The Agriculture Department last week began mandating that millions of boxes of surplus food for needy families amid the coronavirus pandemic include a letter from Donald Trump — in both English and Spanish — claiming credit for the program, Politico reports. Trump is good at self-promotion, especially when he doesn’t have to foot the bill. This shameless move is nothing new for Trump. In April, the Treasury ordered Trump’s name to be printed on stimulus checks in an unprecedented move. Of course, the stimulus money comes from the taxpayers, not just the president, who paid only $750 in federal taxes in 2017.
The USDA’s $4 billion Families to Farmers Food Box Program has distributed more than 100 million boxes to those in need since May, according to the outlet, intending to redirect meat, dairy, and produce that would normally go to restaurants and other food-service businesses. But, Trump’s move has prompted outrage, with the organizations handing out the aid complaining that the program is being used to help Trump’s campaign ahead of the election. Some of them, according to Politico, have refused to distribute them.
“In my 30 years of doing this work, I’ve never seen something this egregious,” said Lisa Hamler-Fugitt, executive director of the Ohio Association of Food Banks. “These are federally purchased boxes.”
The letter appears to be written by a narcissist jumping in to claim credit for pandemic relief even though the president failed to take action when he first learned of the looming threat. And it also appears to be from a desperate president trying to buy votes from people in need.
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“As President, safeguarding the health and well-being of our citizens is one of my highest priorities,” the letter reads. “As part of our response to coronavirus, I prioritized sending nutritious food from our farmers to families in need throughout America.”
Twitter erupted over the news.
Every day it’s some new bullshit and I am so tired. pic.twitter.com/4cV2aNWfwW
— Lars Andersen (@LKJAndersen) October 1, 2020
This!! I will be so happy the day I wake up without having to wonder what fucked up shit will trump and/or his people do today. This has been the longest 4 years ever.
— Arrest the cops that Killed Breonna Taylor (@nadiaexama) October 1, 2020
I contributed more than Mr. $750, include my name too.
— F. Casey Lea (@F_Casey_Lea) October 1, 2020
He wants credit for getting people into needing a food box 🤔
— KACD (@KACDPinellas) October 1, 2020
He should also send letters of condolence to the families who lost loved ones to Covid 19.
— Myrna K (@MyrnaK6) October 1, 2020
Trump certainly doesn’t appear to be confident about his reelection chances if he’s promoting himself to needy families that are suffering through his apocalyptic economy.
Featured image via Gage Skidmore/Flickr, under Creative Commons license 2.0
