Washington: US President Donald Trump has sparked fresh debate after saying he prefers to “hang around with losers”, suggesting he finds conversations with highly successful people unappealing. He made the comments while responding to audience questions, alongside wider remarks on leadership and the situation in Iran.
Speaking at the Future Investment Initiative in Miami, Trump told the audience, “I always like to hang around with losers, actually, because it makes me feel better.”

He continued, “I hate guys that are very, very successful, and you have to listen to their success stories. I like people who like to listen to my success.”

Comments made during open Q&A session

The remarks came during a question and answer session that followed a lengthy speech. Trump invited participants to ask broad questions, saying they could raise topics including “sex” or “whatever the hell you want”.

When asked which leadership quality is most lacking around the world, Trump said that the ability to win is the most important trait. He compared success and failure to sport, suggesting that results in sport are clear and immediate, unlike in other aspects of life.

“You got a lot of losers, mostly losers, fortunately,” he said, before referring back to his earlier comment about preferring their company.

He later attempted to soften the remark, saying, “I'm only kidding,” before adding, “Eh, sort of.”

Trump also said, “People who win, it's much easier to lead when you're successful, and you win.”

Remarks on Iran and regional tensions

During the same event, Trump spoke about Qasem Soleimani, who was killed in a United States drone strike ordered by him in 2020. He described Soleimani as a “great leader” and a “mad genius”.

Trump also claimed that Iran’s newly appointed supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, was dead.

He said recent United States military actions had effectively dismantled Iran’s leadership. “Their leaders are all dead… Their supreme leader is no longer supreme. He's dead,” he said.

Trump further claimed that Iran’s military capabilities had been severely weakened. “Iran's navy is gone… their air force is totally, completely dead,” he said, adding that missile systems, drone factories and defence infrastructure had been “totally dismantled”.

He also stated that Iran was now seeking negotiations. “They are begging to make a deal,” he said.

Iran responds to claims on negotiations

Abbas Araghchi said Iran is reviewing a United States proposal aimed at ending the conflict but made it clear that there is “no intention” to enter direct talks with Washington.

He added that communications taking place through intermediaries should not be seen as formal negotiations with the United States.

Background

The United States and Israel’s war on Iran began on February 28, with the assassination of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and several senior officials, including security chief Ali Larijani.

According to Iranian authorities, at least 1,900 people have been killed in the bombings and airstrikes, including 175 schoolgirls. Around 3.2 million people have also been displaced within the country.

With agency inputs