Amidst the Coronavirus pandemic, while authorities around the country are still struggling to secure crucial, lifesaving supplies like ventilators, President Donald Trump took to Twitter this Friday to tout a small business loan program that’s now in effect for businesses struggling amidst the current economic upheaval. Businesses around the country have been forced to mostly or entirely close in the wake of social distancing demands, and the new loan program includes hundreds of billions of dollars in funds to help keep workers on the payroll amidst the turmoil — although some ten million workers have already newly filed around the country for unemployment benefits in the last two weeks alone. Trump seems to consistently miss the bigger picture.
Besides issuing an endorsement for Republican Judge Daniel Kelly in his bid to win an election to the state Supreme Court in Wisconsin and praising the greenlight for further construction work on the Keystone XL oil pipeline, Trump praised Bank of America this Friday in the wake of the company’s revelation that they’d received some 35,000 applications for loans through the new small business support program within hours of the application window opening.
He tweeted:
‘Great job being done by @BankofAmerica and many community banks throughout the country. Small businesses appreciate your work!’
Great job being done by @BankofAmerica and many community banks throughout the country. Small businesses appreciate your work!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 3, 2020
The loan money, as the comment suggests, is getting handled by banks — and when Bank of America had already begun accepting loan applications, fellow big banks including JPMorgan Chase, Citigroup, and Wells Fargo had yet to do so, suggesting that yet again Trump is attempting to weigh in on private business matters with the leverage of the presidency. Bank of America, it’s worth noting, has faced criticism for saying they’d prioritize loan applications from customers who already had a loan relationship with the bank, which doesn’t remotely cover all who may be in need.
Check out more from the president, who also thanked a slew of federal agencies for their Coronavirus response support, as if he has anything to do with it.
Thank you @USNationalGuard, keep up the great work! https://t.co/tzQb3eGDat
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 3, 2020
Thank you @DeptofDefense, @USACEHQ, @USNationalGuard, @FEMA, and @CDCgov! https://t.co/p9j7kZsD7b https://t.co/qmUE7F2E5D
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 3, 2020
GREAT news this week regarding the Keystone XL Pipeline – moving forward with fantastic paying CONSTRUCTION jobs for hardworking Americans. Promises Made, Promises Kept! #MAGA
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 3, 2020
Highly respected Justice Daniel Kelly is running for the Supreme Court in the Great State of Wisconsin. Justice Kelly has been doing a terrific job upholding the Rule of Law and defending your #2A. Tough on Crime, Loves our Military and our Vets. He has my Complete Endorsement!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 3, 2020
Check out Twitter’s response below…
