DONALD Trump has said he plans to write his own inaugural address and is drawing inspiration from former US presidents Ronald Reagan and John F Kennedy.
The billionaire property tycoon, who will become president on January 20, has said that Reagan had “incredible style” and also noted the upcoming 100th anniversary of Kennedy’s birth, according to a person who has spoken with the leader-in-waiting at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida.
Trump is spending the Christmas and New Year holiday at the club but is also focusing on veterans’ health issues and has told visitors he plans to make that a priority in his administration, the source said.
The announcement came during a whirlwind day in which Trump accused US President Barack Obama of throwing up “inflammatory” roadblocks during the transition of power and said his administration was treating Israel with “total disdain”.
“Doing my best to disregard the many inflammatory President O statements and roadblocks,” Trump tweeted on Wednesday. “Thought it was going to be a smooth transition – NOT!”
When journalists at the Mar-a-Lago resort asked him about the tweet and how the transition was going, he said: “I think very, very smoothly. It’s very good. You don’t think so?”
Later Trump told reporters he had spoken by phone with Obama and said the two “had a very nice conversation”.
White House spokesman Eric Schultz said Obama phoned Trump. “Today’s call, like the others since the election, was positive and focused on continuing a smooth and effective transition,” he said.
“The President and president-elect are committed to staying in touch over the next several weeks.”
Trump also took direct issue with the Obama administration’s decision to let a United Nations Security Council resolution critical of Israel pass. “We cannot continue to let Israel be treated with such total disdain and disrespect,” he said in a two-part tweet.
“They used to have a great friend in the US, but ... not anymore. The beginning of the end was the horrible Iran deal, and now this (UN)! Stay strong Israel, January 20th is fast approaching!”
The president-elect’s complaints about the treatment of Israel came a few hours before John Kerry made his final speech about Middle East peace as Secretary of State.
Kerry criticised Israel for settlement-building and accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of dragging Israel away from democracy.
Later Trump appeared yet again on the steps of the club, this time alongside boxing entrepreneur Don King, who carried about a dozen flags, including those of the US and Israel; wore two big diamond necklaces, one of the Star of David and one of the American flag; and sported a large pin featuring a picture of Trump.
With King by his side, Trump said he and Obama had “a very, very good talk”.
Trump also touted plans by a Japanese mogul to bring 8,000 jobs to the United States – possibly the first of 50,000 tech billionaire Masayoshi Son promised to create after meeting the president-elect earlier this month.
It is another example of how Trump is trying to stoke voters’ belief that he is actively fighting for their well-being.
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