Trump Sparks Outrage by Claiming Federal Government Can't Fund Daycare, Medicare, or Medicaid, Saying War Comes First

US President Donald Trump has sparked criticism after saying the federal government cannot fund daycare, Medicare, or Medicaid, claiming the United States must focus on military protection.

Speaking at an Easter Lunch reception at the White House on Wednesday, the president told guests that social programmes should be managed by individual states rather than the federal government. He said that states would need to raise their own taxes to cover such programmes, adding that the federal government's priority must be national defence.

Federal Funding Should Be Managed by States, Says Trump

Trump's remarks followed a discussion with Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought, during which the president said, 'Don't send any money for daycare because the United States can't take care of daycare.'

He continued, 'We're fighting wars. We can't take care of daycare. You got to let a state take care of daycare and they should pay for it, too. They should pay. They'll have to raise their taxes, but they should pay for it. And we could lower our taxes a little bit to them to make up.

'We have to take care of one thing: military protection. We have to guard the country. But all these little things, all these little scams that have taken place, you have to let states take care of them,' Trump added.

The president argued that the size of the United States and its 50 states made federal administration of social programmes difficult. He suggested states should assume responsibility for funding daycare and social services, potentially increasing local taxes to cover the costs. His comments emphasised his longstanding position that military spending should take precedence over domestic social programmes.

Previous Administration Actions Linked to Childcare Funding

The remarks come amid controversy over the Trump administration's previous use of federal funding as leverage against Democratic-led states. Earlier this year, federal funding for public welfare programmes was suspended in New York, California, Colorado, Illinois, and Minnesota.

The administration claimed the move was aimed at addressing alleged fraud, although the measure was widely criticised and later struck down by a federal judge on Tuesday. Critics argued the suspension disproportionately affected low-income families and social service programmes.

Impact on Medicare, Medicaid, and Childcare

Trump's comments raise concerns for millions of Americans who rely on Medicare, Medicaid, and federal support for childcare. Both programmes serve large portions of the population, particularly seniors, people with disabilities, and working parents. Observers note that shifting responsibility entirely to state governments could lead to uneven access depending on regional budgets and priorities.

Video of Remarks Made Private

The White House broadcast Trump's remarks live on its YouTube account, but the video has since been made private, preventing public access. The decision has drawn attention from media outlets and political analysts, who have questioned why the video was restricted after initially being available.

Experts Cite Federal vs State Responsibilities

Analysts note that Trump's approach highlights the ongoing debate in the United States over federal versus state responsibility for social welfare. Federal programmes such as Medicare and Medicaid have long provided standardised benefits across states, ensuring access for those in need. Transferring full responsibility to states could create disparities in funding and availability, particularly in states with smaller budgets or different political priorities.