Donald Trump wants an A+ for effort, but gives his administration a C for communication

US President Donald Trump gave himself an A for his achievements in his early days as president during an interview on Fox News. However, he says those achievements haven't been communicated effectively as he set out plans he hopes will get America's economy growing at 3% annually.

"In terms of effort, I give myself and A+, but results are more important," Trump told the hosts of Fox & Friends during a pre-recorded interview that aired early on Tuesday 28 February.

"In terms of achievement I think I'd give myself an A, because I think I've done great things. But I don't think I, and my people, I don't think we've explained it well enough to the American public," Trump said, adding he would give his administration a "C or a C+" for their messaging.

The show's co-hosts Steve Doocey, Ainsley Earhardt, and Brian Kilmeade interviewed Trump ahead of a Presidential Economic Address he's set to deliver to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday evening.

There, Trump is expected to outline his budgetary and economic goals. On Monday the president's White House budget team delivered outlines to his cabinet team to cut $54bn (£43bn) from public service programs and give it to the military.

Fox host Steve Doocey pointed out that even if the entire US State Department and Environmental Protection Agency budgets were slashed, it would only make up about $50bn. Doocey asked Trump where they money is going to come from.

"I think the money is going to come from a revved up economy," Trump said, indicating his plans could grow the nation's gross domestic product - an international indicator of economic health - "to 3%, or maybe more." America's economy grew by 2.6% in 2015 and 1.9% in 2016, before Trump's presidency began.

Trump said cuts targeting the US Environmental Protection Agency will get "hundreds and hundreds of massive deals that are tied up with environmental protection" pushed through after regulations are slashed "and they're going to be sailing." He added this would create "thousands and millions, actually, of jobs."

During his first five weeks in office Trump's administration has experienced a rocky start with nationwide demonstrations opposing his travel ban against Muslims, plans to cut the Affordable Care Act, and efforts to deport thousands of people from the US.

Trump tables his budget in May, but is likely to face pressure from both Democrats and some Republicans to ease back on the massive cuts to government departments.

Upgrades to the military will also boost the economy, Trump said. "Well we're going to spend a lot more money on military, we really have to, we've got no choice," Trump said, noting his military spending could actually rise $30bn more than the $54bn he has proposed.

The president also said he will get involved personally in negotiating deals for this hardware. "We have many planes and boats and ships that we are spending too much money individually on. We're going to get involved in negotiating. We're going to be able to get a lot more product for our buck. And I'm going to be very serious about it. We will be having the greatest military that we ever had by the time I'm finished."