Trump mocks Hillary Clinton while announcing $100M for next generation of miners

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump revived one of his longest-running attacks on Hillary Clinton while announcing a $100 million investment in America's mining schools, using the White House roundtable to argue that rebuilding the domestic mining workforce is essential for the country's economic and national security.

Speaking alongside industry leaders, Trump said the funding would prepare the next generation of miners as nearly half of the current workforce is expected to retire within the next three years.

He then contrasted the initiative with comments Clinton made during the 2016 campaign about helping coal workers transition into new industries.

Trump revives Clinton attack

Trump recalled Clinton's suggestion that West Virginia coal miners could be retrained for other jobs, turning the moment into a political jab nearly a decade later.

"A woman named Hillary Clinton wanted the miners of West Virginia to learn how to make chips, little tiny chips with their big strong hands," Trump said. "I won by 55 points. They were not thrilled."

He added that miners wanted to continue working in the industry rather than move into different careers, saying, "They wanted to be in the mines. That's what they want to do."

$100M for mining schools

Trump said mining schools had requested $10 million a year in federal support, but his administration chose to provide ten times that amount.

"Half of our current mining workforce is set to retire within the next three years," he said. "That's why my administration is making an unprecedented financial commitment to our nation's mining schools."

He announced a $100 million package to expand training programs, saying the investment would help produce the skilled workers needed for future mining projects across the country.

Jobs and minerals take center stage

Trump linked the investment to his broader effort to expand domestic production of critical minerals, arguing that the US cannot depend on foreign countries for materials needed in manufacturing, energy, and defense.

He said the administration was also moving ahead with billions of dollars in grants for mining schools and historic mining projects that he believes will create thousands of American jobs.

"I'm not doing that because I'm a nice person," Trump told the audience. "I'm doing it because it's great for the country."