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Charlie Neibergall | AP Photo
President Donald Trump speaks during a rally, Wednesday, June 21, 2017, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
The president highlighted the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch and his plans to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement, among other moves, as early successes of his administration. He took credit for the U.S. unemployment rate falling to a 16-year low — though it was dropping in the years before he became president — and claimed that “very few” presidents have done what he has to slash regulations.
He also pledged to replace the Affordable Care Act, cut U.S. tax rates and renew American infrastructure. Those were key campaign promises that Trump has struggled to accomplish so far.
“I’ve been there for five months,” Trump said in response to Republicans’ difficulties in passing a plan to replace the Affordable Care Act.
Trump also defended his choice of wealthy individuals — such as billionaire Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and economic advisor Gary Cohn, the former Goldman Sachs president — for top administration posts. Trump had repeatedly criticized Goldman and the influence on wealthy individuals in Washington while on the campaign trail.
“I love all people, rich and poor. But in those particular positions, I don’t want a poor person,” Trump said.
Aside from his jabs against foes and policy pledges, Trump publicly confirmed reports about some private comments he made. He said that he wanted Republican senators to draft a health-care plan with more “heart.”
The Senate is expected to release a draft of its tightly-held Obamacare replacement bill on Thursday. Trump reportedly called the health-care bill passed by the House “mean.”
Trump also confirmed that was seeking to put solar panels on his proposed wall on the U.S.-Mexico border. He said the energy created by those panels would help to cover the costs of the structure.
