Most presidents of these United States have had people who prepare them prior to events down to the last detail. This president, though, prefers to do things by the seat of his pants. Unfortunately, that can leave him looking awkward.
As a result of his new tariffs on imported steel and aluminum, Donald Trump invited a group of steel workers into the Oval Office to watch as he signed the executive orders. The men and women stood around in their work clothes with helmets in hands. He asked some of the people to say a few words.
This president tried to show that he could relate to the everyday man and woman by bantering with them. Trump had to do a quick shuffle, though, as he tried to cover up an unfortunate gaffe.
Scott Sauritch, the president of the United Steelworkers Union local 2227 talked about his own father, and how devastating it was to the family and especially his dad when he lost his job in the steel industry, according to POLITICO:
‘He lost his job due to imports coming into this country. I just wanted to tell you, what that does to a man with six kids is devastating. I never forgot that, looking into his eyes in my household [and] what that does to a family.’
‘When you’re actually involved and it impacts you, it’ll never leave you. With that being said, for Herman Sauritch, your story didn’t end. And for all the people I represent at my union, I never want to see it happen again. … I say that sincerely from my heart.’
The steel industry virtually collapsed when the Chinese began dumping steel into the U.S. market at below their costs. Sauritch praised the president’s attempt to bring back those steel manufacturing jobs.
Trump said that there would be a 25 percent tax on countries exporting steel to the U.S. and 10 percent for aluminum. He also said that there has been an inequity between tariffs this country must pay as opposed to those who export to us.
In response to Sauritch, Trump asked his father’s name, and then he said that the steelworker’s father was proud of him:
‘Your father, Herman, is looking down. He’s very proud of you right now.’
Sauritch commented:
‘Oh, he’s still alive.’
Both Sauritch and the other steelworkers laughed and applauded at the president’s mistake. Little did they know how much Trump dislikes being the butt of a joke.
The man signing the executive order did a quick spin and said as the two men shook hands:
‘Then he’s even more proud of you.’
The Republicans have been up in arms over their president’s new tariffs. The man in the Oval Office’s director of his Economic Council and chief economic advisor, Gary Cohn, resigned over the decision. However, this has been a long-held belief of 45 and a key campaign promise.
The Mexican and Canadian governments will be temporarily exempt. The president’s son-in-law and top adviser, Jared Kushner, went to Mexico for an economic meeting.
During the event, the commander-in-chief called the problems that shook the domestic steel and aluminum industries a “travesty:”
‘This has been an assault on our country.’
Trump’s tariffs go into effect in 15 days.
Featured Image via Getty Images/Spencer Platt.
