President Trump delivers remarks at a celebration to honor a reception for Congressional Medal of Honor recipients. In addition to remarks for the audience, President Trump also mentions the preparation and concern for those in the path of Hurricane Florence.

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[Transcript] East Room – 5:59 P.M. EDT – THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much, everybody. Please, please. A lot of very brave people in this room. I have to start off by saying that. And I’m truly thrilled to welcome back all of you folks to the White House. Thirty-three recipients — our nations highest military award: the Congressional Medal of Honor.

You know, now they say the Medal of Honor — am I wrong in saying? — that it just sounds better when you say the “Congressional Medal of Honor.” Somehow it’s just a very special — a very special thing, a very special group of people.

Nearly half of the nations 72 living recipients are here with us tonight. So you have 72 total recipients living, and we have half tonight. And I feel I know you. Most of you I’ve met — right? — more than once.

Each of you went above and beyond the call of duty. Each of you risked life and limb, without a thought for your own safety. Each of you has made a lasting mark upon the history of our great nation.

The Congressional Medal of Honor is the supreme symbol of American courage. It is the ultimate tribute to American valor. You are the strongest, the bravest, and the finest among us. See? My ego is not that big. (Laughter.) I admit. I admit it. Okay? Right, General? (Applause.) I admit it. True. And we thank God that you were there in Americas hour of need.

We will all honor Medal of Honor winners and recipients, and we’ll always do that. And to be here tonight with you is very, very special. I want to thank you all for coming to the White House. We have some tremendous people that are paying great respect to you in this room, other than our Medal of Honor winners. We have some tremendous people, highly respected. And they all wanted to be here.

So I’d like to ask, if I might, for the winners of the Congressional Medal of Honor to please stand. Thank you. (Applause.)

Thank you very much. It’s really something.

Before continuing, I’d like to provide an update on our preparations for the incoming hurricanes. We have some really big situation confronting us. It’s coming in fairly fast. And it’s going to be one of the biggest to ever hit the East Coast, one of the biggest ever to hit our country. Maybe something will happen, but it’s looking that like that probably won’t be taking place, unfortunately — meaning veering away from land.

My administration is in close coordination with state and local authorities. And FEMA — these are tremendous people, also, as you know — has already placed extensive resources on the ground, including search and rescue experts, power restoration, and medical support. Tremendous people working on the hurricane — first responders, law enforcement, and FEMA. And they’re all ready, and we’re getting tremendous accolades from politicians and the people. We are ready. But this is going to be one of the biggest ones to ever hit our country.

Residents in the path of these devastating storms should comply with all evacuation orders and other emergency instructions. Protection of life is the absolute highest priority. And that’s what we’re doing. It’s called protection of life. So God bless everybody, and be careful. Thank you. (Applause.) Thank you.

For tonights Medal of Honor Reception, we’re also joined by members of my Cabinet: Secretary Steve Mnuchin. Steve, where are you, Steve? I don’t know if you’d ever win this award, Steve. (Laughter.) That’s a tough award. In a different way, right? In a different way. Doing a great job. Thank you. Ryan Zinke. Ryan? Thank you very much. Sonny Perdue. Sonny? Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Sonny. Alex Acosta. Alex? Thank you. Thank you, Alex. Ben Carson. Thank you, Ben. Thank you. Elaine Chao. How’s Transportation doing? Good? I think so. Robert Wilkie. Doing a great job — for the VA. We’re doing a great job. We have Choice and we have Accountability — things that nobody ever thought you’d see. They worked 46, 47 years on trying to get Veterans Choice. And we now have Veterans Choice and we have Accountability. If they dont do the job, boom, you’re fired. (Laughter and applause.) We want that for our veterans, right? Right?

And a man who’s really doing a fantastic job, Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler. Thank you. Thank you, Andrew. Thank you, Andrew. (Applause.) Appreciate it.

We’re grateful to the distinguished military leaders in attendance, including Secretary of the Navy Richard Spencer. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. (Applause.) Thank you, Richard. Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson. (Applause.) Thank you. Thank you, Heather. And Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Paul Selva. Thank you, Paul. Thank you very much. (Applause.)

And one of my favorite members of the Joint Chief. Stand up you two. What a job. Two of you. Come one. (Applause.) Stand up. Right? Great. Thank you both. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Paul.

I also want to thank Representative Mo Brooks for joining us tonight. Great gentleman — wherever you are, Mo. Thank you, Mo. And a very special thank-you to the members of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.

