Boehner Says President Trump Mostly a 'Complete Disaster'

Though he'd rather drink wine and mow his lawn than be president
By Michael Harthorne,  Newser Staff
Posted May 26, 2017 5:01 PM CDT
Boehner Would Rather Drink Wine, Mow Lawn Than Be President
John Boehner likes drinking wine and smoking cigarettes, dislikes the idea of being president.   (Greg Lynch/The Journal-News via AP)

John Boehner isn't shedding any tears over his decision to resign as speaker of the House in 2015, telling attendees at an energy conference: “I wake up every day, drink my morning coffee and say hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah.” RigZone reports Boehner was keynote speaker for Wednesday's KPMG Global Energy Conference, where he spent an hour answering questions. President Trump, of course, came up. Boehner said that while he's been friends with Trump for years, he "never envisioned him" as president. He complimented Trump on his handing of foreign policy, but added: “Everything else he’s done has been a complete disaster. He’s still learning how to be president.”

As for Boehner's possible designs on the office currently held by his old friend: "I drink red wine. I smoke cigarettes. I golf. I cut my own grass. I iron my own clothes. And I’m not willing to give all that up to be president.” New York reports it would also likely be a pay cut for Boehner, who is a lobbyist for Squire Patton Boggs, of which Goldman Sachs and China are clients, and sits on the board of tobacco company Reynolds American. The Reynolds gig alone is said to pay $400,000 a year. Boehner also answered questions on health care, tax reform, and the whole Russia situation. Boehner's spokesperson confirmed his comments regarding Trump, but the White House declined to comment, according to Reuters. (More John Boehner stories.)

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