Last week, when Donald Trump announced a bailout for farmers hurt by his own economic agenda, the president boasted that the payments would be financed by revenue generated by trade tariffs. That was problematic for a variety of reasons, but primarily because the claim wasn’t true: The money was coming from a USDA fund, not tariff revenue.

Trump might’ve liked the idea of tariffs generating a pool of money he could draw upon to reward people he likes, but his public assertion was entirely made up.

This week, something very similar happened. The Washington Post reported on the White House’s announced $1,776 “warrior dividend” bonuses to service members.

The obvious red flag was that tariff revenue is actually far short of Trump’s claims, and the money that does exist has already been set aside for a variety of other administration priorities.

But as the dust settled on the presidential address, a different problem emerged: Since the president cannot legally spend tariff money without congressional approval, where was the money for the “warrior dividend” payments actually going to come from?

  • TheReturnOfPEB@reddthat.com
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    10 days ago

    It is uncomfortable knowing that this looks like a bribe for illegal behavior and at the same time knowing there are tons of military families and vets that need the money.

    Not a good feeling at all.

    • JohnnyFlapHoleSeed@lemmy.world
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      10 days ago

      I would hope people in the military have a higher sense of self worth. After taxes they’re getting less than $1500, and prices on everything are higher than they were a year ago. The bonuses probably don’t even offset the increases in prices from tarrifs that Trump put in place. So basically he fucked up the economy, cost everyone several extra thousand dollars, JUST THIS YEAR, and then he gives people in the military a paltry sum that doesn’t even cover the extra money they’ve had to spend on goods and services.

      I mean, I’d take the money, but the entire situation would fucking enrage me, and if anything make me more likely to be subversive and disobedient.

      Especially when you consider some dumb bitch who committed treason got shot and killed while taking place in a seditious riot, and her family got a million dollars from tax payers and a soldiers burial despite never being in the military.

      But if you dedicate your life to serving your country and following your training, you’ll get forced to follow illegal orders, possibly killed\wounded for life, and you get barely enough to cover a rent check.

      The first group of servicemen that ride hard on Pete, Stephen, Bondi, Johnson, Noem, Trump, Thomas, Roberts, Beer Boi, and the Jesus whore will be fucking heros, and incredibly well compensated.

      The victors determine how history will be written.

    • FauxLiving@lemmy.world
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      10 days ago

      I’d support our service members getting more money no matter how misguided or corrupt the person making the decision is proving to be.

      That being said, Trump isn’t giving them more money he’s just giving them the money that has already been allocated to them… but instead of using it to provide housing assistance through programs he’s just writing a check. It’s not a gift, it’s accounting fuckery that cost Trump nothing and certainly didn’t come from tariff funds.

    • Doomsider@lemmy.world
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      10 days ago

      Why do they need the money but no one else? This is totally a fucking bribe. No need to have mixed feelings. This is classic classism divide and conquer garbage from a cesspool of an administration.

  • Tomtits@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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    10 days ago

    Trump never pays his bills.

    Like the self deportation thing - he’ll pay the first few just to make it look semi legit.

    He’ll do the same and even after this the Magaphiles will still gobble down his bullshit

    • HubertManne@piefed.social
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      10 days ago

      self deporters are already saying they are not getting it and I have seen nothing to indicate anyone has. I think you are to optamistic in thinking he does a few to seem legit.

  • TheSlad@sh.itjust.works
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    10 days ago

    Didnt trump also announce “patriot bucks” or something for every american citizen (also supposedly financed by tarrifs) like a month or two ago? I think hes just saying hes going to give away free money, then after receiving immediate praise he forgets about it and hopes everyone else does too.