Tonight we’re privileged to be in the company of Americas greatest heroes. Joining us this evening are three extraordinary Americans who I had the privilege of presenting the Medal of Honor to: Jim McCloughan, Mike Rose, and Brit Slabinski.

Please stand up. Please. (Applause.) Please. Thank you. Thank you, fellas. Proud of you.

We also are very proud to have among us a Marine who served in World War II and who fought heroically at Iwo Jima. In just a few weeks, he will celebrate his 95th birthday. He’s a friend of mine. I’ve gotten to know him. Woody Williams. Woody. (Applause.) Ninety-five. You look good, Woody. You look good.

Another friend of mine, General John Kelly and his incredible wife Karen. They’re here someplace. (Applause.) John? Stand up, John. Stand up, Karen. (Applause.) Two great people. Two great people.

I also want to say a word of warmth and love to the spouses and the loved ones here tonight. We know that the courage of our warriors is sustained by that great love and support and sacrifice of our military families. Without those great families, it would never be the same. And we all understand that. All of the recipients understand that, I know. So thank you all for being here, and thank you for your tremendous support. Thank you. (Applause.)

The Congressional Medal of Honor recipients here with us tonight come with and from cities and towns all across our nation, and they fought for America in fields of battle all across the world.

In Vietnam, Bruce Crandall flew a helicopter, full speed ahead, straight into enemy fire — and it was a lot of fire, from what I understand, Bruce — not once, not twice, but 22 times. Bruce, you can have that job, okay? (Laughter.) Where’s Bruce? Bruce. Thank you, Bruce. (Applause.) Twenty-two times. Ben Carson — better him than us, right? Huh? (Laughter.)

In Korea, Hiroshi Miyamura singlehandedly battled an overwhelming number of enemy fighters without reinforcements. They didn’t come. They weren’t there. He treated the wounded and kept on fighting while enduring severe wounds of his own. Where is he? Where is he? Please. (Applause.)

In Afghanistan, Ed Byers rescued a hostage from terrorists, tackled a guard in hand-to-hand combat, and shielded the hostage from enemy rounds.

Every single recipient here this evening has acted with heroism beyond description, and courage beyond measure. Tremendous courage.

You inspire dread in our enemies, awe in our friends, and universal admiration among freedom-loving people all around the world. They respect you so much — more than you would even know.

I know that tonight you are also thinking of your fellow warriors who didnt come home. Many, many warriors did not come home. We forever remember and eternally honor Americas fallen heroes.

The warriors with us today continue to give of themselves long after leaving active service.

One of them is Sammy Davis. I know Sammy Davis, but it’s a different Sammy Davis. (Laughter.) Good name. Where’s Sammy? Sammy. Sammy. (Applause.) Sammy. Now I know two of you. Thank you, Sammy.

MR. DAVIS: (Inaudible.)

THE PRESIDENT: That’s — (laughter) — that’s true, actually, isn’t it? (Laughter.)

Who earned the Congressional Medal of Honor for his heroic actions in Vietnam. Sammy teaches young people about the importance of patriotism. And just a few months ago, he received the State of Indianas most prestigious award for his life of service. Sammy, that’s fantastic. Thank you very much. Thank you. (Applause.)

Also with us is Ronald Rosser, who fought in Korea, and then became a police chief, a construction foreman, and a history teacher.

A veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom, Leroy Petry has since devoted his life to supporting our wonderful veterans. Thank you very much. We have many people that are doing that.

We’re loving our veterans, I think, honestly, more than ever before. We respect them so much. There’s a whole different spirit over our country. We respect our veterans more than we’ve ever respected our veterans. So important. We’re working so hard on that, and we’re doing the job.

These are just a few of the incredible stories represented in this room today.

Before I conclude, I would like to ask the President of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society to come up and say a few words — a friend of mine, and we’ve met a number of times. And he’s a good man, and a little bit of a character, and that’s okay. I suspect you’re all characters. (Laughter.) Please come up, Recipient Drew Dix. (Applause.)

RET. MAJOR DIX: Thank you, President Trump for two things. One is honoring us with this invitation to the White House. You know, January next year, it’s been 50 years since I was in the East Room. And I don’t remember much about that. It was much of a fog in my mind because of the circumstances. But I want to tell you that, on behalf of the 32 other recipients here, we are very honored to be here.

