President-elect Trump heaped praise on Republican members of congressional leadership Thursday at a luncheon in the lobby of the Trump International Hotel, kicking off days of festivities in honor of his inauguration.
Shortly after his highly-anticipated arrival in Washington, Trump and his wife, Melania, traveled to the president-elect’s eponymous hotel and thanked GOP lawmakers for their support with a round of jokes.
“I don’t know if Paul’s here, he’s probably out writing legislation,” Trump said of House Speaker Paul Ryan.
“I’m starting to really, really love Paul,” Trump added. “We’re doing very well together.”
Although Trump and Ryan sparred repeatedly on the campaign trail, the president-elect has warmed to Ryan since his election victory, and the two have begun to collaborate on a replacement plan for Obamacare. Trump called the healthcare negotiations “complicated stuff” at the start of the luncheon.
Trump offered personal shout-outs to Sen. John Cornyn, the second highest-ranking Republican in the Senate, and to House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy.
“Kevin during the heat of battle was there for us,” Trump said.
The president-elect also praised his attorney general nominee, Sen. Jeff Sessions, joking that the Alabama senator is “legit all the way.”
“He will be one of the outstanding stars of this country,” Trump said of Sessions.
Later Thursday, Trump is slated to attend a traditional wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington Cemetery with Vice President-elect Pence before heading over to the Lincoln Memorial for a pair of concerts celebrating the inauguration.
