United States President-elect Donald Trump has described the recent removal of Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad as an “unfriendly takeover” by Turkiye, in comments that appear to endorse Ankara’s role in the surprise developments.

Speaking at a news conference from his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida on Monday, Trump commended Turkiye for orchestrating what he called a “smart move” that avoided “a lot of lives being lost,” while simultaneously criticising al-Assad’s rule.

“I can say that Assad was a butcher, what he did to children,” Trump remarked, referring to the December 8 ouster of the Syrian leader, which followed a lightning offensive led by rebel groups including Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).

The offensive, widely supported by Turkish-backed opposition group the Syrian National Army (SNA), marked a dramatic end to Assad’s rule, which had been central to Syria’s protracted conflict since 2011.

Trump, who is set to re-enter the White House on January 20, avoided committing to the withdrawal of around 900 US soldiers in Syria, saying only that “nobody knows” what the future holds.
However, he hinted at Ankara’s growing regional influence: “I think Turkey is going to hold the key to Syria.”

While Ankara’s support for the opposition offensive remains significant, its ties with groups like HTS remain unclear. Meanwhile, the SNA continues its clashes with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the aftermath of Assad’s departure.

Talks with Netanyahu on Gaza

Turning to the Gaza conflict, Trump revealed he had recently spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the stalled negotiations over hostages held in Gaza.

“I gave warning that if these hostages aren’t home by that date, all hell’s going to break out,” Trump said, reiterating a threat he had previously issued on social media.

The call, which Netanyahu’s office confirmed took place on Saturday, was described by Trump as a “recap conversation.”

Russia-Ukraine conflict

On the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, Trump refrained from disclosing any recent discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin but reaffirmed his intention to pursue peace negotiations.

“We’ll be talking to President Putin, and we’ll be talking to [Ukraine’s President] Zelenskyy,” Trump said. “We gotta stop it. It’s carnage. It’s just rubble.”

In remarks that drew attention for their tone, Trump compared the destruction caused by the war to controlled demolitions: “Just like when I knock down a building in Manhattan… this is worse actually, because we do it step by step.”

Trump’s allies have previously raised concerns about his approach to the conflict, particularly over speculation that he may pressure Ukraine into territorial concessions.

TikTok ban under review

Addressing a looming US ban on the Chinese-owned social media platform TikTok, Trump credited the app for its role in his recent electoral success, especially among younger voters.

“We’ll take a look at TikTok,” he said, adding, “I have a warm spot in my heart for TikTok.”

The platform faces a mid-January deadline to sever ties with its China-based parent company or face a nationwide ban.

Domestic concerns and transparency on drones

On domestic issues, Trump called for transparency regarding reports of drone sightings across the eastern United States. While federal authorities have downplayed the sightings, attributing most to regular aircraft, Trump insisted the public deserved answers.

“The government knows what is happening,” he said. “For some reason, they don’t want to comment.”

However, he ruled out any immediate security concerns, adding, “I can’t imagine it’s the enemy.”

Defending controversial health secretary pick

Amid growing scrutiny, Trump defended his nomination of Robert F Kennedy Jr — a vocal vaccine sceptic — as health secretary. The appointment has stirred controversy, particularly after reports surfaced that one of Kennedy’s advisers had previously sought to revoke approval for the polio vaccine.

Trump sought to reassure the public about vaccine availability, saying: “You’re not going to lose the polio vaccine. That’s not going to happen.”

“He’s going to be much less radical than you would think,” Trump added, expressing confidence in Kennedy’s ability to approach the role with “an open mind.”