The Washington PostDemocracy Dies in Darkness

Trump rails against federal spending that he requested in his budget

December 23, 2020 at 6:23 p.m. EST
President Trump and first lady Melania Trump depart from the White House to Florida for the Christmas holiday. (Toni L. Sandys/The Washington Post)

President Trump railed against the federal spending in the sweeping coronavirus relief package, arguing Congress was prioritizing foreign aid and funds for other programs over sending more generous direct payments to struggling Americans.

But the list Trump rattled off during a surprise video announcement Tuesday night conflated the coronavirus stimulus measure with the year-end federal government omnibus spending bill passed in tandem by the Senate.