As he’s been wrangling votes for the American Health Care Act, President Donald Trump has privately said that he regrets taking on a repeal of Obamacare before working on a plan to slash taxes, according to the New York Times.
Per the Times, Trump “has told four people close to him that he regrets going along with Speaker Paul D. Ryan’s plan to push a health care overhaul before unveiling a tax cut proposal more politically palatable to Republicans.”
Asked Friday morning if he regretted making health care his first legislative priority, Trump told reporters, “No.”
The President issued an ultimatum to House Republicans on Thursday night to either pass the bill on Friday or let Obamacare stand, and suffer whatever political consequences may result.
Members of Trump’s administration also were signaling that they’re not worried about negative consequences if the legislation goes down in flames Friday:
senior WH aide on health vote today: “can’t debate this for months on end. Next up, tax cuts”
— John Harwood (@JohnJHarwood) March 24, 2017
senior WH aide on health-care issue of bill goes down today: “the president will walk away. next battle”
— John Harwood (@JohnJHarwood) March 24, 2017
senior WH aide, asked if decisive health care defeat today is best for Team Trump: “100%”
— John Harwood (@JohnJHarwood) March 24, 2017
This post has been updated.