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| Trump press conference: president says team running 'like fine-tuned machine' | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Donald Trump has dismissed reports of chaos in his administration and claimed his team is running like “a fine-tuned machine” during a press conference at which he tried to reset his beleaguered presidency and fired off numerous broadsides at the media. | Donald Trump has dismissed reports of chaos in his administration and claimed his team is running like “a fine-tuned machine” during a press conference at which he tried to reset his beleaguered presidency and fired off numerous broadsides at the media. |
| The president’s first solo press conference since taking office was held ostensibly to announce Alexander Acosta as his new pick for labour secretary after his first choice, Andrew Puzder, withdrew from consideration. | The president’s first solo press conference since taking office was held ostensibly to announce Alexander Acosta as his new pick for labour secretary after his first choice, Andrew Puzder, withdrew from consideration. |
| But the event at the White House rapidly turned into a lengthy defence of his first four weeks as president and a bitter denunciation of the press. | But the event at the White House rapidly turned into a lengthy defence of his first four weeks as president and a bitter denunciation of the press. |
| “I open the paper and I see stories of chaos, chaos,” Trump scolded reporters. “It’s the exact opposite. This administration is running like a fine-tuned machine, despite not being able to get my cabinet approved.” | “I open the paper and I see stories of chaos, chaos,” Trump scolded reporters. “It’s the exact opposite. This administration is running like a fine-tuned machine, despite not being able to get my cabinet approved.” |
| The president claimed the media was serving not the people but “special interests” profiting from a broken system. “The press has become so dishonest that if we don’t talk about it we are doing a tremendous disservice to the American people. The press are out of control. The level of dishonesty is out of control.” | The president claimed the media was serving not the people but “special interests” profiting from a broken system. “The press has become so dishonest that if we don’t talk about it we are doing a tremendous disservice to the American people. The press are out of control. The level of dishonesty is out of control.” |
| Trump claimed he was talking about an entrenched “power structure” that needed attention. “We’re not going to let it happen. I’m here again to take my message straight to the people.” | |
| He argued that there had been “incredible progress” over the past four weeks. “I don’t think there’s ever been a president elected who in this short period of time has done what we have done.” | He argued that there had been “incredible progress” over the past four weeks. “I don’t think there’s ever been a president elected who in this short period of time has done what we have done.” |
| The measures taken so far include withdrawing from the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal, eliminating regulations that “undermine manufacturing” and strengthening the country’s borders. Trump contrasted himself with past politicians who make promises only to break them. | The measures taken so far include withdrawing from the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal, eliminating regulations that “undermine manufacturing” and strengthening the country’s borders. Trump contrasted himself with past politicians who make promises only to break them. |
| In a swipe at Barack Obama’s administration, Trump said: “To be honest, I inherited a mess. It’s a mess. At home and abroad, it’s a mess.” | In a swipe at Barack Obama’s administration, Trump said: “To be honest, I inherited a mess. It’s a mess. At home and abroad, it’s a mess.” |
| He cited jobs leaving the country, instability in the Middle East and the spread of Islamic State “like a cancer”. | He cited jobs leaving the country, instability in the Middle East and the spread of Islamic State “like a cancer”. |
| Trump vehemently denied any improper dealings with Russia. | Trump vehemently denied any improper dealings with Russia. |
| Trump’s original pick for labour secretary, Puzder, abruptly withdrew from consideration on Wednesday. | |
| Trump said Acosta, who did not appear with the president, “has had a tremendous career”. He noted that, unlike Puzder, Acosta had been confirmed by the Senate three times and “did very, very well”. | |
| If confirmed anew by the Senate, Acosta would become the first Hispanic member of Trump’s cabinet. He is now dean of the Florida International University law school. | If confirmed anew by the Senate, Acosta would become the first Hispanic member of Trump’s cabinet. He is now dean of the Florida International University law school. |
| Fast-food CEO Puzder pulled out on Wednesday after it became clear he lacked the votes to win Senate confirmation. | Fast-food CEO Puzder pulled out on Wednesday after it became clear he lacked the votes to win Senate confirmation. |
| Acosta has served on the National Labor Relations Board and as a federal prosecutor in Florida. He was named assistant attorney general for civil rights by President George W Bush. | Acosta has served on the National Labor Relations Board and as a federal prosecutor in Florida. He was named assistant attorney general for civil rights by President George W Bush. |
| Puzder pulled out of the process on the eve of his confirmation hearing, which had been scheduled for Thursday, because Republicans balked at an array of personal and professional issues that dogged him. Puzder said he had employed – and belatedly paid taxes on – a housekeeper not authorised to work in the United States. | |
| Puzder’s withdrawal was the latest example of the disorganised nature of the new administration not known for thorough vetting of its people or its plans. | Puzder’s withdrawal was the latest example of the disorganised nature of the new administration not known for thorough vetting of its people or its plans. |
| Contentious confirmation fights, a botched rollout of Trump’s refugee order and the ouster this week of his national security adviser, Michael Flynn, have nearly paralysed the administration. | |
| The Associated Press contributed to this report | The Associated Press contributed to this report |