President Donald Trump has spent years warning that Democrats want to turn the country into a socialist welfare state. Now his critics, including conservatives, are mocking him for promising checks to millions of seniors just before the midterms.
On Friday night, Trump announced that his administration would "immediately" start sending "Checks" of "nearly $100" to more than 20 million seniors to help cover Medicare Part B premiums. He also promised a "$5,000 Trump Dividend" for every citizen "if, and when, the Republicans win the Midterm Elections!"
Gregg Nunziata, a former Republican Senate aide, pointed out the contradiction.
"'Stop socialism. Vote Republican.' They said," he wrote on X.
Progressive commentator Grant Stern took the same line. "Trump is giving away free money to show he promises to give away a lot more free money that nobody believes he will give away," he wrote. "But he says not to vote for Communists who will give you free things."
Others used a harsher word.
"We have no money. This is pre election bribery and should be stopped by Congress and the courts," wrote @kountry_kool, an account whose bio describes its owner as a "Principled Independent Conservative."
Attorney Jeffrey Evan Gold pointed to which seniors would get the money. He wrote that only recipients in 30 states qualify, and that 26 of those states voted for Trump in 2024. The administration says the difference comes down to whether state or federal governments oversee certain user fees, Gold wrote, but he called that explanation a "fig leaf."
The pro-Democratic outlet MeidasTouch summed up the announcement in three words: "Weak and desperate."
Journalist Sam Stein said, "Trump promising $2b in payments to seniors a month before the election drawn from the Medicare Improvement Fund. CBO makes pretty clear that this is not under statute, writing the fund may only be used 'to make improvements to Medicare’s hospital and medical insurance programs in ways that may include adjusting the amounts that Medicare pays to health care providers.'"
Former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, once a close Trump ally, chimed in:
"Where are the DOGE checks and tariff refund checks and where is the cheap gas after stealing Venezuela oil and where is the reduction in national debt??? Hey but don’t be a panican!! Trump is now promising a $5,000 bribe only if you elect Republicans, which will cost $1.35 TRILLION tax dollars!!! The slop is so sloppy it’s beyond comprehension!!!"
