President Donald Trump joked about Congressman Steve Scalise being seriously injured in a shooting earlier this year as he congratulated Republican lawmakers for the tax plan on Wednesday.
Trump said being shot was a ‘hell of a way to lose weight’ as he spoke to the lawmakers at the White House after the US Congress passed a sweeping tax cut plan.
‘He’s braver than all of us. He’s braver,’ Trump said as GOP members stood behind him. He had a rougher year than most of us, but it’s a hell of a way to lose weight, Steve.’
He then added: ‘Not in a good way. We love you Steve, great job.’
President Donald Trump joked about Congressman Steve Scalise being shot as he spoke to the lawmakers at the White House on Wednesday after the US Congress passed a sweeping tax cut plan
Scalise raised his cane to acknowledge Trump’s comments as several around him clapped for him
There was a spattering of claps followed the remark, and Scalise raised his cane and smiled at Trump.
Trump also said in the speech that by passing the tax plan, ‘We are making America great again’.
‘We broke every record,’ the president told the scores of lawmakers assembled on the South Lawn of the White House, thanking congressional leaders for driving through what he called ‘the largest tax cut in the history of our country’.
Trump went on to shower compliments on the Republicans present, in a melee of smiles and handshakes, singling out Scalise.
Scalise, who currently serves as House Majority Whip, was severely injured in a shooting on June 14 when gunman James Hodgkinson opened fire on a Republican team practice for the annual Congressional Baseball Game in June.
Trump also said in the speech in front of GOP lawmakers that by passing the tax plan, ‘We are making America great again’
Scalise, who currently serves as House Majority Whip, was severely injured in a shooting on June 14 when gunman James Hodgkinson opened fire on a Republican team practice for the annual Congressional Baseball Game in June
The 52-year-old, who was hit by a bullet in his hip, was the only member of Congress to be shot in the incident and arrived at the hospital in ‘critical condition with an imminent risk of death’.
He returned to the House of Representatives on September 28.
Following his Scalise remark, Trump handed the floor to a succession of Republicans, who took turns singing his praises.
Setting the tone, House Speaker Paul Ryan credited Trump’s ‘exquisite presidential leadership’ for the success of the contentious plan, assailed by Democrats as a giveaway to the wealthiest that risks blowing a hole in the national debt.
And Vice President Mike Pence doubled down with a superlative description of the president’s accomplishments — including a tax cut he described as ‘a middle class miracle.’
‘President Donald Trump is a man of his word. He’s a man of action,’ Pence said. ‘With the strong support of these members of congress, President Donald Trump delivered, a great victory for the American people.’