ST. CHARLES, Mo. (AP) — The Latest on President Donald Trump’s speech promoting the Republican tax plan (all times local):
2:40 p.m.
President Donald Trump claims the Republican tax plan is going to cost him “a fortune.” Watch his comments here.
Trump is speaking at an event promoting the legislation in St. Charles, Mo. He is providing no evidence to support his claim, insisting, “Believe me.”
Trump has repeatedly declined to release his tax returns — something every other modern president has done.
Trump is trying to rebut independent analyses showing that many wealthy individuals would receive a tax break under the proposal, saying his rich associates have called him to complain about the plan.
Responding to Democratic charges that the bill would mostly benefit the rich, Trump says, “If it is, my friends don’t know about it.”
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2:30 p.m.
President Donald Trump’s visit to Missouri may be less about winning the support of Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill than boosting her opponent.
Trump, who called on McCaskill to support the bill during his tax reform event in St. Charles, Mo., is lending his support to Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley’s bid to unseat the Democratic lawmaker.
Trump is recognizing Hawley from the stage, saying, “He’s going to be a great senator.”
McCaskill voted against the GOP proposal in committee earlier this month, and is expected to vote against it when the full Senate takes up the measure.
Hawley greeted Trump at St. Louis Lambert International Airport, and hitched a ride with the president to his event, where Trump is plugging the Republican tax reform effort.
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ST. CHARLES, Mo. (AP) – A little over 100 protesters gathered outside a suburban St. Louis convention center where President Donald Trump will speak on tax reform Wednesday afternoon.
The president is scheduled to speak at 2:30 p.m. at the St. Charles convention center. About 1,000 invited guests will attend.
Outside, protesters chanted slogans such as “this is what democracy looks like” hours before the speech. The Frontline protest group that has been active since a former Sr. Louis police officer was acquitted in the death of a black suspect in September is urging demonstrators to show up.
Missouri women greet Trump in St. Charles and speak out aginst the #GOPTaxScam! pic.twitter.com/cHNxr5XWb2
— NARAL Missouri (@NARALMissouri) November 29, 2017
A couple dozen Trump supporters stood nearby with signs, including one that read “promises made, promises kept.”
The appearance by the president comes as the Senate is expected to vote this week on a tax reform plan.
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WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump will return to Missouri on Wednesday as he tries to push the Republican tax plan across the finish line.
Trump is expected to once again emphasize the plan’s benefits for middle-income Americans, small business owners and workers in the St. Louis suburbs. Critics say the House and Senate plans will disproportionately help the wealthy and corporations.
It’s his second trip to the state to sell his plan.
Senior administration officials briefing reporters ahead of the visit said Trump is expected to mention Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill, a top Republican target in next year’s midterm elections in his remarks. Trump in August said that that if McCaskill didn’t support his plan, voters should push her out of office.