Trump Says Bailouts for Democratic-Run States Are Unfair to Republicans

Trump Says Bailouts for Democratic-Run States Are Unfair to Republicans
President Donald Trump departs on travel to the Camp David presidential retreat from the South Lawn at the White House in Washington, on May 1, 2020. (Carlos Barria via Reuters)
Jack Phillips
5/5/2020
Updated:
5/5/2020
President Donald Trump said on May 4 that states shouldn’t expect federal bailouts amid the CCP virus pandemic.
“I think Congress is inclined to do a lot of things, but I don’t think they’re inclined to do bailouts. A bailout is different than, you know, reimbursing for the plague,” Trump told the New York Post, adding that there would likely be a strong economic rebound after the worst of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus pandemic subsides.

“It’s not fair to the Republicans because all the states that need help—they’re run by Democrats in every case,“ the president said. ”Florida is doing phenomenal, Texas is doing phenomenal, the Midwest is, you know, fantastic—very little debt.”

He noted that Illinois, New York, and California—which are run by Democratic governors and have Democratic majorities in state legislatures—have “tremendous debt.”

“I don’t think the Republicans want to be in a position where they bail out states that are, that have been mismanaged over a long period of time,” Trump said.

Democrats have said that approving funding for municipalities and states is a priority for the fourth piece of stimulus legislation.

Maryland’s Republican Gov. Larry Hogan, who serves as the chairman of the National Governors Association, said Congress should approve funding to states.

“To stabilize state budgets and to make sure states have the resources to battle the virus and provide the services the American people rely on, Congress must provide immediate fiscal assistance directly to all states,” Hogan said in a statement in April, adding that states “must be allowed to use any state stabilization funds for replacement of lost revenue.”
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan talks to reporters during a news briefing about the COVID-19 pandemic in Annapolis, Md., on April 17, 2020. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan talks to reporters during a news briefing about the COVID-19 pandemic in Annapolis, Md., on April 17, 2020. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Hogan stressed that if Congress doesn’t appropriate around $500 billion for states to meet budget problems, then states will have to make major reductions to “critically important services” around the United States.

Trump’s comments contrast with those of New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who in April criticized Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s (R-Ky.) statement that states should declare bankruptcy.

McConnell’s remark, according to Cuomo, was “the most un-American, most uncharitable, ugly statement of all time” and said New York contributes more taxes and revenue than it gets back.

But Trump told the Post the state has “hostile” senators, Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), who “come in and want things.”

“It’s not like a working environment that you want to be involved with. I never even had a phone call from Schumer or Kirsten,” he said.

Jack Phillips is a breaking news reporter with 15 years experience who started as a local New York City reporter. Having joined The Epoch Times' news team in 2009, Jack was born and raised near Modesto in California's Central Valley. Follow him on X: https://twitter.com/jackphillips5
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