Overview
- On Friday, President Trump spoke at Rockland Community College in Suffern to promote his economic agenda, formally back Rep. Mike Lawler and tout last year’s expansion of the SALT deduction.
- Last year’s law raised the state and local tax deduction cap to $40,000 from $10,000 after negotiations that included Lawler, who says the change lets more than 90% of his constituents fully deduct local taxes.
- Lawler’s seat in New York’s 17th District is rated a toss-up and voted for the Democratic presidential candidate in 2024, making the visit a clear political gamble to energize Republican voters.
- Democrats and the DCCC condemned the stop as tone-deaf given low public approval of Trump’s handling of the economy, which polls show is supported by roughly one-third of adults.
- The visit could boost turnout among conservative voters while also giving Democrats material for the June 23 primary and the general election, so observers will watch local polls and turnout for signs the strategy is working.