/https://specials-images.forbesimg.com/imageserve/5f80b2c1858036b6a0f232b2/0x0.jpg?cropX1=0&cropX2=4751&cropY1=143&cropY2=2814&w=1200&resize=1200,675&ssl=1 "Trump Claims To Want More Stimulus Funding Than Democrats After Pushing For Less")
Topline
In another contradictory message on stimulus spending, President Trump claimed Friday that he wants a bigger package than Democrats after his administration has pushed for hundreds of billions less in spending.
US President Donald Trump gestures from the Truman Balcony upon his return to the White House from … [+]
AFP via Getty Images
Key Facts
“I would like to see a bigger stimulus package frankly than either the Democrats or Republicans are offering,” Trump told conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh during a radio rally, noting that the statement is “the exact opposite” of his previous position.
Trump, who abruptly called off stimulus talks on Wednesday; earlier in the week incorrectly claimed Democrats were asking for $2.4 trillion in spending (the Heroes Act costs $2.2 trillion) and said he “made a very generous offer of $1.6 Trillion Dollars.”
Trump’s torpedoing of negotiations was met with confusion from observers and criticism from even Republican lawmakers, as polls suggest another stimulus package is favored by as many as three-quarters of voters.
Trump quickly backtracked later Wednesday, calling on Congress to approve spending on individual aspects of the bill, including another round of $1,200 checks to individuals, before returning to the table altogether on Friday.
Nonetheless, while the administration has reportedly raised its offer to $1.8 trillion, it still falls well short of the $2.2 trillion Heroes Act, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has held out for an additional $300 billion in state and local funding that so far has been strongly opposed by Trump.
Forbes has reached out to the White House for clarification
Crucial Quote
“Two sources close to Senate leadership said President Trump is desperate, has zero leverage to push them to support a bill crafted by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and congressional Republicans aren’t inclined to wrap themselves any tighter to a sinking ship,” reported Axios’ Jonathan Swan.
Chief Critic
Democratic candidate Joe Biden reacted furiously to Trump calling off stimulus talks on Wednesday, claiming he “never even really tried to get a deal” and “never stepped up to lead” after the passage of the CARES Act in May. Biden said that, unlike Trump, he would “bring Republicans and Democrats together in the Oval Office, on the phone or by zoom” to get a deal.
What To Watch For
Senior White House officials plan to work through the weekend and even into next weekend to strike a deal, Politico reported. But the Senate may not be willing to play ball. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Friday that while “we do need another rescue package,” the closeness of the election and the divergent positions of the parties make it “unlikely” a deal will be passed in the next three weeks, instead saying the Senate would focus on confirming Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court.
Big Number
74%. That’s the share of voters who believe the Senate should focus on passing another stimulus package according to a Hill/HarrisX poll released Tuesday. Just 26% said their first priority should be the Supreme Court.
/https://specials-images.forbesimg.com/imageserve/5f80b2c1858036b6a0f232b2/0x0.jpg?cropX1=0&cropX2=4751&cropY1=143&cropY2=2814&w=1200&resize=1200,0&ssl=1&description=Trump+Claims+To+Want+More+Stimulus+Funding+Than+Democrats+After+Pushing+For+Less){kind=link}