Donald Trump: “All of my employees are having a tremendous problem with Obamacare.” https://t.co/aeRxnZ4Rx4 https://t.co/LhAilyMi0q
— CNN (@CNN) October 25, 2016
On Tuesday, Donald Trump awkwardly called out Obamacare. The GOP nominee said his employees were having difficulties with President Obama’s signature health care legislation, and then Mark Cuban called out his gaffe (because of course he did).
Trump’s comments were delivered outside of beautiful Trump National Doral Miami resort, as a throng of his loyal employees stood behind him to help reinforce his Obamacare criticism. Trump began his discussion by talking about jobs, but he veered off topic and went after Obama:
“And I can say all of my employees are having a tremendous problem with Obamacare. You folks, this is another group. Is that a correct statement?” he said, gesturing to the crowd. “You look at what they’re going through with their healthcare is horrible because of Obamacare. So we’ll repeal it and replace it. But this is about jobs.”
Trump’s criticism arrives after news that Obamacare premiums will increase 25 percent next year, but he’s also revealing how his companies handle health insurance. Trump’s employees wouldn’t have to deal with Obamacare if their employer, Trump, provided them with health insurance, and he probably does if his next statement is to be believed: “This is what jobs do. Jobs just make lives and they make people and they make families and they’re not worried about their health care because we take great care of people.”
Trump was then offered a chance to clarify during an interview with Fox News, but pleaded ignorance, saying “I don’t much use Obamacare, I must be honest with you, because it is so bad for the people and they can’t afford it.” Trump’s gaffe was called out by some opponents including Mark Cuban:
https://twitter.com/mcuban/status/790969834976804864
Bill Clinton, who himself has criticized Obamacare’s premiums, spoke out in a positive way today about how Hillary hopes to make adjustments.
In NC, @billclinton addressed the news of health care premiums going up re: the Affordable Care Act. pic.twitter.com/O5zsKBwhYC
— Danny Freeman (@DannyEFreeman) October 25, 2016
The Affordable Care Act marketplace can be tough to navigate, so perhaps Trump can’t be blamed for not knowing the ins and outs.
(Via Politico, CNN & CNN Money)
