Rep. Keith Self: Democrats Aim to Keep Americans ‘On Government Plantation’
Rep. Keith Self described President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address as evidence that Democratic policies seek to keep Americans “on government plantation.”
In an interview, Self praised Trump’s speech for drawing clear distinctions between Republicans and Democrats ahead of the crucial midterm elections.
The Texas representative highlighted Trump’s emphasis on tax relief, specifically his push for “no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, and no tax on Social Security for our great seniors.”
Self criticized Democrats for opposing previous Republican-backed tax cuts and argued that the party remains out of step with working Americans on issues ranging from crime to illegal immigration and voter identification.
“President Trump did a masterful job of drawing the distinctions between the left and the right,” Self stated. “The Democrats are for higher taxes. They are for illegal immigrants. They are for keeping costs high because they want people to be on government plantation. They want people to be on government dole.”
During the address, Trump addressed concerns about members of Congress profiting from insider information, drawing bipartisan applause and a pointed reference to former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., whom he jokingly called “the most successful stock trader in [the] history of Wall Street.”
Pelosi has faced scrutiny over her family’s stock trades, though she denies wrongdoing and supports legislation aimed at banning congressional stock trading.
Self noted that he does not own individual stocks and suggested lawmakers who outperform the market may be benefiting from information gained through their positions.
“We are supposed to provide oversight, not make ourselves rich,” Self said. “It’s gone on because you’re asking the people who are doing it to limit themselves.”
Self also noted that Trump’s use of guests in the gallery — including victims of crime and everyday American heroes — underscored the human cost of policies Republicans claim have fueled border chaos and rising prices.
Looking ahead to the midterms, Self acknowledged that the party in power historically loses seats but expressed confidence that the GOP can hold the House if economic gains continue.
“We’re starting to see the green shoots of the economy come around, prices come down, wages go up,” he said. Early passage of the GOP’s “one, big, beautiful bill” is designed to give voters time to feel the benefits.
“That’s what we have to have,” Self added. “We’ve got to keep pounding the successes — bringing prices down, energy dominance, credibility around the world. That makes a difference to the American people.”
