President Donald Trump acknowledged in a Sunday interview on CBS’s 60 Minutes that his aggressive deportation policy had become politically damaging.
The remarks came during a segment hosted by correspondent Ross Douthat, where Trump responded directly to questions about the scope of his administration’s immigration enforcement actions. When asked whether the crackdown had gone too far, he stated: 'I think it was too tough,' adding, 'a lot of people would say that it's great. But a lot of people think it’s too tough.'
This admission represents an unusually frank acknowledgment that one of the defining policies of his second term has evolved into a political liability. The comments follow the Republican Party’s significant defeat in the 2026 midterm elections.
The president said he is open to negotiating an arrangement allowing some undocumented immigrants—particularly those working and paying taxes—to remain in the United States. He proposed targeting individuals convicted of serious crimes such as murder or drug trafficking while making accommodations for long-term residents, suggesting a deal could be reached after ten or fifteen years of presence in the country.
Trump stated: 'Let the people that are here, and in some cases here for 10 and 15 years, work a deal for them.' He described this proposal as 'something that’s actually doable' and indicated Democrats were already reaching out to him on the matter. When asked if he would refrain from name-calling for six months to secure an agreement, Trump replied: 'Very easily.'
The interview also addressed broader political challenges. Trump attributed much of his party's midterm loss to the ongoing war with Iran and rising fuel prices. In line with Vice President JD Vance’s assessment, he acknowledged these issues contributed significantly to public dissatisfaction.
Trump maintained that the military campaign against Iran was justified, asserting: 'My answer is an emphatic yes because you can’t let Iran have a nuclear weapon.' He claimed the conflict had been won and predicted Tehran would eventually negotiate a settlement. While admitting it may not be popular in the short term—'I think historically, this will be a very good decision,' he said—he emphasized no escalation of hostilities post-midterms.
In another segment with CNN, Trump stated a renewed assault on Iran was 'highly unlikely,' but noted his stance depended on whether Iran signed a strong agreement.
On economic performance, Trump conceded that his administration failed to communicate achievements effectively despite claims about record employment, investment levels, and stock market growth. He admitted: 'I think it was bad messaging, maybe by me.'
The interview also raised questions over the substantial increase in Trump’s personal wealth since returning to office. According to Forbes, his net worth rose by $3 billion between autumn 2024 and autumn 2025. While Trump attributed this gain to general stock market performance and claimed his finances were managed by his son, Forbes senior editor Dan Alexander challenged that explanation.
Alexander identified multiple sources of value increases—including cryptocurrency ventures generating more than $1 billion in proceeds, appreciation of tokens held by Trump, overseas licensing agreements expanding his branding business, and a reduction of an almost $500 million financial penalty from a New York civil fraud case—suggesting the rise was not solely due to market trends.
In response to questions about World Liberty Financial, a family-owned crypto venture linked to UAE investors, Trump said: 'I know nothing about it.'
The interview concluded with hints at internal Republican party dynamics ahead of 2028 elections. However, no specific details were provided on potential successors or leadership contests.