Donald Trump didn’t get his victory lap after signing legislation reopening the federal government late Wednesday night.
The White House had news cameras and reporters in the Oval Office for the ceremonial signing, which ends the 43-day shutdown without MAGA Republicans having to do more than pinky promise to hold a vote on extending Affordable Care Act subsidies – that compromise the handiwork of our own Tim Kaine.
ICYMI
- Tim Kaine to critics of his Senate shutdown compromise vote: ‘They’re wrong’
- Kaine critics line up to take shots at ill-conceived Senate compromise
After using his sharpie on the legislation, making squiggles on the bill that might remind you of the artwork he submitted to his now-dead pedophile friend, Jeffrey Epstein, for Epstein’s 50th birthday – a drawing of an outline of a naked female teen, his signature made to look like it was representing the pubescant girl’s pubic hair – Trump, rather somberly, said to the reporters in attendance: “I don’t know if you have questions.”
As several tried to get questions in, Trump began a rant about how “we really have a really great situation,” citing made-up numbers about foreign investment, as he is known for doing.
NBC News Senior White House Correspondent Garrett Haake tried to ask a question about negotiating with Democrats, and after Trump ignored that one, Haake went for the kill.
“Mr. President, can you respond to these Epstein emails that were released today?”
ICYMI
At this point, aides ushered reporters out of the Oval Office.
No more questions, folks.
Anyway, good job, Sen. Kaine, for giving Republicans not only poison pills in the compromise allowing senators who were investigated along with Trump for their roles in the Jan. 6 coup attempt to cash in, but of course, there’s the fact that health-insurance premiums will soon be out of control for millions.