President Donald Trump has been working long hours for the American people, or so he claims, as the government is shut down, and federal food benefits are in jeopardy for millions of people in the US.
“No president ever worked harder than me,” Trump wrote on social media.
Clearly the president who campaigned on making America great again is laser focused on making sure hard-working families can put food on the table during the holiday season.
Sure, he’s providing construction updates on his lavish ballroom and sharing more than a dozen photos of his bathroom customization with marble and gold.
I mean, marble and gold, that’s certainly something that will resonate with everyday Americans, many working more than one job, to pay rising grocery, health, childcare and food costs.
There’s no way Trump would let anything get in the way of benefits for hard-working families, seniors, people with disabilities and even children.
Despite a court order, Trump said today that the administration would not pay out any benefits until the “Radical Left Democrats open up the government.”
Hard stop.
I mean, isn’t the federal government controlled by Republicans? Don’t Republicans control both chambers of Congress? The White House?
ICYMI
- Trump dismisses SNAP recipients he’s trying to shaft as ‘largely Democrats’
- Two federal judges block Trump from cutting off SNAP benefits to 40 million Americans
- SNAP benefits may be delayed in November, food crisis ahead for seniors, families
While one in eight Americans are facing the possibility of not being able to put food on the table this month, Trump and his distinguished guests took part in a Great Gatsby themed event enjoying a dessert bar overflowing with macaroons and cheesecake this weekend.
Trump isn’t like the rest of us
The disconnect between the millionaire and everyday Americans was on full display as Trump and his guests enjoyed exotic cocktails and watched showgirls dancing in giant champagne glasses.
Seems fitting that the president would choose a theme that is associated with the corruption of the American dream and the economic disparities between different classes in society. Gatsby’s rise was built on criminal schemes with a focus on materialism and the hollow pursuit of wealth. Sound familiar?
The tacky party was held as the president and his administration sought to withhold Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program funds to approximately 42 million people, the same low-income individuals who voted for Trump, because despite his wealth, he was going to look out for them.
The USDA pays out $9 billion in benefits to roughly 12.3 percent of the U.S. population each month – not to undocumented immigrants or DACA holders who generally aren’t eligible for federal SNAP benefits.
The average monthly allocation is $187 per person. Sure, that doesn’t seem like much to the president, but to many households, they rely on the funding to feed their families.
Even after two federal judges ordered the administration to use its $4.65 billion contingency funds to disperse SNAP benefits, Trump seems to once again, be focused on testing the power of the executive branch.
“SNAP BENEFITS, which increased by Billions and Billions of Dollars (MANY FOLD!) during Crooked Joe Biden’s disastrous term in office (Due to the fact that they were haphazardly “handed” to anyone for the asking, as opposed to just those in need, which is the purpose of SNAP!), will be given only when the Radical Left Democrats open up government, which they can easily do, and not before! Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DJT,” Trump wrote on Truth Social today.
‘He does not give a damn about you’
Trump’s “go-to” excuse of blaming the Democrats, in this case, doesn’t seem to be resonating with most Americans.
Sixty three percent of voters now disapprove of Trump, according to CNN polling, which is one percentage point worse than the previous high when he was leaving office after the Jan. 6 insurrection.
The majority of voters have also said that congressional Republicans and Trump are to blame for the federal government shutdown.
One longtime Trump supporter now calls the president “selfish” and said she regrets voting for him.
“I believe the Trump administration, instead of focusing on presidential ballrooms, should be paying attention to individual Americans’ dining rooms,” Buffalo resident Betty Szretter told CNN.
California Governor Gavin Newsom summed up what a lot of people are learning the hard way about Trump: “He does not give a damn about you.”
Support AFP
Share
Crystal Graham
