Donald Trump Jr. was swiftly criticized after he attempted to blame a nationwide infant formula shortage on President Joe Biden, saying the shortage is a reflection of "Biden's America."
"Let that sink in," said Trump Jr., who is the latest Republican to comment as the United States grapples with an infant formula shortage due to supply chain issues and product recalls.
It\u2019s hard to find Baby Formula in Joe Biden\u2019s America. Let that sink in.— Donald Trump Jr. (@Donald Trump Jr.) 1652185069
Trump Jr. later criticized the Biden administration for sending $40 billion in aid to Ukraine as it continues to fend off Russian President Vladimir Putin's forces in a war that is now in its third month.
Trump Jr. suggested that the decision to send aid to Ukraine is a sign that the Biden administration is less concerned with domestic issues, saying that Congress should "put America First for a change."
You can\u2019t find baby formula in the United States right now but Congress is voting today to send $40 billion to Ukraine. Let\u2019s put America First for a change.— Donald Trump Jr. (@Donald Trump Jr.) 1652189711
The nationwide infant formula shortage has received renewed attention in recent days as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) works with Abbott Nutrition, a company that had to recently recall its product, to safely resume production.
As of early April, "seven states reported that between 40% and 50% of baby formula products were out of stock," according to a CNN report.
Experts say this is the worst shortage the United States has experienced in decades, amplified by Abbott Nutrition's prolonged shutdown as well as general supply chain issues that have made securing formula ingredients and packaging increasingly difficult.
This week, New York Attorney General Letitia James said that her office is "closely monitoring reports of a baby formula shortage impacting families across our nation" and said that the state government "won't hesitate to take action against anyone who price gouges baby formula."
Trump Jr.'s statements were harshly criticized and many pointed out that recent Republican support for the dismantling of abortion rights could no doubt complicate the infant formula shortage further.
It\u2019s going to be even harder when there are more babies who need formula in all the damn orphanages that will be opening after the right wing evangelical nutjobs turn women\u2019s healthcare into public policy.https://twitter.com/DonaldJTrumpJr/status/1524000756097028097\u00a0\u2026— JamieNT (@JamieNT) 1652223743
It was hard to find a Supreme Court nominee that didn\u2019t lie under oath in Donald Trumps America. Let that sink in.https://twitter.com/DonaldJTrumpJr/status/1524000756097028097\u00a0\u2026— M-A.Stay\u2019Legit \u2122\ufe0f\ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udde6\ud83c\udde9\ud83c\uddea (@M-A.Stay\u2019Legit \u2122\ufe0f\ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udde6\ud83c\udde9\ud83c\uddea) 1652209616
If they can't abort them \nThey'll starve them.https://twitter.com/DonaldJTrumpJr/status/1524000756097028097\u00a0\u2026— Joey Bag A Cookies (@Joey Bag A Cookies) 1652297511
Maybe we need less babies and parents who live in poverty, Junior!https://twitter.com/DonaldJTrumpJr/status/1524000756097028097\u00a0\u2026— Master Sgt (USAF RET). \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6 (@Master Sgt (USAF RET). \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6) 1652249710
Cant find baby formula but wanna ban abortion. Let\u2019s put America firsthttps://twitter.com/donaldjtrumpjr/status/1524020227176079361\u00a0\u2026— Mckenzie Haley (@Mckenzie Haley) 1652273502
You can\u2019t find baby formula in the United States right now but states are banning abortion. \n\nLet\u2019s use common sense for a change.https://twitter.com/DonaldJTrumpJr/status/1524020227176079361\u00a0\u2026— Snark Queen Bee \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6 \ud83c\udf0a\ud83d\udc89\ud83d\udc36 \u264c\ufe0f (@Snark Queen Bee \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6 \ud83c\udf0a\ud83d\udc89\ud83d\udc36 \u264c\ufe0f) 1652355548
Then maybe we shouldn't be forcing women to give birthhttps://twitter.com/DonaldJTrumpJr/status/1524000756097028097\u00a0\u2026— Trevor on Team Conor Lamb, The Only Choice For PA (@Trevor on Team Conor Lamb, The Only Choice For PA) 1652206032
You can\u2019t find baby formula in the U.S right now but they\u2019re trying to undo roe v wade. \u00bf https://twitter.com/donaldjtrumpjr/status/1524020227176079361\u00a0\u2026— court :) (@court :)) 1652307298
Abbott Nutrition has said that it hopes that its Sturgis, Michigan plant could be running within two weeks and that their products could be back on shelves within six to eight weeks, pending FDA approval. The plant will have improved systems and protocols in place to guard against future contamination.
The company said it "would begin production of EleCare, Alimentum and metabolic formulas first and then begin production of Similac and other formulas" with the FDA's go-ahead.
