#Trump says payroll tax cuts could be permanent, won’t impact Social Security

President Trump said Sunday his plan to order payroll tax cuts via an executive order could be permanent and will have “no impact” on Social Security benefits.

Speaking to reporters before boarding Marine One, Trump said his sweeping proposal to boost the economy through the cuts amid the coronavirus crisis would in no way affect the longstanding federal program.

“This will have no impact on Social Security,” Trump said, adding the program would be replenished by the General Fund. “We protect Social Security.”

Trump — who said last week he may order the payroll tax cut to boost worker wages after widespread salary cuts — added the cuts “may be permanent,” but didn’t elaborate.

Asked about cuts to the US Postal Service — as the country gears up for a presidential election that may rely heavily on mail voting  — Trump said the new postmaster general simply wants to improve it.

“[The Post office] has been losing massive amounts of money,” Trump said. He added that postmaster general, Louis DeJoy, is a good man, who “wants to make it successful.”

DeJoy, a North Carolina businessman who gave millions to the Trump campaign, eliminated overtime for thousands of workers and made other budget cuts after he took over in June.

On Sunday, Trump also said he had “a very important call this morning with Lebanon” to discuss giving “substantial” aide to the country, after its capital city of Beirut suffered a devastating explosion Tuesday.

“A lot of things were worked out… a lot of countries are going to be helping,” he said.