Trump really didn't want to give a speech to the troops, he says during speech to the troops
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."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
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
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
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.
-
British warship repels 'largest Houthi attack to date' in the Red Sea
Speed read Western allies warn of military response to Iranian-backed Yemeni rebels if attacks on ships continue
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
Houthi rebels claim Red Sea ship attacks
speed read Iran-backed Yemeni group vows to escalate aggression towards Israel-linked vessels in revenge for Gaza war
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Israel plans next phase of Gaza war as first hostages released
Speed read After four-day ceasefire 'we will not stop' until destruction of Hamas, says Israel
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Mob storms Russian airport 'looking for Jews'
Speed Read Plane from Israel surrounded by rioters chanting antisemitic slogans after landing in Russia's Dagestan region
By The Week UK Published
-
Tuberville's military promotions block is upending lives, combat readiness, 3 military branch chiefs say
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Ukraine's counteroffensive is making incremental gains. Does it matter in the broader war?
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
US commissions first-ever Navy ship in a foreign port
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
British spy chief, Wagner video suggest Prigozhin is alive and freely 'floating around'
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published