Donald Trump promised a third Medicare payment for retirees
5 october 2026 в 10:02
President Donald Trump promised to distribute money to voters for the third time ahead of the upcoming midterm elections in 2026. On October 2, he announced on his Truth Social platform that his administration would begin sending «checks» of nearly $ 100 to more than 20 million seniors to cover Medicare Part B premiums, which he claimed had been significantly reduced.
Trump asserts that these funds will come from the so-called Medicare Improvement Fund, which he believes has been used by Democrats to finance «wasteful» spending and increase healthcare costs. He added that these payments are part of his efforts to lower costs for seniors and protect Medicare and Social Security, which he claims are under threat due to Joe Biden’s policies.
The president also noted that this is a separate initiative from the $ 500 «checks» he promised to send to one million Americans who overpaid for their Affordable Care Act plans. Trump had previously stated that he was ready to pay every adult American $ 5,000 if Republicans maintain control of the House of Representatives and the Senate after the elections in November.
Vice President J.D. Vance attempted to clarify Trump’s remarks, stating that such payments would not be intended for wealthy citizens and could be funded through tariff revenues. However, as noted by the Associated Press, the president does not have the authority to make such payments without Congressional approval, which would need to be considered against a national debt exceeding $ 40 trillion.
Mark Goldwyn, senior policy director at the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, commented on Trump’s promises, calling them «absurd» and noting that there are no surpluses in the country to distribute. The president’s promises of cash payments come amid his historically low approval ratings, rising gasoline and diesel prices, and the ongoing war in Iran, which is causing discontent among the population.
Trump asserts that these funds will come from the so-called Medicare Improvement Fund, which he believes has been used by Democrats to finance «wasteful» spending and increase healthcare costs. He added that these payments are part of his efforts to lower costs for seniors and protect Medicare and Social Security, which he claims are under threat due to Joe Biden’s policies.
The president also noted that this is a separate initiative from the $ 500 «checks» he promised to send to one million Americans who overpaid for their Affordable Care Act plans. Trump had previously stated that he was ready to pay every adult American $ 5,000 if Republicans maintain control of the House of Representatives and the Senate after the elections in November.
Vice President J.D. Vance attempted to clarify Trump’s remarks, stating that such payments would not be intended for wealthy citizens and could be funded through tariff revenues. However, as noted by the Associated Press, the president does not have the authority to make such payments without Congressional approval, which would need to be considered against a national debt exceeding $ 40 trillion.
Mark Goldwyn, senior policy director at the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, commented on Trump’s promises, calling them «absurd» and noting that there are no surpluses in the country to distribute. The president’s promises of cash payments come amid his historically low approval ratings, rising gasoline and diesel prices, and the ongoing war in Iran, which is causing discontent among the population.
© Kolganov Andrey
