This week, something very similar happened. The Washington Post reported on the White House’s announced $1,776 “warrior dividend” bonuses to service members. From the article:

In a prime-time address Wednesday night, President Donald Trump announced the Christmastime bonuses ‘in honor of our nation’s founding in 1776.’

‘Nobody deserves it more than our military. And I say congratulations to everybody,’ Trump said.

....As Politico’s Leo Shane explained, “Trump’s new ‘warrior dividend’ for troops isn’t new — the money is coming from housing assistance funds approved in July as part of the reconciliation bill. He’s rebranding the stipend help as bonuses.”

Despite these facts, the president nevertheless doubled down on Thursday afternoon, insisting at a White House event that he’s using tariff revenue to reward U.S. service members, even though his initial claim had already been discredited.

Trump again suggests the "Warrior Dividends" are coming from tariffs even as other administration officials say otherwise

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com) 2025-12-18T19:15:50.686Z

Let this be a lesson to all of us: The next time the president starts talking about some priority he’s financing through tariff revenue, it’s best not to believe him.