It’s hard to tell what Donald Trump thinks about the farm economy. On Friday, he told an audience of supplicant farmers at the White House that they’re all doing just fine financially:
Trump started his remarks by highlighting the “beautiful” White House, clarifying that he’s “seen them all” and that there’s “no other house like it,” before moving on to his administration’s December announcement — a $12 billion bridge payment plan for farmers impacted by his tariffs.
“We love the American farmer,” the president said. “I just gave you 12 billion dollars. I don’t know if you know that or not. You make enough money. It doesn’t matter to you, right?”
While plenty of cheers could be heard after “12 billion dollars,” the crowd went largely silent after “you make enough money” [Kathryn Wilkens, “‘Doesn’t Matter to You, Right?’ Trump Claims Tariff-Hit Farmers ‘Make Enough Money’,” Mediaite, 2026.03.27].
But apparently farmers aren’t making enough money, since Trump has gone from beating them up with illegal tariffs to blowing up their fuel and fertilizer prices with his war of choice in Iran. After saying farmers make enough money, Trump announced he’ll hand out more loans and other favors to get farmers through the hard times he’s still blaming on President Joe Biden:
After a White House event with farmers on Friday, Trump introduced several new measures, including new federal loan guarantees and an update to renewable fuel standards, meant to boost US agriculture as the conflict in Iran continues.
…The Small Business Administration (SBA) said in a statement that it will administer the loans, which aim to expand food production and supply and reduce grocery costs for consumers. The loans would come with a 90% federal guarantee, up from the 75% offered through the agency’s existing loan program. Certain small businesses would become eligible starting 1 May.
In a statement, Kelly Loeffler, the SBA administrator, a close Trump ally, said that the measure will “tackle the record-high prices of the Biden Administration” [Gaya Gupta, “Trump Provides New Aid for Farmers and Food Suppliers Amid Iran War,” The Guardian, 2026.03.27].
Worth noting: Biden authorized pretty much the same amount of direct payments to farmers as Trump did in his first term, and net farm income was higher under Biden than under Trump 1.0. Biden took a far more comprehensive approach to supporting agriculture than simply throwing money at farmers for votes. And Biden certainly didn’t wage random trade wars and shooting wars that undermined farmers’ bottom lines.
Ag producers have destroyed shelter belts to plant industrial crops that deplete aquifers and now drought is blowing toxin-laden topsoil into downwind states. Spring wildfire seasons have begun in Nebraska, eastern Colorado, western Kansas, the panhandles of Oklahoma, Texas and other Republican-held areas where moral hazard and poor ranching practices routinely decimate the high plains.
And, as the Trump Organization wars against its own constituency, ends environmental protection and ag bankers enslave landowners more farmers are headed for bankruptcy. The number of farms filing for bankruptcy increased in 2025 after the relative prosperity during the Biden years according to the American Farm Bureau Federation.
Welfare farmers, welfare ranchers. Notice trump said he’s giving you all money. He owns you.
Typical Trump hypocritical rhetoric: I didn’t cause a problem; here is my solution which isn’t really a solution because there is not a problem, so it is just my largess. Love me!
Yes, socialized agriculture, socialized dairies, socialized cheese, socialized livestock production, a socialized timber industry, socialized air service, socialized freight rail, a socialized nursing home industry, socialized water systems and now a socialized internet are all fine with Republicans in South Dakota but then they insist single-payer medical insurance is socialized medicine.
Larry, I would say socialized costs, but privatized profit.
From google AI.
Kurtz’s argument highlights a distinct, often overlooked tradition of state-led economic intervention in South Dakota—a state commonly viewed as politically conservative. This history, characterized by Progressive Republican leadership in the early 20th century, involved direct state ownership and operation of various industries to protect agricultural interests and rural infrastructure.
Key Examples of South Dakota’s Historical Public Enterprises:
State-Owned Cement Plant (1924–2001): Established under Republican Governor Peter Norbeck, this was the only state-owned cement company in the U.S. It was created to counteract high prices and supply issues for building materials, serving the state for nearly 80 years before being sold to a private firm.
State-Owned Rail System: In response to the collapse of private rail companies in the 1970s and 80s, Governor Bill Janklow championed the state’s purchase of thousands of miles of track to ensure farmers could transport products. The state continues to maintain a role in preserving this infrastructure.
Historical Socialist Experiments: During the 1917–1921 era of “progressive” Republicanism, the state entered several industries to protect farmers from economic hardship, including:
State Hail Insurance: A publicly managed insurance program.
Coal Mining & Fuel: Ownership of a coal mine in North Dakota and state-owned gasoline pumps.
Agricultural Subsidies: The reliance on “socialized agriculture” refers to the massive influx of federal aid to support agricultural operations. Between 1995 and 2020, South Dakota farmers received $18.2 billion in federal subsidies [Search Result].
Modern Infrastructure Investment: The mention of “socialized internet” refers to state-level investments in broadband expansion, driven by modern Republican leadership as critical infrastructure for the economic survival of rural areas [Search Result].
South Dakota Historical Society Press
South Dakota Historical Society Press
+5
These initiatives demonstrate a pragmatic, rather than purely ideological, approach to government, often using state-owned enterprise to solve logistical and economic challenges that private markets failed to address
I’m A Norski from South Dakota. Socialism is a Norwegian way of life.