President Donald Trump has been freaking out that Democrats have dared to engage in earnest with the negotiations to provide the struggling U.S. economy with a stimulus in the wake of the upheaval wrought by attempts to stem the spread of the Coronavirus. These public freakouts have coincided with the president and other prominent conservatives, like Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick (R), suggesting that the economy should be broadly reopened, no matter the ensuing wildly spiking Coronavirus infection rates that may ensue when people intermingle. This Tuesday morning, Trump insisted, prioritizing the “economy” as a whole, that stimulus should be passed as-is, which would mean big boosts for big business and less protections for the actual lives of working Americans.
He tweeted:
‘Congress must approve the deal, without all of the nonsense, today. The longer it takes, the harder it will be to start up our economy. Our workers will be hurt!’
Congress must approve the deal, without all of the nonsense, today. The longer it takes, the harder it will be to start up our economy. Our workers will be hurt!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 24, 2020
The “nonsense” that Trump is referring to includes basic provisions to keep the stimulus package from devolving into a mega corporate slush fund. For example, House Democrats’ proposal includes “new carbon offset guidelines for airlines,” Axios explains, which simply constitutes an attempt to make airliners accountable in the wake of the huge government payments for them that have been proposed.
Trump freaked out over it. He railed on Twitter:
‘This is not about the ridiculous Green New Deal. It is about putting our great workers and companies BACK TO WORK!’
This is not about the ridiculous Green New Deal. It is about putting our great workers and companies BACK TO WORK!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 24, 2020
Again — no, the point is not about putting people “BACK TO WORK!” At this point, Trump seems like he’s standing on the sideline and shouting and waving his arms more than anything else. The point is stemming unnecessary carnage enacted by the spread of the Coronavirus, which Trump seems anxious to let spread freely so that the economy can get going again — although economic growth might not even be possible in the long run if large numbers of people get sick and die.
This Monday, Trump also insisted that the Defense Production Act doesn’t need to be used to order medical supply production, but officials across the country are, in reality, still experiencing shortages.
The Defense Production Act is in full force, but haven’t had to use it because no one has said NO! Millions of masks coming as back up to States.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 24, 2020
The World market for face masks and ventilators is Crazy. We are helping the states to get equipment, but it is not easy. Just got 400 Ventilators for @NYCMayor Bill de Blasio. Work beginning on 4 hospitals in New York! Millions of different type items coming!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 24, 2020
Check out more from the president, including ads for conservative authors.
Keep Charlie Number One. Great Book! https://t.co/fG7YXOCk9R
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 24, 2020
Buy the book and give Liz some Great Reviews! @OANN https://t.co/i43jDiSg1P
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 24, 2020
Thank you Tony! https://t.co/U5XxzeQzXJ
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 24, 2020
A respected coal miner and great dad! Rest In Peace! https://t.co/4xMeHJKxuk
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 24, 2020
The Media is hopeless. Too bad! https://t.co/VYXUbdO7Ms
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 24, 2020
Check out Twitter’s response below…