But that honor pales in comparison to the honor that we have, and the responsibility that we share, for representing all of our veterans and service members that performed deeds far greater than ours. But witnesses just aren’t available.

And for that, I want to say that we carry that around the country. We do what we can to spread the character and the examples of recipients to our youth. And we’re just starting a new program on our outreach, and we help to coordinate efforts between — all the efforts — to coordinate the efforts against — preventing the suicides. It’s a tremendous problem in our country. So the Society has taken this on.

And I can’t think of a better way to start a convention as right here from the White House and going over to Annapolis. So if we’re all about — (applause) — and if we’re all about tradition, tradition starts here. And for the Navy folks, we’re really proud to spend a week with the midshipmen over there.

And thank you, sir, for all you do.

THE PRESIDENT: Great honor. Thank you, Drew, very much. Thank you. (Applause.) Thank you, Drew.

The heroes in this room embody the highest ideals of our nation. Your actions demonstrate the unmatched nobility and dignity of the American warrior. And that’s what you are. You’re warriors. Great warriors.

You inspire in each of us the greatest sense of patriotism, and purpose, and pride. We pledge to honor your service by supporting. And when I say “support,” I mean always supporting the incredible men and women of the United States military.

We will always remain faithful to the heroes of the American Armed Forces. We will forever remain loyal to our beloved veterans. And we will always defend our country, our Constitution, our values, our families, our freedom, our people. And we will always defend our great American flag.

Thank you. God bless you. And God bless America. Thank you. Thank you. (Applause.)

END 6:17 P.M. EDT

MAGA Winnamin Alert – The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) just released another survey.  The Small Business Optimism Index has soared to 108.8 in August; that’s an all-time record in the survey’s 45-year history, topping the July 1983 highwater mark of 108.  This incredible surge in economic outlook began with the era of President Donald J Trump.

According to the release:

“At the beginning of this historic run, Index gains were dominated by expectations: good time to expand, expected real sales, inventory satisfaction, expected credit conditions, and expected business conditions,” said NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg.

“Now the Index is dominated by real business activity that makes GDP grow: job creation plans, job openings, strong capital spending plans, record inventory investment plans, and earnings. Small business is clearly helping to drive that four percent growth in the domestic economy.”

• 26% of companies plans to increase employment.
• 38% of companies have current job openings.
• 34% of companies consider this a good time to expand.
• 34% of companies expect the economy to improve.

Read More Here

After participating in a “Trump The Tyrant” left-wing symposium on September 10th, the primary Canadian trade negotiator appears in Washington DC on September 11th to demand preferential treatment based on friendship, virtue and neighborliness.

The combined audacity and virtue-smugness is off-the-charts with this one.

Earlier today President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump attended a memorial service commemorating Flight-93 and the 9/11 memorial in Shanksville Pennsylvania.

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[Transcript] – THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much. Thank you very much, Ryan. So beautiful.

We’re gathered together on these hallowed grounds to honor the memory of nearly 3,000 souls who were murdered on this day 17 years ago. We’re here to pay solemn tribute to the 40 passengers and crewmembers on Flight 93 who rose up, defied the enemy, took control of their destiny, and changed the course of history.

Today, we mourn their loss. We share their story. And we commemorate their incredible valor.

On September 11th, 2001, a band of brave patriots turned the tide on our nations enemies, and joined the immortal ranks of American heroes.

At this memorial, on this sacred earth, in the field beyond this wall, and in the skies above our heads, we remember the moment when America fought back.

Melania and I are grateful to be joined for todays ceremony by Governor Tom Wolf and Governor Mark Schweiker. I also want to thank the members of Congress in attendance: Senator Bob Casey, Congressmen Lou Barletta, Keith Rothfus, Bill Shuster, and along with the president of the Families of Flight 93, Gordon Felt.

We’re also joined by members of the National Park Service, along with firefighters, first responders, and incredible people from law enforcement. These are truly great people. (Applause.) Some of you here today answered the call and raced to this field 17 years ago. You fill our hearts with pride, and I want to thank you on behalf of our country. Thank you very much. (Applause.)

Most importantly, to the family members of Flight 93: Today, all of America wraps up and joins together. We close our arms to help you shoulder your pain and to carry your great, great sorrow. Your tears are not shed alone, for they are shared grief with an entire nation. We grieve together for every mother and father, sister and brother, son and daughter, who was stolen from us at the Twin Towers, the Pentagon, and here in this Pennsylvania field. We honor their sacrifice by pledging to never flinch in the face of evil, and to do whatever it takes to keep America safe. (Applause.)

