Trump urges former rival Clinton to again seek presidency

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump on Monday suggested he would beat former rival Hillary Clinton in a 2020 rematch, encouraging the Democrat to try her luck against him in the next presidential campaign.

“I hope Hillary runs,” he said during a press conference. “Hillary, please run again! Go ahead.”

The Republican leader also suggested that Clinton’s words of support to protesting professional athletes — who in recent weeks have drawn the president’s ire by kneeling during the national anthem before sporting events, a statement against racial injustice — was one example of why she lost the 2016 race.

“Honestly, it’s that thinking and that is the reason she lost the election,” Trump said, after dubbing Clinton’s position on the issue “wrong.”

Kneeling during “The Star-Spangled Banner” is “disrespecting our flag” Trump repeated concerning the issue he has reignited in recent weeks, after saying players who refused to stand for the traditional pre-game anthem should be fired.

Democrat Clinton has already ruled out the possibility of another White House bid.

Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th president of the United States on January 20 this year, succeeding Barack Obama and taking control of a divided country in a transition of power that he had declared will lead to “America First” policies at home and abroad.

As scattered protests erupted elsewhere in Washington, Trump raised his right hand and put his left on a Bible used by Abraham Lincoln and repeated a 35-word oath of office from the US Constitution, with US Chief Justice John Roberts presiding.

Revisiting themes from his improbable campaign victory, Trump had said his presidency would aim to help struggling middle-class families, build up the U.S. military and strengthen U.S. borders.

“We are transferring power from Washington D.C. and giving it back to you,” he told the crowd after inauguration.

“From this day forward a new vision will govern our land,” Trump said. “From this day forward it’s going to be only America First.”

“Together we will make America strong again. We will make America wealthy again. We will make America proud again. We will make America safe again. And, yes, together, we will make America great again,” Trump had said when he concluded his address.

“Thank you. God bless you and God bless America!”