WHERE DO GOVERNMENT FUNDS COME FROM SARAH?
‘Magic MAGA Fairies?’: Sarah Sanders Mocked for Not Understanding Where Government Funds Come From
‘Magic MAGA Fairies?’
During an incredibly rare White House press briefing Sarah Huckabee Sanders said President Trump is not asking taxpayers to fund the president’s wall, but rather, will seek to use “existing” funds from federal government agencies – which are funded by taxpayers.
“With the deficit ballooning to over a trillion dollars under this president, where are the additional monies for this wall going to come from,” a reporter asked Huckabee Sanders, “and why is he asking the American taxpayer for them, when he promised Mexico was going to pay?”
Huckabee Sanders apparently is unaware of how federal government agencies are funded.
“Look, we’re not asking American taxpayers for that,” she replied, as the reporter’s head slammed back in shock.
“We are looking at existing funding through other agencies right now, that we can draw on to do that immediately,” Huckabee Sanders added.
Here’s the video – be sure to focus on the reporter’s head and facial expressions in the opening few seconds.
REPORTER: With the deficit ballooning to over $1t under this POTUS, where are the additional monies on this wall going to come from, & why is he asking the American taxpayer for them when he promised Mexico was going to pay? 🔥
SANDERS, LYING: We’re not asking taxpayers for that pic.twitter.com/PGQnfjWVnC
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) December 18, 2018
Meanwhile, Huckabee Sanders went on to claim that President Trump “has been clear” that his USMCA trade deal, which he thinks will replace NAFTA, “would provide additional revenue through that deal that would show that Mexico has paid for the wall.”
This is what Huckabee Sanders is referring to:
I often stated, “One way or the other, Mexico is going to pay for the Wall.” This has never changed. Our new deal with Mexico (and Canada), the USMCA, is so much better than the old, very costly & anti-USA NAFTA deal, that just by the money we save, MEXICO IS PAYING FOR THE WALL!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 13, 2018
And it is totally false.
The reporter then corrects the press secretary, informing her that “the trade benefits – if there are any – don’t go to the Treasury.”
After Huckabee Sanders replies, showing she and the president have no grasp of taxes, revenue, or trade deals, the reporter informs her that “trade benefits go to private citizens,” meaning those who purchase the foreign goods and services.
“He’s talking about the general revenue that comes from that,” an exasperated Huckabee Sanders says.
“So, you’re going to tax – ” the reporter responds.
“No, we’re not going to tax. We’re talking about additional revenue that wouldn’t have existed without the president getting a new deal,” she continued, which of course makes no sense.
“Have you done the math on that?” the reporter, now incredulous, asks.
It didn’t take long for people on social media to mercilessly mock the White House press secretary:
BREAKING: The Pentagon has announced that it has found approximately $3.6 billion in some sofa cushions. DHS located $1,2 billion in an old billfold. The wall now has funding. https://t.co/awx8bkssrO
— Daniel W. Drezner (@dandrezner) December 18, 2018
— Chris Hayes (@chrislhayes) December 18, 2018
“We’re not asking American taxpayers for that.” — Sarah Sanders on looking for funding for the wall through various agencies. Turns out all the federal agencies are funded by taxpayers. Also, she seems to think that money from private trade goes into the federal treasury.
— Jonathan Allen (@jonallendc) December 18, 2018
A number of you have asked – yes, money in ‘other agencies’ would certainly be considered ‘taxpayer dollars’
— Jamie Dupree (@jamiedupree) December 18, 2018
Sarah Sanders just said President Trump is not asking tax payers to pay for the wall on the border of Mexico but she literally just said she is asking federal agencies to look for money to pay for the wall.
— Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) December 18, 2018
Why does @PressSec Sarah Sanders not understand that government agencies are funded through taxes and thereby tax payers? I mean, I know her boss doesn’t pay taxes but still, didn’t she take a civics class or US history class to graduate High School? She did graduate HS, right?
— Iggy (@Iggy95499) December 18, 2018
Sanders: We’re not asking American taxpayers…We are looking at existing funding through other agencies
Excuse me but that’s still taxpayer money. What a stupid answer. https://t.co/G7FWYvZIVq
— John Edward Bankson (@johnnybankson) December 18, 2018
I’m think Sanders knows any other agencies’ money came from taxpayers so I guess this is Sarah doing the Trump version of the “cups and ball” trick, only with our tax money.
— Robert Brennan (@Shrlyyoujest) December 18, 2018
TIL Sarah Sanders doesn’t understand that all US agencies are funded via tax payer dollars. What a time to be alive. Trump didn’t understand tariffs were paid for by consumers either. How embarrassing
— buzz (@darealbuzz) December 18, 2018
LOL where does she think the “existing funding from other agencies” comes from? Magic MAGA fairies? https://t.co/fUA5ZVVub6
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) December 18, 2018
Enjoy this piece?
… then let us make a small request. The New Civil Rights Movement depends on readers like you to meet our ongoing expenses and continue producing quality progressive journalism. Three Silicon Valley giants consume 70 percent of all online advertising dollars, so we need your help to continue doing what we do.
NCRM is independent. You won’t find mainstream media bias here. From unflinching coverage of religious extremism, to spotlighting efforts to roll back our rights, NCRM continues to speak truth to power. America needs independent voices like NCRM to be sure no one is forgotten.
Every reader contribution, whatever the amount, makes a tremendous difference. Help ensure NCRM remains independent long into the future. Support progressive journalism with a one-time contribution to NCRM, or click here to become a subscriber. Thank you. Click here to donate by check.