President Donald Trump on Thursday took a shot at Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi's (D., Calif.) comprehension of the trade agreement with Canada and Mexico that’s awaiting congressional approval.
Trump said she is "disintegrating before their eyes" during a White House ceremony announcing a $16 billion aid package for farmers. During the event, Trump celebrated the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and was asked to explain why he didn't think Pelosi didn't understands the agreement and why his administration isn't forcing her hand in negotiations.
"Well they're being very nice to her because they really—she's a mess. Let's face it. She doesn't understand [USMCA]. They sort of feel she's disintegrating before their eyes," Trump said. "She does not understand it. They want to have her understand before it's finished. It's signed, as you know. Mexico has approved the deal. Canada has approved the deal, and they are waiting to get a signal for her. Now I would say this. The farmers should start talking to the Democrats in the House. The Senate's ready to approve it."
He went on to slam Pelosi for not understanding the bill, arguing unions, farmers, and manufacturers supported the bill.
"By the way, I think she wants to approve it. I think," he said. "[U.S. Trade Representative] Bob Lighthizer, who you can speak to if you want, he is waiting to get the okay from her to send it in, but we're at a point where we are going to have to send it in. It's all ready."
"He said [Pelosi] would like to have two weeks to get to know the bill. I think that's a long time."
Trump went after Pelosi again minutes later by calling her a "mess."
"We made a great deal, but whether or not Pelosi understands it or whether—I don't think she's capable right now of understanding it. I think she's got a lot of problems," Trump said, disputing Democrats' characterization that he was angry during their meeting Wednesday. "The whole Democrat Party is very messed up. They have never recovered from the great election of 2016, an election that I think you folks liked very much, right? Well Nancy Pelosi was not happy about it and she is a mess."
"I think she's got a lot of problems," Trump said of Pelosi when explaining his account of yesterday's White House meeting with top Democrats.
"She is a mess," he continued pic.twitter.com/anPIedQuBd
— POLITICO (@politico) May 23, 2019
Pelosi responded to Trump's comments by saying she will be "happy" to work with Trump and Republicans on infrastructure when he "starts acting more presidential."
When the 'extremely stable genius" starts acting more presidential, I’ll be happy to work with him on infrastructure, trade and other issues. https://t.co/tfWVkj9CLT
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) May 23, 2019