Trump on many want take Marjorie T Greene’s p, Cuba & Iran making deal; AOC & Gavin Newsom in Munich

Trump held a gaggle covering multiple topics. On Rome, Georgia — the former district of Marjorie Taylor Greene who resigned in the Trump-MTG feud — Trump said many candidates are competing for her seat, and his endorsement typically decides the race. On Cuba — Trump called it a “failed nation” unable to get jet fuel for airplanes, with runways blocked, and confirmed Marco Rubio is leading negotiations. Trump framed Cuba as a humanitarian threat, expressed warmth toward Cuban Americans who have been prevented from visiting relatives, and did not rule out a Venezuela-style operation if no deal is reached. On AOC and Gavin Newsom at the Munich Security Conference — Trump dismissed both as incompetent and embarrassing for America, noting even Hillary Clinton is “competent, she’s just trumped the range,” while AOC and Newsom came across as unable to answer basic questions about world affairs or New York City. On the Iran Geneva talks the next day — Trump said he would be “involved indirectly” and expects Iran to try to negotiate seriously given consequences. Trump on Greene’s district: “We have a lot of people that want to take Marjorie, Trader Greene’s place. And many, many candidates, and after she has won, they say whoever I endorse is going to win.” Trump on Cuba: “Cuba is right now a failed nation. They don’t even have jet fuel to get for airplanes to take off. They’re clogging up their runway. We’re talking to Cuba right now.” Trump on AOC/Newsom: “These two people are incompetent. And at least Hillary is competent. She’s just trumped the range.”

MTG District Race

A reporter asked Trump about his upcoming Rome, Georgia trip to MTG’s former district. “Tell us about your trip to Rome, Georgia on Thursday, your trip to Marjorie Taylor Greene’s old district.”

The context — Marjorie Taylor Greene had broken with Trump and resigned her House seat. A special election was underway to fill the Northwest Georgia congressional district.

“Well, we have a lot of people that want to take Marjorie, Trader Greene’s place. And many, many candidates, and after she has won, they say whoever I endorse is going to win.”

Trump’s characterization — “Trader Greene” reflecting the personal dimension of the MTG split. Trump’s endorsement expected to determine the race outcome given Republican primary dynamics.

“But we have a lot of good candidates that want to take their place.”

Multiple Republicans competing. Trump will choose one.

Cuba Crisis

The reporter pivoted to Cuba. Trump described the state of the country. “Cuba is right now a failed nation. They don’t even have jet fuel to get for airplanes to take off. They’re clogging up their runway.”

Cuba’s 2025-2026 crisis:

Economic collapse accelerating
Fuel shortages chronic
Infrastructure failing
Regime authority eroding
Mass migration continuing

The jet fuel shortage — planes unable to take off — symbolizes the broader economic collapse. Cuban Communist Party rule becoming unsustainable.

“We’re talking to Cuba right now. And Marco Rubio talking to Cuba right now.”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio leading the Cuba negotiations. Rubio — Cuban-American senator before becoming Secretary of State — brings personal knowledge of Cuba issues.

Humanitarian Framework

“And they should absolutely make a deal because it’s a humanitarian threat.”

Trump framing Cuba negotiations as humanitarian. The regime’s collapse would produce refugee flows, violence, and suffering. A deal enables managed transition.

“And we have a lot of great Cuban Americans and they’re going to be very happy when they’re going to be able to go back and say hello to their relatives and do things that they should have been allowed to do for a long time.”

Trump appealing to Cuban American voters — many of whom fled the Castro regime, have family members still in Cuba, and would welcome normalization that allows family visits.

“I’m very interested in the people that are here that were treated so badly by Castro and the Cuban authorities. They have been treated horribly.”

Trump acknowledging Cuban American suffering under Castro. The Cuban exile community’s grievances are deep — confiscated property, imprisoned relatives, murdered family members, forced emigration.

“So we’ll see how it all turns out. But Cuba and us, we are talking. In the meantime, there’s an embargo. There’s no oil. There’s no money. There’s no anything.”

The U.S. embargo remains in force. Cuba has no oil (Venezuelan supply disrupted), no money (sanctioned from dollar system), no anything (isolated internationally).

Venezuela Option

“If a deal isn’t made, would you consider an operation like the one in Venezuela?”

The reporter asked if Trump would conduct military operations against Cuba similar to the Venezuela drug boat strikes and broader Venezuela framework.

“I don’t want to answer that. Why would I answer that if I was? It wouldn’t be a very tough operation as you can figure. But I don’t think that’ll be necessary.”

Trump’s framework — strategic ambiguity. Not ruling out military action. Implying it would be militarily straightforward if needed. But expressing preference for negotiated deal.

Cuba’s military — degraded over decades, limited air defense, geographical proximity to U.S. — would struggle to resist U.S. military action.

AOC and Newsom in Munich

Trump pivoted to the Munich Security Conference. “By the way, I watched AOC answering questions in Munich. This was not a good look for the United States.”

