Trump Offers Democrats Immigration and Tax Talks After Midterm Losses

US President Donald Trump said he was willing to work with Democrats on immigration, taxes and economic development after the Republican Party’s setbacks in the November 3 midterm elections. Speaking to reporters in Florida on Friday evening, he identified several possible areas for agreement but offered no specific legislative proposals or timetable for negotiations.

“I think a lot. I mean, I said before, immigration’s one, tax cuts, or maybe certain things having to do with taxes to make it more convenient and better,” Trump said when asked which Democratic initiatives he might support.

“A lot of economic development initiatives we can do. I think we can do a lot of things together.”

The remarks came during a day in which Trump also confirmed continuing diplomatic contacts with Iran and outlined plans for a major aerospace exhibition at Florida’s former space shuttle landing facility.

Immigration Talks Without a Specific Proposal

Trump said newly elected officials had expressed interest in working with his administration on issues affecting their states. He mentioned Texas and South Carolina but named no officials and announced no meetings.

His comments signalled an opening for negotiations without committing him to a Democratic bill or a particular change in immigration policy. He made no specific announcement on H-1B visas, employment-based green cards or other provisions affecting Indian professionals and their families.

The next Congress takes office in January. Until then, the outgoing Congress faces a lame-duck session in which lawmakers can act on pending legislation and presidential nominations.

Trump Presses Thune on Bills and Nominations

Trump’s offer of cooperation came alongside criticism of lawmakers from both parties. He accused Democrats of voting as a bloc and some Republicans of holding up legislation, while urging Senate Republican leader John Thune to move faster.

He also pointed to federal judges and executive nominees awaiting Senate action. His remarks provided no schedule for confirmation votes or for the economic-development discussions he said could bring the parties together.

Reflecting on the election, Trump acknowledged that Republicans had endured a difficult night. He blamed congressional inaction and rising global oil prices, while stressing that he had not been on the ballot.

The comments coincided with his appointment of Stephen Miller as incoming White House chief of staff. Trump praised Miller’s dedication and dismissed suggestions that the change reflected dissatisfaction within the administration after the election.

Iran Talks Continue Alongside New Sanctions

Before leaving the White House, Trump said Washington remained in contact with Tehran. “We’re talking to Iran. We have been,” he told reporters.

He also claimed that the military position favoured the United States and that the Strait of Hormuz was opening. “We’ve beaten Iran. We are doing very well with Iran,” he said. The remarks offered no details of an agreement governing the waterway or a settlement of the conflict.

Separately, the US Treasury announced sanctions against eight Canada-based money services businesses under Operation Economic Outcast. It accused the firms of helping move funds linked to Iran through cryptocurrency networks.

Treasury alleged that the businesses converted Iranian rials and other currencies into digital assets for cross-border transfers. Several, it said, dealt with sanctioned Iranian cryptocurrency platforms or digital wallets associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Washington Targets Alleged Financial Channels

Treasury said the action involved cooperation with Canada’s financial intelligence agency, FINTRAC, as well as the US Financial Crimes Enforcement Network and Drug Enforcement Administration.

State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said Washington would continue targeting revenue it alleged supported Iranian weapons programmes and regional proxies. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said his department would pursue Iran’s financial channels wherever they operated.

The designation documents also alleged that several of the businesses processed narcotics proceeds connected to former Olympic snowboarder Ryan Wedding. The material cited in the report contained no responses from the targeted businesses.

The sanctions freeze assets under US jurisdiction and generally prohibit US persons from dealing with the designated entities unless authorised. They are administrative measures and do not constitute criminal convictions. Treasury’s announcement did not link the designations to a negotiated arrangement with Iran.

Trump Pitches a Florida Rival to Paris Air Show

At the Kennedy Space Center, Trump proposed a 1,900-acre aerospace exhibition venue at the former space shuttle landing facility. Addressing the MAX POWER aerospace technology expo, which runs from November 6 to 8, he said the venue would bring commercial aircraft, private aviation and space technology into one showcase.

“We’re going to have a show the likes of which has never been done before,” Trump said. Comparing the proposal with major exhibitions in Paris, Britain and Dubai, he argued that American manufacturers should have a leading international platform at home.

“We dominate and we should have the biggest show,” he said.

Trump said the runway and surrounding land could accommodate large aircraft displays, space demonstrations and exhibition buildings. The administration projected hundreds of thousands of annual visitors, billions of dollars in economic activity and substantial commercial deals, with development proceeding in phases over the coming years.

Moon and Mars Ambitions Feature in Expo Address

Trump praised NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman and reiterated his goal of returning American astronauts to the Moon before his current term ends. NASA’s published programme schedules Artemis III to test integrated systems in Earth orbit in 2027, ahead of an Artemis IV lunar landing targeted for 2028.

He also renewed his commitment to a nuclear-powered spacecraft bound for Mars. NASA unveiled the Space Reactor-1 Freedom initiative in March, with launch planned before late 2028. The uncrewed mission is intended to demonstrate nuclear electric propulsion and deploy small helicopters to map Martian terrain.

Turning to commercial aviation, Trump recalled travelling on Concorde and lamented the disappearance of supersonic passenger services. “This may be the only industry in the world where we’ve gone backwards,” he said.

He promoted research into supersonic aircraft designed to avoid disruptive sonic booms, alongside drones, electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, and pilotless flight systems. He presented the Florida venue as a place where those developers could exhibit alongside established aircraft manufacturers and space companies.

With inputs from ANI