WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-5) joined CNN's The Situation Room to discuss Trump’s lies and misinformation during the State of the Union. Below are excerpts from the conversation:
On Hearing the Real State of the Union from Constituents:
"I decided not to go to the speech because I knew we weren't going to hear the real state of the union. So, I spent the first hour of his speech with my constituents, hearing from small business owners, teachers, scientists who've had their research cut. And the picture they painted for me was pretty grim and filled with anxiety about the future.
"The split screen of the president saying we're in a ‘golden age.’ That really only applies to Donald Trump. He is the only one who is truly benefiting economically from his presidency."
On the GOP Disconnect with the American People:
"We have a president who continuously goes before the American people and spews lies and misinformation. And I think for some of my colleagues, that was their way of pushing back.
"But this State of the Union is not about Democrats or Republicans or Members of Congress and their decorum. It's about the American people.
"And I can tell you that Donald Trump in this speech showed the disconnect that he has from the very real issues facing my people in my district and people that I talk to across the country, who are so worried they're never going to be able to make the rent, find health care, find child care. They are increasingly worried about finding a good job with the job losses that we are seeing.
"These are the very real concerns that people have that he just brushed right on by and focused on what he sees as winning, because he continues to rig the system for the very wealthy and the already very powerful."
On Trump's Failing Economic Message:
“He didn't talk about prices. He didn't talk about his tariff policy, which has been found to be illegal.
"He should be talking about how he is going to refund the American people from the money he has stolen from them with those tariffs. He loves to give checks. Let's give some checks. And he could put an apology note in the envelope to the American people.
"The small business owners that I've talked to are just feeling like it is a matter of time before their doors close. They cannot hire the people they need. They can't afford the increase in their costs. And it really hit hard for small businesses and retail around the holiday season, when they had to order back in the height last spring of tariff policy and uncertainty. Many of them have said to me, 'My doors are going to close. It's just whether it's March or April or May.'
"There is a huge disconnect in this administration and the GOP in the House on what is going on in their own districts. And it is unfathomable to me that they are not hearing the exact same things I'm hearing and responding. And we're seeing it in the numbers. Donald Trump always had wide approval on his handling of the economy, and he is so underwater with the American people. Nothing about the vision he put out last night addresses that anxiety."
To view the complete conversation, click HERE.
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