“We suffered with Obamacare,” Trump said. “Make no mistake. This is a repeal and replace of Obamacare. Make no mistake about it,” he declared before pausing for a personal boast. “I predicted it a long time ago. I said it’s failing and now it’s obvious that it’s failing. It’s dead—it’s essentially dead.”

Earlier that day, the House had passed the American Health Care Act. The legislation would go on to fail in the Senate. It did not repeal and replace Obamacare. There would be no signing ceremony. It was a premature victory lap.