WASHINGTON, March 26 - Four weeks into a conflict described by the administration as a U.S.-Israeli war with Iran and characterized in comments as producing the worst energy shock in history, President Donald Trump addressed his cabinet and spoke to reporters on Thursday, moving across a series of topics in a manner he himself has called "the weave."
Throughout the session the president lingered on everyday details as well as on larger symbolic gestures, spending several minutes on his taste in writing instruments, describing a high-profile renaming of a major performing arts complex, complimenting a cabinet member's appearance and making an offhand remark about pursuing a presidency in another country.
A preference for Sharpies
Trump devoted a notable portion of his remarks to a longstanding personal preference for large, felt-tip Sharpie markers, contrasting them with expensive ballpoint pens. He held up a large black marker and told the room he preferred it despite its low cost, saying it writes well and that he wants to economize. He criticized some costly pens as lacking ink while noting their high price tags, and said he did not want to give the manufacturer too much publicity but that the markers "do treat me well - Sharpie."
In describing his choice he linked it to a broader fiscal instinct, saying "I love the government like I love myself economically. I want to save money," and used that framework to explain why he favors inexpensive but reliable writing tools over more costly alternatives.
Construction projects and the Kennedy Center renaming
As in many public appearances, the president returned to a catalogue of construction initiatives he has proposed for the capital. He referenced plans that include removing the White House's East Wing to make way for a ballroom, a proposed triumphal arch near Arlington National Cemetery and a planned rebuild of the Kennedy Center performing arts complex.
Trump noted that a board with many members he appointed has altered the Kennedy Center's name, referring to it as the "Trump-Kennedy Center." He said he was "honored when the board changed the name a little bit," and framed the development as evidence that members of both parties can still collaborate, adding "Actually it shows that the Republicans and the Democrats they work together - it’s really something. We work together."
Not all voices are in agreement about that change. One of the few Democrats on the Kennedy Center board, Representative Joyce Beatty of Ohio, has filed suit to try to block the renaming, pointing out that Congress established the center's Kennedy name in the statute that created the institution.
Complimenting a cabinet member
Trump also spent time complimenting the appearance of his Cabinet officials. On Thursday he singled out Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, praising him in visual terms and remarking on Bessent's rimless, silver-toned glasses. The president said he was "looking at this guy; he's central casting" and called the glasses perfect, even saying he might get a similar pair for himself despite not being known as a glasses-wearer.
Quip about Venezuela
In an exchange that mixed levity and political theater, Trump joked about the possibility of running for president of Venezuela. He referred to Delcy Rodriguez, who the remarks identified as having succeeded Nicolas Maduro amid details that Maduro had been captured by U.S. forces in an early-January raid, and said that he might run against Rodriguez because he believes he polls highly there. The president said, "I may run against Delcy. They love me in Venezuela. It’s an option for me. It’s a wonderful option."
Reference to the 25th Amendment
When reporters asked about his plans to advance the conflict with Iran, Trump invoked the 25th Amendment, the constitutional provision that sets out a procedure for removing a president deemed unfit for office. He said he could not disclose plans because doing so might trigger a response invoking that amendment, commenting, "I can’t say what we’re going to do because if I did, I wouldn’t be sitting here for long. They probably, what is it called, the 25th Amendment."
He contrasted that potential outcome with actions regarding his predecessor, saying, "They institute the 25th Amendment, which they didn’t do with Biden, which is shocking."
The remarks combined personal asides with institutional and policy references. They touched on several areas that intersect with real estate and infrastructure - including high-profile construction projects in Washington - as well as on cultural institutions and constitutional procedures, all occurring within the broader context of a conflict the administration says has produced a severe energy shock.