do such a disservice.”
President Trump: “He had MS13 tattooed on his knuckles.”
ABC: “He had some tattoos that are interpreted that way.”
Trump: “It says MS13.”
ABC: “That was photoshopped.”
Trump: “Do you want me to show you the picture?”
ABC: “I’m not an expert.”
UNREAL! pic.twitter.com/9WsNzziOCT
— TheBlaze (@theblaze) April 30, 2025
Later in the conversation, Moran turned to the war in Ukraine and asked whether Trump trusted Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“Do you trust him?” Moran asked twice.
Trump replied, “I don’t trust you,” adding, “You come in all shootin’ for bear… Then you start hittin’ me with fake questions.”
Trump maintained that Putin “really — his dream was to take over the whole country,” but credited his administration for halting that ambition.
“I think because of me, he’s not gonna do that,” he said.
ABC: “You think Vladimir Putin wants peace?”
Trump: “I think he does, yes.”
ABC: “Do you trust him?”
Trump: “I don’t trust you.” pic.twitter.com/sLYtZkizSd
— TheBlaze (@theblaze) April 30, 2025
At one point, Trump even questioned whether the interview would continue.
“I don’t have a 100% confidence that we’re gonna finish this interview,” he told Moran.
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Trump: He’s a very good defense secretary.
Moran: Do you have a 100% confidence in him?
Trump: Do I have a 100% confidence in anything? It’s a… pic.twitter.com/v4XmlwkSD2
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) April 30, 2025
The exchange highlighted the continued friction between President Trump and the mainstream media, particularly over issues of immigration enforcement and public trust.
The White House has not indicated whether further interviews with ABC or other major outlets will be scheduled in the near future.
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