Seventeen years ago, your loved ones were among The Forty of Flight 93 — the 40 passengers and crewmembers onboard the 8:00 a.m. United Airlines flight from Newark to San Francisco. They were men and women from every background. They were young people returning from visiting family, moms and dads on business trips, and friends going and coming from birthdays and weddings.

They boarded the plane as strangers — and they entered eternity linked forever as true heroes. (Applause.)

Soon after takeoff, Flight 93 was hijacked by evil men bent on terror and conquest. Passengers and crewmembers began using their phones to call home. They learned that two planes had already crashed into the World Trade Center in New York City.

Immediately, those onboard Flight 93 started planning a response. Sandy Bradshaw, a flight attendant, called her husband and told him they were in the back of the plane preparing hot water to throw onto the hijackers. Passenger Jeremy Glick explained the plan to his wife and said, Stay on the line. Ill be back.

The passengers and crew members came together, took a vote, and they decided to act. At that moment, they took their fate — and Americas fate – back into their own hands.

In the last 20 minutes, many placed their final calls home, whispering those eternal words: I love you. Some said the Lords Prayer. And then they bravely charged the cockpit. They attacked the enemy. They fought until the very end. And they stopped the forces of terror and defeated this wicked, horrible, evil plan.

Flight 93 crashed yards from where we stand, just 20 minutes flying time from the United States Capitol.

Through their sacrifice, The Forty saved the lives of countless Americans, and they saved our capital from a devastating strike.

In the days after the attack, tens of thousands of fire fighters, police officers, and recovery workers traveled to New York and Arlington to crawl through the rubble in search for survivors.

There were prayer vigils, memorials, and charity drives all across our nation.

Here in Shanksville, many of you raised up the first memorial – a wooden cross, a chain-linked fence, mementos and tributes pouring in, and dozens and dozens of American flags.

A piece of Americas heart is buried on these grounds but in its place has grown a new resolve to live our lives with the same grace and courage as the heroes of Flight 93.

This field is now a monument to American defiance. This memorial is now a message to the world: America will never, ever submit to tyranny. (Applause.)

Since September 11th, nearly 5.5 million young Americans have enlisted in the United States Armed Forces. Nearly 7,000 service members have died facing down the menace of radical Islamic terrorism. (Applause.)

Today, we also think of the more than 200,000 service members now serving overseas. And we think of every citizen who protects our nation at home, including our state, local, and federal law enforcement. These are great Americans. These are great heroes. We honor and thank them all. (Applause.)

As Commander-in-Chief, I will always do everything in my power to prevent terrorists from striking American soil.

Here with us today is Dorothy Garcia Bachler. Her husband Sonny was one of the passengers on Flight 93. On September 11th, 2001 — just over a month after their 32nd wedding anniversary — Sonny was on his way back from a business meeting. He called Dorothy — who he loved so much — called her on the plane and uttered her name before the line went dead silent.

In the days after the attack, Dorothy told the investigators there was only one thing she wanted from this field: her husbands wedding ring. They would know it by the inscription etched inside. All my love, it said, followed by the number 8/2/69 – the date of their anniversary. The officers — great people — promised to try. But in this field of wreckage, it seemed certainly impossible.

Dorothy began to pray, and she asked her friends to do the same. Days went by, then months. Still no ring. A week before Christmas, on December 19th, she heard a knock at the door. Two officers were standing with a — really beautiful to her — she saw it was so beautiful; she knew what was happening — a beautiful, small white box. Inside it was a wallet, a luggage tag, a drivers license, a small bag with the wedding ring inscribed with those three precious words: All my love.

Those words echo across this field. And those words tell the story of 40 men and women who gave all their love for their families, their country, and our freedom.

To Dorothy, and to every family here today, America will never forget what your loved ones did for all of us. (Applause.)

Earlier this week, you dedicated the final part of this memorial: the Tower of Voices. Standing at 93 feet tall, the Tower of Voices is now the first structure visitors see when they come to this now sacred ground. It will hold 40 beautiful chimes that ring throughout these fields — each a unique note, but all in perfect harmony.

Every time we hear those chimes playing in the wind, we will remember The Forty. We will remember their faces, their voices, their stories, their courage, and their love.

