America First Audit — Tariff Whiplash and Taxpayer Farm Bailouts

Trump announced $12 billion in Farmer Bridge Assistance after what the administration described as temporary trade-market disruptions and higher production costs. By April 2026, Farm Bureau reported nearly $9.6 billion in row-crop payments disbursed; USDA later announced a distinct $1.625 billion specialty-crop program. Independent reporting tied part of the farm stress to the administration's tariff conflict and China's reduced purchases.