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Trump rejects COVID relief bill passed by Congress, calling it 'a disgrace'

42 Comments
By Sebastian Smith

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42 Comments

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"I am asking Congress to amend this bill and increase the ridiculously low $600 to $2,000, or $4,000 for a couple," he said, referring to relief checks.

Well look at that - Trump showing Repubs he was a Democrat all along...

Guess who agrees with Trump; Nancy, Chuck, AOC, Tlaib...you know, all the progressive Libs...

Guess who virulently disagrees; McConnell, McCarthy, and all the Repubs...

So, who's side are the Trump supporters here on?

10 ( +12 / -2 )

One of the few times I agree with the president, but it kind of makes me think he's just trying to distract from all the pardons he's signing now:

www.bbc.com/news/amp/world-us-canada-55420365

10 ( +11 / -1 )

I despise Trump but even a broken clock is right two times in a day. It is 1.4 Trillion dollars which results in a one time payment to Americans of $600. It is like the Abe mask disgrace.

Even Biden is not happy with it but he has to exercise restrain for political reasons

The bill is 5,593 pages long and contains so much pork it is disgraceful. Much of the pork has nothing to do with Covid relief (money for Nepal, gender equity in Pakistan, fuding for a study of an Illionois race riot, 40 million for the Kenedy Center (which is closed), money to Cambodia $130 million, Burma, $453 million, Sudan $700 million, a check to the Smithsonian for $1 billion)

Yes - I just remembered why I despise both political parties. They just do not give an iota about the American people.

I will not even start on the currency devaluation and potential hyperinflation which may occur due to this massive printing of money. Americans (I am an American) seem to be so arrogant that we think we cannot repeat what happened in the Weimar Republic or Argentina......

Insanity....really insane.

I cannot stand him but I hope Trump vetoes it

8 ( +9 / -1 )

The outgoing president suddenly turns very generous, wanting to give $2000 instead of $600. Naturally, whatever negative consequences would not hurt him anymore...

7 ( +11 / -4 )

Well the sides are pretty clear here....

On one side we have Team Trump/Pelosi who want to increase the amount to $2K/$4K....

On the other side we have McConnell/McCarthy and all the Repubs who think $600 is right....

So, once again, who's Team are the Trump supporters here on?

7 ( +9 / -2 )

Republicans were the cause why it gotten so login the first place.

Probably just making use of this to get political gains for Georgia.

6 ( +9 / -3 )

In his address, Trump said he would refuse to accept the bill as it is and demanded changes, notably a big increase in the proposed $600 direct payments to less well-off Americans.

"I am asking Congress to amend this bill and increase the ridiculously low $600 to $2,000, or $4,000 for a couple," he said, referring to relief checks.

If he had fought as hard for this as he did with his "voter fraud" shenanigans he would have won the election in a landslide. COVID-19 or no COVID-19

6 ( +9 / -3 )

Pathetic. Whatever, his mess will get cleaned up. He’s done as is whatever influence he might have. Shadow president? Har! “Live with it crybabies”

6 ( +9 / -3 )

Wow, $2000 per person which would mean four grand for a couple. Lots of sandwiches there for the making.

I do not believe it will happen.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

Mitch doesn't want to even want to give $ 1,200 but trump talks about $ 2,000.

And now trump is throwing a tantrum and not even allowing the $600, that is desperately needed.

Disjointed doesn't capture a tenth of how this administration functions.

People are losing jobs, homes and even starving and this man-toddler wants to throw another fit!!!!

5 ( +8 / -3 )

He's right on this one for sure. $600 just doesn't cut the mustard.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

I agree that the amount should be $2/4K....but we all know Trump could care less about helping Americans over the holidays....this is all about payback....

McConnell went out this week and acknowledged Biden's win, congratulating him and Kamala Harris....

Trump then threw a two-year old tantrum - so he's now trying to blow up this bill to screw with McConnell - I mean just look at it - he's siding with Pelosi and AOC over McConnell...

More evidence: Trump just tweeted: "RINO John Thune, "Mitch's boy", should just let it play out. South Dakota doesn't like weakness. He will be primaried in 2022, political career over!!!" 

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/trump-slams-mitch-s-boy-senator-john-thune-saying-he-should-just-let-it-play-out-after-the-majority-whip-criticized-house-gop-efforts-to-overturn-electoral-votes/ar-BB1c9O7L

So because McConnell and other Repubs no longer support his unhinged "it's rigged" fairy tales, he's going to punish them and at the same time punish the American people who won't get any money over the holidays...

Merry Christmas from The Donald...

5 ( +8 / -3 )

I may not support Trump and its been disgraceful the way he's ignored his duties since the election. However, this is by far the most presidential thing he has done. The way the democrats caved on this topic was disgraceful. The fact that Congress only wanted to do all of this last minute while Americans suffered was also disgraceful. This is where Trump can shine by pushing these money wasting politicians into actually using the money for the people versus themselves and corporations.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

I am baffled by some of the comments here. I question some of the commenters ability to read and comprehend and their thought processes. So from what I gather, some of you want Trump to sign this bill as quickly as possible so the money can be given out. I understand there are Americans in need. They should be helped. but as an American myself, why the hell are we giving so much money to other countries? If you have done some research, there are other places/entities/organizations listed to receive money that have nothing to do with COVID relief.

