Trump rips into foes

US President says he will win 2020 election by bigger margin

IN a speech packed with cockiness and grievance, US President Donald Trump denounced Democrats as the party of “the socialist nightmare,” took on “sick,” “lunatic” and “dirty” foes and earned himself the adoration from cheering conservatives.

After a week of tumult and setbacks, Mr Trump delivered a speech that extended beyond two hours.

He let loose against House Democrats, who are broadening their investigations of him, predicted he would win reelection by a greater margin than his 2016 victory, taunted potential White House challengers and sounded themes that are staples of his rallies.

He complained often of getting “no credit” for his achievements as he drifted “off script” at the Conservative Political Action Conference. His remarks capped a week in which his nuclear summit with North Korea’s leader collapsed without an agreement, his former lawyer delivered damaging congressional testimony about his character and business practices, and Congress took action to nullify his emergency declaration to secure money for a border wall.

On the stage, he was a prideful and at times profane figure as he complained that past political appointments had allowed a situation where political foes were trying to take him out with “bulls..t”.

Mr Trump reached back to old criticisms of his ex-attorney-general, mocking Jeff Sessions’ southern accent and calling him “weak and ineffective”.

It took him more than an hour to get to the message that Republicans and members of his administration have been emphasising in recent weeks as they try to brand Democratic policy ideas as socialism.

“America will never be a socialist country,” he said. “Socialism is not about the environment, it’s not about justice, it’s not about virtue.”

He said it was about “power for the ruling class”.