[kik5150]

He never said tonight or has he ever said any other time that I am aware of that anyone should be required to purchase health insurance or pay a penalty

Um, that's what is called the mandate.

[fireman15]

I watched the whole thing, he went into great detail, what you want to believe he meant is not what he was talking about. He has made this clear on other occasions.

The audience seemed to get it; so I certainly couldn’t care less how a few Cruz supporters here want to twist the meaning. We simply don’t matter in the big scheme of things.

[ironman]

Um, that’s what is called the mandate.
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In the context you are thinking it has ALWAYS been called the individual mandate not the mandate. Trump here was referring to companies offering plans that cover pre existing conditions.