Trump's LNG announcement and Oval Office Q&A

Sep 30

In the full September 30 Oval Office appearance, Trump announces U.S. energy projects he says South Korea will finance through the trade agreement: eight large nuclear plants, Alaska LNG and a Texas gas-fired power facility. Lutnick describes just under $200 billion in sovereign financing, including $120 billion for nuclear with a $20 billion contingency, just over $50 billion for Alaska and over $22 billion for a 6.5-gigawatt Texas plant. Trump's opening uses six gigawatts; elsewhere he quotes about $250 billion for Korea's broader trade investment. Sullivan, Burgum, Wright, Dunleavy, Begich and Ketchum discuss jobs, household costs, Asian exports, energy security and their roles in advancing the projects. Blau and Lewis also speak briefly. Duval says a three-year pipeline build could begin when the financing funds, with LNG exports roughly two years later; the appearance supplies announcements and forecasts, not completed construction or independently demonstrated funding transfers. Trump opens by declaring the Iraq withdrawal complete, saying equipment was removed and help could still be provided if needed. He attributes the original mission solely to ISIS and credits his first term for defeating it. He claims Iran's forces, leaders and economy have been devastated, cites 301 percent inflation and eighteen U.S. deaths, and later presents a deal or further strikes as alternatives for ending the war soon. Asked about Fairford and an asserted Iranian role, he says the matter is being studied, promises an answer, and questions Britain's release of suspects without establishing attribution or a completed U.S. response. Asked by Schonberger about California's energy needs, Trump and Wright blame state policies for refinery closures, high prices and import dependence. Wright says refined-product pipeline supplies will be needed; no named new pipeline decision is announced. Trump repeatedly backs Senator Dan Sullivan, credits him for Alaska LNG and alleges Democrats engineered another similarly named candidate to confuse voters. Sullivan disputes that candidate's Republican affiliation. In the final campaign answer Trump criticizes Alaska's voting system and predicts Sullivan can win; the fraud allegations are his opinions. Trump defends the Dallas convention after a question about Paxton's recorded criticism, saying he has not heard it and claiming a large audience. In a long Flydubai answer after a Netanyahu call, he praises the wounded captain and recounts an Israeli plumber helping level the aircraft, learning from television and other pilots subsequently assisting. He explicitly says he does not know whether the account is true, speculates about the co-pilot's motive and says crash intent is unknown. These are attributed recollections, not investigative findings. Trump praises the previous day's Supreme Court help on third-country removals, defends deportations and makes broader border and criminality claims. He claims record poverty, income and employment performance, defends his midterm campaign position and blames press coverage for poor public recognition. Asked about Powell's resignation and the Fed renovation, he criticizes management and alleged costs and says Warsh will make his own decisions; no removal is announced. He defends taxpayer-funded government ads as patriotic messaging because he is not running and conditionally offers to pay if the spending is wrong. Answering Nelson's Los Angeles mayoral question, he praises Spencer Pratt, alleges a rigged count excluded him from the runoff, and advocates voter ID and citizenship requirements without establishing fraud. In the AI answer, Trump reiterates his September 29 claimed official Super Intelligence renaming and signed document, describes agreement over the name, backs company self-policing and mutual policing, rejects a work moratorium and claims a U.S. lead over China. He twice claims exceptional recent Hormuz oil flow and U.S. control, while acknowledging a mine could deter shipping. On a diesel-export ban, he and Wright say review continues: lower diesel prices might entail higher gasoline prices, lost Russian, Middle Eastern and Chinese exports constrain supply, and future announcements are expected. Trump attributes much of the diesel problem to attacks on Russian refineries in the Ukraine war. The source announces no final export ban. Brief answers about prisoners, Treasury auctions and a possible Rodman meeting establish no completed action.

On September 30, Trump says he is still considering a diesel-export ban with Wright and Burgum, weighing possible lower diesel prices against higher gasoline prices. Wright says the issue has been reviewed for weeks or months, expects further announcements and price declines, and cites lost Russian, Middle Eastern and Chinese diesel exports, high U.S. refinery operation and anticipated European supplies. In the follow-up Trump again says discussion continues and attributes much of the diesel shortage to attacks on Russian refineries in the Ukraine war. His intervening Hormuz supply assertions are qualified by mine risks. The appearance announces no final export ban or implemented new restriction.