Trump recalls telling his children repeatedly to avoid alcohol and cigarettes as they were growing up

WASHINGTON, DC: During an interview with Bev Turner on November 15, Donald Trump discussed the recommendations he offers parents for raising their children, emphasising the importance of keeping them away from certain substances.

He noted that he has observed many children, even "brilliant children of brilliant people," fall into "tremendous failures" often due to involvement with alcohol and illicit substances.

Donald Trump talks about constant warning to his children

Trump recalled how he always gave his children a stern warning regarding those habits that he considered harmful, believing that prevention is the key to avoiding future struggles. 

"I always would say to my kids, no alcohol, no cigarettes," Trump stated. While acknowledging cigarettes are "not of the same," he included them because "if you don't start it, you don't have a longing." 

He explained that people who stop smoking or drinking often "long" for them when they see others partaking, saying, "they're caged lunatics" when they see a cigarette.

This yearning is "even more so with Illicit substances and alcohol." He said his daughter, Ivanka, even told him, "Dad, you're driving me crazy. Stop saying that," from constantly saying the same thing.

Donald Trump emphasizes avoiding addiction trap

Trump emphasized that his firm stance came from seeing the harmful results of addiction to promising lives. He has said that addiction makes it so hard to get back on track, which is why starting at all must be avoided in the first place.

He remembered, "I said, over the years, I've seen really smart parents, have really brilliant kids, and the kids are a disaster because they got hooked on Illicit substances. And when you hooked, it's hard to get off."

He believes that by never starting, one avoids the whole problem. He offered his life as an example, saying he has "never had a drink in my life and I don't take Illicit substances. I have no longing."

Donald Trump says 'if you never start, it is so easy'

The easiest for Trump was total abstinence, as it allowed the desire or problem never to form in the first place. He contrasted his experience with people who had struggled with addiction in particularly with alcohol.

He noted that people who have "suffered with the alcohol curse" might feel intense temptation when they see a drink. He described how they react when they see "some of your wonderful whiskey or whatever coming down the plank," saying, "Oh, man, does that look good." 

He concluded, "If you never start. It's so easy. No, I have other problems. You know, I got plenty of problems like everybody else, but it's just not a problem that I have." He ended the segment by reflecting on the constant message he gave to his children, "I think it worked. But who knows? You know, you never know."