Live updates: Trump administration news on the Epstein files, government shutdown

President Donald Trump spoke to reporters last night aboard Air Force One, where he revealed that Iran was “seriously talking” with the United States and expressed confidence in his Federal Reserve nominee Kevin Warsh.

Here are some of his other comments:

“This guy Wolff was a writer, was conspiring with Epstein to do harm to me,” Trump said, referring to the newly released documents which include multiple emails that shed light on Jeffrey Epstein’s views of Trump and the financier’s interactions with author Michael Wolff.

Trump added Wolff was “a third-grade writer, who was conspiring with Jeffrey Epstein to hurt me politically,” saying “that came through loud and clear, so we’ll probably sue Wolff.”

The author is known for his books chronicling Trump’s presidency. They have drawn sharp criticism from Trump while generating significant public attention.

Trump reiterated his message that he directed Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem not to intervene in protests or riots unless Democratic-led cities request assistance.

“Cities are all Democrat-run cities, and if they want help, they have to ask for it, because if we go in, all they do is complain. But if they want help, they can ask for it, and they’re going to need help,” Trump told reporters hours after he posted a similar message on social media.

Pressed on what he meant when he said “people will suffer an equal, or more, consequence” in the Truth Social post, Trump promised an aggressive federal response to protect government property.

Asked by reporters whether he was aware of the arrest of former CNN anchor Don Lemon or the federal charges against the journalist before it happened this week, Trump said he did not know anything about “the Don Lemon thing.”

“But he’s a sleaze bag,” the president said. He went on to deride Lemon’s career, suggesting the arrest had brought renewed attention to the journalist.

“Everyone’s known that he’s a washup,” Trump said, adding that from Lemon’s standpoint, it was probably “the best thing that could happen to him.”