In addition to the irrevocable loss of nearly 250 thousand Americans, the virus that's upended daily life in the United States has also presented insurmountable financial woes for families across the country.
Millions found themselves suddenly unemployed due to the pandemic as thousands of small businesses were forced to close for good. School closures stretched parental avenues for childcare thin and as recently as Monday, thousands were lined up in Texas for resources from a Dallas food bank.
With so many Americans struggling to stay afloat, President Donald Trump and his team act as though the pandemic is in the rear view mirror.
On Monday, the President's eldest daughter and senior advisor, Ivanka Trump, boasted to her millions of Twitter followers about the prosperity of the stock market.
The Stock Market closes at a record high, erasing the last of its pandemic losses. 🇺🇸 https://t.co/njrr6UIlTl
— Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) November 16, 2020
While 55 percent of Americans own some sort of stocks, Forbes reports that only about 14 percent are directly invested in the market. The stock market is also in constant motion, rising and falling with each day, often for unknowable or unforeseeable reasons.
The Trump administration often points to Wall Street's gains as a means to boast about its economic record, but in the face of widespread economic devastation on Main Street, people didn't share the affluent Ivanka Trump's joy.
In fact, her celebration was widely criticized.
Americans are getting evicted from their homes and some can't feed their families, but the stock market is doing great guys! ✨ https://t.co/IZvjEeGgbn
— That's So Aaron (@AaronLarios) November 17, 2020
COVID cases and hospitalizations also close today at a record high. 🇺🇸 https://t.co/rFUUBkec9o
— Emily (@emilybernay) November 16, 2020
Well, while millions upon millions of Americans face the holidays and winter without homes, healthcare, or any discernible hope, we take great comfort the richest gamblers in the USA will be able to throw another Mercedes on the fire this Christmas. Fine brinksmanship. https://t.co/udtskzNw4K
— Arturo Hammer (@ArtAHammer) November 17, 2020
Trading 👏🏽 volume 👏🏽 in 👏🏽 speculative 👏🏽 markets 👏🏽 is 👏🏽 not 👏🏽 an 👏🏽 indicator 👏🏽 of 👏🏽 economic 👏🏽 well-being 👏🏽 https://t.co/WkRJSW3cFJ
— Bisacodyl, Son of Quetzalcoatl (@JDLoadEmUp) November 17, 2020
Vanky, this is just ONE line up for food bank in TEXAS! I think this speaks for itself @IvankaTrump Multiply this by thousands more. THOSE numbers are the ones that matter! https://t.co/VeKEeRvabs pic.twitter.com/BIW9bubduW
— Alexandra (Alix) Hemmingsen (@AlexandraHemmin) November 16, 2020
She really said that the stock market erased the pandemic losses like lives and livelihoods aren't gone forever. Vapid https://t.co/5MwxfFCzoj
— AltEPA (@ActualEPAFacts) November 16, 2020
Some credited the victory of President-elect Joe Biden with the market's high, due to the assurance of stable leadership and a comprehensive response to this health and economic crisis.
In addition to the point made my @IvankaTrump / The stock market has been rising since it was clear we would be getting a national Covid response in the coming adminisatration https://t.co/glozgHRVjZ
— Stephanie Ruhle (@SRuhle) November 17, 2020
Thank you #PresidentElectJoe the market loves the stability and normalcy you bring to America! https://t.co/8jbXCb35qN
— RJ_ECTO (@RjEcto) November 17, 2020
Thanks President-Elect Joe Biden! https://t.co/XMV87Afyu7 pic.twitter.com/RToevsbCoI
— Chris Strider (@stridinstrider) November 16, 2020
Congress has yet to pass another pandemic stimulus bill.
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