President Donald J. Trump was up early on Friday morning and took to his favorite platform to express his frustration of his first 100 Days in office. In a joint press conference on Thursday with Italy's Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni Silveri, President Trump was asked which was more important: "a vote on health care reform (Repeal and Replace) or avoiding a government shutdown?" The question was touchy for the president since it highlights the lack of accomplishments during the touted "first 100 days", a standard that he now calls "ridiculous."
“I think we want to keep the government open, don’t you agree?” Mr. Trump replied to the touchy question asked by a WH reporter.
In a show of confidence, not based on anything, Trump said, “I think we’ll get both.” However, it is not that simple with the clock working against Trump with an April 28 Congressional deadline looming to avoid a government shutdown. There is the added burden of Democrats united in opposing Trumpcare, the defunding of Planned Parenthood and a host of other important issues to Democrats.
Trump tweeting he is being held to a 'ridiculous standard' for first 100 days
Trump took to twitter to express his frustration. He posted a recurring theme with him that the media refuses to acknowledge his accomplishments. In what was almost a parody of Saturday Night Live, he places in parenthesis "including S.C." which stands for including Supreme Court nomination and confirmation of Neil Gorsuch.
No matter how much I accomplish during the ridiculous standard of the first 100 days, & it has been a lot (including S.C.), media will kill!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 21, 2017
This past week on Saturday Night Live, the issue of the lack of "first 100 days" accomplishments was mocked by comedic actor Alec Baldwin in the cold opening skit.
He asked the VP Mike Pence character to read me from the list of my accomplishments. Pence reads the one item on the list: "Nominated Neil Gorsuch."
Politico points out that the "first 100 days" have not been filled with accomplishments. The Republican-sponsored bill, the American Health Care Act, failed to gain traction. The bill was to fulfill a longtime Republican promise to "repeal and replace" Obamacare.
The thinking was that with a majority in both Houses and control of the White House, it would be a "slam dunk." It was not, with conservative and moderate factions feuding over main parts of the bill. Conservative favor stripping the bill of all benefits, and the moderates want to at least make the current law work.
Tax reform is tied to 'repeal and replace' of Obamacare
The bill is tied closely to "tax reform" since the savings from the taxes on Obamacare would have paid a large chunk of the tax bill. The White House keeps touting that "major tax reform" is on the way and will be voted on next week. It does not appear that way and Republican leadership says as much.
