'That's taxpayer money!' Trump sparks outrage online with new threat to Dem contender

Donald Trump sparked outrage on Sunday when he threatened to revoke Congressionally approved funds sent to a potential future Democratic presidential contender.

Trump over the weekend took to Truth Social to attack Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D), who has been rumored to have higher ambitions and who sent an invitation for the president to participate in a public safety walk on the streets of Baltimore.

The president also threatened to revoke funds needed to build the Francis Scott Key Bridge after it was struck by a container ship, saying, "I gave Wes Moore a lot of money to fix his demolished bridge... I will now have to rethink that decision???"

That's the part that stood out to many online observers and experts.

Ex-prosecutor Ron Filipkowski said, "It is the taxpayers’ money, not Dictator Trump’s money to be used to threaten people who say things he doesn’t like."

Journalist Jake Sherman said, "Congress gave that money as part of a law that it passed and Trump signed," before issuing a correction for himself:

"CORRECTION. Trump had nothing to do with the Baltimore bridge money. It was passed in 2024 as part of a CR that Biden signed into law."

Republicans against Trump said, "You didn’t give him anything. That’s taxpayer money, not yours."

Political strategist Maine said, "Trump gave ZERO money to fix the Key Bridge. All allocated under Biden. Moore has higher approval rating than Trump, which his post is really about."