President Donald Trump has denied a request from Education Secretary Betsy DeVos to cut the budget for Special Olympics and use the money for the education budget instead.
While I am sure the $17.6 million could be put to good use in our education system, I do not think stripping it from the Special Olympics is the best route to go, Betsy.
Trump told reporters, “The Special Olympics will be funded. I just told my people I want to fund the Special Olympics and I’ve just authorized a funding of the Special Olympics. I’ve been to the Special Olympics. I think it’s incredible and I just authorized a funding. I heard about it this morning," he continued, I have overridden my people. We’re funding the Special Olympics.”
Of course, before Trump could respond, the left was already creating narrative.
Democrats pounced on the story, blasting DeVos and the administration as out of touch.
When pressed on her decision to withhold funds from the Special Olympics, a program for disabled children and adult athletes, DeVos lashed out at the media for reporting what she claimed were “falsehoods.” In the same statement, however, DeVos said that “given our current budget realities, the federal government cannot fund every worthy program, particularly ones that enjoy robust support from private donations.”
DeVos tried to explain her reasoning behind her request. She said, “I love Special Olympics. I have given a portion of my salary to Special Olympics. I hope all of this debate inspires private contributions to Special Olympics.”
While private donations aren’t a bad idea, it is not likely a boat that would float.
DeVos did change her positioning on the subject though and released the following statement on Thursday: “I am pleased and grateful the president and I see eye-to-eye on this issue, and that he has decided to fund our Special Olympics grant. This is funding I have fought for behind-the-scenes over the last several years.”
While I am sure there are still social justice warriors out there who will still find Trump to be the anti-Christ in this situation, I think most of us can rally around the president's decision.
