President Donald Trump unleashed a new attack on the free press at the Veterans of Foreign Wars National Convention in Missouri, urging supporters to ignore what the media says and that voter should "just stick with us."
Trump in Missouri: "It's all working out. Just remember: What you're seeing and what you're reading is not what's h… https://t.co/GpPA7kzXwo— Kyle Griffin (@Kyle Griffin) 1532463385.0
In his speech, the president said the country is doing "better than it's ever done before, economically," before launching into a tantrum in which he said what the press reports "is not what's happening."
But it's all working out. Just remember: What you're seeing and what you're reading is not what's happening.
"Don’t believe the crap you see from these people, the fake news,” Trump added. His comments were followed by laughter and applause from the audience.
Trump: "What you're seeing and what you're reading is not what's happening" https://t.co/D9fUwYKu0L https://t.co/kppV9CaP3q— The Hill (@The Hill) 1532457612.0
Twitter said Trump is living in his own universe.
@thehill So.... Trump is living in an alternative reality. Is he experiencing psychosis and a lack of reality testing?— 🌈Brother Mark🏳️🌈 (@🌈Brother Mark🏳️🌈) 1532457892.0
The continued gaslighting of Trump's base was apparent to many on social media, who were disturbed by the president encouraging his supporters to reject evidence in favor of what he tells them.
"Just remember: what you’re seeing and what you're reading is not what’s happening." Gaslighting is a form of tort… https://t.co/vyaJwDwrBX— Leah McElrath 🏳️🌈 (@Leah McElrath 🏳️🌈) 1532465786.0
@thehill Otherwise, don’t believe what your eyes and ears are telling you. Just believe what Trump says is true. Th… https://t.co/TIArGYZGaA— Sherrie Kaw (@Sherrie Kaw) 1532457912.0
@89wunderlust @thehill Just like religion. Don't believe what you see and hear and experience. Have faith in what… https://t.co/HhFtOjBMri— Jane (@Jane) 1532459354.0
@thehill And that, my friends is what "gaslighting" is. Resign already.— Nicola Cameron 🔱 (@Nicola Cameron 🔱) 1532461036.0
@thehill @TomWellborn3 The party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command.— Suki van Dijk (@Suki van Dijk) 1532463731.0
@thehill “Don’t trust your eyes or your ears. Only me, your Glorious Beloved Leader.”— Forrest Brakeman (@Forrest Brakeman) 1532457887.0
Just like in a cult.
@thehill Local area president does simultaneous David Koresh and Jim Jones impressions— Ryan Storey (@Ryan Storey) 1532457780.0
The president had just finished sharing his opinion that the strong economy means "this is the time" for tariffs.
Trump said farmers would be the “biggest beneficiary” in his burgeoning trade war with allies around the world, a result of tariffs Trump levied on foreign goods and the retaliatory tariffs imposed by U.S. trading partners.
On Tuesday, the Trump administration announced a $12 billion bailout package for American farmers who have begun to feel the economic sting of rising prices of exported American goods.
Several prominent Republican Senators tore into Trump's proposal. Nebraska's Ben Sasse said Trump’s “trade war” is “cutting the legs out from under farmers,” and that Trump’s desire to “spend $12 billion on gold crutches” is an affront to farmers who “don’t want to be paid to lose.” He added that Trump's trade policies are going to "make America 1929 again.
Two other Republican Senators – Rand Paul of Kentucky and Ron Johnson of Wisconsin – joined Sasse in his opposition to what they see as unnecessary government intervention in a deliberately manufactured economic crisis.
Paul called the administration’s move “welfare for farmers” and Johnson said Trump’s policies are creating a “Soviet-style economy.”
The president also plugged his 2020 reelection campaign and its slogan, "Keep America Great."