We asked the president’s supporters what they thought of his ‘big, beautiful bill’ – the answers revealed a wide split
Donald Trump has dubbed his sweeping tax and spending proposal the “big, beautiful bill,” signaling his confidence as Republicans push to pass it through Congress by the narrowest of margins. But as the bill nears a House vote, public reaction among Trump’s base and beyond reveals a deeply divided response.
The legislation aims to make permanent the Trump-era tax cuts, add new exemptions for tips, overtime pay, and car loan interest, and funnel billions toward mass deportation efforts. To offset some of the cost, Republicans propose historic cuts to Medicaid and the food assistance program SNAP. It also phases out clean energy tax incentives introduced under President Joe Biden.
While the Congressional Budget Office projects the bill will add $3.3 trillion to the national deficit over the next decade, Trump and Republican leaders argue it will rein in government bloat and refocus spending on Americans first.
Supporters Call It Bold and Necessary
Some Trump supporters see the bill as long overdue.
Kyle Hansen, 41, an IT professional from Wisconsin, praised the bill as “absolutely beautiful, critical, important, and responsible fiscal change” for a government that has grown “bloated” and “fiscally irresponsible.”
“Finally there is a politician willing to be ridiculed for doing what is needed,” he said. “It may not feel nice, fuzzy, or warm, but it’s the responsible thing to do.”
In New York, Dee, a 60-year-old grandmother, described the bill as a lifeline for the middle and working class. “This bill is a no-brainer! Americans first!” she said, blaming the Biden administration for the country’s mounting debt.
William King, a Republican from Montana, supported the bill especially for its aggressive funding of deportations. “It’s great,” he said.
Others Say It Betrays Working-Class Americans
But not all Trump voters are sold. Some view the legislation as a betrayal.
Teddy Johnson, 40, of Phoenix, criticized cuts to Medicaid and assistance for “hard workers,” saying the wealthy should be taxed more. “It’s very bad,” he said.
A 39-year-old Pennsylvania voter who asked to remain anonymous called the bill “a scam.”
“We cut all the programs for poverty-stricken kids and raise the national debt anyway. Where is all the money going?” they asked. Their solution: “Remove cuts to SNAP and Medicaid, cut the defense budget, and stop the handouts to the rich.”
Disillusioned Republicans and Third-Party Voters Speak Out
Some traditional Republican voters who didn’t support Trump’s re-election also blasted the bill.
A Libertarian voter in Oklahoma called it “a nightmare for now and future generations,” arguing it should instead raise taxes on corporations and the wealthy, lower taxes for working families, and avoid adding to the debt.
Steven K from Texas said: “I think the bill is a slap in the face to all of us that have been paying into these systems all our lives.”
“Trump’s lies about lowering the deficit and ‘making America great again’ were just a smokescreen to win votes so he wouldn’t go to prison,” he added.
M, a 65-year-old Republican from Detroit who voted for Kamala Harris, called the legislation “a fiscally irresponsible, mean mess” that “undermines health and safety, reduces states’ rights, and helps the ultra-rich dodge paying their fair share.”
‘The Big Bankruptcy Bill’
James Walker, 63, from North Carolina, took it a step further, dubbing the measure “the big bankruptcy bill.”
He warned that the U.S. economy—“the world’s biggest Ponzi scheme”—was nearing collapse, and no politician seemed willing to make real sacrifices to pay down the debt.
To make the bill better, Walker suggested cutting wasteful defense spending, investing in housing for military families, and improving services at the Department of Veterans Affairs.
“How many times over do we need to destroy the world?” he asked.
While Trump remains bullish on the bill’s chances, the range of opinions—even among his supporters—highlights the growing tension between bold political branding and the real-life consequences of policy decisions.
