Trump's messaging worries, and more small biz scrutiny

Your guide to how Washington shapes business and the economy

VIEW IN BROWSER | SUBSCRIBE TUE, APR 28, 2020 CNBC POLITICS EDITOR'S NOTE Hello, This week we're keeping an eye on how President Trump and the White House are coordinating with states to reopen the economy as coronavirus continues to spread. We are also keeping an eye on the latest phase of the federal government's small business emergency loan program, as lawmakers and businesses alike call for more restrictions and limitations.   Here is some of our latest coverage:   Treasury Secretary Mnuchin says the government will audit small business loans over $2 million after a wave of publicly traded companies and other big firms received money from the first round of relief. Mnuchin's pledge comes after 22 senators pushed the administration to ensure that the smallest businesses get loans under the program. Trump has struggled with his messaging on coronavirus. He deleted several tweets attack reporters over their coverage of his working habits during the crisis and had indicated that he might not hold his daily briefings -- before he held one Monday. His coronavirus messaging struggles have blurred into his reelection campaign, too. While Trump has been critical of China for its handling of the initial outbreak, the president has pulled punches on Beijing. Meanwhile, the public and Trump's allies have been much more forceful in their rhetoric against China.   You can find more coverage linked below. Thanks for reading, and be sure to continue following CNBC.com's continuing, comprehensive and detailed coverage of the coronavirus response.   Thoughts? Email me at CNBCPolitics@nbcuni.com.     Have friends or colleagues who might like this newsletter? They can sign up here.  Mike Calia @Michael_Calia KEY STORIES  Small business loans above $2 million will get full audit to make sure they're valid, Mnuchin says The program faced backlash after several public companies disclosed they had taken out the loans, which were intended to help small businesses with fewer than 500 employees weather the coronavirus crisis. White House releases coronavirus testing strategy — and claims most of its work is done The Trump "blueprint" is designed to help governors deploy coronavirus testing programs. But states say they can't bear the burden of testing without a lot more federal help. Trump pulls punches and clings to his China trade deal as backlash against Beijing grows Voters are increasingly suspicious and angry at China over coronavirus, but Trump fears jeopardizing his trade deal with Beijing if he embraces an anti-China reelection message. Trump deletes 'Noble Prizes' tweets as he struggles with coronavirus message Trump may soon take a step back from the daily White House press briefings, which have put a spotlight on his response efforts for an audience of millions of viewers. Food banks are closing and losing their workforce because of the coronavirus Food banks across the country are shuttering as they struggle to contend with the coronavirus and provide food relief to millions of people. Klobuchar, 21 other senators pressure Trump administration to ensure smallest businesses get loans The letter comes on the day the Trump administration will start accepting applications for small business loans after a pause. Pelosi says guaranteed income could be 'worthy of attention now' as coronavirus stifles economy The House speaker said the extended timeline of the coronavirus pandemic and resulting recession should cause Congress to look at different ways to guarantee that Americans' basic needs are met. GOP Sen. Hawley asks DOJ to open a criminal investigation into Amazon The request follows a report finding Amazon employees had used data from third-party sellers to rival them with Amazon's own private-label products. Supreme Court suggests it is seeking a way out of Trump financial records cases The Supreme Court called for more arguments in two cases over whether President Donald Trump may keep his financial records shielded from congressional investigators. Texas to lift coronavirus restrictions this week, businesses to reopen in phases More than 1.9 million unemployment claims have been filed in Texas since the outbreak began and the state has paid out more than $2 billion, Abbott said.       Unsubscribe Manage Newsletters Terms of Service Join the CNBC Panel Digital Products Feedback Privacy Policy   © 2020 CNBC LLC. All rights reserved. A property of NBCUniversal. 900 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632 Data is a real-time snapshot *Data is delayed at least 15 minutes. Global Business and Financial News, Stock Quotes and Market Data and Analysis. Data also provided by THOMSON REUTERS