May 6 (UPI) — President Donald Trump on Saturday traveled to Cleveland, Ohio, to talk up the GOP tax law, an event that also allowed him to give a nod to a Republican Senate candidate hoping to unseat the Democratic incumbent in November.
Rep. Jim Renacci sat on stage next to Trump, who called him “really terrific” and said “We need his vote very bad,” before taking a swipe at Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown, who Renacci will face in November if Renacci wins his primary.
Trump said Democrats like Brown were responsible for “catch and release” immigration rules, which allowed undocumented migrants who were arrested to be released while they wait for a trial.
The president said, “we may have to close up our country to get this straight.”
“It’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever seen,” Trump said.
Trump also touched on upcoming nuclear talks with North Korea, trade deals and his poll numbers.
“The poll numbers are pretty good,” Trump said. “They actually say that I’m popular. Can you believe it? Of course, the fake news. Fake news. You saw the poll come out that I am above [former President] Obama.”
On the tax law, the president described how he wanted to call the bill the tax “cut, cut, cut, cut” plan, but other Republicans found it too “hokey.”
Trump invited guests on stage to share how the tax bill has increased their paychecks. Sherry Sheely, owner of a furniture store, said once her taxes were cut she gave her full-time employees a $1,000 bonus and her part-time employees a $500 bonus, leading some to tears.
