Trump’s Thanksgiving message: ‘We’re really winning’

PALM BEACH, Fla.— President Trump marked the Thanksgiving holiday by paying tribute to U.S. troops in Afghanistan, Iraq and elsewhere in the Middle East, telling them “we’re really winning” because his administration has given them a greater ability to succeed.

“I’m letting you do your job,” Trump said to the troops in a video call from Mar-a-Lago, his resort here where he is spending the holiday.

Trump spoke to all branches of the Armed Forces: the 82nd Airborne in Afghanistan, the 2nd Marine Raider Battalion in Iraq, the 5th Fleet aboard the Monterey, the 74th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron in Incirlik, Turkey, and the Coast Guard aboard the USCG Wrangell at the Kuwait Navy Base.

Trump cited progress in Afghanistan, where he authorized a small increase in U.S. forces to help train and advise local fighters in the battle against the Taliban. And, he said, the fight against the Islamic State is “coming our way” amid gains in Iraq and Syria that have stripped the militant group of their remaining strongholds.

He professed that there has been more progress under his administration than under those of his predecessors and praised the “brave, incredible fighters.”

The president also took time to boast about the economy, which he said is “doing great,” and push the Republican tax bill in Congress, citing “big, fat, beautiful tax cuts.”

“You’re fighting for something real; you’re fighting for something good,” Trump said.

He then ushered out reporters for a private question-and-answer session with the troops.

Trump and first lady Melania Trump later visited a Coast Guard station near Mar-a-Lago, where they provided a lunch of sandwiches, giant muffins, heaping baskets of fruit, chips and cookies for the men and women in the service.