On Wednesday, the House voted again to approve the Republican tax bill, sending the legislation to the president’s desk.

Then things got weird.

President Trump celebrated passage of the Republican tax cut bill with a cabinet meeting that felt more like a gathering of the cult of Trump.

After Trump bragged about doing “a job like no administration has done,” the president asked HUD Secretary Ben Carson to say a prayer. But before Carson started, Trump addressed reporters, telling them to stick around because they “need the prayer more than I do, I think.”

“Maybe a good solid prayer and they’ll be honest, Ben, is that possible?” Trump asked.

Carson proceeded to offer a prayer where he thanked God “for the unity in Congress that has presented an opportunity for our economy to expand, so that we can fight the corrosive debt that has been destroying our future.” The tax bill approved by congressional Republicans will add at least $2 trillion to the national debt.

Trump then asked Vice President Mike Pence to say a few words. Pence responded with a prayer, of sorts, to Trump.

Pence effusively praised the president and thanked him “for seeing through the course of this year an agenda that truly is restoring this country” and for spurring “an optimism in this country that’s setting records.”


“Because of your determination, because of your leadership, the forgotten men and women of American are forgotten no more, and we are making America great again,” Pence added, while Trump sat scowling with his arms crossed.

Trump then wrapped up the meeting by blasting the United Nations, saying of countries that don’t vote with the United States, “let them vote against us, we’ll save a lot. We don’t care.”