In recent days, talk of a new bailout bill, including stimulus check 2, seemed hopeful, but President Trump has pulled the White House out of the negotiations and is in the process of asking the Senate to prioritize hearings on his Supreme Court nominee.

On Tuesday, NBC News reported that the President told his representatives to "halt negotiations" on the coronavirus stimulus package until after next month's elections.

In a series of tweets, the President also asked Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to "focus full time" on the confirmation process for his own Supreme Court nominee, Judge Amy Coney Barrett.

By asking both his own stimulus bill negotiators and the Senate to halt stimulus bill negotiations, the President has separated himself from two of the three parties involved in the months-long effort to approve legislation following the March CARES Act.

This change in direction came after President Trump was hospitalized over the weekend for a coronavirus-related illness; on October 3, the President received a letter from Walter Reed Medical Center stating, "OUR GREAT USA WANTS & NEEDS STIMULUS. Let's work together to get it done."

Despite his comments in support of "very generous" direct payments, he apparently was unable to persuade negotiators to reach agreement on spending. However, he could withhold his support and signature on the stimulus bill.

Regarding the new stimulus check two days later, the President tweeted, "After the election, right after I win, we will pass a massive stimulus bill focused on hardworking Americans and small businesses."

Of course, the President could change course again. However, with less than a month to go before the presidential election, talks on the stimulus package2 appear to be on hiatus once again.