As the global pandemic wears on and the death toll in the United States continues to rise, people are looking to Washington for relief.
While Senate Republicans—under the direction of Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and Senate Judiciary Committee chair Lindsey Graham of South Carolina—focused on different priorities than aid for struggling voters, the rest of Congress appears focused on another round of stimulus payments to help Americans pay their bills.
But the Trump administration and Democrats—lead by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)—cannot seem to come to an agreement. Some in the GOP claimed the price tag for the Democrat's proposal was too high.
But President Donald Trump shot that claim down when he said he was willing to go above the amount of the GOP's counter offer.
So what's the hold up?
In a Thursday phone-in appearance on Fox Business Network, the President revealed the real reason behind the impasse.
The POTUS told host Stuart Varney:
"[Pelosi] wants to bail out badly run Democrat states and cities."
"She wants money for things you could—your pride couldn't let it happen."
A key thing I don't think people fully appreciate about Trump is he's completely incapable of engaging with policy beyond soundbites. His mind can't grasp details or nuance, so when he's asked about them he immediately changes the topic. This clip shows it pic.twitter.com/8UCnNMOubt
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 15, 2020
Citing his pride and deliberately blocking aid because "Democrat states and cities" might also benefit didn't sit well with people online.
“We want stimulus because it's China's fault."
(1. Lie. 2. Where does he think stimulus comes from?)
“Nancy wants to bail out badly run Democrat cities."
(1. Lie. 2. What does he think the purpose of stimulus is?)
— Peter J Dudley, author 📚(he/him) (@dudleypj) October 15, 2020
Pride before compassion = pure evil
— Karey💕✌🏼 (@karshaner) October 15, 2020
Too prideful to help Americans struggling living in areas he doesn't like? Great message to put out there
— Matty...Ice? (@mattr0516) October 15, 2020
"your pride couldn't let it happen"
Pretty much sums up most of what drives him.
— Katherine (@ItZmeKatherine) October 15, 2020
yeah, that's the worst of it. @realDonaldTrump literally said he won't do it because his pride wouldn't let him....
Not a leader, not a president - not even a decent human being.#OrangeTintedTaint
— Rob the Bold - Wear a Mask (@jayneut) October 15, 2020
Never one ounce of personal responsibility for this disaster.
— COmama74 (@COmama74) October 15, 2020
Others cited the President's inability to discuss tangible plans or policy.
Pisses me off when he makes broad sweeping statements, his so called “facts" and not one journalist or interviewer ever asks him to give examples,give specifics or details, which we all know he can't. But at least get in his face. Keep pushing. Don't let him slither out of it.
— Sharon (@s_magnan) October 15, 2020
That's why he goes on FAUX. They even laugh at him as he goes off saying really absolutely nothing at all.
— DullBleue (@dullbleu) October 15, 2020
Progressing dementia layered over a low IQ layered over long-term drug abuse layered over malignant narcissism layered over Covid contagion layered over homicidal sadism layered over a life of crime.
— Jacques Mahoffer⚜️ (@JMahoffer) October 15, 2020
I appreciate this. He knows nothing about it. There is no plan. We've been living the last four years of each decision made being impulsive and catering to some sort of personal or business interest. There is no consideration of how each decision affects the country overall.
— Non-Essential Niki 🇺🇸 (@nikiornicole) October 15, 2020
It's pretty easy to understand when you factor this in: He doesn't know anything. He doesn't have more than the barest, thinnest and most superficial grasp of anything. It's why he has to keep saying how smart he is. The term "know-nothing" was invented for him. He exemplifies it
— James "Wear a Mask and Stay Away From Me" Morrison (@JamesPMorrison) October 15, 2020
He's what happens when a lazy kid who doesn't do his homework never gets corrected or challenged his whole life. Except he's the president of the United States during a global crisis.
— Jhammon67 (@Jhammon67) October 15, 2020
And it's pretty obvious from Varney's reaction that he realizes Trump knows nothing.
— Crooked Donnie (@vernslawyer) October 15, 2020
Yes, stimulus is good, but only because this is china's fault. Otherwise, stimulus is not good. He is very smart.
— @Odillion.hache (@Twentiethmaine) October 15, 2020
Yes! That's exactly it! I've been saying this ad nauseam for the last 4 years!
— Matt Drury (@MattDrury559) October 15, 2020
As of Thursday, October 15, the 2020 election is 18 days away. Whether the White House will recognize citizens registered as Democrats as part of their constituency before then remains to be seen.
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Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images