But in Tuesday night's message from the White House, Mr Trump baulked at spending in the bill on other countries, arguing that this money should go to struggling Americans.

He said: "This bill contains $85.5m for assistance to Cambodia, $134m to Burma, $1.3bn for Egypt and the Egyptian military, which will go out and buy almost exclusively Russian military equipment, $25m for democracy and gender programmes in Pakistan, $505m to Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama."

The president questioned why the Kennedy Center, a performing arts complex in Washington DC, was set to receive $40m when it is not open, and more than $1bn has been allocated to museums and galleries in the capital.

Maybe I am the one that is dumb, so maybe one of you smart people can explain why Trump should just sign it.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

But sir what about all of the hungry children and needy families, many of whom are your loyal supporters, at this most special time of the year?

Ebeneezer Trump: Bah, humbug!

4 ( +8 / -4 )

"I am asking Congress to amend this bill and increase the ridiculously low $600 to $2,000, or $4,000 for a couple," he said, referring to relief checks.

Its awkward but I must admit that I find myself nodding in agreement with Trump on this.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

This should not be 5,000 + pages. It should be the minimum number of pages which states simply

"The Congress of the United States allocates $2,000 (or whatever the number is) for each American with an income under x amount of dollars"

One item in the bill. If they want to create another bill for other causes then have at it. Americans are hurting now ! Congress has not missed a single paycheck nor have they lost any benefits whatsoever due to this.

Really disgusting!!!

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Trump is a socialist !

4 ( +9 / -5 )

@zichi: The bill also includes sending 500 million dollars to Jordan so they can build a border wall with Syria.

You are right: Members of Congress receive free healthcare and after a very short amount of time (less than a full term) they have this benefit and a generous pension - for life.

There is a reason that, regardless of political party, they spend 10's of millions of dollars to get a position which pays around US$200,000 per year. And regardless of political party they all seem to come out of it rich....but

.....Dems bad / Repubs bad....yeah something like that....

4 ( +5 / -1 )

@Jsapc

Trump is actually on the Dems side on this one (as they wanted much larger payments, being the socialists that they are), so...

The democrats have already fully endorsed Trumps changes and want to get the deal done. Most democrats and Pelosi have already publicly agreed with Trump.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

Is this how Trump punishes the USA for kicking him out of the presidency?

3 ( +6 / -3 )

@Busby

.this is all about payback....

I don't think its about payback. Trump honestly doesn't care about the Presidency as much as people believe. Right now his main focus is rallying his supporters to donate where he is expected to leave the Presidency with well $300 million in funds after the election debts are paid. That money becomes his and he has free reign over it. That is all Trump has been focusing on.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Hope those who voted Trump and don't get a check don't have the gall to ask or wonder why, because THEY are the reason they are suffering.

1 ( +8 / -7 )

Hi Zichi

I fully understand what you are saying. Of course it is beneficial to help other countries when you can.

However, this bill is supposed to be specifically for Coronavirus relief and to support the efforts related to the Pandemic. Much of the money is not being directed there and it is why Americans are sick and tired of the political class. We should not be fighting other by political party but should united to demand an end to the disgusting corruption which pervades Washington D.C.

Furthermore, the U.S. cannot afford to do this anymore. The amount of debt, which has grown exponentialy over the last 20 years, is now enormous. If you add unfunded liabilities on top which are not recorded or counted as debt it is a mathematically impossibility to "balance the books".

The economic fallout for Covid is going to be dramatic and it may be what causes the system to collapse. Yes my many European friends (including those from the UK) have told me things are similar in other countries throughout the world.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

There won't be time to debate another packet and get it signed before Trump leaves office. He might be right but there are millions of hungry Americans struggling to pay rent and mortgages.

So tell me, what will a one time payment of $600 do to pay many months of rent and mortgages. There is absolutely nothing wrong for him to push for more money no matter how much you hate him.

-2 ( +6 / -8 )

Watch as the Dems fight tooth and nail against Trump on this.

Trump is actually on the Dems side on this one (as they wanted much larger payments, being the socialists that they are), so...

-4 ( +5 / -9 )

For the second time I agree with Trump. The first time was how he has handled the CCP.

i have never voted Democrat nor Republican. Maybe I should have voted.

-5 ( +8 / -13 )

If anyone wants to hear Trump himself explain why he thinks it's a disgrace (instead of reading another biased anti-Trump hit piece):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABYC7ikFIuY

-7 ( +5 / -12 )

even with this blatant disgrace on the part of the Dems - again - and the Trump haters bend over backwards to blame Trump.

-8 ( +2 / -10 )

The Dems want to limit it to $600 for Americans in need while adding hundreds of nillions of dollars for Pakistan, Sudan, and the other usual money sinkholes.

-10 ( +3 / -13 )

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