Trump really didn't want to give a speech to the troops, he says during speech to the troops

Donald Trump.
(Image credit: Brendan Smialowski / Getty Images)

President Trump didn't want to be torn away from his golf club in New Jersey, where he spent the weekend, but a persistent congresswoman persuaded him to fly to upstate New York to address the troops.

Trump delivered a speech to recognize his signing of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act, somehow managing not to use McCain's name at all during his appearance. The defense spending bill's signing ceremony was in Fort Drum, New York, and Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) had apparently been working hard to bring Trump to her district for the occasion.

"She called me so many times," Trump said of Stefanik. "I said, 'I don't want to take her call.' She wanted me to be here, I said, 'I won't be able to, we'll have to change a lot of scheduling.' But that didn't suit her, she didn't stop, and here I am. Here I am."

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While publicly acknowledging that he didn't particularly want to be there may have seemed like a risky move, Trump's speech garnered applause from the troops in the audience and a warm handshake from Stefanik herself. Watch the moment below, via Fox News. Summer Meza

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Summer Meza, The Week US

Summer Meza has worked at The Week since 2018, serving as a staff writer, a news writer and currently the deputy editor. As a proud news generalist, she edits everything from political punditry and science news to personal finance advice and film reviews. Summer has previously written for Newsweek and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, covering national politics, transportation and the cannabis industry.