Misleading: Trump selected the recipients of the CARES Act grants for businesses.

By: Annie Priya
February 16 2021

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There is no evidence that Trump was involved in the selection of the recipients of the CARES Act.On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) was signed into law in response to the damage caused by the 2019 novel coronavirus pandemic. The bipartisan legislation was approved by Congress to provide relief to small businesses and assistance and keep people engaged in the economy. It was the most extensive economic stimulus package in U.S. history, providing $1.8 trillion in direct aid to individuals and businesses. After months of withholding information, the Treasury Department released the list of beneficiaries who received money as part of the program. Some businesses were connected to prominent donors of the Republican party and who supported Trump's election efforts. However, there is nothing to suggest that the companies received favorable treatment as a result of their ties to Trump, and it will be an oversimplification of their connection, considering that 658,000 small businesses received the taxpayer-funded loans.