(Todd A. Smith)
President Donald Trump got elected in 2016 because many of his supporters believed he was a populist politician.
President Trump has a talent for convincing poor and middle-class people that he is one of them and cares about their concerns, even though he has lived a pampered and privileged life since day one.
But his refusal to sign a bipartisan bill that would have made homes more affordable for all Americans until Congress passes a bill, he thinks, will favor the Republican Party in the midterms should prove to his devoted followers that he never cared about them in the first place.
In fact, he played on people’s pain to catapult himself to the presidency, and now he no longer needs those people who would have put their lives on the line to help him maintain power.
Trump’s absence from the bill signing of the ROAD to Housing Act, thankfully, drew bipartisan criticism.
The bill would have stopped foreign companies from buying American real estate, which has prevented many Americans from owning homes because of the high costs.
Those foreign companies then go on to charge astronomical rent prices, which people are forced to pay because they need a roof over their heads.
That dilemma affects all Americans, regardless of race.
But the bill would have added some protections for African-American homebuyers and sellers who often face racism during home appraisals.
When African-Americans live in a home, the home is often undervalued.
But when those African-American homebuyers allow their White friends to pose as the homeowners, the same home is now worth much more.
That racism adds to the wealth gap because White-owned property is suddenly worth more than when it was owned by Black people, despite being in the same condition and location.
While that type of anti-Black racism might not have mattered to many White Trump supporters because it did not adversely affect them, Trump’s refusal to sign this bill does directly impact them.
Now, the question is, will his poor White supporters finally realize that their dear leader never cared about their well-being in the first place?
Gerren Keith Gaynor of The Grio reported, “For more than a year, (Maxine) Waters and other lawmakers like U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Tim Scott (R-S.C.), and U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.), worked on the ROAD to Housing Act. The legislation allows the federal government to better regulate banks and private equity firms that control housing stock and prices, and addresses racial equity concerns, such as racial bias in home appraisals.
“Despite the extraordinary achievement of passing such a comprehensive housing bill with the backing of both Democrats and Republicans, the legislation has yet to become law.
“Just hours before President Donald Trump was scheduled to sign the bill on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, he reversed course. He instead demanded that Congress pass his signature SAVE America Act ahead of the November midterm elections. The SAVE Act would require all voters to present proper ID and prove their citizenship in order to register to vote. The legislation, which does not have the necessary votes in the Republican-controlled Congress, has been slammed as a voter suppression bill that would make it harder to vote, most especially for Black voters, voters of color, women, young voters, and those with disabilities.”
To Trump detractors, his selfishness and self-centeredness has always been obvious.
But for some reason, many of his supporters refuse to see it, even as they suffer the consequences.
The unnecessary war with Iran has raised gas prices, as families head out on summer vacations.
Furthermore, higher fuel costs have increased the costs of daily items that everyone uses.
Additionally, his tariffs also raised prices for everyday necessities.
During the 2024 presidential campaign, Trump even told his supporters suffering in sweltering heat at a rally that he did not care about them because he just wanted their votes.
He told Americans that if they elected him in 2024, they would not have to vote again.
Instead of focusing on the needs of the people who voted him into office for a second non-consecutive term, the president instead has focused his attention on ballrooms, reflecting pools and mixed martial arts matches on the White House lawn for his 80th birthday.
He told Americans that the ballroom would be privately funded before seeking taxpayer money for his vanity project.
Trump supporters called him a populist.
But when asked about the affordability crisis, Trump said that affordability was a term made up by the Democrats.
As a result, he instead spends his time trying to create a golden arc in Washington, D.C. and temporarily slapping his name on the Kennedy Center, which requires congressional approval.
But with all the available evidence proving that he is only in the political game for personal gain, approximately 30 percent of Americans are still devoted to him, believing he is some kind of American messiah.
People with common sense do not stay devoted to a person who is not devoted to them.
That is not loyalty or patriotism.
That is ignorance and stupidity.
Unfortunately, the current president has proven his ignorance.
Unfortunately, he has proven that he is disloyal.
And unfortunately, he has proven that he is unpatriotic, only caring about the personal gain of himself, his family members and his billionaire friends.
But the question is, when will his remaining followers wake up and admit to this reality?
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