President Donald Trump told a crowd in Florida on Tuesday night that you need a photo identification to buy groceries, reasoning Trump gave in support of voter ID laws.
The internet quickly reminded the president that no, you don’t need an ID when you are buying groceries.
Trump made the remarks during a rally to support Ron DeSantis, a Republican running for governor in Florida, just days after the candidate published an unabashedly pro-Trump ad where he taught his children how to “build that wall” with blocks and used The Art of the Deal as a bedtime story.
At first, the president spoke about voter IDs.
“We believe that only American citizens should vote in American elections,” he said. “Which is why the time has come for voter ID, like everything else. Voter ID.”
The Trump pivoted to what he apparently thought was a very apt example:
“You know, if you want to go out and you want to buy groceries you need a picture on a card, you need ID,” Trump said. “You go out and you want to buy anything, you need I.D. And you need your picture. In this country, the only time you don’t need it, in many cases, is when you want to vote for a president, when you want to vote for a senator, when you want to vote for a governor or a congressman. It’s crazy.”
President Trump, telling his supporters why he wanted Americans to be required to show identification before casting their votes, claimed that they needed to have IDs “to buy groceries.” He did not elaborate. https://t.co/iYSYzA2XxM pic.twitter.com/H4DGjZVYxy
— CNN (@CNN) August 1, 2018
To be fair, to purchase alcohol and sometimes certain over-the-counter medications requires an ID. Or at stores like Costco, where you need a membership. However, you don’t need any identification to buy everyday items.
Trump’s odd assertion that you need an ID to buy groceries was quickly mocked.
Trump says you need an ID to buy groceries… Honest question: What’s the last time he’s bought groceries?
— Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) July 31, 2018
In Florida tonight, Trump says you need photo ID to buy groceries. Seriously. You can’t make this insanity up.
— David Cay Johnston (@DavidCayJ) August 1, 2018
Trump: “If you go out and you want to buy groceries, you need a picture on a card. You need ID.”
— Kaili Joy Gray (@KailiJoy) July 31, 2018
This man has never bought a carton of milk in his life, has he?
I have a story that Donald Trump will find amazing. I went to Whole Foods without my ID and came home with 10 bags of groceries. The end. #groceryID pic.twitter.com/FYSoMXOjJ0
— FedUpInKY (@FedUpKY) August 1, 2018
By noon all Republicans will insist that you’ve always needed ID to buy groceries.
— A.R. Moxon (juliusgoat.bsky.social) (@JuliusGoat) August 1, 2018
By tomorrow morning they’ll all believe it.
By Friday there’ll be a Grocery ID bill.
By Saturday we’ll have the op ed “Why Arguing With Grocery Security Traditionalists Helps Trump”
Pictured: Trump selecting groceries, which obviously require ID to purchase. pic.twitter.com/MsMGZN51Cx
— Detective Jeefachu (@DeathStarCake) August 1, 2018
It’s true what Trump said (I know…I’m shocked, too). I went to buy groceries this morning—castor oil, essence of turnip, coal, you know, the essentials—and I forgot my ID.
— Xeffrey Xhomson (@jeffreyThomson) August 1, 2018
I was turned away and had to walk home in the snow (uphill both ways) without my supplies. Sad!
https://twitter.com/Sophieloo2/status/1024633261753073664
Next time you get your milk, eggs, and bread, don’t forget to flash your ID.
READ MORE:
