Trump rallies Republicans in Las Vegas - CBS News

KATHRYN WATSON CBS NEWS June 23, 2018, 5:49 PM
Trump rallies Republicans in Las Vegas

President Trump spent his Saturday in Las Vegas, meeting with supporters, addressing the Nevada Republican Party Convention and hosting a roundtable discussion on tax cuts.

The trip comes as midterm election season heats up in the Silver State, where Republican Sen. Dean Heller is vulnerable as he faces re-election. Mr. Trump says he needs more Republicans in the Senate to be able to pass everything from an infrastructure package to comprehensive immigration reform.

"We have to get our friend in office. We need him there very badly," Mr. Trump said of Heller.

The president, who touched on everything from tariffs, to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, to immigration, blasted Heller's Democratic opponent Jacky Rosen, saying his nickname for her is "Wacky Jacky."

Follow along below for live updates:
Trump prepares to depart Las Vegas
Wrapping up the roundtable at 5:45 p.m. Eastern time, 2:45 p.m. local time, Mr. Trump exited the room and prepared to head back to Washington.

Dean Heller thanks Trump for visiting
Heller thanked Mr. Trump for returning to Nevada, along with everyone who attended the roundtable. Heller took every chance he had to praise Mr. Trump and his administration for the work they accomplished.

Mr. Trump, too, touted the need for Heller in office.

"We have to get our friend in office. We need him there very badly," Mr. Trump said of Heller.

Trump says Dean Heller fought for tax cuts
After business leaders around the table spoke, Mr. Trump again praised Heller's support for the tax cuts.

The president also said the economy is going to get a "lot better."

Trump calls Kim Jong Un a "smart, tough guy"
Mr. Trump, in a roundtable that is supposed to be focused on tax reform, praised the qualities of North Korean leader Kim Jong un.

The president called Kim a "smart, tough guy" and a "great negotiator."

North Korean's human rights record is considered one of the worst, if not the worst, in the world by human rights organizations. But Mr. Trump has downplayed those concerns since meeting with Kim last week.

"The bottom line is, America is open for business"
"The bottom line is, America is open for business," the president said, after praising key takeaways from the GOP tax bill.

After talking up taxes, Mr. Trump said the steel industry is coming back -- and the U.S. needs it to come back. He mentioned the tariffs on steel and aluminum he recently imposed.

Trump kicks off roundtable event
At roughly 5 p.m. EDT, 2 p.m. local time, the president kicked off his tax reform roundtable. He has done tax reform roundtables across the country in recent months.

Trump calls Dean Heller a "tough cookie"
Mr. Trump said Nevada has a great man in Heller. Mr. Trumps said he's been on both sides of Heller, and he's a "tough cookie."

The president said he'll be returning to Nevada a lot before November.

Trump blasts MS-13
Mr. Trump expressed his hatred of MS-13, as he often does when discussing immigration.

Mr. Trump reiterated a claim he made weeks ago that members of the gang are "animals."

Trump jokes about "Wacky Jacky" and "Pocahontas"
Mr. Trump played with the crowd, saying he shouldn't share his name for Democratic Senate candidate Jacky Rosen. But the crowd insisted, and Mr. Trump, seemingly happily, complied.

"Wacky Jacky," Mr. Trump said.

"Now that name didn't come from me," he claimed. "People who know her, that's what they call her, Wacky Jacky."

Then Mr. Trump brought up Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., whom Mr. Trump calls "Pocahontas."

Mr. Trump said "Wacky Jacky" and "Pocahontas" are campaigning together, which went over well with the crowd.

"Any Hispanics in the audience, perhaps?"
Mr. Trump touted low unemployment figures for various groups, including Hispanics.

"Any Hispanics in the audience, perhaps?" Mr. Trump said.

Trump casts some blame on Obama for border situation
Mr. Trump said the U.S. needs to be very strong on immigration.

Seeming to refer to the centers holding immigrant children, Mr. Trump claimed former President George W. Bush and former President Barack Obama had the same site.

He seemed to reference a photo that surfaced recently that was actually from 2014, the Obama era. Mr. Trump claimed "our people" -- seeming to refer to federal immigration authorities -- are doing a good job handling a difficult situation.

The president claimed the situation at the border should have been solved long ago by one of his predecessors.

Trump says North Korea has "tremendous" potential
Mr. Trump touted what he sees as his successes through the recent North Korean summit. He repeated his line that he and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un have great "chemistry."

He also said North Korea has "tremendous" potential, and Kim sees that.

Trump says Dean Heller is doing a great job
Mr. Trump congratulated Heller on his primary win, and said he is doing a great job, and will continue to do so.

The president joked Heller was a little "shaky" at the beginning, but is doing well now. Heller, a Republican in a purple state, has been more hesitant than some Republican senators on the president's policies. But, as the president pointed out, he did vote for the tax cuts.

Trump takes the stage at Nevada GOP convention
Mr. Trump took the stage just after 3:30 p.m., to a cheering crowd.

Trump lands in Las Vegas, where Dean Heller greets him
Mr. Trump landed in Las Vegas at 1:54 p.m. Eastern, or 10:54 a.m. local time. He was greeted by, in addition to others, Republican Sen. Dean Heller.

Mr. Trump is expected to help Heller on Saturday, as Heller tries to keep his seat.

The first event of the day is a closed-door meeting with supporters, according to his schedule. Reporters are not allowed inside.

The high in Vegas is 111 degrees Saturday.

Trump tweets about his trip
The president tweeted about his Nevada visit as he neared Las Vegas, touting the economy.

"Heading to Nevada to talk trade and immigration with supporters," the president wrote. "Country's economy is stronger than ever before with numbers that are getting better by the week. Tremendous potential, and trade deals are coming along well."


Donald J. Trump
✔
@realDonaldTrump
 Heading to Nevada to talk trade and immigration with supporters. Country’s economy is stronger than ever before with numbers that are getting better by the week. Tremendous potential, and trade deals are coming along well.

2:57 AM - Jun 24, 2018

Corey Lewandowski joins Trump after saying "womp womp" about story of girl with Down syndrome
Corey Lewandowski, Mr. Trump's former top campaign aide, is joining Mr. Trump on his trip to Las Vegas, only a few days after he appeared to mock the situation of a 10-year-old girl with Down syndrome separated from her mother at the southern border.

On Fox News Tuesday night, Lewandowski responded "womp, womp," when a fellow guest mentioned the situation -- confirmed by the Mexican and U.S. government -- that a 10-year-old girl with Down syndrome had been separated from her mother.

Lewandowski later claimed on Twitter that he was mocking a liberal, not the girl.


Corey R. Lewandowski
✔
@CLewandowski_
 Lots of Fake News today.  I mocked a liberal who attempted to politicize children as opposed to discussing the real issue which is fixing a broken immigration system.  It’s offenseive that the MSM doesn’t want to talk about the fact these policies were started under Obama.

11:32 PM - Jun 20, 2018