Donald Trump, in a Wednesday morning much-anticipated speech from New York City, unleashed a scathing counterattack against likely Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton – who a day earlier, had just pointed out why the billionaire businessman was a sub-par pick for the White House, in a blistering verbal assault of her own.
Among some of Clinton's speech highlights from Tuesday, in Columbus, Ohio: Trump's foreign policy ideas were dangerous, and "he shouldn't have his finger on the button," and his Wall Street ties would "take us back to where we were before the [economic] crisis."
Trump hit back hard.
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"I'd like to share my thoughts about mistakes in this upcoming and very important election," he opened, speaking of the reasons he was running for president. "[My family and I] think big, then we make it happen. ... I'm running to give back to this country which has been so very good to me."
His tone was even and professional, hardly off-the-cuff.
"When I see the crumbling bridges ... or the factories moving overseas to Mexico," he said, "I know these problems can be fixed. But not by Hillary Clinton. Only by me."
He then underscored a cornerstone of his political views: "Jobs, jobs, jobs."
And in somewhat of a surprising move, Trump said this: "We'll never be able to fix a system by counting on the people who rigged it in the first place ... That's why we're asking Bernie Sanders voters to join us."
The applause on that reach-out to Sanders' backers was a bit hesitant – but it grew more enthusiastic as Trump went on to lay out the negatives against Clinton.
"Hillary Clinton is a world-class liar," he said, referencing her ongoing email server scandal and her "phony landing in Bosnia when she said she was under attack" during a 1996 trip.
Then, Clinton regaled campaign trail supporters of her tale of landing in Bosnia in places that were "too dangerous" for even her presidential husband, Bill Clinton, to travel, and said she made the "landing under sniper fire," as the Washington Post reported.
Her account of running for safety "with our heads down" was later challenged, and shown to be untrue.
Trump then turned attention on Clinton's ties to Wall Street, citing the book by Peter Schweizer, "Clinton Cash: The Untold Story of How and Why Foreign Governments and Businesses Helped Make Bill and Hillary Rich," and labeling it a must-read for those who wanted to understand her ongoing "special interest" ties that have netted both her and her husband, Bill Clinton, $153 million in speaking fees since 2001.
"This election will decide if we're ruled by the people or by the politicians," Trump said. "Here is my promise to the American voter ... I will end the special interest monopoly in Washington, D.C."
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Trump addressed Clinton's foreign-policy experience, characterizing her secretary of state service as frightening.
"No secretary of state has been more wrong more often and in more places than Hillary Clinton. Her decisions spread death destruction and terrorism everywhere she touched," he said, adding "ISIS threatens us today" in part due to Clinton, as well as to President Obama.
And on Clinton's honesty?
"Hillary Clinton may be the most corrupt person ever to seek the office of the presidency," Trump said.
In that context, he spoke of Clinton's support for immigration and refugees, saying in what's sure to emerge as one of his most talked-about comments: "Hillary Clinton wants to bring in people who believe women should be enslaved and gays put to death. Maybe her motivation lies among the more than 1,000 donations [she] failed to disclose while at the State Department."
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Trump also said: "Hillary Clinton wants to be president but she doesn't have the temperament or, as Bernie Sanders said, the judgment to be president. She believes she's entitled to the office. Her campaign slogan is, 'I'm with her.' You know what my response is to that? I'm with you, the American people."
He went on, dinging Clinton for furthering a "rigged system" that gives trade benefits to other countries, like Mexico and China, at the expense of America.
"She thinks it's all about her," he said. "I know it's all about you, I know it's all about making America great again for all Americans. ... This country lost its way when we stopped putting Americans first, [when we] switched from a policy of Americanism, focusing on what's good for America's middle class, to a policy of globalism ... all to the detriment to the American worker and American economy itself."
Among his campaign promises: Trump said "we will repeal and replace the job-killing Obamacare," which he called a "disaster," and vowed "massive tax reform" that not only led to job creation, but also lowered burdens for all.
And in kind of a smorgasbord of other promises, Trump said: "The military will have the best technology and the finest equipment. We will bring it back to the way its supposed to be, strong, strong, strong. Massive factories will come [blaring] back into our country, bringing hope. ... Construction is what I know ... the real wages for our workers have not been raised for 18 years. But these wages will start going up, along with jobs, jobs, jobs. Hillary's massive taxation, regulation and open borders will drive down wages for everyone, and that's what's been happening. ... We're also going to be supporting our police and law enforcement. We can never forget the job they do. I'm also going to appoint great Supreme Court justices ... could be as many as five ... who will be outstanding."
His conclusion: "Americans are going to start believing in the future of our country. We are going to make America rich again. We are going to make America safe again. We are going to make America great again, and great again for everyone, everyone."
Clinton is due to give a major speech in South Carolina on Wednesday, and will likely counter what Trump said from New York City.