President Donald Trump sharply criticized a reporter aboard Air Force One on Monday after being questioned about his push to keep the U.S. Senate in Washington rather than allowing lawmakers to leave for their scheduled summer recess.
The exchange unfolded as Trump traveled to Michigan, where he was expected to deliver remarks on the economy during a visit to a General Motors plant.
The discussion began when a reporter asked why the president wanted senators to remain in the nation’s capital instead of returning home to campaign.
“On the Senate, on the SAVE Act, why do you want the U.S. Senate to stay in town? Shouldn’t they be out across the country campaigning?” the reporter asked.
Trump immediately dismissed the question.
“What a stupid question!” the president responded.
The reporter followed up by asking again whether senators should instead be campaigning around the country.
“Shouldn’t they be out campaigning, though?” the reporter asked.
Trump again rejected the premise of the question, responding with even stronger criticism.
“What a stupid question! For Jennifer to ask such a stupid question — and she’s a smart person,” Trump said.
The president then recalled having known the reporter from his first presidential campaign.
“I knew her all the way back in the Iowa days when she said Trump’s going to win, and boy was she right!” he said.
After criticizing the question, Trump turned his attention to the legislation he wants the Senate to consider before lawmakers depart Washington.
“So listen, why do I want it? The SAVE Act has to be done,” Trump said. “They shouldn’t leave town.”
While emphasizing the importance of passing the legislation, Trump acknowledged that he does not have the authority to prevent senators from leaving.
“I’m not going to stop them from doing it, but they should get the SAVE Act done,” he said.
Trump also warned that failing to approve the legislation could carry political consequences for Republicans.
“If they don’t get it done, it’s going to be a very bad thing for the party,” the president said.
He then predicted unified Democratic opposition to the measure.
“And frankly, you know, if you look at it, the SAVE Act is going to be voted against by all Democrats, just so we know,” Trump said.
The president also suggested that not every Republican senator would support the legislation, though he declined to identify those lawmakers by name.
“We have some Republicans that I will not comment on, a few of them, probably four, that we probably won’t get the vote,” Trump said.
He added that while he would like to publicly address those Republicans, he chose not to.
“I’d like to comment on them, but I have too much sense to do it,” Trump said.
The exchange came as Trump continued his travel to Michigan, where he was scheduled to visit a General Motors plant and speak about the economy.
The president used the opportunity aboard Air Force One to reiterate his belief that the Senate should remain in session until lawmakers complete work on the SAVE Act, arguing that passing the legislation should take priority over senators returning home during the summer break.
