South Lawn
9:30 A.M. EDT
Q Mr. President, can the country afford the port strike? Can the country afford these ships to stay off (inaudible)?
THE PRESIDENT: I think we're making progress on that.
Q How much progress, sir?
THE PRESIDENT: We'll find out soon.
Q What kind of sanctions —
Q Any updates on —
Q What kind of sanctions are you considering on Iran? What kind of sanctions are you considering?
THE PRESIDENT: I'll tell them before I tell you.
Q Did Tim Walz lose the debate?
Q Any updates on the hostages — on the hostages in Gaza, sir?
Q Did Tim Walz lose the debate?
THE PRESIDENT: No, he didn't. And, by the way, the other guy lost the debate. He misrepresented everything, including — anyway, I —
Q Sir — the hostages in Gaza, sir. The hostages in Gaza. Do you have any updates on them?
THE PRESIDENT: Not — not right now.
(Cross-talk.)
Q Would you support Israel striking Iran's oil facilities, sir?
THE PRESIDENT: We're in discussion of that. I think — I think that would be a little — anyway.
Q Do you believe that Donald Trump was acting as a private candidate and not as president when he sought to overturn the 2020 election, as Jack Smith laid out in his filing?
THE PRESIDENT: I'll let Jack Smith make that case.
(Cross-talk.)
Q (Inaudible) response to the retaliation? Will you let Israel retaliate? What are the plans to allow Israel to strike back against Iran?
THE PRESIDENT: First of all, we don't allow Israel. We advise Israel. And there's nothing going to happen today. We'll talk about that later.
Q G20 and APEC Summits next month. Is it a good chance to sit down with President Putin to discuss international security?
THE PRESIDENT: I'm sorry?
Q G20 and APEC Summits next month. Is it a good chance to discuss international security and Ukraine with Putin?
THE PRESIDENT: I doubt whether Putin will show up.
Q Are you surprised the race between Harris and Trump is so close right now? Are you surprised?
THE PRESIDENT: No, I'm not. It always gets this close. She's going to do fine.
9:32 A.M. EDT
