Trump talks North Korea summit, sidesteps Africa comments in meeting with Nigerian president
President Trump suggested the Korean Demilitarized Zone could be a possible option to host the eventual U.S.-Korea talks, calling it an "intriguing" choice for the highly anticipated talks. His comments, which took place at a joint press conference with Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, follow his tweet early Monday when he said the "Peace House/Freedom House, on the Border of North & South Korea" could possibly host the summit.
"Some people don't like the look of that, some people like that very much," said Mr. Trump in the Rose Garden on Monday. He added, "There's something I like about it because you're there, you're actually there where if things work out there's a great celebration to be had on the site not in a third party country."
"The good news is, everybody wants us. It has the chance to be a big event," he suggested.
Mr. Trump added, "personally I think it's going to be a success." "If its not a success, I will respectfully leave," he said.
The president also said that Kim Jong Un has been "very open and very straightforward so far" in discussing the possibility of removing nuclear testing sites and halting the launching of ballistic missiles.
But when pressed on if pulling out of the Iran nuclear deal would send the wrong message to Kim, Mr. Trump said no, saying if anything it's proven he's been "100 percent right" about the Iranians.
His comments on the deal followed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's press conference during which he claimed that Iran had lied about its nuclear weapons program. "I've been saying that's happening, they're not siting back idly, they're setting off missiles which they say are for television purposes, I don't think so," said Mr. Trump.
Meanwhile, President Buhari and Mr. Trump both sidestepped questions about the president's reported use of vulgar language during an Oval Office meeting. He made the comments on immigrants from African nations in reference to U.S. immigration legislation this past January.
"I'm very careful with what the press says about [people] other than myself, I'm not sure about the validity or whether that allegation against the president was true or not, the best thing for me is to keep quiet," said Buhari when asked if the president's past comments came up during their meetings.
"We didn't discuss it. You do have some countries that are in very bad shape. We didn't discuss it because the president knows me and knows where I'm coming from," added Mr. Trump.
Read updates below as they happened:
Trump provides update on North Korea talks
Asked by CBS News chief White House correspondent Major Garrett if the Korean Demilitarized Zone could be a possible option to host the eventual U.S.-Korea talks, Mr. Trump said it was a location he thought was "intriguing." His comments follow his tweet early Monday when he suggested the "Peace House/Freedom House, on the Border of North & South Korea."
"Some people don't like the look of that, some people like that very much," said Mr. Trump. He added, "There's something I like about it because you're there, you're actually there where if things work out there's a great celebration to be had on the site not in a third party country."
"The good news is, everybody wants us. It has the chance to be a big event," he suggested.
Mr. Trump added, "personally I think it's going to be a success." "If its not a success, I will respectfully leave," he said.
Mr. Trump said the U.S. has "never been closer" to potentially brokering a deal on denuclearizing tge Korean Peninsula, saying the U.S. could "create peace and safety for the world."
The president also said that Kim Jong Un has been "very open and very straightforward so far" in discussing the possibility of removing nuclear testing sites and launching of ballistic missiles.
"If it doesn't work out well, that's the way it goes," he conceded.
Buhari on Trump's reported vulgar comments
"I'm very careful with what the press says about [people] other than myself, I'm not sure about the validity or whether that allegation against the president was true or not, the best thing for me is to keep quiet," said President Buhari when asked if the president's reported use of vulgar language in describing immigrants from Africa came up during their meetings Monday.
"We didn't discuss it. You do have some countries that are in very bad shape. We didn't discuss it because the president knows me and knows where I'm coming from," said Mr. Trump.
Trump on Iran deal
Mr. Trump disputes that pulling out of the Iran deal would send the wrong message to North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un as he prepares to have talks with the leader.
He said if anything it's proven he's been "100 percent right."
Mr. Trump commented on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's press conference on the Iran deal, saying the reports that Iran has moved nuclear weapons program to a secret location is "not an acceptable situation."
"I've been saying that's happening, they're not siting back idly, they're setting off missiles which they say are for television purposes, I don't think so," said Mr. Trump.
He added that he would make a final decision on his stance on the Iran nuclear deal "on or before the 12th" of May.
Trump: "We don't have borders we don't have a country"
Mr. Trump said there's "no reason to apologize" for his past comments on immigration, saying the nation's immigrations laws are a "total disaster."
"They're laughed at all over the world for their stupidity and we have to have strong immigration laws," said Mr. Trump.
On the "migrant caravan" entering the United States, Mr. Trump said he's been watching the progress along the way, saying Mexican laws are "very tough on immigration."
"We have to have changes in congress and we have to have it quickly. We need a wall," added Mr. Trump.
Buhari applauds work of North, South Korea
Buhari says that Mr. Trump "deserves great deal of credit" for his "statesmanly" role in the steps being taken toward denuclearization in the Korean Peninsula. He extended his congratulations to leaders in the region for reaching a pact to take steps toward peace.
Trump on Boko Haram, immigration
Mr. Trump comments on the Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping by Boko Haram in Nigeria. He said he was moved by inspiring stories of courage and resiliency of two rescued girls he met personally. He conveyed that the Trump administration is committed to combatting the impacts of jihadist terrorists and human trafficking.
Mr. Trump urged Congress to close the "deadly immigration loopholes exploited by terrorists, traffickers and criminals" citing the current US.-Mexico border as a example of "weak" border laws.
He called current immigration laws in the U.S. "obsolete" and "pathetic" saying "no country in the world has laws like we do."
"They got to change and they got to change now for the safety of our country."
Trump on trade
Trump says the U.S. "deeply values and appreciates Nigeria's role as a strong democratic leader in the region." He says the nation is seeking to expand trade and commecrial ties with African nations including Nigeria to expand."
He said the leaders discussed potentially "taking down the trade barriers" in return for supplying billions in aid to Nigeria. Mr. Trump said the U.S. seeks to create a "level playing field."
Trump, Buhari arrive for joint press conference
Following their afternoon meetings the two leaders take the podium in the Rose Garden for their joint press conference.
Trump, Buhari talk terrorism
Mr. Trump and Buhari met in the Oval Office where much of the conversation focused on combatting terrorism in the U.S. and abroad.
"Here and all over the world, it's a hot bed and were going to be stopping that," said Mr. Trump. The president specifically cited persecution of Christians in the region as an area of concern.
"We've had very serious problems with Christians who are murdered, killed in Nigeria," said Mr. Trump. He said we "can't allow that to happen" but added the two were working on the problem "very, very hard."
"We have very much decimated ISIS," said Mr. Trump. "But Boko Haram has been terrible," he added.
Buhari meanwhile said, "It's going to take time and the action by United States in trying to see the end of ISIS has helped us a lot."
Buhari called the invitation to the White House a great honor, adding that he was grateful to the U.S. for agreeing to supply aircrafts to Nigeria. Mr. Trump said the two were working on a "big trade deal" for military equipment.
Trump greets Buhari
Mr. Trump greets Buhari as the Nigerian delegation arrives to the White House complex. The two exchanged brief handshakes before going indoors.
Historic visit
According to CBS News' Mark Knoller, Buhari is the first African leader invited for talks at the Trump White House. Mr. Trump met with 8 African leaders during UNGA meetings last September including Buhari. He also met with African leaders last year at U.S.-Arab Summit.
What's on the schedule?
Following his arrival to the White House, President Buhari will meet with Mr. Trump in the Oval Office then hold a working lunch in the Cabinet Room.
The two leaders will later hold a joint press conference in the Rose Garden.