Trump gloats over Kavanaugh 'victory' then rambles about Space Force and fighting Joe Biden

Donald Trump celebrated the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh to the US Supreme Court with a series of boasts about ignoring world leaders’ phone calls, beating up Joe Biden and setting up a Space Force.

The former reality TV show host revelled in the chants and cheers of his supporters at a rally in Topeka, Kansas, as he announced he had officially signed off the appointment on board Air Force One.

“This is a historic night,” he said. “I stand before you today on the heels of a tremendous victory for our nation our people and our beloved constitution.”

Mr Trump went on to insist there was “no corroboration” for the sexual assault claims of Christine Blasey Ford before launching a series of attacks on his political opponents.

“I want to thank our incredible Republican senators for refusing to back down in the face of the Democrats’ shameless campaign of political and personal destruction,” he said.

“Radical democrats have turned into an angry mob... The Democrats have become too extreme and too dangerous to govern."

He described Mr Kavanaugh as “a man of great character and intellect”, adding: “He’s a totally brilliant scholar.”

Mr Trump also repeated his determination to set up a “Space Force” as a sixth branch of the armed forces after the army, navy, marine corps, air force and coast guard.

“That’s happening quickly, it’s very serious,” he said. “That’s where it’s at. You know you have to know where it’s at. Doesn't sound right but it’s right. Both defence and offence.”

The president turned to Mr Biden after boasting about his success in ”taking out” his political opponents, adding “I’m hitting them so hard that they’re disappearing.”

Referring to the former vice-president's claim that he would like to have “beat the hell out of” Mr Trump behind the high school gym, Mr Trump flexed his right bicep and said: “I’d love that. That would not last long.”

He then mimed knocking the former vice-president over by blowing on him: ”Go like this. He’s down. And he’ll never get up. He will never get up.”

Mr Trump also bragged again about ignoring fellow world leaders’ concerns over the US recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

“Every leader called me. ‘Don’t do it, please don’t do it, don’t do it’,” he said.

“You know the story – refused to take their phone calls. Tell them I’ll call him back on Thursday next week. I signed the deal.”

The president ended his speech by praising the men and women who set up the state of Kansas, before emphasising the words “strong women” in what appeared to be a reference to the controversy over the sexual assault allegations against Mr Kavanaugh.

He had earlier told reporters on board Air Force One that “women were outraged” at the way his Supreme Court pick was treated during the confirmation process.

Mr Trump said he was “100 per cent certain” that Christine Blasey Ford named the wrong person as her alleged assailant.

The final vote to confirm the appointment of Mr Kavanaugh took place as hundreds of women gathered to protest outside the Capitol.

In the minutes following the confirmation, Mr Trump tweeted: “I applaud and congratulate the US Senate for confirming our GREAT NOMINEE.”

Additional reporting by Associated Press