President-elect Donald Trump will officially become president on Friday, but he said Monday in an interview with Fox News' Ainsley Earhardt that he plans to start the work of governing on Monday.
"Monday is the day we really start signing and working and making great deals with for the country," he told Earhardt in a pre-recorded interview for the "Fox & Friends" program, during which he also insisted he did not like tweeting, even though Twitter has become one of his main sources of communication.
His comments came on the heels of an early morning tweet promoting his Fox News interview:
"I have other things I could be doing," Trump said about Twitter. "But I get very dishonest media very dishonest press, and it's my only way that I can counteract."
For example, the news concerning the leak of a dossier claiming Trump had questionable activities with Russia has grown after the president-elect accused CIA Director John Brennan of releasing the document, and in his interview with Fox, Trump said he accepts that, but the fact remains that the document is "fake news."
"Can I say something about George Washington?" he said."Can I say something about Abraham Lincoln? I can say something about you? Just fake news."
When it comes to the Russian document, there will never be a tape released because "it's made up, never exited, never happened . . . I would be very embarrassed if a tape showed up. I would be doubly embarrassed. There is no tape. There was no event. I was never in that room for that period of time."
The Republican Party started the report, he went on, because "they tried to beat me in the nomination, and then it went on to the Democrats, the Democrats took over that work, supposedly. And by the intelligence giving it credence, a little bit of credence by talking about it, it was very inappropriate."
Meanwhile, Trump said he's looking forward to the inauguration ceremonies. Incoming First Lady Melania Trump and their son, Barron, plan to return to New York City, where they'll live until he finishes out the school year, but they and the entire new first family will be at the White House on Friday night, which Trump said is a tradition.
"They say the first night you have your family there," Trump said. "Ivanka, Don, Eric, Tiffany, they are all going to be in the White House, and it will be very exciting. There is something very special about that building. Every time you walk in, it's just something so incredible about the White House."
Trump admitted it's "very humbling" to become president, and he's often thought about his parents.
"My parents were great," said Trump. "I had great parents and loving parents. My father was a strong guy. Actually, my mother was at least equally as strong but a lot of people didn't quite understand that. But she was strong but good. Both good, great hearts and great parents."
Trump said he's been preparing for his inauguration speech, and will thank all the presidents in its first line, including outgoing President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, "who have been absolutely nice."
He commented that his wife has spent time with Michelle Obama, and "it was great," and daughter Ivanka spoke with her in a conversation that was to be quick, but "lasted an hour, and they got along great."
"I am thanking President Obama, and I'm thanking his very lovely wife, because hey have been so gracious," said Trump. "We're going to have a tremendous time. From what I'm hearing, the numbers are going to be astronomical."
He also commented that he's not worried about the numerous Democratic congressmen who have said they won't attend the inauguration, after Rep. John Lewis, D-Georgia, said he would not be in attendance.
"As far as other people not going, that's okay because we need seats so badly," said Trump. "I hope they give me their tickets. Are they going to give me their tickets or give them to other people? What's going to happen to their tickets? I hope they give me their tickets."
He said he's also not concerned about the celebrities that won't perform, as he wants "the people" there to celebrate.
Trump also shot down designers like Tom Ford, who has refused to dress wife Melania for the event.
"He was never asked to dress," said Trump. "Steve Wynn just called me and he thought it was so terrible what Tom Ford said that he threw his clothing out of his Las Vegas hotel. I'm not a fan of Tom Ford, never have been."
The event will also include just one inaugural ball, not 10 or 12, like Obama had.
"Who wants to have like 10 different balls?" said Trump. "We did fewer. Everything sold out. You can't get a ticket. But, in fact, my biggest problem is you can't get tickets to any of this stuff. It's impossible. I was told in dress shops in Washington you can't get a dress anymore."
Trump also confirmed news that the White House press briefing room will be moved after he takes office, as it's too small.
"We are going to move it to a larger room nearby, but not the same area," said Trump. "The press went crazy. I said let's not move it some people in the press will not be able to get in. It's just too many. We will make sure you get a seat. But there is too many people for this small room."
Sandy Fitzgerald ✉
Sandy Fitzgerald has more than three decades in journalism and serves as a general assignment writer for Newsmax covering news, media, and politics.
© 2023 Newsmax. All rights reserved.