WATCH: Trump touts new nuclear reactors in his push to speed up domestic power

By — Associated Press Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-trump-touts-new-nuclear-reactors-in-his-push-to-speed-up-production Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter WATCH: Trump touts new nuclear reactors in his push to speed up domestic power Politics Jul 24, 2026 4:45 PM EDT President Donald Trump hosted executives from nuclear power companies Friday in the Oval Office to celebrate a new milestone in the White House's push to accelerate the growth of nuclear power in the United States. Watch Trump's remarks in the video player above. Last year, Trump signed four actions creating a pilot program aimed at having four new nuclear reactors go critical by July 4. Four companies ended up meeting that deadline, Trump said on Friday. READ MORE: Energy Department says advanced nuclear reactor first to reach critical milestone "America is building again, America is dreaming again, and we're leading the world in pioneering the next generation of nuclear power," he said. Trump says he's not feeling pressure to settle Iran war ahead of midterms The president said, as far as the elections are concerned, "I'm not in a hurry." He said he won't let rising gas prices and inflation continuing to run hot sway his decision on the war in Iran. "We have to do it right," Trump said, adding "elections take care of themselves." Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Trump was reelected in 2024 promising to bring down the cost of living but has seen prices rise dramatically in the months since the war with Iran began. That has complicated things for Republicans hoping to maintain control of Congress. Trump declines to answer question about possible war crimes in Iran Answering questions from reporters in the Oval Office, Trump was asked if he considers it a war crime to blow up civilian power plants and bridges, as he has repeatedly threatened to do in Iran. Trump replied, "I wont respond to that question." The president has repeatedly threatened to blow up civilian infrastructure in Iran before backing down. Trump says U.S. and Iran are talking, he thinks they're being 'serious' "Sort of everybody" is involved in the talks with Iran to end the war, Trump said. He said Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio and "a lot of people" are talking to Iran. "We'll see what comes of it," the president said. "We're talking to them right now," Trump said. "I think they're getting more and more serious as the days go by, for maybe the obvious reason. But we are talking to them right now." Trump says Venezuela is 'not really ready' for election yet Asked when Venezuela will hold elections after U.S. forces toppled President Nicolás Maduro, Trump responded, "They're not really ready for them yet." He said the U.S. has brought economic benefits to Venezuela without elaborating, or mentio