Trump Promises Not To Attack Democrats During SOTU 2020: 'I'm Not Bitter'

KEY POINTS

Trump says he's "not bitter" that Democrats impeached him
He claims he won't talk about impeachment at all during his SOTU address
Trump will blast socialism, which he equates with Democrats

Sticking to the script isn't a trait president Donald Trump is renowned for. The man who prides himself with speaking his mind has said he won't attack Democrats -- who impeached him on Dec. 18, 2019 -- in his third State of the Union speech on Tuesday.

Trump said he wouldn't condemn congressional Democrats that impeached him for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.

“I’m not bitter,” said Trump about his impeachment during a private lunch Tuesday afternoon with several news reporters.

Trump says he'll speak about impeachment only on Wednesday after he's acquitted by the Republican-controlled Senate that sped-up his acquittal by voting not to call witnesses, Politico noted.

He told the people around him at the lunch his tone during his SOTU speech will be “extraordinarily low-key.” Trump's aides say he won't talk at all about impeachment in his SOTU speech.

They earlier said the theme of Trump’s speech will be “the great American comeback.” They claim Trump will approach the occasion with “relentless optimism” about the economy, recent trade agreements and the opportunity for healthcare reform.

Political pundits expect Trump to brag about the strong economy under his watch and blast socialism, which he claims is the ideology of the Democratic Party.

Trump will contrast his economic policies and the U.S. economy with the costly policy proposals offered by Democratic presidential candidates. He said his speech will include a “modified” version of his anti-socialism message he has been talking about during his nationwide campaign rallies.

Asked by Fox News anchor Bret Baier at the lunch how he'd feel when he arrives on Capitol Hill to face Democrats, Trump replied “I’ll be fine." Looming behind Trump as he delivers his SOTU speech will be House majority speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-CA, who launched the impeachment inquiry into Trump on Sept. 24, 2019.

Trump's impulsiveness was apparent during the lunch when he blurted out that one of his arch-critics, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-NY, will run against Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer, D-NY, who is up for reelection in November.

“I think AOC is going to run against Schumer and I think she‘ll kick his a--,“ said Trump in another bid to sow division among Democrats.