Trump Ends Stimulus Talks

[TimisaMonster 31,073]

https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/06/politics/trump-ends-stimulus-talks/index.html

(CNN) President Donald Trump has ordered his negotiators to halt talks over a new stimulus package, after the two sides have struggled for months to reach a deal, a stunning move that puts an end to last-ditch efforts for a major economic relief package as millions are reeling from the coronavirus crisis.

"I have instructed my representatives to stop negotiating until after the election when, immediately after I win, we will pass a major Stimulus Bill that focuses on hardworking Americans and Small Business," Trump wrote in a series of tweets Tuesday afternoon.

Trump's message stunned lawmakers -- especially since Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi had been trading proposals and negotiating for days in the hopes of narrowing their differences, though they were still far apart in their talks.

The decision to pull the plug on the talks is a major blow to Americans still struggling with the fallout from the once-in-a century pandemic and endangers an economic recovery that for months was driven by the initial $2.2 trillion stimulus passed by Congress in the spring. With that money largely spent and gone, economists have warned more support is imperative in the months ahead.

Trump weighed in shortly after a private conference call with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy and Mnuchin, who was scheduled to speak later Tuesday afternoon with Pelosi.

The President's tweet may have come as a surprise to some top Republicans as well as Democrats.

On Trump call with GOP leaders, the President signaled he wanted a deal and didn't say he was going to pull the plug on the talks, according to a source familiar with the call. 

Republicans were critical of Pelosi, arguing she was moving the goalposts and noted there were plenty of obstacles to get a deal. But the expectation after that call was that talks would continue.

McConnell indicated Tuesday afternoon, however, that he backs Trump's move to end stimulus talks.

"I do," McConnell told CNN when asked if he supports the President's decision.

"I think his view was that they were not going to produce a result and we need to concentrate on what's achievable," McConnell said of Trump's move.

But in the wake of the announcement, the President's call to end the talks generated some bipartisan pushback.

Republican Rep. John Katko, a New York lawmaker who represents a swing district, responded to the news in a tweet saying, "I disagree with the President. With lives at stake, we cannot afford to stop negotiations on a relief package," and adding, "I strongly urge the President to rethink this move."

Pelosi slammed the announcement from the President in a statement, saying, "Clearly, the White House is in complete disarray."

"Today, once again, President Trump showed his true colors: putting himself first at the expense of the country, with the full complicity of the GOP Members of Congress," Pelosi said, adding, "Walking away from coronavirus talks demonstrates that President Trump is unwilling to crush the virus."

Pelosi and Mnuchin spoke over the phone at 3:30 p.m. ET, according to Drew Hammill, Pelosi's deputy chief of staff, who tweeted that Mnuchin "confirmed that the President has walked away from COVID talks."

"The Speaker expressed her disappointment in the President's decision to abandon the economic & health needs of the American people," Hammill said.

Pelosi unloaded on the President over the decision during a private conference call with House Democrats on Tuesday, telling her caucus that Trump isn't telling the truth about the negotiations, arguing that Democrats have a scientific plan to crush the virus and that Republicans have a real contempt for science, a person on the call told CNN.

Pelosi warned that health care workers will lose their jobs and people will get hurt by Trump's decision, calling it a sad moment for the country, the person said.

The speaker addressed the news on the call by saying of Republicans, "This is who they are," a source told CNN.

Pelosi also questioned whether Trump taking a steroid was impacting his thinking, according to two people on the call. Trump was given the corticosteroid drug dexamethasone on Saturday after his oxygen level transiently dipped, White House physician Sean Conley said during a briefing on Sunday.

"Believe me, there are people who think that steroids have an impact on thinking," Pelosi told Democrats as she tried to explain her view of what the President was trying to do, a person on the call said. "So I just don't know."

One member texted CNN that Trump's tweet was "incredible," while another reacted by saying only, "wow."

......Sadly, those in America who were hoping for a 2nd stimulus relief check to be released soon can forget it...

[djBuffoon 12,235]

He's literally bribing the American people for votes.

Call his bluff. Vote him out.

[Brainiac 11,171]

1 minute ago, djBuffoon said:

He's literally bribing the American people for votes.

Call his bluff. Vote him out.

I don't see how this move would help him at all. He's delaying much needed aid to millions of Americans (myself included). His poll numbers are gonna plummet even further from this move. Mark my words. New CNN poll out today ALREADY had him down 16 points since his covid stunt but before this news.

[djBuffoon 12,235]

1 minute ago, Brainiac said:

I don't see how this move would help him at all. He's delaying much needed aid to millions of Americans (myself included). His poll numbers are gonna plummet even further from this move. Mark my words. New CNN poll out today ALREADY had him down 16 points since his covid stunt but before this news.

Exactly, this is the same guy who thought that intentionally downplaying the virus would help him in the long run somehow. The same guy who extorted a foreign ally to manufacture dirt on his opponent, which got him impeached.

He's reckless and thinks only about what will benefit him in the moment, and not a second beyond that.

[MonsterPug 494]

I was hoping for a second stimulus check. Darn it. This is political suicide.

[MJHolland 12,725]

Donald Trump is a monster. Let's vote him out this November.

[ThisGuyTony 34,842]

Imagine thinking he’s gonna win.

[LilMonst3r 5,681]

At this point this just confirms it. I been given up on the 2nd stimulus check. But the rich can get property price increases

[RainingOnMe 7,280]

4 minutes ago, myluis617 said:

At this point this just confirms it. I been given up on the 2nd stimulus check. But the rich can get property price increases

The rich also getting bailout money from the government while I struggle to pay for my rent, tuition, and technology fees at my university.

We MUST vote him out!

[TimisaMonster 31,073]

This impacts ALL Americans...both Democrats AND his Republican supporters...this is truly sad how millions of poeple have to continue to struggle and suffer, because he simply doesn't care about anyone other than himself! 

Even I was looking forward to this 2nd check to help alleviate stress on my boyfriend with bills , but this is the state of our country rn...this DIRECTLY is his fault and millions who were still on the fence will now have great contempt for him! 

[shoful 13,304]

CAN WE VOTE HIM OUT IF COVID WONT TAKE HIM OUT 

I understand this is harsh but this man is purposely screwing us all over and ****ing deserves the hell he will get! Especially if a blue wave happens for all of congress and president. Then we’ll all be singing “Get that old man and put him in a jail” ~Batuka, Madame X

[HeavyMetalLover 16]

Our country is such a massive failure in many ways. We deserve so much better.

[bionic 50,111]

More important things to worry about like getting Amy into the Supreme Court

[reysus 1,064]

I'm legitimately stunned. I have no sympathy for such a narcissistic, arrogant, and vile person. want him gone so badly

[Stephen 30,433]

The real tragedy of America is we couldn't even scrape together any type of universal health care even during a goddamn pandemic. This country is a hell hole.