OPINION | Views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those held by Sarah Palin.
President Trump is ready and willing to face any Democratic primary contender that supports the Green New Deal currently being pushed in the House by Democratic newcomer Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
The president joked during his CPAC speech on Saturday that he would be ready to debate “one of these maniacs” because he claimed they are trying to get rid of airplanes.
“When I’m on the debate stage with one of these maniacs. I mean, trains to Hawaii?” Trump asked. “How do you get to Europe? We have not figured that one out yet, we don’t use airplanes anymore.”
Watch:
President Trump continues to mock Ocasio-Cortez's Green New Deal: "When I'm on the debate stage with one of these maniacs. I mean, trains to Hawaii. How do you get to Europe? We have not figured that one out yet, we don't use airplanes anymore" pic.twitter.com/F6on0kQ7B9
— Ryan Saavedra (@RealSaavedra) March 2, 2019
President Trump first walked onto the stage by giving the American flag a big hug, much to the applause of those in attendance.
Check it out:
Trump walks out on the CPAC stage and immediately gives the American flag a bear hug
🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
The crowd roars. pic.twitter.com/lcn4PFZTTu
— Benny (@bennyjohnson) March 2, 2019
Trump also swiped House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, calling him “Little Shifty Schiff,” in his speech and said he suffers from a “collusion delusion.”
Trump, at @CPAC says "collusion delusion" is taking over America.
"And the next thing you know, they're trying to take you out with bullshit." pic.twitter.com/6g0qGDTXNs
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) March 2, 2019
He also mentioned Hayden Williams, the man who was attacked at the University of California Berkeley last month:
President Donald Trump invites Hayden Williams — who was violently attacked on campus last month at UC Berkeley — on stage to talk at CPAC pic.twitter.com/JdkfN2kRAk
— Ryan Saavedra (@RealSaavedra) March 2, 2019
Here’s even more, from the Hill:
Coming to speak before a rapt crowd at the Maryland conference, the president began a wide-ranging speech talking about tariffs, slamming the media and exuding confidence about his reelection chances in 2020.
Trump told attendees at the large conservative gathering that they are “reclaiming our nation’s priceless heritage, reversing decades of blunders and betrayals by the failed ruling class. America is respected again, and the world knows it.”
The conference, which entered its third day Saturday, showed little daylight between the White House and the Republican base, with several attendees showing off red “Make America Great Again” hats and other paraphernalia.
Reflecting support among a wider swath of the party beyond the annual summit, a Gallup poll released last month found that Trump has an 89 percent approval rating among Republicans.