Trump applauds NRA leaders, Kanye West in speech
President Trump was in his element Friday afternoon addressing an annual National Rifle Association conference Friday in Dallas -- an event most recent sitting presidents have skipped, but one that Mr. Trump has embraced.
"Your Second Amendment rights are under siege," Mr. Trump said. "But they will never, ever be under siege as long as I am president."
The president bounced from topic to topic, addressing everything from the importance of arming teachers, to thanking music artist Kanye West for helping double his approval ratings among African-Americans. West has expressed his support for Mr. Trump in recent days, even sporting a "Make America Great Again" hat.
"Kanye West must have some power, because you probably saw, I doubled my African-American poll numbers. We went from 11 to 22 in one week, thank you, Kanye," the president said. "When I saw the numbers I said that must be a mistake, how did that happen?"
The president's address came at a time when the NRA faces intense opposition from advocates of more gun restrictions, after mass shootings like the Parkland, Fla., high school shooting that left 17 dead. The NRA's response has been to double down on promoting Second Amendment rights. According to the local CBS station in Dallas, the city prepared for protesters ahead of the speech.
Before Mr. Trump took office, the last sitting president to address the NRA was Ronald Reagan, in 1983. Mr. Trump has addressed the group multiple times. Mr. Trump has made a number of different and sometimes conflicting statements about the NRA. In the months since the Parkland shooting, Mr. Trump has called the NRA leadership "great people," but has also jabbed some GOP lawmakers as "petrified" of the NRA for for being unwilling to contradict the group on gun control issues. On Friday, Mr. Trump again praised the NRA leadership as "patriots" and good people.
Aboard Air force One Friday on his way to the speech, Mr. Trump said, "The NRA is a truly great organization that loves this country. And we have a record crowd. You probably heard, the people are lined for a long distance."
On Friday, Mr. Trump also addressed the importance of electing Republicans in 2018, saying having just 51 Republicans in the Senate is not really a majority. Mr. Trump even praised and offered his support for Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, with whom he has had disagreements in the past.
Follow below for details from the president's address earlier.
Trump concludes speech
Mr. Trump concluded his speech after more than 45 minutes, clapping along with the cheering crowd.
Trump makes case for arming teachers
Mr. Trump, as he has in the past, made the case for arming teachers, and getting rid of gun-free zones.
He also mourned the Parkland shooting victims.
"Our entire nation was filled with shock and grief by the monstrous attack on a high school in Parkland, Florida," Mr. Trump said. "We mourn for the victims and their families."
Trump says countries are sending up "their worst"
Mr. Trump brought up his 2015 campaign speech, in which he blasted countries from the south for not sending the U.S. their best.
"These countries send up their worst," Mr. Trump said Friday about immigration from the south, mentioning drugs and crime. The president said the U.S. is getting some "real beauties."
Trump blasts Democratic senators
Mr. Trump blasted Democratic senators who have acted contrary to his interests. Mr. Trump particularly mentioned Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, saying it was a "disgrace" for him to make accusations against Ronny Jackson, Mr. Trump's pick to run the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Trump says Paris attacks could have ended differently if people had guns
Mr. Trump said the 2015 Paris attacks could have turned out differently, if people had guns.
Trump jokes about when John Kerry broke his leg
Mr. Trump, in talking about the former administration's foreign policy, said former Secretary of State John Kerry was not a great negotiator, brought up the time he broke his leg in a bicycle race.
Mr. Trump said Kerry was, "not the best negotiator we've ever seen. He never walked away from the table, except to be in that bicycle race where he fell and broke his leg."
Mr. Trump said he learned from that incident that no one should race on a bicycle at 73, pointing out that he isn't 73, Kerry was 73. (Kerry was actually 71 when that happened, the same age as Mr. Trump is now.)
Trump reads CNN article about judge comments in Paul Manafort case
Mr. Trump, who decries CNN as "fake news," read a CNN story from Friday detailing comments from a judge in the Paul Manafort case.
A federal judge Friday was skeptical about special counsel Robert Mueller's authority to bring charges against Manafort, who was Mr. Trump's campaign chairman.
Judge T.S. Ellis III suggested the real reason Mueller is pursuing Manafort is to pressure him to "sing" against Trump.
Ellis withheld ruling on dismissal of the indictment.
Trump credits Kanye West for his poll numbers with African-Americans
Mr. Trump credited artist Kanye West -- who has been tweeting and talking about his support for Mr. Trump lately -- for doubling his poll numbers among African-Americans.
"Thank you, Kanye," Mr. Trump said.
Trump tells voters to not get "complacent" in midterm elections
Mr. Trump encouraged people to not get complacent, approaching the midterm elections this fall.
The president said he has decided complacency is the problem, and reason why the incumbent party often loses in the midterms.
"They're fighting like hell and you're complacent," the president said. "We cannot get complacent, we have to win the midterms."
Trump says Second Amendment rights are "under siege"
Mr. Trump touted the fundamental importance of Second Amendment rights.
"Your Second Amendment rights are under siege," he said. "But they will never, ever be under siege as long as I am president."
Trump praises Texas leaders
Mr. Trump took a moment to praise the leaders in Texas, including Republican Sen. Ted Cruz and Republican Gov. Greg Abbott.
Mr. Trump mentioned Hurricane Harvey, which devastated Texas last year. Mr. Trump said Abbott kept calling, asking for more money, and he got it.
Trump takes the stage
Mr. Trump took the stage at 2:35 p.m. EDT, and posed for a photo with his son, Donald Trump Jr., and NRA leaders.
"We will make America great again," Pence says
The vice president wrapped up his remarks by urging people, if they are so inclined, to pray for America.
He said the administration will make America safe again, and ended with one of Mr. Trump's favorite lines.
"We will make America great again," Pence said.
"I'm a card-carrying member of the NRA," Pence says
Pence began his remarks by touting his loyal association to the NRA.
"I'm a card-carrying member of the NRA," Pence said.
But Pence didn't just address gun rights issues. He touched on border security and building the wall, his pro-life stance, and a number of other issues.
"I couldn't be more proud to serve alongside a president who stands without apology for the sanctity of human life," Pence said.