Trump said the tariffs were generating billions of dollars from countries such as Japan and South Korea that “were exploiting us.”
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump opened his ninth Cabinet meeting by criticizing Democrats for complaining about inflation after falling prices for things like gasoline and groceries.
“The word affordable is a Democratic fraud,” President Trump said. “The word affordable is a Democratic fraud.”
At the beginning of a cabinet meeting on December 2, he criticized the lack of coverage of his accomplishments. He continued to criticize Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell for not lowering interest rates more quickly to stimulate the economy.
“We have a tough bull,” Trump said. “We’re going to make an announcement early next year about someone taking control of the Fed.”
President Trump offered Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent the job, but said he wanted to stay on.
“We’re doing great, sir, and it’s a great team to be a part of,” Bessent said.
President Trump also boasted that billions of dollars are being generated from around the world through tariffs on imports from around the world. He drew laughter by refusing to reveal the names of countries that were “defrauding us” such as South Korea and Japan.
“We’re making a lot of money because of tariffs,” Trump said. “They’ve been fooling us for years.” Follow the USA TODAY News team for live updates.
Hegseth’s business card had the wrong title.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has had a tough few days as the U.S. military’s operations against suspected drug smuggling come under increased scrutiny.
So the misspelling of a business card at Tuesday’s cabinet meeting may be the least of his concerns. The title “SSECRETARY” is written on the business card.
-Zack Anderson
“Well done,” Trump told Hegseth.
President Trump has asked Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for his first Cabinet report amid mounting criticism of military leaders over the alleged attack on a drug smuggling ship.
Lawmakers said they would review the military’s anti-drug operations after reports the United States carried out a second deadly attack on a ship in the Caribbean, killing two survivors clinging to the wreckage.
According to the Washington Post, the additional strikes came after Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth gave verbal instructions to “kill them all.” Mr Hegseth said the report was “fabricated”. White House press secretary Caroline Levitt said in a Dec. 1 press conference that Adm. Frank M. Bradley had ordered the second strike and was “fully authorized to do so.”
“Mr. Trump always supports us,” Hegseth said on Dec. 2, adding, “We always support commanders who make decisions in difficult situations, and we have done so in this case and in all of these attacks. They made decisions and made sure to protect the American people. They did the right thing.”
After Hegseth finished his speech, President Trump said, “Well done.”
-Zack Anderson, Francesca Chambers
Trump claims peace prize: “I should win the Nobel Prize”
Donald Trump still dreams of winning the Nobel Prize. During the Cabinet meeting, the President brought up the prestigious Peace Prize awarded this year to Venezuela’s opposition leader.
President Trump has said he wants to quickly resolve the war between Russia and Ukraine, but said he deserves an award for the conflict he has already ended.
“Every war should have a Nobel Prize, but I don’t want to be greedy,” he said.
—francesca chambers
President Trump touts record amid growing backlash
Amid mounting opposition to a second term ahead of next year’s midterm elections, President Trump extended and defended his policies at the beginning of his ninth Cabinet meeting.
The Democratic Party performed well in this year’s elections despite simmering dissatisfaction with the economy under the Trump administration, which saw its approval rating decline in public opinion polls.
Trump touted his moves on drug prices, tariffs and other issues as the midterm elections turn into a referendum on the president.
Today’s special House election in Tennessee is being watched as a further sign of how voters feel about Mr. Trump, after Democrats swept states such as New Jersey, Virginia and Pennsylvania in the November election.
-Zack Anderson
President Trump lamented the killing of National Guard trooper Sarah Beckstrom, who was shot and killed on November 24, and said he had spoken to her parents, who were “devastated.”
“Those words were devastating,” Trump said. “They will be devastated for the rest of their lives.
Trump added: “She seemed like the perfect human being.”
Another Guard member, Andrew Wolf, continues to recover from the shooting.
President Trump suggested that murder suspects are angry that crime numbers in Washington, D.C., are decreasing.
“I think this madman was mad that we were so competent,” Trump said.
–Bert Jansen
