Home | WebMail | Register or Login

      Calgary | Regions | Local Traffic Report | Advertise on Action News | Contact

Sign Up

Sign Up

Please fill this form to create an account.

Already have an account? Login here.

Posted: 2024-06-13T18:36:06Z | Updated: 2024-06-13T20:27:29Z

WASHINGTON Former President Donald Trump gave House Republicans a rambling pep talk Thursday in his first visit to Capitol Hill since a mob of his supporters attacked Congress on Jan. 6, 2021.

Lawmakers told HuffPost Trump didnt bring up the insurrection, but sources told other outlets he did mention Taylor Swift , the missed opportunity for a romantic relationship with former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), and Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.) being supported by his wife.

The official readout from House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) was that Trump told Republicans they were doing a very good job, and they clapped for him.

He said very complimentary things about all of us. We had sustained applause, Johnson said. He said Im doing a very good job. Were grateful for that.

Republicans have poured resources into their so-far-unsuccessful efforts to impeach President Joe Biden and to investigate the supposed weaponization of the Justice Department against Trump, who faces felony charges for hoarding classified documents and trying to steal the 2020 election.

One thing Trump didnt do much of during his Capitol Hill visit was discuss a governing agenda if he wins the White House and Republicans control Congress next year.

I didnt hear any policy talk, Rep. Mark Amodei (R-Nev.) told HuffPost as he left the meeting. It was a pep talk.

In other words, the former president delivered the same kind of stream-of-consciousness remarks that he uses at his rallies.

Sources told the nonprofit news outlet NOTUS that Trump rambled like a drunk uncle and that he said one of Pelosis daughters told him that he and Pelosi could have been a couple.

If things were different, Nancy and I would be perfect together, Trump said, before noting their six-year age difference.

Pelosis daughter, Christine Pelosi, quickly responded that Trump was lying and unwell, unhinged and unfit for office.

Trump also reportedly spoke about visiting Scalise in the hospital after hed been severely wounded in a 2017 mass shooting.

Steve shows great courage, Trump said, according to CNNs Melanie Zanona . I saw him in the hospital. I can tell your wife really loves you, Steve, because some wives wouldnt care.

The former president even got in a dig at Milwaukee, the city where next months Republican National Convention will formally make him the Republican Partys presidential nominee.

Milwaukee, where we are having our convention, is a horrible city, Trump said, per Punchbowls Jake Sherman .

(Several Republicans disputed the quote; Wisconsin Rep. Derrick Van Orden insisted Trump was only referring to the crime in Milwaukee, not the city itself.)

And Trump reportedly bragged about chasing his haters out of the party, such as former Reps. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) and Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.). Of the 10 House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump for starting the riot at the Capitol in 2021, only Reps. David Valadao (R-Calif.) and Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.) remain.

He didnt mention me at all, Newhouse told HuffPost as he left the meeting. So that was good.

In the afternoon, Trump met with Republican senators on the other side of the Capitol. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), previously one of Trumps fiercest critics among elected Republicans, shook Trumps hand and sat beside him during the meeting.

Support Free Journalism

Consider supporting HuffPost starting at $2 to help us provide free, quality journalism that puts people first.

Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.

The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?

Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.

The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. We hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.

Support HuffPost

Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) said Trump was gracious and did not take any shots at Senate Republicans.

There were no barbs, no little asides, Hawley told reporters. It was slightly surreal.

Support Free Journalism

Consider supporting HuffPost starting at $2 to help us provide free, quality journalism that puts people first.

Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.

The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?

Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.

The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. We hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.

Support HuffPost