President Donald Trump appeared to forget the reason for his own Oval Office gathering. He nearly left without signing a $70 billion immigration enforcement bill. The legislation, which he had summoned lawmakers and reporters to witness, funds border agencies until his term concludes.
Donald Trump apparently forgets to sign $70 billion bill before being reminded
What was meant to be a straightforward signing ceremony on Wednesday turned into a sprawling, hour-long press conference. Donald Trump gathered members of Congress and the media in the Oval Office to sign the Secure America Act. It’s a $70 billion package to fund immigration enforcement agencies through the remainder of his term. Instead of signing it, he spent much of the time on other things.
He talked at length about a new reflecting pool at the National Mall. When journalists asked him about inflation, he responded, “I love the inflation.” Topics unrelated to the bill dominated the room. Eventually, Trump signalled that he was done. He thanked the press, aides began clearing reporters out, and the bill still sat unsigned on the desk.
A member of Congress behind him stepped in and pointed it out. Trump looked toward the departing press and said, “They’re the only ones that matter.” He then took a swipe at his predecessor, Joe Biden, before picking up a Sharpie to finally sign the legislation. “See, Biden wouldn’t do this. He’d need a machine,” he said.
The White House did not address the incident directly. Spokesperson Davis Ingle again called Trump “the sharpest, most accessible, and energetic president in American history.” The forgetfulness episode comes just before Trump turns 80 on Sunday — a milestone that has led to public scrutiny of his health. After all, similar episodes happened in 2017.
Questions about his physical condition have followed his second term, with reports of slurred speech, swollen ankles, and multiple occasions where he appeared to fall asleep in public, including at the NBA Finals (via The Daily Beast).
Originally reported by Devanshi Basu on Mandatory.
