To the Editor,
The news this week on the national debt and inflation was not good.
Our country’s debt has climbed to $31.27 trillion — an increase of $1.35 trillion over the last six months; $2.3 trillion since Donald Trump took office.
The annual interest being paid on the debt is now more than the U.S. spends annually on national defense or the Medicare program.
With the debt rising at this pace, why is Trump continuing to spend money on activities that do not benefit U.S. citizens in any way, shape, or form?
1. Continuing the war in Iran: The Pentagon estimates the cost of the war to date is $29 billion.
2. Repainting the Eisenhower Office Building: A White House official estimates the cost to be at least $7.5 million.
3. Putting a blue protective coating on the Reflecting Pool on the National Mall: While the president said the project would cost only $1.8 million, federal officials now put the cost at $13.1 million.
4. The White House ballroom: While the ballroom is supposed to be privately funded, the Secret Service has asked for $220 million in federal funds to provide security for the ballroom.
5. The giant arch in Washington: The estimate to build the arch is $100 million.
In addition, a UFC fight is planned for June on the White House lawn for Trump’s 80th birthday. This, too, is supposed to be privately funded but security operations will be led by the Secret Service, with support from agencies including the Metropolitan Police Department, the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, and the U.S. Park Police, among other agencies.
And lastly, Trump has directed the Park Service to renovate several golf courses in Washington D.C. Again, this project is supposed to be privately funded but the cost is estimated to be between $25 and $35 million.
Trump continues to spend taxpayer dollars while the taxpayers are again tightening their belts due to high inflation. The monthly increase in April results in a 3.8% annual rate led by gas and grocery prices and electric bills.
The inflation rate now exceeds the annual increase in wages from April 2025 to April 2026 of 3.6%.
And Trump admits he doesn’t care. When leaving for China this week, he responded to the question “To what extent are Americans’ financial situation motivating you to make a deal [with Iran]?” by stating “Not even a little bit”.
“The only thing that matters when I’m talking about Iran — they can’t have a nuclear weapon. I don’t think about Americans’ financial situation. I don’t think about anybody.”
