Seniors and Veterans Betrayed While Washington Funds the World: Will Trump’s Return Right These Wrongs?
Joe Biden’s legacy: Billions abroad, scraps at home, and a forgotten American middle class.
America’s priorities are broken. For the past four years, the Biden administration has funneled billions of dollars to Ukraine and other foreign aid initiatives while seniors and veterans—those who’ve spent their lives serving and building this nation—struggle to survive on crumbs.
Take my mother, for instance. She’s 79 years old and relies on Social Security to make ends meet. This year, her Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) amounted to just $18 per month—a pitiful increase that barely covers the rising cost of a loaf of bread. It’s a disgraceful reminder of how out of touch Washington has become. And it’s not just seniors; veterans, many of whom risked life and limb for this country, face chronic underfunding for healthcare and basic support systems.
Contrast this neglect with the billions of taxpayer dollars allocated to foreign aid. In 2024 alone, the U.S. pledged an additional $60 billion to Ukraine. And while global stability is important, how can our leaders justify these expenditures while Americans are left homeless, hungry, or struggling to afford their medications?
Joe Biden’s Legacy of Neglect
Biden’s tenure will be remembered for its lopsided priorities: funding wars abroad, creating crises at home, and overseeing inflation that ate away at middle-class incomes. His administration’s domestic focus was so hollow that even modest COLA increases for seniors couldn’t keep pace with skyrocketing housing and healthcare costs.
At the same time, Medicare premiums rose in 2025, cutting into what little COLA increase seniors received. Many retirees, like my mother, rely solely on Social Security to survive. But with an average benefit of $1,976 a month and costs for rent, food, and medications far exceeding that, Social Security has become a cruel joke rather than the safety net it was meant to be.
Biden’s administration made a choice to neglect the people who built this country, and Americans are ready for change.
Trump’s Second Chance: An America-First Agenda?
With Donald Trump returning to the White House, many Americans are hoping for a course correction. Trump has a track record of focusing on America-first policies, and his previous term saw significant moves to help veterans and working-class Americans, including:
The VA MISSION Act, which expanded access to private healthcare for veterans.
Tax cuts aimed at middle-class workers and small businesses.
Rhetoric and policies that put Americans—not global elites—at the center of decision-making.
But Trump’s return also comes with a challenge: how to translate rhetoric into action in a political climate where Washington’s establishment often resists bold reforms. This will be Trump’s opportunity to prove that an America-first approach isn’t just a slogan—it’s a governing philosophy.
What Needs to Change?
Fix Social Security: Trump’s administration must address the flawed COLA system. Adopting the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) could ensure that Social Security reflects the real cost of living for seniors, particularly for housing and healthcare.
Prioritize Veterans: Expand funding for mental health resources, job training, and homelessness prevention for veterans. This is not just a policy priority—it’s a moral obligation.
Rebalance Foreign Aid: While global involvement matters, America cannot continue to neglect its own citizens to fund international conflicts. A reallocation of foreign aid spending could significantly bolster domestic programs without ballooning the deficit.
Combat Inflation: Rising costs continue to erode the purchasing power of Social Security and middle-class incomes. Trump’s administration must focus on policies that stabilize prices without punishing taxpayers.
Biden Out, America In
Joe Biden’s presidency will be remembered as a time when the government prioritized everyone but its own citizens. Billions flowed abroad while seniors like my mother struggled to afford basic necessities. Veterans were left to navigate bureaucratic systems that did little to help them heal or thrive.
Trump’s return to the White House offers hope—but not a guarantee. The opportunity to realign America’s priorities is here, but it will take bold leadership and a willingness to challenge the entrenched establishment. If Trump can succeed, his second term could redefine what it means to put America first.
For the millions of seniors and veterans who feel forgotten, this is their chance to finally be seen. And for the rest of us, it’s a moment to demand that our leaders serve the people they were elected to protect—not the interests of foreign nations or political elites.