Right now, many Medicare recipients are receiving a $90 direct deposit along with a letter signed by President Donald Trump stating, “I will never stop fighting to put the American People FIRST” and purporting to “restore affordability” to America. Apparently, this administration wants seniors to think it’s doing us a favor by offering us a conveniently timed, pre-election partial rebate on one month’s Medicare premiums. Seriously? Let’s do the math.
From January 2025 through August 2026, consumer prices rose approximately 5.4%. Using Bureau of Labor Statistics data, the average American household has faced an estimated $3,400 in additional living expenses over those 20 months because of rising prices. That’s for groceries, housing, utilities, transportation and other everyday necessities. Ninety dollars offsets less than 3% of that $3,400. During that same period, a Reuters investigation reports that Trump and his family made at least 2.3 billion from cryptocurrency ventures.
As troubling as this sleight of hand is, it’s even more insulting that the president believes he can buy our complacency at any price. Americans deserve real and substantive solutions to the spiraling cost of living, not a one-time payment accompanied by a political sales pitch. I encourage my fellow seniors to promptly send your $90 check to the progressive organization of your choice.
Laurie Rhoades
Montague