As Democrats debated, Trump was ranting about how energy efficient lightbulbs make him 'look orange'

Trump speaks at 2019 House Republican Conference Member Retreat Dinner in Baltimore, Maryland.

(Image credit: NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images)

published 13 September 2019

While the Democrats were debating health care, gun control, and making March of the Penguins wise-cracks, President Trump was also having quite a night.

Speaking at the House Republican's retreat in Baltimore on Thursday, Trump told House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Ca.) that he was "just like a cow ... just smaller." Which, well, isn't exactly flattering, but Trump softened the blow by adding that McCarthy has a "beautiful political face."

It wasn't the only odd comment to slip past the president's lips. America's commander-in-chief also blasted "expensive" energy efficient light bulbs for making him "look orange" and joked about what would happen if America relied on wind energy. "'Charlie, what the hell happened to this debate?'" Trump asked in a fake-nagging-wife voice, pretending the TV had gone out. "He says, 'Darling, the wind isn't blowing, the godda-- windmill stopped.'"

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In one of the stranger moments, Trump also mispronounced the name of South Dakota Sen. Mike Rounds (R) as "Mike Pounce," leading many listeners to mistakenly think he'd messed up the name of his own vice president, Mike Pence. Although on second thought, "Mike Pounce" is actually a stroke of genius, one that will likely be gobbled up by animal shelters along with the likes of "Kitty Purry" and "Chairman Meow" and "Neil Patrick Hamster." In fact, a fluffy gray tabby named Mike Pounce would make a great sibling for one Marlon Bundo.

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Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.

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