And we will remember that free people are never at the mercy of evil because our destiny is always in our hands. (Applause.) Americas future is not written by our enemies. Americas future is written by our heroes. (Applause.)

As long as this monument stands, as long as this memorial endures, brave patriots will rise up in Americas hours of need, and they too will fight back. (Applause.)

Seventeen years ago, forty incredible men and women showed the whole world that no force on Earth will ever conquer the American spirit. We treasure their memory. We cherish their legacy. And we ask God to forever bless the immortal heroes of Flight 93.

Thank you. God bless you. God bless the families. And God bless the United States of America. Thank you very much. (Applause.)

END 10:56 A.M. EDT

Tower of Voices Memorial

Justin from Canada has drawn a line-in-the-sand during negotiations toward a U.S-Canada trade agreement. Justin has stated that any market negotiations must necessarily exclude the “Candian Cultural Industries”; those industries cover telecommunications and media. Justin will not allow any media competition within Canada.

On the Ezra Levant Show he is joined in a pragmatic discussion with Frank H. Buckley, Foundation Professor at the Antonin Scalia Law School, George Mason University, to discuss a recent appearance on the Canadian Broadcast Channel where he criticized the Liberals’ incompetence during the NAFTA negotiations.

Chairman of the Council Of Economic Advisers, Kevin Hassett, participated in the White House press briefing to counter left-wing claims the current economy is simply a continuation of trends.

Kevin Hassett described former President Obama’s notion “laughable” and presented a series of intuitive trend charts showing how Obama’s economic trend was downward. The election of President Trump resulted in a “statistically significant” upward deviation and inflection in the graphic trends charts.

Mr. Hassett cogently goes through ISM Purchasing Managers’ index, durable goods, capital spending, employment and other statistics before and after Trump’s election date to display how ‘America First’ MAGAnomic policy has reversed years of poor economic performance.

In case anyone was wondering, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross is in Europe talking trade with the European Union.  Within the delegation of trade negotiation, the EU trade agreement is designated to Ross, while USTR Lighthizer covers Canada and Mexico and Treasury Secretary Mnuchin is holding point on China.  Secretary Ross is getting the royalty treatment in Greece today.

Meanwhile, Ambassador Robert Lighthizer is still engaged with Chrystia from Canada as negotiations continue to see if a U.S-Canada trade deal is possible.  He must have the patience of Job. The 52,000 lost Canadian jobs announced today has shifted the landscape a little.  Canada appears slightly more likely to back-away from prior demands to carve out the Canadian Dairy industry and continue the process of protectionist tariffs.

Ms. Freeland is heading back to Canada tonight, leaving her negotiation team in DC to continue working.  However, Canada still demands to exempt their “cultural industries”, telecommunications and media sectors, from any trade agreement. The issues for Canada to join the U.S-Mexico agreement are/were:

• open their telecommunications and banking sector (eliminate non tariff barriers).
• eliminate soft-wood (lumber) and aeronautics federal subsidies.
• begin a process of lowering their assembly use of Chinese/Asian goods.
• accept the rules of origin for North American manufacturing.
• eliminate protectionist tariffs on dairy and farm products.
• accept the U.S-Mexico terms for arbitration and dispute resolution.

The Telecommunications/media sector is non-negotiable according to Justin from Canada. There may be flexibility within banking (not much information).  The lumber and aeronautics subsidies could be dropped.  Rules of origin are non-negotiable for President Trump.  Protectionist tariffs on dairy and farm products are the current issue being discussed.  Dispute resolution is an outstanding issue.

CANADA / WASHINGTON — The vexing issue of securing more American access to Canadian dairy remained a major obstacle in NAFTA negotiations as Canada’s lead minister on the continental trade pact departed the U.S. capital Friday.

Larry Kudlow, the director of President Donald Trump’s National Economic Council, laid that out in the plainest terms possible during a televised interview Friday morning, hours before talks ended between Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland her U.S. counterpart, trade czar Robert Lighthizer.

Freeland had come to Washington this week in an attempt to break the impasse in the 13-month renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement, which was started at Trump’s behest.

A senior government official, briefing reporters on background, said Freeland was departing Washington on Friday night, but would keep in touch with Lighthizer. Canadian and American negotiators would continue to meet, the official added. (more)

Chrystia Freeland remarks.

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Robert Lighthizer won’t discuss anything with the media; however, Larry Kudlow discusses some of the issues: