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WH Prepares for Trump's Pennsylvania Trip; Trump Defends Foreign Policy Focus; Trump Attacks Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene as a "Traitor"; Rep. Greene Reflects on Political Future Ahead of Resignation. Aired 10:30-11a ET

Aired December 09, 2025 - 10:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[10:30:00]

PAMELA BROWN, CNN ANCHOR: Happening now, the White House is preparing for President Trump's trip to Pennsylvania today. He is expected to highlight his economic record. A Fox News national survey found in November that 76 percent of voters view the economy negatively. But here's how the president recently described it.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, U.S. PRESIDENT: The word affordability is a con job. They use the word affordability. It's a Democrat hoax. Look, affordability is a hoax.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BROWN: Joining us now is Republican Congressman Dan Meuser of Pennsylvania. He serves on the House Financial Services Committee, and he is attending the president's event today. Hi, Congressman. Thank you so much for coming on.

So, President Trump can point to the lowering of prices of some goods like pharmaceuticals, eggs, and gasoline. But government figures show grocery prices and other cost-of-living items are up, and public perception is that he's trying to make the economy sound better than it is. What do you want to hear from him today?

REP. DAN MEUSER (R-PA), FINANCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE AND SMALL BUSINESS COMMITTEE: Hi, Pamela. Nice to be with you and Wolf. Well, what I hope to hear is setting the stage as to where we were a year ago, 12 months ago, 13 months ago, and the direction we were going on, which was, frankly, open borders, excessive spending, an assault based on domestic energy, which was driving gasoline prices up, and really not a pro-growth economic plan. They were talking higher taxes. I'm in Congress, so I saw all the new regulations that were coming out.

So, versus where we are today, and where we are today is a closed border. But from an economic standpoint, just a little while ago, you showed that grocery prices were up 1.4 percent since President Trump got into office. That's pretty good. That's lower than the average inflation rate that existed. Certainly, gasoline is down, maybe not as much as we would like, but a lot of people are feeling a big difference, as much as a dollar difference in a gallon of gasoline. So -- and we have a lot of pro-growth initiatives. We've assured lower taxes. We've assured investment that's taking place. We've deregulated, to a large degree, the banks. So, we're going to have more equity flowing and more loans being made to small businesses. So, that's what we're going to talk about, where we're going from here, as well as the progress that's been made.

BROWN: But, you know, you say look at the groceries, it hasn't gone up all that much. But when you talk to Americans, and I'm sure you've been hearing from constituents, according to this Fox News National Survey, large numbers overall and among Republicans say their costs for groceries, utilities, health care and housing have gone up this year.

Even if you dispute whose fault it is for the current economic state, it's President Trump, right, who is now in office. Voters are looking to him to bring relief. And you have this conservative-leaning tax foundation saying that his own policies, the tariff policy, has raised the average American household's cost this year by $1,200. So, what do you say to Americans who feel like President Trump overpromised and underdelivered on the economy when he campaigned saying, I alone can fix it?

MEUSER: Yes. Well, Pamela, there's a lot of data that shows that wages have increased more than inflation this year. So, that certainly addresses the affordability end of things. And look, regarding trade, we were just simply getting taken advantage of. We've had one of the lowest trade deficits ever very recently came out. GDP is strong.

Look, we need to be a supply-side economy. I know that's a term from the Reagan days. And by the way, it took Ronald Reagan two years, not one year, as we think. We think we've addressed inflation, still need to come down. And the cost increases that occurred during the Biden administration, which was 20 percent, there's no getting around that, it was 20 percent increases, need to be further mitigated. But the trade policies, look, we mentioned eggs prices down.

I sometimes say you got to break a few eggs in order to make an omelet. And so, what we've had to do is create new trade agreements. And that was a little bit tough with China, with Europe, with India, with these trading partners that were charging us 60, 70 percent, and we were charging them 3 percent. So, as these trade deals get created, as opposed to tariffs, we know there's going to be some new markets opened up and should really drive American production even higher than just our own consumers.

BROWN: But we've heard from other Republican congressmembers who have said, look, I'm hearing from my constituents, and they're really concerned about the cost of living right now. So, you can talk about, you know, looking ahead and looking back at what may have led to this moment. But what matters is how Americans feel, right? I mean, Republicans criticize Biden for calling inflation transitory. They said that he made a big blunder undermining or sort of playing down what Americans were feeling.

[10:35:00] I want to play sound from your Republican colleague in the House, Brian Fitzpatrick, about what he said he's hearing from his constituents.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. BRIAN FITZPATRICK (R-PA): If you're living paycheck to paycheck, which most Americans are, and you can't afford to make ends meet, nothing else matters other than that. And they want to know that people are going to have a plan to help fix that.

MANU RAJU, CNN CHIEF CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: CNN Has your party been making this enough of a focus, affordability?

FITZPATRICK: I don't think they have.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BROWN: This comes as President Trump says the economy is A plus, plus, plus, plus, plus, and that affordability is a hoax. Do you agree with your Republican colleague?

MEUSER: Look, what people are feeling is up to those individuals. I have the same type of constituents. They're going to the grocery stores. They're going elsewhere. They're buying gifts for Christmas. Prices were raised dramatically, and I'm not putting blame, but because of the Biden policies. Let's stick to policies. Our policies, the president's policies are about lowering costs via supply side, lowering taxes, lowering regulations, making it more efficient, lowering cost of energy.

Let's face it, they had a war on energy. We're trying to be energy dominant with domestic energy. And we're about more investment, and as well as more supply. The more supply, when supply exceeds demand, that's when real inflation comes down. That's when costs come down. And that's definitely what we're working on.

And even -- just look at this, look at what occurred with -- we don't even talk about this, what's happening with pharmaceuticals. The president already has lowered --

BROWN: I mentioned it. I mentioned they've gone done.

MEUSER: -- a slew, many, many --

BROWN: I did mention that. And we said --

MEUSER: OK. And I said we didn't mention enough.

BROWN: But let me just follow up with you because I mentioned the conservative leaning think tank, the Tax Foundation said due to Trump's policies, the average household would pay an extra $1,200. So, at what point does President Trump need to take full ownership and Republicans need to take full ownership that this is their economy?

MEUSER: We have to look at that because I don't understand where those numbers can come from. Look, the tariffs, everything we've done is about reducing manufacturing costs, reducing consumer costs, putting more money in Americans' pockets. Everything that we do is about creating affordability.

Now, throw tariffs in there. You could say, well, what about tariffs? Tariffs actually affect 5 percent of the marketplace. So, it's a minimal increase, if any, but it is also an equalizing of us being taken advantage of in the past. So, what I believe is the main problem is people don't necessarily believe, they don't have the confidence that we're going to have lower prices. And once that starts occurring, and we fully believe it will because everything's in place, we've cut waste, we've lowered taxes, the regulations are lower, energy costs are lower, we've got more investment, interest rates are going to come down, investment is taking place, manufacturers are gearing up with more capital investment.

So, all of this is happening under President Trump's watch, was not happening under Biden's watch. Inflation will come down. Therefore, we will have a roaring manufacturing year next year, interest rates will come down, housing will improve. These are the things I think are happening and will continue to occur, and healthcare costs will come down, which is a big number on American families.

BROWN: Well, that's a big concern because a lot of families are worried their premiums are going to double if something isn't done, if Congress doesn't act by the end of the year. Congressman Dan Meuser, thank you very much for your time. We appreciate it.

MEUSER: Pamela, thank you.

WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: And just ahead, South Carolina Republican Nancy Mace blasts the House Republican leadership asking, I'm quoting now, "Why am I even here?" We're going to get her fellow Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene's response. A lot coming up when we come back right here in the Situation Room.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[10:40:00]

BROWN: Well, new this morning, President Trump is defending his focus on foreign policy during his second term, even as he faces criticism from a former supporter. Georgia Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene was one of his biggest allies on Capitol Hill. Now, she is an outspoken critic of some of his policies and plans to leave Congress in January. Well, here's what President Trump said about her in a recent interview with Politico.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: I've watched stupid people like Marjorie Traitor Greene, or some people call her Taylor Greene. Some people call her Taylor Brown. Because Greene sometimes turns to Brown, which isn't nice. But I've watched her say that he spends too much time on foreign. When I go on a trip, I only have one place in mind, it's the United States.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: And Congresswoman Greene is joining us now live for her first CNN interview since announcing her plans to resign from the House of Representatives. Congresswoman, thanks very much for coming in. Lots going on. This is Pamela Brown, not Pamela Greene. Just want to make that clear.

REP. MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE (R-GA), HOMELAND SECURITY COMMITTEE: And she has a beautiful name.

BLITZER: She has a beautiful name.

BROWN: Thank you. I'm proud of my last name.

GREENE: That's right.

BLITZER: And your name is Greene, not Brown.

GREENE: That's right.

BLITZER: I want to be precise. In addition to what we just heard there, President Trump posted yesterday that you are, quote, and I'm quoting him now, "not America first or MAGA." And your, quote, "new views are those of a very dumb person." That's the president of the United States speaking about you. What's your response to these latest attacks?

[10:45:00]

GREENE: Well, actually, Wolf, I feel very sorry for President Trump. I genuinely do. It has to be a hard place for someone that is constantly so hateful and put so much vitriol, name calling, and really tells lies about people in order to try to get his way or win some kind of fight. And I think that's exactly what's wrong in America today. That's what's wrong in this toxic political environment that has ripped our country apart. And I personally think that that's poor leadership from a president. It's a very bad demeanor. And Americans are very tired of it.

And unfortunately, I also am concerned because I don't think the president's team nor the speaker have told the president about the legislation that I've introduced that actually much of it directly, literally aligns with the agenda that he campaigned on. I campaigned on in 2024.

Many of my bills are actually his executive orders in legislative form. And if the speaker would pass my bills, if the president Trump were to sign them into law, guess what? His executive orders, which make him literally a temporary president, his executive orders, which are my bills, would become law that would become permanent. And so, I think it's very unfortunate.

BLITZER: Because when I hear him talk like that about you and insult you and attack you like that, I worry about your security and your family's security. And you've been getting some increasing threats, right? GREENE: Yes. And that's what I take so seriously. As a Christian, I'm not angry at the president. It's easy for me to say a prayer for him and forgive him. But the part that that I have had a very hard time with is the fact that he called me a traitor. And because of his words, that brought serious threats against myself and my family with a pipe bomb threat on my home, a pipe bomb threat on my family construction company and staff and had multiple pizza dock scenes. But the serious one was the direct death threats on my son.

And I think that goes beyond anyone's arguments or disagreements or politics. All of our children and our family's safety should matter to anyone, no matter if they're mad at us or disagree with us. I think that should be something we respect.

BROWN: And when you told President Trump about this, can you tell us a little bit more about what his reaction was to these threats?

GREENE: Yes, it was shocking to me. I sent those death threats directly to him in a text message and informed him of what his name calling and words were doing the direct result. And it was a direct assassination threat on my son. And he was extremely I won't repeat what he said, but it was extremely unkind. No sympathy, no care.

BROWN: I'm just wondering -- and I mean, obviously, it would be good to hear what he said, but do you feel like you were duped? I mean, as you reflect on this moment and these attacks against you, you have been such a staunch supporter and ally of President Trump. Do you feel like you were duped by him?

GREENE: I feel maybe -- I don't know if I would use the word duped. I feel very -- I think it's unfortunate for the entire country. And I think the message is, and many people are saying it directly to me, if the president -- because I stood with rape victims, women that were raped at 14 and 16, victims of Jeffrey Epstein and others, they claim that there's a there are other men because I chose to stand with them. That's what caused the president that I fought so hard for to get elected. That's what caused him to call me a traitor.

And I think what many people are saying to me is if he would do this to you, he would do that to any of us. And that, I think, is a terrible message to be sent to the country and many of the people that stood, goodness, hours in line for a MAGA rally that I went to, by the way, and went to many of those rallies and spoke at on behalf of him. I think that's a terrible message to send. I think our country is in a has been in a state of crisis for many years now.

And what I personally want to see happen is all the vitriol and toxic politics to be put away and us to actually leaders actually work for the American people.

BROWN: How much do you think President Trump has is responsible for the toxic politics? I know you've addressed your own role to my colleague, Dana Bash. But what about Trump himself?

[10:50:00] GREENE: Oh, absolutely. He's a leader in it. And so, were others on the other side. I mean, we can look. There was a weaponized Biden DOJ against the president and his family and state AGs that went after his family. All of that is extremely toxic and dangerous in itself. I fully am totally against any type of weaponized justice system for political purposes.

However, it's the language that is -- that just continues it. And it's extremely unhealthy. It sets a bad example. But that's what has been created on our I call it the political industrial complex. It's the two parties that are pitted against each other. And the president, he's a leader of that on the Republican side.

BLITZER: It's hard to believe a president of the United States is calling a fellow Republican congresswoman a traitor. I mean, it's pretty, pretty awful.

GREENE: Wolf, I'll add to that. I have a 98 percent voting record with President Trump. 98 percent. I don't see how that can be a traitor.

BROWN: Can you tell us anything more about what he said, though, when you told him about the death threats? Because I think that that's telling.

GREENE: I don't want to at this time directly repeat his words. But I can tell you in nature, I literally was shocked, shocked that he was so unkind and accusatory. There were other things that shocked me, though. I sent those same death threats to his chief of staff, Susie Wiles, and his deputy chief of staff, James Blair. They didn't even reply to me. And I would have expected at least Susie Wiles, who's a woman, a mother, a grandmother. I would have expected her to have said, this is unacceptable. We'll send it to Kash Patel, you know, something of that nature. We'll make sure your family's safe. I would have expected those responses, not for them to take sides in any way. I understand they work --

BROWN: J.D. Vance did respond to it, right?

GREENE: J.D. Vance, I give a lot of credit to. He was very kind and caring about that. And I did send to Kash Patel and he said on it.

BROWN: OK.

BLITZER: You know, it's interesting, your Republican colleague, Congresswoman Nancy Mace, says in a new opinion piece that Speaker Mike Johnson, and I'm quoting her now, "is better than his predecessor. The frustrations of being a rank-and-file House member are compounded as certain individuals or groups remain marginalized within the party, getting little say. Women will never be taken seriously until leadership decides to take us seriously." Speaker Johnson recently said he's the, quote, "biggest champion of women GOP lawmakers." Do you predict that some sort of women's revolt in the Republican House conference could take place?

GREENE: I read her op-ed and I thought it was masterfully written. And she's right. And this is something that I've been speaking out against for quite some time now. It is extremely frustrating as a rank-and-file Republican member. And in our majority, our Republican majority, that many of us women are not taken seriously and our legislation is not taken seriously.

I'll give you an example right now. Mike Johnson promised me that one of our key -- it's in my bill. It's called Protect Children's Innocence Act. It's a key piece of legislation that is one of President Trump's top campaign promises, and that's to protect any child under the age of 18 from gender-affirming care. Our position is, let these kids grow up. They need to grow up before they do any permanent changes to their body.

Mike Johnson -- that bill has passed through the Judiciary Committee. It is ready to go for a House floor vote. Johnson promised me a vote on it after the shutdown, and it has yet come to the floor.

BROWN: Why do you think, then, Johnson says he is the biggest champion of women? And do you think that there could be more defections, particularly a revolt, as Wolf said, among women in the GOP?

GREENE: Well, you're seeing it. I don't know how he can speak out of one side of his mouth, but his actions fully show the hypocrisy. Anna Paulina Luna, she has a discharge petition now on a bill that she fully believes in to change the way members of Congress are allowed to own stocks. And she has that in a discharge petition, can't get the support from the speaker to bring it to the floor for a vote. But you've seen Elise Stefanik. She went to war with the speaker just last week over an amendment she had that was extremely important. So, you're seeing Republican women lash out directly at the speaker because he sidelines us and doesn't take us seriously.

BLITZER: What's next for you? What are you planning on doing now that you're leaving Congress?

GREENE: A lot of happiness.

BROWN: Because you were a big fundraiser in the GOP. I mean --

GREENE: Yes. As a matter of fact, I paid my dues to the NRCC. Every single Congress raised hundreds of thousands of dollars more and paid in, supported many Republican candidates and raised money for them, but didn't get treated very well, unfortunately, not only by our Republican majority, but also, unfortunately, by the president, which I supported. I'm looking forward to seeing my family and friends a lot more.

[10:55:00]

BLITZER: You're going to have some happiness indeed.

GREENE: Yes.

BROWN: Well, you came and sat here and you said, I'm a lot happier now, but I just have to quickly ask, what do you say to the critics after you announce your resignation who say you should stay in the fight or you're only doing this to receive your pension? You're announcing the date. I just want to get your response to that.

GREENE: Yes. You know, I think that's unfair criticism and I would ask anyone. I've had over 60,000 people say that to me. 773 death threats that we -- my office reported to Capitol Police and a direct death threat on my son. I would ask anyone to consider, should I have to become like Charlie Kirk? Is that what I have to do. And I --

BROWN: Because this have a big impact on you.

GREENE: Yes, and I think that's too much to ask. And then as far as the pension is concerned, we're required. Did you know? We are not allowed to exclude ourselves from it. It's taken out of our paycheck and we are forced into it. It's -- Congress would have to change that with a vote. So, that's a pension I'll get. I think it'll be like $700 and something and it -- at the rate of health insurance going up I think by the age of 62 I might need that $700.

No. I say that in jest. But the criticism -- like I get criticized for coming on CNN and you just had a Republican before me on CNN, and it's unfair criticism because Fox News doesn't ever invite me on. They invited me one time recently after I resigned. We've responded back to the producer and they still haven't said when I can come on. So, I thank you I enjoy coming on and I appreciate the questions.

BLITZER: And we hope everything turns out great. How old is your son?

GREENE: He is 22.

BLITZER: 22.

GREENE: Yes.

BLITZER: So, he's a big boy already.

GREENE: Oh, he's a big boy and nobody wants to mess with him.

BLITZER: No. OK. Good.

BROWN: And no one should get death threats.

BLITZER: No.

GREENE: That's right.

BLITZER: Terrible. It's awful. Congresswoman, thanks so much for coming in.

GREENE: Thank you.

BLITZER: And good luck.

GREENE: Thank you.

BROWN: We appreciate it. BLITZER: And to our viewers, thanks very much for being here in the Situation Room.

BROWN: Coming up, the president is heading to Pennsylvania to talk up his economic record. But Democrats and some Republicans think he's out of touch when it comes to prices. We're going to talk to one Pennsylvania resident about her struggle with rising costs.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[11:00:00]