Stocks plunge, Trump hits Dems for nonsupport on economy

‘Un-American’

Associated Press

BLUE ASH, Ohio

President Donald Trump accused congressional Democrats on Monday of being “un-American” and perhaps even treasonous for refusing to cheer positive economic news during his State of the Union address.

As he spoke, the stock market was plunging toward its largest single-day point drop ever, erasing its gains for the year.

Trump has frequently showcased the strong market as a barometer of his economic success and as a boon for everyday Americans and their retirement accounts.

He did not mention the stock market during his speech, nor when reporters shouted questions as he returned to Washington after the markets had closed for the day.

At its close, the Dow Jones industrial average had fallen more than 1,150 points.

White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders stressed that the nation’s long-term economic fundamentals “remain exceptionally strong,” adding that Trump’s tax cuts and regulatory reforms would “further enhance the U.S. economy and continue to increase prosperity for the American people.”

During his wide-ranging remarks, Trump took special aim at House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi for describing as “crumbs” the bonuses of $1,000 or more that some companies, including the one where he was speaking, are giving their workers as a result of the tax cuts.

He also accused Democrats of being “un-American” for not clapping, even for positive news during his address to the nation last week, in contrast to fellow Republicans, who he said were “going totally crazy wild” over everything in the speech.

“They were like death. And un-American,” Trump said about the Democrats. “Somebody said treasonous. Can we call that treason? Why not?”

“They certainly didn’t seem to love our country very much,” the president said. He said Democrats “would rather see Trump do badly than our country do well.”\

Earlier Monday, Trump had gone after California Rep. Adam Schiff, the top Democrat on the House intelligence committee that is investigating possible connections between Russia and Trump’s presidential campaign.

On Twitter, the president labeled Schiff “one of the biggest liars and leakers in Washington.” He added that Schiff “must be stopped.”

Schiff retorted: “Instead of tweeting false smears, the American people would appreciate it if you turned off the TV and helped solve the funding crisis, protected Dreamers or ... really anything else.”

As for Pelosi, Trump, who boasts that he is worth billions, said: “She’s a rich woman who lives in a big beautiful house.” He said the “crumbs” talk was not a “good day” for Pelosi. He referred to her as the Republicans’ “secret weapon” and predicted his party will fare well in November’s congressional elections.

Pelosi, who represents San Francisco, responded on Twitter, writing: “Every American should be alarmed by how @realDonaldTrump is working to make loyalty to him synonymous with loyalty to our country. That is not how democracy works.”

Trump’s wife, Melania, accompanied him to Ohio aboard Air Force One but peeled off to visit a children’s hospital. She was briefed on the state’s opioid epidemic while he pitched the tax cuts he signed into law just before Christmas.

The president’s political broadsides contrasted with the softer touch employed by his wife on her visit to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.

She also visited some patients in an activity room, handing each child a Valentine’s Day card.