During a recent Cabinet meeting on December 2, President Donald Trump vehemently criticized Democrats, claiming their narrative on “affordability” is misleading. He described the term as a “con job” and a “Democrat scam”. This assertion came as Trump highlighted his administration’s achievements, specifically addressing falling prices on essentials like gasoline and groceries.
Tariffs Generating Revenue
Trump took pride in the revenue generated from tariffs imposed on imports, particularly from countries such as South Korea and Japan. He claimed these tariffs have allowed the U.S. to collect billions of dollars that were previously lost due to unfair trading practices. “We’re making a lot of money because of the tariffs,” he stated.
2028 Election Speculations
During the meeting, Trump speculated about the Republican nominee for the 2028 presidential election. He noted that it might be someone among the current Cabinet members, including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. “It’s going to be somebody that’s probably sitting at this table,” he said, reflecting on the future of the GOP.
Tennessee Special Election
Trump also mentioned the upcoming special election in Tennessee’s District 7, emphasizing the Democratic candidate Aftyn Behn’s focus on “affordability”. He urged his supporters to back the Republican nominee, Matt Van Epps, to prevent a potential Democratic victory in a district Trump previously won by 22 percentage points in the 2024 election.
Immigration and Deportations
Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem reported that 2 million undocumented immigrants have been deported in the first year of Trump’s second term. Noem asserted that these deportations will continue, especially with the hiring of 10,000 new Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers.
Defense Operations Under Scrutiny
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faced increased scrutiny regarding military operations against drug trafficking boats. Despite a misspelling of his title on a name card during the meeting, he defended the military’s actions. Trump publicly supported Hegseth, stating, “Good job,” in response to his report on military operations.
Trump’s Peace Prize Aspirations
In a lighter moment, Trump claimed he should receive the Nobel Peace Prize for resolving international conflicts. He expressed hopes for an end to the war between Russia and Ukraine while asserting his past successes.
Focus on Accomplishments as Elections Loom
As midterm elections approach, Trump emphasized his administration’s achievements. He noted his actions on drug prices and tariffs, countering the recent successes Democrats have experienced in various elections. The Cabinet meeting highlighted the importance of these topics as they are likely to influence voter sentiment moving forward.
While discussing various issues, Trump also expressed sorrow over the recent loss of National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom, offering condolences to her parents, who he described as “devastated.”
The Cabinet meeting underscored the administration’s focus on economic policies, immigration, and national defense amid growing electoral challenges.
