During his speech aboard USS Gerald R. Ford on Saturday, Donald Trump veered off course and started referring to himself in the third person.
The moment came when Trump was discussing his proposal to massively increase military spending as part of his disastrous budget blueprint. He told those in the crowd to give him “a little hand” and call their representatives in Congress.
Video:
Trump referring to himself in the third person, asking for "a little hand" during #USSGeraldRFord speech pic.twitter.com/l1p50RboUx
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— Sean Colarossi (@SeanColarossi) July 22, 2017
Trump said:
Now we need Congress to do its job and pass the budget that provides for higher, stable and predictable funding levels for our military needs that our fighting men and women deserve. And you will get – believe me. President Trump, I will tell you, you will get it, don’t worry about it. But I don’t mind getting a little hand, so call that congressman and call that senator and make sure you get it. And by the way, you can also call those senators to make sure you get health care.
It’s clear that the president’s handlers like him to stick to the script they give him because when Trump starts freelancing during speeches, it never bodes well for him or the intelligence of those listening.
On the two specific issues Trump raised – the budget and the current GOP effort to dismantle health care in America – the American people have consistently said they don’t want what he is selling.
While Trump’s budget does include massive increases in military spending, which the Pentagon isn’t even asking for, it makes devastating cuts to other important areas, including Medicaid, education, and environmental programs.
Trump may have told the crowd assembled on the carrier to call their senators to “make sure you get health care,” but they are more likely to lose their insurance if Republican members of Congress do find a way to pass the current version of Trumpcare.
Luckily, neither Trump’s budget nor the current GOP health care bill are likely to make it through Congress, despite his incoherent efforts.
Sean Colarossi currently resides in Cleveland, Ohio. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and was an organizing fellow for both of President Obama’s presidential campaigns. He also worked with Planned Parenthood as an Affordable Care Act Outreach Organizer in 2014, helping northeast Ohio residents obtain health insurance coverage.
