DETROIT — The Trumpster delivered a flawless address to the Detroit Economic Club, the media, Secret Service agents with strawberry-shaped lapel pins on their suits, and 14 hecklers (none of whom heard the whole dollop) Monday afternoon at Cobo Hall in Motown. Trump outlined his economic plan, the details of which will be flushed out in the near future. Around 2,000 souls attended, per a Trump estimate.
The IRS’s tax brackets will be streamlined from seven to three. 33 percent, 25 percent, and 12 percent. Some poor folks won’t have to pay any tax. The rich will pay “their fair share,” as will businesses, but 15 percent – not so much as to cripple them, so as to stimulate our flagging economy.
He didn’t mention Russia or ISIS – he did mention wanting to “repeal and replace disastrous ObamaCare,” making our allies who benefit from our military presence (like South Korea, I assume) pay for the protection and offensive might we provide, getting rid of the death (estate) tax, getting tough with China on trade issues, upgrading our decrepit infrastructure, and canceling “all illegal and overreaching executive orders.”
Trump was unsparing when it came to Hillary Clinton, an outspoken advocate of globalization. “Americanism, not Globalism, will be our new credo!”
The crowd roared approvingly at most of the things he said, but was especially ecstatic every time a heckler was rushed by the Secret Service police and escorted out of the auditorium. All 14 hecklers were female, but for the last one who merely repeated like a juvenile parrot the potshot: “Tiny hands! Tiny hands! Tiny hands!….”
Trump seemed a bit subdued – perhaps still a bit reeling from a rough week, and didn’t mention how his hands don’t necessarily indicate the size of other parts of his body. LOL! I did shoot some video, by the way; so you can take a look at his hands. They don’t seem particularly Lilliputian; but you be the judge!
Lastly, Trump played deftly to his audience, speaking knowingly about the history of Detroit – how we were once the economic engine that drove America’s economy. “Detroit was once the economic envy of the world. The people of Detroit helped power America to its position of global dominance in the 20th century….Detroit was booming. Engineers, builders, laborers, shippers and countless others went to work each day, provided for their families, and lived out the American Dream.”
His daughter Ivanka was also there, as was Mike Pence, who introduced him. Mike mentioned what an honor it was to introduce Mr. Trump and seemed to think it was an important thing to be Vice President. I couldn’t help thinking of what they say about Vice Presidents. John Nance Garner, the 32nd Vice President, once said that the office of V.P. isn’t worth “a bucket of warm piss;” but I tend to think that Pence will at least have the role of a bucket of hot chocolate – should the Trumpster fortuitously prevail over Killary.
POSTSCRIPT
Full disclosure. I am not just a reporter for AmericaJR; I am also the Republican nominee for Macomb County Prosecuting Attorney. I spoke with one of Trump’s staff members, a rather-attractive brunette who made sure I stayed in the media’s cordoned-off area in the back of the auditorium while The Donald spoke. I dubbed her “The Take Down Lady” after I joked with her that if she was going to take down a heckler to please give me five seconds notice so I could film it. She smiled, saying she was not going to take anyone down. Yeah, right! She kind of looked like that wrestler lady named Chyna aka Joan Marie Laurer (may you rest in peace). I implored her to get Mr. Trump to speak at Freedom Hill in Sterling Heights so both he and I can win in Macomb County. She repeated after me “Freedom Hill.” I gave her my card. She was nice. I hope she passes on the message. You will, won’t you, Take Down Lady?
Mike Wrathell serendipitiously captured on video the ninth of 14 hecklers at the Trump event.