President Donald Trump turned remarks about drug addiction into a bizarre admission about his own personal problems Thursday before realizing he might have fueled the media with something to talk about.
Speaking at a Rose Garden event honoring first responders, Trump was discussing the dangers of drug and alcohol addiction when he abruptly shifted the focus to himself.
“You know, I’m fortunate. I don’t smoke, and I don’t drink, and I have no longing to drink,” Trump said. “I have friends, they drink, and they have a real hard time.”
The president then made an unexpected admission.
“I have other problems. I have some very severe problems, but those are not one of them,” Trump said. “I don’t want to add them to the list.”
Trump continued, “If I did, I guarantee I wouldn’t be here right now. So it’s three problems I don’t have, and that’s really good.”
But the president quickly appeared to recognize that his remarks — just 19 days before the critical midterm elections — might raise questions.
“Now the press is going to say, ‘What problem does he have? Let’s figure it out,’” Trump said Thursday. “I probably set myself up for that one, Todd,” he added, appearing to gesture to Attorney General Todd Blanche.
He then told the crowd that Blanche would have to defend him against questions about his admission.
“They’re going to say, ‘He said he’s got some serious problems. What are they?’” Trump continued.
“I actually don’t know,” he added. “I was just having fun to the media. They’re wonderful people.”