Trump shared that jailing the former secretary of State and first lady -- irrespective of her potential guilt -- would have portrayed a negative image of the United States internationally and suggested that his decision was aligned with his broader goal of fostering national unity, as Breitbart reports.

The conversation with computer scientist and podcaster Fridman took place on Tuesday, and in it, Trump emphasized that his choice stemmed not only from a desire to protect the nation's reputation but also to avoid setting a precedent he deemed inappropriate for American democracy.

He pointed out that imprisoning a former president's spouse could set a troubling precedent.

Underlying Motives Behind Trump's Decision

Throughout the interview, Trump mentioned that many of his supporters were vocal about their desire for Clinton to face legal repercussions.

Nonetheless, he reiterated that his decision was driven by a broader vision of unity and the potential negative fallout of such a punitive measure.

"I thought it looked terrible to take the president’s wife and put her in prison," he stated, highlighting the delicate nature of such a decision.

"I want to bring the country together," Trump declared, suggesting that the health of the nation's political and social fabric was a paramount concern during his presidency. This sentiment was a cornerstone of his decision-making process regarding Clinton.

He also noted that the power afforded to him did not tempt him to pursue personal vendettas. Responding to Fridman’s questions about the influence of power, Trump confidently replied, "No, I don’t think so," dismissing the idea that it could corrupt his perspectives or actions.

Post-Presidency Critiques and Claims of Bias

Trump also used the platform to criticize actions taken by Democrats post-presidency, which he likened to tactics seen in "third-world banana republics."

He claimed these actions included continuous hoaxes and dishonest attacks aimed at degrading his image. Particularly, he referred to the ongoing narrative around alleged Russian collusion as a "hoax," mentioning that accusations by "51 agencies or agents" were also baseless.

"She’s so lucky I didn’t do anything," Trump remarked about Clinton, which reflects his continued belief that the decision to refrain from legal action was a favor to her. This notion ties back to his main point about unifying the nation rather than diving it further.

Concluding his thoughts, Trump expressed dismay over what he perceives as relentless attacks against him since leaving office.

"It’s amazing. They suffer from massive Trump Derangement Syndrome, TDS. And I don’t know if it’s curable from their standpoint," he said, diagnosing his critics with TDS, a term popular among his supporters.

Trump's Quest for National Unity

The interview concluded with Trump reiterating his intention to heal the divide within the United States, despite the political and personal attacks he claims to have endured.

"You don’t bring the country together by putting her in jail," he stated firmly, reaffirming his stance against incarcerating Hillary Clinton as he reflected on his decisions during his presidency.

Trump’s assertions during the podcast serve as a window into his presidency's decision-making processes, offering insights into how he navigated complex issues of justice and national unity.

His comments on the podcast underscore a central theme of his administration's narrative: striving for unity amidst a deeply polarized political landscape.