Earlier we reported on pretty much everyone saying that Trump is going to call for immigration compromise in the address to the joint session of Congress tonight. But while most are saying that their source is a “White House official,” Buzzfeed is admitting outright that it’s Trump himself, as many suspected.
In a private meeting between President Donald Trump and national news anchors, a relaxed and open Trump said the time has come for compromise from both parties on an immigration bill, a major departure from the way he has framed the issue in the past.
“The time is right for an immigration bill as long as there is compromise on both sides,” Trump said, according to six attendees who recounted the meeting to BuzzFeed News.
But Democrats believe the Trump administration, which has broadened the definition of who qualifies as a criminal and ramped up enforcement and deportations, stoking fear in immigrant communities, is far from an equitable negotiator on immigration.
The reports are coming from reporters who were at the luncheon with Trump, so it stands to reason that there’s a high likelihood the info came from the top.
– @jaketapper @GStephanopoulos @chucktodd and TV anchors go to lunch with @realDonaldTrump before speech to congress pic.twitter.com/WKlWcuxmRG
— Charlie Spiering (@charliespiering) February 28, 2017
#Anchormen Chris Wallace @BretBaier pic.twitter.com/5P1fkK1Lml
— Charlie Spiering (@charliespiering) February 28, 2017
And guess which reporters first broke the news that he was caving on amnesty? Yup, many of those listed right there.
BUT that doesn’t mean it’s accurate. If Jen Psaki is right, then Trump has been leaking stuff all along, for the sake of keeping the spotlight on the leaks themselves. And even if it was accurate when he told the reporters that, he could have changed his mind.
So basically, who knows?