President Trump Addresses Alfalfa Club Dinner, Joking About Fed Nominee and Global Affairs
President Donald Trump attended the annual Alfalfa Club dinner in Washington, D.C., where he delivered an address and made several notable remarks. During his speech, President Trump joked about potentially suing his Federal Reserve chair nominee, Kevin Warsh, should Warsh lower interest rates.
Trump stated he expected Warsh, a former Fed governor, to reduce interest rates, and characterized the event as a "roast."
Trump's Remarks on Other Topics
Beyond the Federal Reserve, President Trump made additional remarks. He included a joke about former Senator Mitt Romney, after which the audience applauded Romney. President Trump also referred to his wife, Melania, as a "movie star" following the recent release of her documentary. Furthermore, he stated that he had asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to stop bombing Ukraine due to cold temperatures, a claim he has made before.
Distinguished Guests in Attendance
The exclusive dinner's attendees comprised a bipartisan mix of political leaders, military officials, diplomats, and business executives. Seated at the head table with President Trump were Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller, New Hampshire Governor Kelly Ayotte, UAE Ambassador to the US Yousef Al Otaiba, former Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy, and World Economic Forum President Borge Brende.
Other prominent figures expected to be present included former President George W. Bush, Supreme Court Justices John Roberts and Elena Kagan, Senator Mitch McConnell, Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, various Cabinet members, and numerous foreign ambassadors.
Context for Fed Comments and Nomination
Trump's comments on interest rates during the dinner followed his repeated history of pressuring current Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell to lower rates, often using critical language towards him. The previous Friday, President Trump had announced Warsh's nomination for the next Federal Reserve chair, concluding a search for Powell's replacement that had commenced in September.