‘Great idea’: Trump finds support online as he slams foreign aid bill, says US should give ‘loan’ instead

CONWAY, SOUTH CAROLINA: Former President Donald Trump criticized the Senate foreign aid bill, suggesting the aid should be given as "a loan" instead, reported The Hill.

The Republican frontrunner, who actively opposed the failed bipartisan border bill, which included aid packages to Ukraine and Israel, made the remarks while addressing his supporters at the Get Out the Vote Rally in Conway, South Carolina, on Saturday, February 10.

"They want to give like almost $100 billion to a few countries, $100 billion," Trump said.

"I said, 'Why do we do this? If you do, you give them, not $100 billion, you give it to 'em as a loan,'" he added.

Trump's suggestion came a day after the Senate voted to push a $95.3 billion funding package for Ukraine and Israel on Friday, February 9, after the long-sought national security bill was killed on the Senate floor.

The former President actively thwarted the legislation, which he branded as a "death wish" for the Republican Party, by pressuring GOP Senators to prevent a victory for President Joe Biden ahead of the 2024 presidential election.

Trump reiterates his opposition to foreign aid bill on Truth Social

On Saturday, the GOP White House hopeful took to his Truth Social platform to voice his opposition against the Senate's foreign aid package and doubled down on his proposal to give it only as a loan.

"IT CAN BE LOANED ON EXTRAORDINARILY GOOD TERMS, LIKE NO INTEREST AND AN UNLIMITED LIFE, BUT A LOAN NEVERTHELESS," he wrote.

Trump further suggested that the country should repay the amount if, in the future, it turns against or strikes the US.

"WE SHOULD NEVER GIVE MONEY ANYMORE WITHOUT THE HOPE OF A PAYBACK, OR WITHOUT "STRINGS" ATTACHED. THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA SHOULD BE "STUPID" NO LONGER!" the ex-president added.

Speaking in Conway, Trump also self-praised his efforts to thwart the border bill, describing it as a "massive victory" that should be celebrated by every conservative. "We crushed Crooked Joe Biden's disastrous open borders bill. Crushed it," the former President stated.

Closing in on the Republican presidential nomination after winning in Iowa, New Hampshire, the Virgin Islands, and Nevada, Trump will face his only in-party opponent, Nikki Haley, in her home state, South Carolina, primary on February 24.

Internet reacts to Trump's foreign aid plan

Social media users aligned with the former President's proposal to transform foreign aid into loans and praised it as "one of the best ideas".

One user wrote, "That’s actually a great idea."

Another user opined, "I’m down with that Budget-neutral compromise…"

"This is one of the best ideas I have heard in years. Thank you," a third remark read.

One user said, "That indeed should be the standard. Financial help should always be done as a loan. It used to be that way actually."

"Not a bad idea Actually, most help from government, even nationally for subsidies, she be done in such way. Term doesn't have to be agressive. Rates can be low if need be but the assurance that the money will eventually come back would help," a fifth user added.

Another user shared a meme backing Trump's idea.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.