‘I’m the president and you’re not’: Trump’s blunt message to those offering advice revealed

‘I’m the president and you’re not’: Trump’s blunt message to those offering advice revealed President Donald Trump increasingly faces pushback even from within his White House - Bookmark - CommentsGo to comments President Donald Trump has reportedly blunt message for people who would give him advice, according to reporting from The Wall Street Journal: “I’m the president and you’re not.” Earlier this week, the president earned the ire of many Republicans, including some of his biggest supporters, when his administration announced a memorandum of understanding to bring the Iran war to an end. The Journal noted that, as Trump approaches the halfway point of his second term, he is more dependent on his gut instincts than on the advice of his advisors. That has led to a series of decisions that have left Republican leaders frustrated. There is also concern among the GOP that it could cost them during the midterm party. Those decisions include the Iran war, recent appointments and a host of others. “History demonstrates that sending billions of dollars to theocratic lunatics who want to murder us is a very bad idea, and I think the president is receiving very, very poor advice on this deal,” Sen. Ted Cruz told The Independent this week. “I hope we don't send a single penny to the Ayatollah.” Trump also canceled the hearing for his nominee to be the permanent director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton, which Republicans hoped to hold before acting director Bill Pulte took office. In addition, Trump stipulated that he would not sign a reauthorization of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act unless Congress attached the SAVE America Act, which would require proof of citizenship to register to vote, to the bill. He also stunned Republicans when he told reporters “I love the inflation” that came amid the war in Iran. But the Trump White House calls Trump’s decision making a political asset. “No President has worked harder or delivered more than President Trump. The results speak for themselves.” White House spokeswoman Olivia Wales told The Journal. “The results speak for themselves.” But some Trump advisers have said they are frustrated with Trump’s actions. Many Trump administration officials have clashed with Pulte while Trump has pushed back against advisers who want him to not talk about his hardline immigration policies. Trump also criticized Senate Majority Leader John Thune for his inability to pass the SAVE America Act, which Trump believes is crucial to winning the 2026 midterms. He is reportedly sick of hearing Thune telling him “no,” but the leader has said that there simply are not enough votes to overcome a filibuster from Democrats. “The total control that Trump once had over Congress just isn’t there anymore,” said Ron Bonjean, a former Republican spokesman. “His outspoken dismissal over Republican midterm election hopes and legislative demands that would place them in harm’s way of voters this November has dampened the relationship.” But Wales, the White House spokeswoman, said that Trump works closely with Thune, House Speaker Mike Johnson “and he expects all Republicans in the 119th Congress to continue delivering on the America First mandate the American people issued.” Still, some Republicans worried about rising gas prices during the war and Americans’ anger about inflation. Trump largely swatted these concerns. “I don’t think about Americans’ financial situation,” Trump said at the time. “I don’t think about anybody. I think about one thing—we cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon. That’s all.” Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments