Speaking to an enthusiastic crowd Friday at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference, President Trump bashed the "fake news" media, reiterated his support of the Second Amendment, and joked about his "bald spot" during a freewheeling, high-energy address. Calling his speech boring and admitting to going off script, the president was frequently interrupted by chants of "USA," "lock her up," and "build the wall."
In addition to discussing job growth and the border wall, Trump doubled down on his divisive proposal to arm schoolteachers. Addressing reports that the armed guard at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School didn't engage the shooter as the attack was unfolding, Trump claimed that an armed teacher "would have shot the hell out of [the gunman] before he knew it."
The president explained: "I'd rather have somebody that loves their students and wants to protect their students than somebody standing outside that … doesn't know the students." While he also called for stricter background checks on gun purchases, Trump warned the audience: "If [Democrats] get in, they'll take away your Second Amendment, which we will never allow that to happen."
Trump wrapped up his address with the recitation of an anti-immigration poem called "The Snake," a staple during his 2016 campaign rallies. "We are going to make America great again," he said just before he walked off the stage. "And I will never, ever, ever let you down."