At a rally in Wildwood, US President Donald Trump touted what he called a “historic” economic boom in the state, the policies his administration has adopted since taking office three years ago. said it was thanks to
His Tuesday comments could once again put Trump at odds with Gov. Phil Murphy, who takes credit for the same numbers. New Jersey’s unemployment rate hit 3.5% in June 2019, before dropping to his lowest ever level of 3.1% in September.
President Donald Trump speaks at a rally in Wildwood on January 28, 2020. – Photo: Daniel J. Munoz
“We are achieving a historic victory for New Jersey families,” President Trump said Tuesday night at a rally at the 7,000-capacity Wildwood Convention Center. So did the people, as a sizeable crowd of anti-Trump protesters.
The question centers primarily on whether and to what extent the state’s economic progress can be attributed to state-level policies, or national policies.
Trump is right about New Jersey’s unemployment rate, the latest number being one of the lowest since the state began collecting such data in 1976. Similarly, the national unemployment rate is 3.7%, his lowest since 1969.
“There are more people working in New Jersey today than ever before,” the president added.
Trump also touted federal Opportunity Zone economic incentives, a product of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.
Opportunity Zones allow investors to protect capital gains income from federal taxation through 2026 by parking funds in one of 8,700 such zones nationwide. 169 of them are in New Jersey. Once the investment is held in his Opportunity Zone for 10 years, the dollars earned from these projects will be completely tax-free.
US Congressman Jeff Van Drew watches as President Donald Trump speaks during the event.
“Billions of dollars, not government money, are pouring into opportunity zones where investment was dead,” Trump said.
Trump’s appearance at Wildwood was to support Rep. Jeff Van Drew, who defected to the Republican Party last month after being one of the few Democrats to vote against impeaching the president.
“I asked if he could come to South Jersey and hold a rally. Our president said yes without hesitation and here he is in the eyes of the world. A man who kept his promises to ensure that it was addressed to South Jersey and all of us,” Van Drew told the audience.
Mr Trump has criticized the “Green New Deal” being promoted by progressives in the National Democratic Party, including Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont. He said the Green New Deal would force Americans to “close factories and drive cattle away.”
“There aren’t many cows in Wildwood, but they’re going to run out,” he said.
he said he said
Trump has vowed to build a wall along the southern border between the U.S. and Mexico, condemned the “impeachment hoax,” and called for New Jersey’s “sanctuary” policy for handling illegal immigrants in police custody. tore up.
“There aren’t many cows in Wildwood, but they’re going to run out,” the president told the audience.
He then turned his attention to the “fake” news media, prompting the crowd to turn on the press with boos, middle fingers and other swearing.
In a statement released an hour and a half before the president’s appearance, Murphy lashed out at Trump, saying he “has set our country back for the past three years by breaking promises and embracing hatred and division.” Stated.
“His failing record is a stark contrast to what he’s been able to achieve here in New Jersey,” Murphy said. “[H]Its presence serves as a reminder of how important it is that we continue to strive to bring the economy to the middle class, not just the wealthy and connected. ”
The rally drew attendance of Republican heavyweights statewide. Doug Steinhardt, chairman of the New Jersey Republican Party. Former Republican Governor Chris Christie. Senate Minority Leader Thomas Keene Jr., District D-21, and a potential candidate to remove incumbent Democratic US Rep. Tom Malinowski from the 7th Congressional District. and White House aide Kellyanne Conway.
“The affordability crisis facing New Jersey is driving more and more families out of the state,” Steinhardt said. “Overtaxation and overregulation have taken its toll. We are leading the country in jobs and outflows.”
His mere mention of Murphy in his statement two hours before Trump appeared was frequently booed by the crowd.
At an unrelated event in Jersey City on Wednesday, Murphy accused Trump of “taking credit” for having “nothing to do” during the event in Wildwood.
“[H]In fact, our challenge has become more difficult,” the governor said, claiming he had never seen a rally.
Murphy also condemned the president for coming to South Jersey and “playing a victory lap” when “so many middle-class families are suffering” as a result of his policies.
(not far) from the crazy crowd
Outside, thousands of people were queuing to enter the convention center. Some were literally camping outside the building or tailgating from the weekend.
Demonstrators were set up on the boardwalk outside the Wildwood Convention Center for the president’s visit.
Trump claimed there were “tens of thousands of people waiting outside,” but most personnel listed the number as just a few thousand.
As the event approached, hundreds of vendors began selling playing card merchandise in all shapes and sizes.
Eventually, Trump protesters descended on the rally and chanted “Lock him up!”
“Trump 2020” and “Make America Great Again” counter-protesters yelled and chanted with opposition demonstrators, each trying to drown out the other side.
Anti-Trump demonstrators also brought out several inflatable “Baby Trump” airships.
The airship showed the president wearing nothing but diapers, and one Trump supporter was reportedly detained by police after trying to pop one such balloon. .
Editor’s Note: This article was updated on January 29, 2020 at 2:24 PM EST to include comments from Gov. Phil Murphy.