Remarks in an Exchange With Reporters at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware

Death of Lebanese Hizballah Leader Hassan Nasrallah/Israeli Airstrikes in Beirut, Lebanon

Q. Mr. President, did you—do you support Israel's decision to try to kill Nasrallah?

The President. We're still gathering information. I can tell you the United States had no knowledge of or participation in the IDF action. We're gathering more information. I'll have more to say when we have more information.

Q. You say you support Israel's decision——

The President. I——

Q. ——to defend itself. Do you support what they did today with the strikes in Beirut?

The President. We have to get more detail. I don't know enough to answer that question.

Thank you.

Q. Are you worried about escalation?

Proposed Sale of United States Steel Corporation

Q. On U.S. Steel, sir. On U.S. Steel. The timeline has been pushed back 3 months. Some are interpreting that that you might changing your mind about how you feel about that deal. Do you have any comment about how you feel about that deal?

The President. No, I don't—I haven't changed my mind. [Inaudible]

Situation in Lebanon

Q. Sir, how concerned are you about escalation right now in Lebanon?

The President. I'm always concerned about that. I'm always concerned about that.

Hurricane Helene

Q. And your reading on the hurricane: How bad does it look down there right now?

The President. It looks bad. At least 25 people dead. There's still rising waters. We don't have enough information yet. There's one dam in North Carolina that's also in question.