The Difference Between Trump And Biden Stimulus Checks

Joe Biden is on the cusp of passing Democrats’ sweeping stimulus bill, and commentators are noting the differences between his style and the style of Donald Trump. Whereas Trump was happy to use stimulus checks as a personal branding opportunity, Biden has taken a more hands-off approach, counting on the economic relief to speak for itself.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki gave reporters another example of this Tuesday, when she confirmed that Biden’s checks would not have his name anywhere on them.

“We are doing everything in our power to expedite the payments and not delay them, which is why the president's name will not appear on the memo line of this round of stimulus checks,” she said. “This is not about him. This is about the American people getting relief.”

Many recipients won’t get physical checks at all, the money going into their accounts through direct deposit. Those who do receive physical copies will find them signed by a career official with the Bureau of Fiscal Service.

Trump received a barrage of criticism for including his name on relief checks, especially after his administration sent out letters to check recipients with political messaging and his signature.

The Trump-branded checks were the first time the Treasury had released funds with a president’s name on them. Trump’s opponents accused him of delaying distribution for a vanity project, although his administration denied that any delay had occurred as a result of the design.

Former Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin eventually took credit for the idea, saying that including Trump’s name had been his plan.

Biden made sending out $2,000 checks a centerpiece of his presidential campaign, pledging to fill the difference when the Republican administration sent out $600 checks before he took office.

He’s acted quietly throughout the negotiations to smooth differences and move the process along. The Wall Street Journal reports that Biden made a phone call to Joe Manchin, a centrist Democrat from West Virginia, to ensure the bill passed through the Senate.

Biden announced his intention to sign the bill as quickly as possible. The bill goes before the Senate on Wednesday.