Speaking with Reuters, Trump said, “There is a chance that we could end up having a major, major conflict with North Korea.” He also opened up about things he misses from his pre-White House life, including privacy and the freedom to drive his own car, and he acknowledged that being president is harder than he expected.

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And Trump gave this gem of a quote to the Wall Street Journal: “I’m a nationalist and a globalist. I’m both. And I’m the only one who makes the decision, believe me.”

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When he said at the beginning of the week that Trump and other administration officials would do a media tour ahead of the president's 100th day in office (Saturday), White House press secretary Sean Spicer quipped that “we're givers.” But Oprah-like giving isn't really what's going on here, of course.

Spreading the newsy remarks around is about simultaneously capturing and dividing media attention on the eve of a milestone.

Although he would never admit it, Trump is quite obviously insecure about his first 100 days. His hurried and unsuccessful second attempt to pass a health-care bill, and his scuttled plan to withdraw from NAFTA on Day 100 betrayed Trump's desperation to do something big before hitting the century mark. The president is clearly worried about how his first few months will be judged — whether he will appear to have accomplished enough.

Rather than sit on the sideline while the news media shapes perceptions of his early term, Trump sought to command the narrative. His remarks in Thursday's interviews reflect a desire to project the image of a president who is tough in negotiations but willing to weigh opposing views, a leader with a human side who is capable of introspection, a commander in chief who puts America first yet recognizes the United States' unique position on the global stage.