Trump’s $4.5 trillion “Big Beautiful Bill” barreled through the House late Wednesday, slashing social programs and stoking backlash as it heads to his desk just in time for the July 4 deadline.
At a Glance
- House Republicans passed Trump’s $4.5 trillion tax-and-spending bill 218–214.
- The bill extends tax cuts while slashing Medicaid, SNAP, and green energy programs.
- Analysts project it will add $3.3 trillion to the debt by 2034.
- It could leave nearly 12 million Americans without health insurance.
- House Democrats staged a record-breaking filibuster in protest.
A Brutal Tradeoff: Tax Cuts for Safety Nets
The 887-page “Big Beautiful Bill” preserves Trump-era tax breaks—deductions for tipped workers, seniors, and overtime pay—but claws back federal aid with deep cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, and renewable energy incentives. According to projections, the legislation will leave 11.8 million more Americans uninsured and drive $3.3 trillion in new debt over the next decade.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called the move the beginning of a “Golden Age,” while advocacy groups warned of mass disenfranchisement, rising hunger, and shuttered clinics. Despite razor-thin margins, Trump secured the 218 votes needed after closed-door appeals to GOP defectors.
Watch a report: “Trump’s Big Tax Bill Clears Final Hurdle”
In a record-setting speech, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries denounced the bill for over eight hours, calling it a “betrayal of working people.” Meanwhile, some Republican holdouts revealed they backed the bill only after Trump privately promised post-passage “improvements” via executive order.
Power Plays Abroad and a Patriotic Distraction
Amid domestic turbulence, Trump dialed in to a “frank and constructive” call with Vladimir Putin, discussing Ukraine, Iran, and strategic space collaboration. Though weapons shipments to Kyiv remain paused, Zelenskyy is reportedly lobbying for a direct re-engagement.
Simultaneously, the White House launched a nationwide “250th Anniversary Kickoff” at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. The event showcased Americana exhibits, music, and fireworks—an attempt to refocus national attention ahead of Independence Day. While Trump framed it as a unity tour, polls suggest he remains deeply divisive, with only 40% of Americans approving of his performance according to recent AP analysis.
Critics say the 250th push is a glittering distraction from the realities of the new fiscal regime. With healthcare cutbacks looming and food aid shrinking, the true impact of the bill may not be felt in the parades, but in the pantries
