In an early Tuesday tweetstorm, Trump targeted suspended ESPN host Jemele Hill, saying in a tweet that it is no wonder that the network’s ratings have “tanked.”

"With Jemele Hill at the mike, it is no wonder ESPN ratings have 'tanked,' in fact, tanked so badly it is the talk of the industry!"

With Jemele Hill at the mike, it is no wonder ESPN ratings have "tanked," in fact, tanked so badly it is the talk of the industry! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 10, 2017

On Monday, ESPN said it suspended Hill for violating its social media guidelines for a second time. "Jemele Hill has been suspended for two weeks for a second violation of our social media guidelines,” ESPN said in a statement. “She previously acknowledged letting her colleagues and company down with an impulsive tweet."

"In the aftermath, all employees were reminded of how individual tweets may reflect negatively on ESPN and that such actions would have consequences,” the network continued. “Hence this decision.”

As reported on Monday, Hill tweeted late on Sunday that her followers should boycott advertisers of Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. Jones had earlier threatened to bench any player who kneels during the national anthem.

Hill also described Trump as a “white supremacist” and a “bigot” in a series of tweets last month, so there is clearly no love lost between the two. Previously the White House called for Hill to be fired after that incident: “That is one of the more outrageous comments that anybody could make and certainly is something that is a fireable offense by ESPN,” White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said.

Trump wasn't done however, and the president also said the United States should alter its tax laws, claiming the NFL receives “massive tax breaks” while its players disrespect the flag and national anthem.

"Why is the NFL getting massive tax breaks while at the same time disrespecting our Anthem, Flag and Country? Change tax law!” Trump wrote on Twitter.

Why is the NFL getting massive tax breaks while at the same time disrespecting our Anthem, Flag and Country? Change tax law! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 10, 2017

In 2015 the NFL agreed to give up the tax-exempt status for its league office, after lawmakers denounced it as an unconscionable giveaway. In a memo, Commissioner Roger Goodell insisted that the league’s tax status has “been mischaracterized repeatedly.” He also noted that the government taxes income from TV rights fees, ticket sales and any other revenue generated by the 32 professional football teams. He added that abandoning the tax exemption wouldn’t change how the NFL operates.

“The fact is that the business of the NFL has never been tax exempt,” Goodell wrote, although as CNN reported at the time, the league would still receive some tax breaks

Having covered the world of sports, Trump then moved to politics, and slammed Democrats saying they “don’t want secure borders” and “don’t care about safety for U.S.A.” as the country's immigration debate heats up again following the White House's submission of a list of "asks" in exchange for a deal to preserve DACA.

The problem with agreeing to a policy on immigration is that the Democrats don't want secure borders,they don't care about safety for U.S.A. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 10, 2017

Suggesting that Trump's renewed hardline stance could be a problem for the White House, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said on Monday that she wouldn't rule out withholding support for end-of-the-year budget bills — and risk a government shutdown — if Trump and Republicans don’t agree to a fix for DACA recipients. “We’re not at that place yet,” she told The Washington Post. “Right now, we’re trying to get Republicans to vote on what we believe.”

Finally, rounding off the tweetstorm (for now), Trump took a shot at Congress, tweeting that "Since Congress can't get its act together on HealthCare, I will be using the power of the pen to give great HealthCare to many people - FAST"

Since Congress can't get its act together on HealthCare, I will be using the power of the pen to give great HealthCare to many people - FAST — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 10, 2017

As the WSJ reported last week, President Trump is planning an executive order on ObamaCare, which is worrying supporters of the law and insurers, who fear it could undermine the stability of ObamaCare. Trump’s order, expected as soon as this week, would allow small businesses or other groups of people to band together to buy health insurance. Some fear that these Association Health Plans (AHPs) would not be subject to the same rules as ObamaCare plans, including those that protect people with pre-existing conditions.

That would make these plans cheaper for healthy people, potentially luring them away from the ObamaCare market. The result could be that only sicker, costlier people remain in ObamaCare plans, leading to a spike in premiums. “If this executive order is anything like the rumors then it could have a huge impact on stability of the individual insurance market,” said Larry Levitt, a health policy expert at the Kaiser Family Foundation.

However, supporters say Trump’s move could unleash the free market and lower prices for consumers. Sen. Rand Paul has been pushing for the order, arguing it is something Trump can do without Congress to give people an alternative to ObamaCare. “This is something I’ve been advocating for six months,” Paul said on MSNBC in late September. “I think it’s bigger than Graham-Cassidy, it’s bigger than any reform we’ve even talked about to date, but hasn’t gotten enough attention,” Paul added, referring to the failed Republican repeal and replacement bill.

Paul said allowing more people to band together to purchase health insurance gives them more leverage to lower premiums than when people are buying coverage on their own.





