Former President Donald Trump met with House Republicans at the Capitol Hill Club on Thursday morning to discuss politics and strategy just five months before the upcoming election. According to lawmakers present at the gathering, the meeting was full of enthusiasm and camaraderie.
House Republicans warmly greeted Trump by singing him Happy Birthday, as he was set to turn 78 the following day. They also gifted him the game ball from their 31-11 victory in Wednesday’s Congressional Baseball Game, showcasing their appreciation for his leadership and influence.
During his remarks, Trump humorously noted that the Democrats’ poor performance in the baseball game helped the Republicans more than anything else could have. This light-hearted moment was followed by Trump highlighting The Washington Post’s declining readership, which has dropped by 50 percent, eliciting cheers from the audience.
Trump announced his plans to conduct 100 tele town halls for House candidates, referring to these town halls as his “secret weapon” to boost Republican campaigns. His commitment to supporting Republican candidates across the nation was evident as he outlined his strategy.
In the course of the discussion, Trump criticized political operative Jeff Roe, accusing him of mismanaging funds. Roe, who supported Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in his primary bid against Trump, was criticized for failing to deliver positive results despite significant spending.
Trump also made a remark about former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, claiming that Pelosi’s daughter once told him they would have made a good pair if not for their political differences. He humorously noted that Pelosi, at 84, is much older than he is.
Taking a swipe at those who voted to impeach him, Trump pointed out that all but one had been removed from office, though he overlooked Washington Rep. Dan Newhouse in his comment. The former president emphasized that tariffs would be a top priority in his agenda.
He praised the recent changes to the Republican National Committee (RNC), attributing their success to Michael Whatley and Lara Trump, who have significantly boosted the RNC’s fundraising efforts. This has led to the best fundraising cycle for the RNC, especially following Trump’s conviction in Manhattan.
After his speech, Trump took questions from the lawmakers, many of whom expressed their gratitude and admiration for his leadership. Trump’s next stop was a meeting with Senate Republicans at the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), continuing his mission to unite and strengthen the party ahead of the crucial election.
