Former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel is urging Democrats to make former President Trump’s newly signed legislation — dubbed the “big, beautiful bill” — a central focus in the 2026 midterm elections, warning that failing to do so would be political malpractice.
“If it doesn’t become the centerpiece of our messaging, we’re fools,” Emanuel said during a recent interview on CNN’s Political Briefing podcast with David Chalian.
Emanuel, who also served as White House Chief of Staff under President Obama, didn’t mince words. “I’ve said this before — this bill boils down to tax cuts for the wealthy and health care cuts for the many,” he argued. “People understand that. It’s already unpopular.”
The sweeping GOP-backed package, which was signed into law by Trump on July 4, includes massive changes to the U.S. tax code, slashes to Medicaid and food assistance, and repeals of several green energy tax incentives. Despite fierce opposition, Republicans pushed it through Congress just in time for the holiday, with Trump calling it “a triumph of democracy on the birthday of democracy.”
But Democrats have labeled it the “big, ugly bill” — and more pointedly, “the big, beautiful betrayal.” Party leaders, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), have made clear they intend to hammer Republicans over the bill’s impact on working families, especially its cuts to social safety net programs.
Emanuel criticized the bill’s apparent favoritism toward billionaires, referencing Amazon founder Jeff Bezos’ lavish wedding, which took place as lawmakers wrangled over final details. “There’s nothing about gutting health care for working people while billionaires throw parties that makes this bill more appealing,” he said.
The legislation overcame serious hurdles in both chambers, with Senate Republicans tweaking the language to comply with the Byrd Rule and Trump personally lobbying House GOP holdouts. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) ultimately delivered on their promise to have the bill signed by Independence Day, though not without internal party divisions.
Democrats plan to make that struggle — and the bill’s contents — the heart of their 2026 strategy.
“This bill is a political gift,” one senior Democratic strategist told The Hill. “It’s a roadmap to winning back the suburbs — if we don’t squander it.”
Emanuel’s remarks come amid growing chatter about his political future. The former ambassador to Japan has hinted he’s weighing a possible presidential bid in 2028. “I have something I think I can offer,” he told CNN last month. “But I haven’t made that decision.”
For now, he’s focused on the near-term: defeating what he calls “an extreme Republican agenda” by making sure voters know what’s in the bill.
“If we stay silent or let them define it, we’ve failed,” he said. “This bill should be their burden, not ours.”
