by Kathleen Haynes
President Trump is in the news today for calling someone a “big loser,” but it wasn’t directed at who most would expect. The President referenced himself as a loser when talking to Democratic senators Tuesday about the Republicans’ plan to overhaul the tax system. Multiple people with direct knowledge of the phone call reported this information to CNN.
At least twelve Democratic senators were in attendance for a meeting organized by Senator Joe Manchin when the President unexpectedly called into the meeting. Trump spoke for about 10 minutes during the call that took place at 6 a.m. in South Korea local time. Senator Tom Carper described the call as a “nice touch,” but stated that it seemed Trump was doing more talking than listening. Trump said that Republicans plan to repeal the estate tax because the plan is “just so bad for rich people.” The meeting was organized because Manchin wanted Democrats to have more input in the process, but multiple senators described it as more of a conversation about the process rather than negotiations on the specifics.
The President is currently visiting South Korea where he today addressed the country’s National Assembly in Seoul. During the speech, Trump delivered a blunt message to North Korea vowing that the United States will respond with military force if needed.
“Every step you take down this dark path increases the peril you face,” Trump said.
The next stop on the 11-day Asia trip is Vietnam.