During a meeting with Republican representatives in Congress on Thursday, former President Donald Trump criticized American aid for Ukraine and urged them to reduce some taxes and support tariffs. He emphasized the importance of unity within the party ahead of the upcoming election on Nov. 5. Trump expressed his commitment to expanding the narrow nonpartisan majority in the House of Representatives and helping re-elect Republicans who voted to impeach him.
Trump also advised House Republicans against pushing for a nationwide abortion ban and urged them to set aside internal conflicts that have diminished their effectiveness. The former president highlighted the loss of control of the House of Representatives by both parties after their initial two years in office, which limited their ability to pass laws.
In addition to addressing Republican representatives, Trump will also speak at the Business Roundtable association, which comprises over 200 business leaders. The Republican Party hopes that Trump’s leadership will lead to victory over Democratic President Joe Biden, increase their majority in the House of Representatives, and gain control of the Senate.
During the meeting, Trump advocated for cutting taxes on tip income and criticized the recent $60 billion aid package for Ukraine that received Republican support. He expressed support for tariffs on Chinese products and emphasized their use as a negotiating tool. Trump also encouraged lawmakers to let states enforce their own abortion policies rather than push for a national ban following a Supreme Court decision in 2022.
Trump’s meeting with Republican representatives comes at a critical time as both parties prepare for crucial elections that could determine whether they maintain or lose control of key branches of government. The former president’s message was clear: unity is key if they hope to achieve their goals in November.
