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Congressman goes viral for carrying ‘Trump cash’ in his pocket at State of the Union

It’s subtle.

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Claire Goforth

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Tonight’s State of the Union address affords President Donald Trump and Republicans an opportunity bask in the sun during the darkness of the impeachment proceedings.

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One congressman appropriated a ray of their spotlight with an unconventional accessory: hard, cold “cash.”

Rep. Billy Long (R-Mo.) showed up to the speech with what looked to be a wad of cash sticking out of his jacket pocket.

People were quick to notice Long’s accouterments.

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As it turns out, Long’s bedazzling with dollars wasn’t a gaffe—it’s kind of his thing.

In December, the Missourian congressman went viral for attending impeachment hearings with fake $45 bills with Trump’s face sticking out of his pocket, reports the Springfield News-Leader.

“It’s pretty easy to trigger the liberals,” he told the paper at the time.

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Doug Andres, whose Twitter bio states that he’s the press secretary for Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-K.Y.), tweeted tonight, “He hands them out all the time. No joke.”

“This isn’t the first time he’s had cash spilling out of his pocket like a Roaring 20’s cartoon fat cat,” @JenBriney tweeted. “The last time, they were $45 fake bills with Trump’s face on them. I bet that gag is getting recycled.”

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Irrespective of Long’s amusement, the influence of money in politics is a serious concern for many Americans.

A 2018 study by the University of Maryland and nonpartisan research group Voice of the People found that a majority of Americans support a constitutional amendment to overturn the controversial U.S. Supreme Court decision in Citizens United that paved the way for unlimited campaign contributions.

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At the end of the speech, Rep. Long had Trump sign his tie.

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