Reporter Trying To Apologize To Trump?

Veteran journalist Geraldo Rivera is opening up about his complicated relationship with President Donald Trump, revealing that despite years of political disagreements, he still has deep affection for his longtime friend.

During a Tuesday appearance on Newsmax anchor Greta Van Susteren’s Greta Wire podcast, Rivera discussed his decades-long friendship with Trump, their falling-out following the 2020 presidential election, and his hopes that the two might eventually put their differences behind them.

Rivera, 83, acknowledged that he has not spoken directly with Trump since November 2020. However, the former Fox News personality made it clear that political disagreements have not erased the personal bond they developed over the years.

Rivera Admits He Still Loves President Trump

Although Rivera remains critical of Trump’s handling of the 2020 election and the events surrounding January 6, 2021, he offered a surprisingly heartfelt description of the president.

Rivera called Trump one of the most charismatic, compassionate, and loyal friends he has ever known.

“You know, I really do love him,” Rivera admitted during the conversation.

The veteran television personality explained that his disagreements with Trump are serious, particularly regarding election controversies and immigration enforcement. Nevertheless, he believes there is another side to the president that many Americans rarely get to see.

According to Rivera, Trump demonstrated genuine kindness and personal loyalty throughout their friendship, often taking time to support him and his family.

His comments offered a reminder that personal relationships in Washington can be far more complicated than the political disagreements Americans see on television.

Rivera Recalls Trump’s Personal Kindness

One of Rivera’s most memorable experiences with Trump occurred during the 2015 season of The Celebrity Apprentice.

After Rivera finished as runner-up on the reality television competition, his young daughter was understandably disappointed.

Rivera recalled that Trump personally comforted his daughter, who was just nine years old at the time.

The gesture left a lasting impression on Rivera, who also remembered how generous Trump was with his time after entering the White House.

Despite the enormous responsibilities of the presidency, Trump regularly participated in lengthy interviews with Rivera, demonstrating a level of accessibility that the journalist clearly appreciated.

For Rivera, these personal experiences remain important, even after their political relationship deteriorated.

He also reflected on the extraordinary experience of watching someone he had known socially for years become president of the United States.

“Nothing rivals having one of your hangout buddies be elected president,” Rivera said.

Immigration Remains a Major Point of Disagreement

One of the biggest differences between Rivera and Trump involves immigration policy.

Rivera has consistently advocated for a more accommodating approach toward immigrants, putting him at odds with the administration’s tougher enforcement priorities.

During the podcast, Rivera reiterated his opposition to certain immigration measures.

However, his position has not prevented him from recognizing what he considers significant accomplishments by the Trump administration.

Earlier this year, Rivera praised the president’s efforts to strengthen security along the southern border.

He described Trump’s border performance as “an excellent job on the border,” even while criticizing other aspects of federal immigration enforcement.

That distinction highlights an important part of Rivera’s political outlook: He is willing to acknowledge presidential achievements while continuing to challenge policies he believes are misguided.

Border security and immigration enforcement remain major issues in American politics, particularly as voters consider how federal policies affect public safety, government spending, and communities across the country.

Could Trump and Rivera Become Friends Again?

Perhaps the most revealing moment of the interview came when Rivera discussed whether he and Trump might eventually reconcile.

Although their relationship has been strained for nearly six years, Rivera suggested that he has not given up hope.

Rather than attempting to repair the friendship during Trump’s current term, Rivera said he would prefer to reconnect after the president leaves office.

He imagined a future in which the two longtime acquaintances could sit together, exchange memories, and enjoy a conversation without the pressure of political disagreements.

Rivera said he hopes they can eventually be “two old guys” who simply spend time swapping stories.

Van Susteren, who previously worked alongside Rivera at Fox News, encouraged him to consider reaching out sooner.

She suggested that Trump has shown an ability to overcome personal disagreements and restore relationships with people who have criticized him.

Rivera acknowledged her point but indicated that he would rather wait for the right opportunity.

“I’ll wait,” he said, explaining that he wants to discuss their differences directly and personally.

His remarks suggest that despite everything that has happened since 2020, Rivera still believes their friendship could survive.

A Friendship Tested by the 2020 Election

The disagreement between Trump and Rivera became particularly pronounced following the 2020 presidential election.

Rivera publicly challenged Trump’s efforts to contest the election outcome and later criticized his conduct surrounding the January 6 Capitol riot.

Those disputes marked a significant departure from the supportive relationship the two men previously enjoyed.

In November 2020, Rivera publicly described a conversation in which Trump indicated that he understood the political realities surrounding the election challenges.

At the time, Rivera said Trump had expressed an intention to do what he believed was appropriate if his legal efforts failed.

Nevertheless, the two men eventually stopped communicating.

Their experience illustrates how deeply the political battles of recent years have affected relationships, including friendships that existed long before either person became involved in national political controversies.

Rivera Reflects on More Than 50 Years in Journalism

Beyond his relationship with Trump, Rivera used the Newsmax interview to reflect on his lengthy and often groundbreaking career in television journalism.

One particularly emotional subject involved his 1972 investigation into conditions at Willowbrook State School in New York.

The institution housed people with developmental disabilities and became the focus of national attention after Rivera exposed serious neglect and disturbing living conditions.

Rivera recalled entering one of the facility’s buildings with assistance from an employee who provided access.

Inside, he discovered dozens of vulnerable children crowded into a relatively small area with inadequate supervision.

The sights, sounds, and conditions left a permanent impression on the young reporter.

More than five decades later, Rivera said the memories remain so powerful that discussing them can still bring him to tears.

The investigation became one of the defining moments of his career and helped bring greater public awareness to the treatment of people with disabilities in institutional settings.

Rivera Raises Concerns About Family Tragedies

The conversation also addressed the criminal case involving Massachusetts mother Lindsay Clancy, who is accused of killing her three young children.

Rivera, a former attorney, discussed the difficult legal and mental health questions raised by the case.

He expressed his belief that Clancy was experiencing serious mental illness while also raising concerns about how insanity defenses are evaluated in particularly disturbing criminal cases.

Rivera said he worries about the possibility of similar tragedies occurring in other families.

He emphasized the importance of recognizing warning signs and ensuring that parents experiencing dangerous thoughts have somewhere to turn for immediate assistance.

Rivera suggested that federally funded crisis hotlines specifically designed for parents could provide an additional source of support before situations become tragedies.

His comments reflected his longstanding interest in criminal justice, public safety, and social issues affecting American families.

Rivera Says He Is Not Ready to Retire

After more than half a century covering presidential administrations, major criminal investigations, wars, and natural disasters, Rivera indicated that he has little interest in leaving journalism behind.

The veteran broadcaster has witnessed dramatic changes in the news industry, from the rise of cable television to the growing influence of digital media.

Still, he remains interested in covering important stories and participating in national conversations.

“We’re still at it,” Rivera told Van Susteren, expressing amazement at the length of his career.

For many longtime television viewers, Rivera remains one of the most recognizable personalities in American journalism.

But perhaps the biggest revelation from his latest interview had nothing to do with breaking news or political analysis.

Instead, it was his admission that despite years of disagreement, he still cares deeply about President Donald Trump.

Whether the two men eventually repair their friendship remains uncertain. Rivera, however, appears hopeful that once Trump’s time in the White House is over, they can leave politics behind and rediscover the personal connection that brought them together decades ago.