Trump has told his negotiating team to cease talks with Democrats in reaching a deal on another stimulus package. An irrational decision recognized by both political parties.
This afternoon Trump tweeted, “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.”
The Trump order was a surprise to both Democrats and Republicans.
Republicans in Washington, many in tight election races, may feel the brunt of Trump’s decision, as it provides ammunition to Democrats that the Trump minions were never negotiating in good faith to find an agreement for a stimulus package.
There is no upside to Trump’s decision to end negotiations until the election, ensuring no possible relief for at least another month, but in reality, far longer. Americans are losing their small businesses and unemployment is still at record levels. He’ll lose those Republican voters who are in dire financial straits, and further the resolve of Democrats to get their vote counted.
Even Wall Street didn’t like his announcement. It nose-dived 600 points from an up day, into the red.
The question now being asked:
Is Trump’s regimen of steroids being taken, in his fight against Covid-19, affecting his decision making?
Trump is taking the drug Dexamethasone, which is part of his anti-COVID-19 medicinal cocktail.
According to the Mayo Clinic, that steroid’s known side-effects include aggression, agitation, anxiety, irritability, mood changes and noisy, rattling breathing and weight gain. It’s also possible Trump could experience trouble thinking, speaking, or walking, as a result of that steroid.
Sure, all of those problems were displayed by Trump before taking steroids, but how much have they been amplified?
He seems convinced of winning re-election, despite being down double-digits in the polls with less than a month to the election, and he seems unable to recognize he is making decisions that only have more people wondering if there is a madman in the White House.
UPDATE 10/7: Did Trump receive push-back from Republicans? Late yesterday, he back peddled and tweeted support for a standalone bill for $1,200 stimulus checks, $25B in relief for airlines and paycheck protection program funds.
Disclaimer: On January 4, 2016, the owner of WestEastonPA.com began serving on the West Easton Council following an election. Postings and all content found on this website are the opinions of Matthew A. Dees and may not necessarily represent the opinion of the governing body for The Borough of West Easton.