The Munich Security Conference — annual European security gathering. Senior U.S. officials typically attend. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Governor Gavin Newsom (D-CA) had attended representing Democratic perspectives.

“I watched Gavin Newscum answering questions for Ingenie in Munich. And this was a bad look for our country.”

“Newscum” — Trump’s derogatory nickname for Newsom. Trump’s framing of the California Governor as embarrassing.

“These two people are incompetent.”

Hillary Framework

“And at least Hillary is competent. She’s just trumped the range.”

Trump drew a Hillary Clinton comparison. Hillary is “competent” — has policy knowledge and experience — but is “trumped the range” (deranged, angry, unable to function politically).

“She was so deranged. She is an angry woman.”

Trump’s characterization of Hillary Clinton’s mental state. Angry about 2016 loss, angry about 2024 loss, unable to move on.

AOC Performance

“But I watched the other two speaking and answering basic questions. Look, Gavin has destroyed California. And AOC, I never really heard her speak very much.”

Trump’s framework:

Newsom: destroyed California
AOC: not really listened to before

“They started answering questions. She had no idea what was happening. She had no idea how to answer very important questions concerning the world.”

AOC on foreign policy — according to Trump’s framing — unable to engage substantively. Her expertise is social media and domestic politics, not foreign affairs.

“But she can’t answer questions concerning New York City either. Because New York City has got some problems.”

Trump extending the critique — AOC can’t answer NYC questions either. New York City’s problems (crime, cost of living, Mamdani policies) being inadequately addressed.

Iran Geneva Talks

The final topic — Iran negotiations in Geneva the next day.

“What are you expecting from these Iran talks at Geneva tomorrow?”

“So I’ll be involved in those talks indirectly. And they’ll be very important. We’ll see what can happen.”

Trump monitoring the talks but not directly participating. Negotiators (likely led by Rubio or special envoys) carrying the talks while Trump provides strategic framework.

“Typically, Iran’s a very tough negotiator. They’re good negotiators or bad negotiators. I would say they’re bad negotiators because we could have had a deal instead of sending the B2s into knockout. They’re nuclear potential. We had to send the B2s.”

Trump’s framework — Iran negotiated badly. Had they negotiated in good faith, no B-2 strikes would have been needed. Iran’s refusal led to Operation Midnight Hammer.

The B-2 reference — June 2025 strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz, Isfahan using GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators.

Iran Reasonableness

“I hope they’re going to be more reasonable.”

Trump expressing hope rather than confidence. Iranian negotiation history suggests continued intransigence likely.

“They want to make a deal. They’ve told them that a deal is next to impossible. I think they want to make a deal. I don’t think they want the consequences of not making a deal. They want to make a deal.”

Trump’s repeated framework — Iran wants a deal. The consequences of no deal (continued military strikes, economic collapse, regime vulnerability) create pressure for agreement.

Significance

Trump’s gaggle captured his strategic thinking across multiple fronts:

Domestic politics — MTG district special election as Republican primary showcase
Western Hemisphere — Cuba negotiations with military option kept open
Democratic opposition — Munich performance diminishing Democratic foreign policy credibility
Iran framework — Geneva talks as test of Iranian seriousness

The Cuba framework is substantively important. Cuba’s economic collapse creates both humanitarian crisis and strategic opportunity. A deal could produce:

Managed political transition
Cuban American family reunification
End of hemisphere-wide Cuba sanctions complexity
Strategic alignment with U.S. on Venezuela, Nicaragua

Trump’s distinction between Hillary (competent but deranged) and AOC/Newsom (simply incompetent) reflects his own political framework. Respect for political skill even in opponents, contempt for amateur-hour performance.

The Iran Geneva talks represent the continuing diplomatic track even as military operations continue. Both tracks — diplomatic and military — operating simultaneously to pressure Iranian capitulation.

Key Takeaways

Trump on MTG district: “We have a lot of people that want to take Marjorie, Trader Greene’s place. And many, many candidates, and after she has won, they say whoever I endorse is going to win.”
Trump on Cuba: “Cuba is right now a failed nation. They don’t even have jet fuel to get for airplanes to take off. They’re clogging up their runway. We’re talking to Cuba right now. And Marco Rubio talking to Cuba right now. And they should absolutely make a deal because it’s a humanitarian threat.”
Trump on Cuba operation option: “If a deal isn’t made … It wouldn’t be a very tough operation as you can figure. But I don’t think that’ll be necessary.”
Trump on AOC/Newsom in Munich: “I watched AOC answering questions in Munich. This was not a good look for the United States. I watched Gavin Newscum answering questions … These two people are incompetent. And at least Hillary is competent. She’s just trumped the range. She was so deranged. She is an angry woman.”
Trump on Iran Geneva talks: “Typically, Iran’s a very tough negotiator … I would say they’re bad negotiators because we could have had a deal instead of sending the B2s into knockout. They’re nuclear potential. We had to send the B2s. I hope they’re going to be more reasonable … I don’t think they want the consequences of not making a deal.”