Aaron Ford just served up a political sob story. He says Donald Trump pulled food out of kids’ mouths. That Trump is off building ballrooms while children in Nevada eat stale candy bars for dinner.
Look, nobody’s cheering for hungry kids. But let me tell you what I am against: emotional blackmail dressed up as policy.
Ford’s op-ed in the Las Vegas Sun is pure political theater.
It’s dramatic. It tugs the heartstrings. But underneath all the hand-wringing? It’s hollow. He wants you angry – not informed.
Let’s rip the cover off this thing.
“Trump Suspended SNAP on Purpose!”
That’s Ford’s big headline. Sounds evil, right? Except it’s not true.
Here’s the truth: When the government shuts down, the money for food stamps (SNAP) stops – by law.
The USDA doesn’t get to write IOUs. The backup funds Ford mentions? They’re legally tied up for disasters, not day-to-day benefits.
It’s not Trump pulling the plug. It’s how Congress set up the rules. Ford knows this. He just hopes you don’t.
“One in Four Kids Are Starving!”
Ford also claims one in four Nevada children “don’t know where their next meal is coming from.”
Sounds terrifying. But where’s the source?
The USDA doesn’t say that. What it does track is “food insecurity.”
That means families worry about food – maybe they skip meals, maybe they rely on cheaper stuff – but it’s a spectrum. It’s not the same as “25% of kids are starving.”
Ford doesn’t mention that. He just goes with the scariest number he can find – and never tells you where he found it.
That’s not a public service. That’s propaganda.
“Ballrooms, Jets, and Billion-Dollar Giveaways!”
Now we’re into the political fireworks.
Ford says Trump’s spending money on White House ballrooms and new jets while Nevada families go hungry.
Cue the outrage.
But wait. He never cites a source. No document. No date. Nothing.
He even accuses Trump of “handing Argentina a $40 billion check.” Which is nonsense.
It’s likely a loan program, probably part of some international aid package. But Ford frames it like Trump walked into a Wells Fargo and wired Argentina your grocery money.
It’s sloppy. It’s dishonest. And it’s designed to fire you up without telling you what’s actually going on.
“Lombardo Hates School Lunch!”
Ford takes a swing at Governor Joe Lombardo, too – saying he vetoed a bill that would’ve guaranteed free breakfast and lunch for every kid.
Sounds heartless. Until you ask: what was actually in the bill?
Ford doesn’t say. No mention of cost. No mention of who pays. No details at all.
Was it an unfunded mandate? Did it force rural schools to spend money they don’t have? Was there a better option?
Ford doesn’t care. He’s not trying to solve problems. He’s trying to assign blame.
“I Ate Candy Bars for Dinner”
Ford talks about growing up poor. He says he and his brother ate stale candy bars for dinner. And you know what? That’s heartbreaking.
But policy isn’t made on personal pain. It’s made on facts, budgets, and what works for 3 million Nevadans – not just one family’s hard times.
It’s a moving story. But a story isn’t a solution.
Ford rants about Trump and Lombardo but skips right over the fact that Nevada approved $30 million for food banks this year.
He cries foul about Washington but doesn’t offer a real plan if the feds don’t come through.
Suing the federal government isn’t a policy. It’s a press release. So here’s the bottom line:
If SNAP fails, what’s Nevada’s plan? Ford doesn’t have one.
He’s too busy blaming Lombardo for laws the governor didn’t write and vetoes Ford didn’t read.
Want real help for hungry families? Empower local food banks. Support private charities. Push for smarter spending – not just more spending.
Don’t fall for the headline hype. Get the facts. And ask this:
Is Ford fighting for families – or just fighting for column space?
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