Trump's new 'ploy' shamelessly exploits Americans' 'economic desperation': analysis

As part of President Donald Trump's "big, beautiful bill," MAGA Republicans are proposing "MAGA savings accounts" for children that would start with $1000.

Salon's Chauncey DeVega, in an article published on May 22, cites these proposed accounts as the latest example of the "Trump bucks strategy" — which, the progressive journalist argues, is painfully short on substance. DeVega warns, however, that the strategy might work for the GOP and could harm Democrats if they don't put forward a really strong economic message.

"During his first term in office," DeVega explains, "Donald Trump made sure to put his name on the COVID relief checks that were sent to the American people. In a country where most Americans do not have $1000 in case of an emergency, these COVID relief checks were a literal lifeline. These checks also created a personal connection between Donald Trump and the tens of millions of low-information and undecided voters who ultimately decided the outcome of the 2024 election. In contrast, President (Joe) Biden made a choice not to sign the COVID relief checks that were sent out during the first term of his presidency."

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DeVega continues, "Moreover, Biden promised the American people $2000 in relief money and then reneged; the final check was $1400. Biden was punished at the polls for this choice, which was one of many errors in that sunk his electoral fortunes and those of Kamala Harris and the Democrats."

DeVega attacks "Trump bucks" as a shameless exploitation of Americans' "economic desperation" that just might work for the president and his allies.

"It will be very difficult for an already ineffective and uncoordinated Democratic Party and its spokespeople to oppose these new 'Trump bucks,'" DeVega warns. "The most obvious challenge is that the Democrats will be accused of being 'anti-family' and against 'family values' and that they must hate children. The Republicans and the right-wing disinformation machine and echo chamber have spent decades branding the Democrats in that way."

DeVega continues, "Donald Trump and his Republican Party will also use 'MAGA accounts' to summon up the zombie idea of 'compassionate conservatism,' even though the American right has spent decades expanding and amplifying the culture of cruelty and a Terrordome that is now growing even faster under Trump's direction…. In total, the average American voter tends to be imagistic, emotional and biased towards immediacy and the short-term in their political decision-making. 'Trump bucks' in their various forms are a tangible incentive to support Donald Trump and the MAGA Republicans."

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Chauncey DeVega's full article for Salon is available at this link.