This column provides a daily update on key presidential actions as well as comments, whether spoken aloud or on Twitter, by President Trump. Like the stock market, the deadline for Trump Today action is 4 p.m. Eastern Time, even as we acknowledge that substantive news can and does occur after hours.
President Donald Trump suggested Wednesday U.S. missile strikes on Syria were imminent, rebuffing Russia over its vow to stop an attack and saying Washington’s relationship with Moscow was “worse now than it has ever been.”
‘GET READY RUSSIA’
Following a Russian vow to shoot down any missiles fired at Syria, Trump tweeted, “Get ready Russia, because they will be coming, nice and new and ‘smart!’”
Referring to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Trump said the Russians “shouldn’t be partners with a Gas Killing Animal who kills his people and enjoys it!” Trump earlier this week said “nothing is off the table” as he mulled U.S. options for responding to what he called a “heinous” chemical-weapons attack in Syria. Russia called reports of the attack a “hoax.” Dow Jones Industrial Average YMM8, -0.88% futures added to early losses, as the market weighed a possible attack on Syria.
Russia vows to shoot down any and all missiles fired at Syria. Get ready Russia, because they will be coming, nice and new and “smart!” You shouldn’t be partners with a Gas Killing Animal who kills his people and enjoys it!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 11, 2018
TRUMP SEES NEW LOW FOR U.S.-RUSSIA TIES
Also on Twitter, Trump said he saw a new low in the U.S.’s ties with Russia. “Our relationship with Russia is worse now than it has ever been, and that includes the Cold War,” he said. “There is no reason for this. Russia needs us to help with their economy, something that would be very easy to do, and we need all nations to work together. Stop the arms race?”
Our relationship with Russia is worse now than it has ever been, and that includes the Cold War. There is no reason for this. Russia needs us to help with their economy, something that would be very easy to do, and we need all nations to work together. Stop the arms race?
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 11, 2018
WHITE HOUSE ‘CALM AND CALCULATED’
Trump continued to bash the raid on his personal lawyer Michael Cohen’s office and home, and the continuing investigation into whether the president’s associates colluded with Russian efforts to interfere in the 2016 election. He called the White House “very calm and calculated” with focus on open trade with China, a coming meeting with North Korea’s Kim Jong Un and the Syria situation.
So much Fake News about what is going on in the White House. Very calm and calculated with a big focus on open and fair trade with China, the coming North Korea meeting and, of course, the vicious gas attack in Syria. Feels great to have Bolton & Larry K on board. I (we) are
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 11, 2018
....doing things that nobody thought possible, despite the never ending and corrupt Russia Investigation, which takes tremendous time and focus. No Collusion or Obstruction (other than I fight back), so now they do the Unthinkable, and RAID a lawyers office for information! BAD!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 11, 2018