President’s political reality show was just jaw-dropping

The beginning could not have been more presidential. A crowd of congressmen, cabinet members and journalists had gathered in the ornate surroundings of the White House’s East Room when the announcer spoke up. “Ladies and gentlemen, the president of the United States!” he boomed as the double doors behind the podium swung open, revealing Donald Trump.

As he made his way across the long red carpet, the band played Hail to the Chief. A minute-long standing ovation greeted his arrival.

The message was clear. The Democrats had tried to take out the 45th president with their impeachment push but it had failed. Here he was – still standing; still in office.

But if the entrance was lofty and ceremonial, what followed was anything but.

During a jaw-dropping hour of political reality television, Mr Trump lashed out at “horrible” rivals, praised “warrior” loyalists, dismissed “b-------” criticisms and declared “total acquittal”.

Notable in its absence was what Republican senators had been hoping for and party strategists have been advising – contrition. The president insisted, instead, that he was the victim.

“We went through hell, unfairly,” he said. “We did nothing wrong, did nothing wrong.”

This was pure, unfiltered Trump. He was defiant yet jokey, his tone veering from no-holds-barred attacks on political enemies to fraternal joshing with those in the crowd who had stood by him.

Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic House speaker who greenlit the impeachment, was a “horrible person” who lied when claiming she prayed for him, the president said. Adam Schiff, the congressman who led the prosecution case in the Senate trial, was “vicious”.

But the Republican congressmen who had fought his corner – a “great group of warriors” – were given the opposite treatment.

Mr Trump called many of them out by name, ad-libbing anecdotes or character appraisals as the nation’s media watched on.

There was Jim Jordan, the ex-wrestling champion turned Trump attack dog who had been put on the impeachment investigation committee to argue the president’s case.

“You’re the champ, you’re the best,” Mr Trump said, before talking about Mr Jordan’s tendency to attend formal events without his suit jacket on.

“What the hell’s going on? He’s obviously really proud of his body,” Mr Trump said. “They say when Jim works out, he’s not as young as he was, but the machine just starts burning down.”

Then there was Devin Nunes, the ultra-loyal ex-chairman of the House Intelligence Committee. “This guy goes down to dungeons and basements,” Mr Trump said. “He’ll find a document no matter what.”

Even past presidents got a shoutout. Mr Trump said the Democrats would have impeached George Washington and noted Abraham Lincoln was a Republican.

“I wish he was here,” Mr Trump said of “Honest Abe”. “I would give him one hell of an introduction.”

Not long after the hour mark the president declared abruptly, “I’m going to leave now.” A few more minutes of monologue followed before he eventually did go.

Mr Trump clapped, pumped a fist and pointed at the audience. Then he took his wife Melania’s hand, turned and walked back along the red carpet.

No questions were taken.

Nancy Pelosi was a ‘horrible person’, the president said. Adam Schiff was ‘vicious’