In a spirited appearance in Rockland County on Friday, President Trump highlighted the impact of Republican-endorsed tax cuts, particularly attributing their success to the persistent efforts of Rep. Mike Lawler. Trump’s visit underscored the legislative achievements that, according to him, allow New Yorkers to retain more of their income.
Returning to his native New York, the former president celebrated the increase of the SALT deduction cap to $40,000. He humorously credited Lawler, a dedicated two-term Republican, as being a persistent advocate on this issue. “He was a ‘pain in the ass,’ but in a good way,” Trump quipped, acknowledging Lawler’s determination.
Addressing a lively crowd at Rockland Community College, Trump was introduced by New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart. He proudly stated, “Your SALT deduction, we brought it back,” emphasizing the tax cuts implemented during his administration. He reassured the audience, saying, “I cut your taxes, cut the taxes on workers, families, and small businesses, who are the soul of this state.” Trump made a point to highlight that these reductions were a product of Republican initiatives, noting, “The Democrats voted against every one of these tax cuts.”
The original SALT cap, set at $10,000 during Trump’s first term, had been burdensome for homeowners in high-tax states like New York. Lawler, praised by Trump as “fantastic,” was instrumental in lobbying for the increase to $40,000. This change came as part of the negotiations tied to what Trump referred to as his “One Big Beautiful Bill.”
The SALT — or state and local tax deduction — cap was limited to $10,000 during the first Trump presidency, crushing homeowners in high-tax states like New York.
But Lawler — whom Trump described as “fantastic” — lobbied to expand the deduction, now at $40,000, as part of negotiations tied to the president’s “One Big Beautiful Bill.”
“He didn’t stop. This guy was a pain in the ass, it was terrible, he didn’t stop,” Trump said jokingly while calling Lawler “Mr. SALT” and pointing to a red “Mr. SALT” hat the congressman was wearing.
Lawler, a former state assemblyman, said in a speech leading up to Trump’s appearance that he wasn’t going to back down over the SALT fight.
“I said, yeah Mr. President, it would be terrible for New York, but it would be really bad for you,” Lawler recalled, as he did his best Trump impression.
“He said ‘ooh, why is that’. I said ‘because I’ll kill your bill.” And he looked at Mike Johnson and he said, ‘Mike, Mike, don’t let it happen. Get Lawler all the SALT he wants.”
The law also raised the average refund for New Yorkers to more than $3,800, White House data indicates.
“My constituents were seeing anywhere from $5,000 to $20,000 refund checks, which is pretty massive,” Lawler said.
Trump’s visit to the Hudson Valley came as Lawler faces a perilous path to re-election in what’s considered a critical “toss-up” district.
But Trump said the only way to “straighten” the Empire State out was by backing Lawler and other GOP candidates, such as Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, the Republican candidate for governor who was also in Rockland.
The former Manhattan businessman said wealthy people and corporations were leaving in droves for red states while New York Democrats refused to get a handle on crime and illegal migrants.
In one stark moment, Trump welcomed loved ones of slain Westchester County resident Sheridan Gorman, who was shot and killed in Chicago by a gunman whom authorities said was in the country illegally.
“Her life was stolen by a man who should’ve never been in this country,” mother Jessica Gorman said on stage.
Trump particularly homed in on Gov. Kathy Hochul, claiming “she is never going to take you to the promised land. There will never be a promised land with Kathy.”
The president also poked fun at Hochul, saying she repeatedly calls to ask for help and federal funding — and then bashes him publicly.
“’Could you help here, can you help me there, we’re having a little problem getting this and we’re trying to get that, can you give me a little hand?’” Trump said, mimicking Hochul. “I say, ‘Kathy, you’re always killing me, why the hell would I give you [help]?’”
The president also blasted House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, claiming the liberal Brooklyn pol helped inspire Trump’s new nickname for Democrats.
“I was thinking about this character we have in the House, his name is Hakeem Jeffries, and he’s a low IQ person, very low IQ,” Trump said.
“And I watched what he was saying, watching the horrible things he was saying, and I said, ‘He’s a dumb guy.’ I said, wait a minute, he’s a ‘Dumocrat’, that’s how I got the name.”
Trump was the first president to visit Rockland in 50 years since President Gerald Ford, according to reports.
“I was born and raised in New York State, and my heart has always been here,” Trump said.
— With Post wires
