There are few things the internet enjoys more than collecting and dropping receipts. So it’s natural folks went digging once the complaints of student loan debt forgiveness began popping up on our Twitter feeds. At their disposal? A searchable database of PPP loans forgiven by the government.
In case you missed it, President Biden announced Wednesday (Aug. 24) that the government would erase up to $20,000 of federal student loans for borrowers who met certain criteria. For instance, an individual making less than $125,000 would qualify for $10,000 in forgiveness and $10,000 more if you received a Pell Grant.
Certain people online, often conservatives, were quick to denounce the plan. The “this you” tweets began flooding as soon as people started criticizing the plan. Republican members of Congress who took Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, for instance, were instant targets.
Or there was the editor of The Federalist, a rightwing publication that had a $200,000 loan forgiven by the government, getting reminded of that fact.
Same goes for Newsweek and an editor there.
And on and on and on.
It’s worth noting, of course, the PPP loans and student loans are not exactly the same. The PPP loans were given to people and businesses during the worst of the pandemic — even if, sometimes, those who didn’t necessarily need the money received it. But there is some irony in people condemning taking government loan forgiveness in some instances but being angry when others do the same.
It all goes to show that on the internet everyone is always looking for receipts. As always, tweet at your own risk.