President Donald Trump basked in victory Thursday, celebrating the passage of his sweeping domestic policy agenda in a demonstration of his dominance over Republicans in Congress.
The president capped what was arguably the most successful week of his second term with a campaign-style speech in Iowa, where he said the megabill would usher in a period of prosperity.
“There could be no better birthday present for America than the phenomenal victory we achieved just hours ago in Congress passing that one big, beautiful bill to make America great again,” Trump said, donning a ruby-colored USA hat and tie that matched a sea of supporters dressed in red apparel.
Just hours after House Republicans crossed the finish line on the megabill — which extends tax cuts and slashes funding for social safety programs — the president delivered a speech at the “Salute To America” event at the Iowa State Fairgrounds ahead of the 250th anniversary of America’s independence.
“I have another hat here that says ‘Donald Trump was right about everything,’ and I said, ‘No, no, that sounds a little bit too conceited,’” he said when boasting about the bill. “But it happens to be true.”
The speech was the culmination of an intense week of lobbying by the president and his allies.
Trump reportedly worked the phones on and off for 20 hours on Wednesday, making calls to GOP holdouts who objected to elements of the bill, including cuts to Medicaid benefits and the trillions it will add to the national debt.
A senior administration official said Thursday in a call with reporters after the bill passed that Trump did not make any threats to primary members of Congress — but the Republican caucus is more than aware of his clout.
“The membership well understands the president’s political power and ultimately they want his political power to be used for their benefit,” the official said. “The president always preserves his political prerogative, but he has already endorsed a number of members for reelection, and I expect he will endorse many more in coming weeks and months.”
Before departing for Iowa, Trump spoke with reporters at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, where he was asked about his political power. “I think I have more power now,” he said, referring to his first term. “I think I probably do because we have a great record of success. My first term was very, very successful. We had the greatest economy in the history of our country. I think we are going to blow it away this term.”
Trump teased legislation that his administration is crafting to allow migrant workers without legal status to work on farms amid his mass deportation campaign. He gave no details but suggested they would not be subjected to enforcement actions under Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
“If a farmer is willing to vouch for these people, in some way Kristi [Noem], we’re going to have to just say, that’s good,” he said.
“Serious radical right people, who I also happen to like a lot, they might not be quite as happy, but they will understand.”
During the speech, Trump praised the Republican caucus for coming together on the megabill — while not mincing words on his feelings toward Democrats. “They wouldn’t vote, only because they hate Trump,” he said. “I hate them too. I really do. I hate them. I cannot stand them, because I really do believe they hate our country.”
He later attacked the media for quoting him without noting that some of his remarks are intended as sarcasm. “You can’t be sarcastic as a politician,” he said. “Well, if you’re me.”
