The White House has released and then hastily deleted an audio recording of an hourlong event with President Donald Trump that captured Trump’s lashing out at the Supreme Court after a judge cast doubt on his birthright citizenship case.
On Wednesday, the president privately hosted a group of Make America Great Again pastors and religious allies for an Easter lunch at the White House. Trump made several wild remarks during the event that were never meant to be seen by the public, and the White House quickly removed the video from its official page.
However, the video was saved online by Business Insider reporter Brian Metzger.
Trump ranted at MAGA faith leaders at an event that was supposed to focus on the story of Jesus Christ. / White House
While the president thought the cameras weren’t rolling, he publicly expressed his true feelings about Supreme Court justices, including those he appointed himself, after angrily exiting oral arguments in the courtroom earlier in the day.
“Republicans, judges and justices,” Trump began. “They always want to show that they are independent.”
The president stormed out upon arriving at the high court. / Kent Nishimura/AFP/Getty Images
“‘I don’t care if Trump appoints me, I don’t care if it doesn’t make any difference to me. I’m going to vote against him!'” Trump said, visibly angry.
“Because they want to show their independence, you know, stupid people,” Trump complained.
He also insulted French President Emmanuel Macron, whom he tried unsuccessfully to pledge full support for his war against Iran.
Trump suggested Macron’s wife, Brigitte, had a physical altercation with him.
“I called France, Macron, whose wife was treating him very badly and who was still recovering from the right side of his jaw,” he said, drawing laughter from his loyal audience.
Donald Trump’s mockery of French President Emmanuel Macron threatens to further alienate some of America’s biggest allies. / Yoan Valat/Pool via Reuters
At one point during private Holy Week events, Trump took credit for the sale of one of humanity’s oldest texts, the Bible.
“As a result, Bible sales are now at their highest levels in decades,” he said. “Young people are attending church almost twice as much as they were just five years ago.”
Trump often claims that his favorite book is the Bible. / Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images
Trump later compared himself to the King again as he complained about the delays his ballroom dresser project is facing after a federal judge ordered a halt to construction on the multimillion-dollar project.
“I can’t get approved for dancehall. That’s awesome, right? If I were the king, we’d do more. I do a lot, but if I were the king, I could do more,” he lamented.
The East Wing was demolished in October to make way for the president’s vanity project. /Kevin Lamarque/Reuters
At the faith-themed event, the president also opened up about why he aligns himself with unsavory figures.
“You know, we’re not supposed to be tempted like that, right? But I am. When someone is nice to me, I love that person. Even if they’re a bad person,” he admitted. “I don’t care. I’ll fight to the end for them.”
The Daily Beast reached out to the White House for comment.
