In January, Donald Trump opened his inaugural address by promising to “put America first” daily and usher in a new golden age for American families. Ten months in, Americans are still waiting for the golden age to arrive and reeling from Trump administration policies that have actively made their lives worse.
Now, with government operations paralyzed and Americans’ pocketbooks reeling, the White House has made the extraordinary decision to move forward with a $20 billion bailout for Argentina. Republicans and Democrats alike are asking what, exactly, is “America First” about sending billions of U.S. dollars abroad while Americans are suffering at home. The irony is especially sharp for U.S. farmers, who have been shut out of China’s soybean market because of Trump’s trade war — just as Argentina moves in to fill that gap. While Washington props up Buenos Aires, small-farm bankruptcies here have climbed to a five-year high.
During a White House meeting with Argentine President Javier Milei last week, President Trump provided the answer. Asked how the bailout would help the United States, he replied, “Just helping a great philosophy take over a great country.” Even Trump knows that this deal has nothing to do with helping Americans and everything to do with propping up a political ally.
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