SUFFERN, NEW YORK — President Donald Trump defended his economic record and praised Representative Mike Lawler on Friday during an official White House event at Rockland Community College in Suffern, New York. More than 5,000 people registered to attend within the first 12 hours that sign-up was available.

The remarks were classified as an official White House event rather than a campaign event. White House spokesperson Liz Huston said the appearance was meant to "Highlight his strong record of making life more affordable for working families."

Lawler, who wore a red ball cap emblazoned with "Mr. SALT," represents a district about an hour outside New York City. He was first elected in 2022, defeating Sean Patrick Maloney in the redrawn district, and won a second term in 2024. He carried Rockland County by 10 percentage points in 2022 and by 18 points in 2024, while a portion of Westchester County in his district voted against him by double digits.

"Having the president of the United States come to your district is a wonderful opportunity for the community, no matter who the president is," Lawler said. "If you can't engage constructively, then how do you expect to get anything done on behalf of your constituents? So having the president here — I think you can see, people are very enthusiastic, they're very excited to hear from him directly."

Trump formally endorsed Lawler for reelection last year while the congressman was publicly considering a run for governor of New York. Five Democrats are competing for their party's nomination to challenge Lawler, with the primary on June 23.

Speaking about his reelection prospects, Lawler said: "The people who hate the president — and that's their sole basis for their vote — are likely never voting for me, and you need to turn out your base and people energized. Moreover, I have a record in my district that is one I'm very proud of, and a record that appeals to a broad middle. I am confident that I will be reelected on my own merits and my own record."

The tax law signed by Trump last year expanded the state and local tax deduction to $40,000 from $10,000. Trump had established a cap on the deduction in 2017 through the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. According to data provided by the White House, the 2024 tax law raised the average tax refund for New Yorkers to more than $3,800.

Lawler was one of three House Republicans who won reelection in 2024 in districts carried by Democrat Kamala Harris, along with Nebraska Representative Don Bacon, who is retiring, and Pennsylvania Representative Brian Fitzpatrick, who was publicly criticized by Trump in a recent social media post. Lawler supported Trump's war with Iran and also teamed up with Democrats to try to revive expired Obamacare funds that Trump opposed; that bill passed the House in January but was blocked by Senate Republicans.

Trump's national approval rating was 37%, and 82% among Republicans, according to a recent Siena College poll. About one-third of U.S. adults approve of how Trump is handling the economy, down slightly from 40% at the start of his second term, according to an AP-NORC poll.