Donald Trump left reporters in the Oval Office confused on Monday when he spoke about doing a favor for a governor who does not exist.
Trump, 74, yesterday signed two executive orders aimed at ending cashless bail, and a third to criminalize burning the American flag.
One reporter had questioned the president on the deployment of National Guard troops and if he was considering sending troops to states without the permission of governors.
Highlights
- Trump confused reporters when he referred to a governor called Kristi Whitman, who does not exist.
- The president made the remarks at the White House on Monday as he signed executive orders aimed at eliminating cash bail.
- It is understood Trump was trying to refer to Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
The president appeared to be referring to Michigan’s governor
Image credits: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
“I am, but, I also think that look, Chicago, everybody knows how bad it is... they should be saying please come in,” Trump said. “Pritzker should be saying that.”
“I did a favor for uh Kristi Whitman, uh Whitmer. A good favor I think, with the fish, the carp, the China carp—you ever hear of it?”
“China carp, and it’s taking over your Great Lakes,” he added.
It is understood Trump was trying to mention Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer as he referred to a May executive order protecting the Great Lakes from invasive carp.
That order reaffirmed federal commitment for projects such as the Brandon Road Interbasin Project in Illinois to stop invasive carp from reaching the Great Lakes.
Image credits: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
If Asian carp, which spread rapidly and reduce water quality, reach the Great Lakes, there could be damage to native fish species like walleye, yellow perch, and lake whitefish.
“This poses a significant risk to Great Lakes fishing, boating, recreation, and tourism, which support tens of thousands of jobs and billions of dollars of commerce annually,” Trump’s order read.
“My administration fully supports preventing the spread of invasive carp.”
Concerns regarding Trump’s health have circulated in recent months
Whitmer at the time welcomed Trump’s order after advocating for federal support for the Brandon Road project at a White House meeting earlier this year.
Trump’s mishap over Whitmer’s name is not the only one he has made in recent months amid concerns regarding his health.
Earlier this month, as Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stood just feet away, the president mistakenly introduced her as “Secretary of Homeland Security Cristie Kerr.”
Kerr is a former number one-ranked professional golfer.
Image credits: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
More photos have also emerged showing significant bruising on the president’s hands, which the White House earlier put down to hand shaking.
On Monday, photos began to circulate online showing the marks as the president sat down to meet with South Korean leader Lee Jae Myung.
“Yikes. The American people deserve answers about what’s going on with Trump's hand,” Republicans Against Trump posted on X.
Those photos came after Trump appeared to struggle with his right leg at a golfing trip in Virginia over the weekend.
Trump was filmed playing at the National Golf Club with former Major League Baseball pitcher Roger Clemens and his son Kacy on Saturday.
In the footage, Trump appeared to struggle as he walked, and it looked like he was dragging his right leg behind him.
A viral photo was taken of Trump at the FIFA Club World Cup on July 13, showing his ankles looking extremely swollen.
This, accompanied by other photos showing bruising on Trump’s hand, led to the White House releasing a statement from his doctor.
The White House earlier put down his bruising to hand-shaking
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that Trump had been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI).
The condition is particularly common in people over the age of 70.
At the same briefing, Leavitt addressed the bruising on Trump’s hand.
“This is consistent with minor soft tissue irritation from frequent hand shaking and the use of aspirin, which is taken as part of a standard cardiovascular prevention regimen,” she said.
“This is a well-known and benign side effect of aspirin therapy.”