Trump news: President holds press conference with Brazil's far-right leader Bolsonaro, after Twitter row over 'deteriorating' mental health
Meanwhile, the FBI are set to investigate Florida massage parlour owner Li Yang, who has ties to the president
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Your support makes all the difference.Donald Trump and Brazil‘s far-right leader Jair Bolsonaro held a joint press conference in the White House Rose Garden, in a show of unity between the two nations.
President Trump said he told Mr Bolsonaro he would make Brazil a major non-Nato ally, with the possibility of supporting a campaign to make it “maybe a Nato ally”.
In turn, the Brazilian leader went on to praise Mr Trump for changing the United States, echoing Mr Trump’s “fake news” slogan.
“Brazil and the United States are tied by the guarantee of liberty, respect for the traditional family, the fear of God our creator, against gender identity, political correctness and fake news,” Mr Bolsonaro.
The far-right leader has been an avid supporter of President Trump, with their mirroring speeches sharing conservative views.
The press conference came after Donald Trump was drawn into a Twitter spat with George Conway, husband of adviser Kellyanne, over questions around the president’s mental health.
The argument comes as the FBI investigates the president's ties to the owner of a chain of massage parlours in Florida at the urging of House speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer.
The Democrats have asked the bureau to look into “public reports about alleged the activities by Ms Li ‘Cindy’ Yang and her apparent relationship with the president”, who has been the subject of allegations relating to human trafficking, prostitution and promising Chinese businessmen access to Mar-a-Lago to meet Mr Trump, who denies knowing her despite their being photographed together.
Reports have meanwhile emerged suggesting the president obtained $2bn (£1.5bn) in loans from Deutsche Bank over two decades, allegedly exaggerating his personal wealth and promising bankers weekends at his Florida retreat in exchange for their help in securing the funding.
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Per the translator, Mr Bolsonaro said "Brazil has a president that is not anti-American which is really unprecedented."
The far-right South American leader invites the US president to Brazil and says his admiration grew since Mr Trump assumed office.
Mr Bolsonaro said he wants to bring the style and mannerisms of President Trump, including lamenting the "Fake News."
He added, “We want a great America and we want a great Brazil.”
Although Mr Trump typically gives the first question to Fox News, he called on Reuters to make the first ask.
He is asked about "losing momentum" against Venezuelan leader Maduro and how long he's been told it'll take. Mr Trump says there's no specific time frame, saying it'll happen "at some point" and that "things will change."
Mr Trump expressed disappointment in the economic decline in Venezuela, saying there is "no food, no water, no air conditioning, no anything, no power for a long time last week, no power.
Adding, "It's very sad, Roberta, very sad to see."
When asked about military intervention in Venzeuala, President Trump said "all options are open...we'll see what happens."
The US president then turns to Mr Bolsonaro's son and praised him. "Would you please stand up? The job you've done during a very tough period of time is just fantastic."
Mr Bolsonaro says he spoke to the US president about Brazil being a potential launching pad for military action in Venezuela.
He mentions the value of secrecy, noting how Mr Trump said during the 2016 presidential campaign that he wouldn't televise or telegraph his strategy in combatting ISIS.
The Daily Caller asks Trump about adding seats to the Supreme Court. He said "it'll never happen."
He is then asked about criticizing social media companies. Mr Trump complained that Twitter is taking followers away from him.
The president then accuses social media companies of "collusion."
"Something has to be going on," Mr Trump aded, "something's happening with those groups of folks that are running Facebook and Google and Twitter."
President Trump said he is “very proud” to hear President Bolsonaro use the term “Fake News.”
When asked how his relationship with the US will be affected if it elects a socialist in the 2020 presidential election, Mr Bolsonaro said he'll respect the outcome and that it will be an internal matter.
He also said he believes Trump will be re-elected.
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