Trump touts accomplishments at fundraiser for GOP congresswoman in New York
President Trump touted the highlights of his time in office while speaking to supporters at a fundraiser for GOP Rep. Claudia Tenney in Utica, New York, on Monday.
Tenney faces a tough reelection bid in a district she first won by 6 points in 2016. Both she and her opponent Democrat Anthony Brindisi have raised $1.9 million in the current election cycle.
But, at least in the remarks open to the press, the president focused much more on his administration's efforts, and on blasting Democrats, than on Tenney. Mr. Trump turned the speech into a list of what he sees as some of his administration's greatest accomplishments, including eliminating the penalty for the individual mandate. After he gave a speech only hours earlier commemorating a defense spending bill named for Sen. John McCain, the president's only public reference of McCain on Monday was at the speech to Tenney supporters. Then, he mentioned — without naming him — McCain's vote against Obamacare repeal last year.
The president made the case to a very supportive, responsive audience that Democrats want to allow open borders and take away people's Second Amendment rights. The president pointed out that the gun industry has a strong presence in the town, and that could be shuttered by Democrats.
"Well you better be careful, because they want to end your Second Amendment," Mr. Trump said, adding that New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo wants to take away people's guns.
The president also blasted Democratic Rep. Maxine Waters as a "low IQ" person, something he has taken to doing frequently at rallies and other public events.
Downtown Utica, CBS News' Jacqueline Alemany reports, was buzzing with active but peaceful protesters awaiting the president. A handful of Trump supporters also waited down the block from the hotel to catch a glimpse of the president.
Mr. Trump has said that, as the midterms approach, he hopes to spend six or seven days a week on the campaign trail.
