Former U.S. President, Joe Biden, harshly criticized this Thursday the approval of the so-called "big and beautiful bill," a key piece of the current president's fiscal agenda, Donald Trump, which was endorsed by the House of Representatives after a closely contested vote.
From his account on X, Biden described the legislation as "reckless and cruel," asserting that it will directly impact millions of citizens.
"Medicaid cuts leave millions without medical care. It closes rural hospitals, reduces food assistance for veterans and seniors. It increases energy bills. And it could lead to deep cuts to Medicare while raising the deficit by $4 trillion. All of this to provide a massive tax cut for billionaires," he denounced.
The project, a rehash of the fiscal policies promoted during Trump's first term (2017–2021), extends tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations, eliminates incentives for clean energy, while increasing spending on defense and border security.
It was approved this Thursday in the House of Representatives by 218 votes in favor and 214 against, after narrowly overcoming the debate in the Senate as well.
Despite internal divisions within the Republican Party, the strong pressure exerted by Trump—including direct calls to undecided lawmakers—proved crucial for the law to progress just before July 4th, as part of his narrative of "economic revival" in this new phase of governance.
Criticism not only came from the former Democratic president. Elon Musk also launched an attack on the plan, which he described as “destructive”, warning that it will destroy jobs, increase energy costs, and “cause immense strategic damage to the country.”
In an analysis shared on X, Professor Jesse Jenkins, an energy expert from Princeton, warned that the legislation eliminates hundreds of billions in green investments, increases pollution, and weakens competitiveness against China.
These measures contradict prior statements from Trump himself. In February, the president promised that he would not touch programs like Medicare, Medicaid, or Social Security, stating that his only intention was to combat fraud within those systems.
"We're not doing anything… just looking for those who shouldn't receive benefits," he stated.
However, the approved plan now includes direct and structural cuts to these programs.
Biden, who had described the plan as a "repugnant abomination" and "a colossal mistake" when it was approved by the House on May 22, has renewed his criticisms following the final vote, warning that the most affected will be workers, retirees, and vulnerable communities.
The disagreements between Trump and Biden are quite old. The Democrat, who is currently undergoing treatment following his cancer diagnosis, has been labeled by the Republican as the worst president in U.S. history due to his immigration policy.
Frequently Asked Questions about Trump's "Great and Beautiful Bill"
What is Trump's "Great and Beautiful Tax Plan"?
The "Great and Beautiful Bill" is a key piece of President Donald Trump's fiscal and budgetary agenda. This proposal aims to extend the tax cuts from his first administration, reduce social programs like Medicaid, increase spending on defense and border security, and eliminate incentives for clean energy. The approval of this bill has created a deep division in Congress and has been subject to criticism from both political figures and experts in energy and economics.
What are the main criticisms of Trump's bill?
The main criticisms of the bill include that it is "reckless and cruel." Figures like Joe Biden and Elon Musk have expressed concerns about cuts to Medicaid, the closure of rural hospitals, reductions in food assistance for veterans and seniors, and the rise in energy bills. Furthermore, there are fears that the law will increase the national deficit by several trillion dollars, all while providing significant tax breaks to billionaires.
How will the bill affect social programs in the United States?
The bill outlines significant cuts to social programs such as Medicaid and food stamps. These cuts could leave millions of people without medical coverage and reduce food assistance to vulnerable groups such as children and retirees. Despite Trump's initial promises not to impact these programs, the final bill includes measures that directly reduce their scope and funding.
What impact will the bill have on the national debt of the United States?
The bill could increase the national debt by several trillion dollars. According to estimates from the Congressional Budget Office and other agencies, the deficit could rise significantly over the next decade, which has been one of the main criticisms from its opponents, including figures within the Republican Party who are concerned about the long-term economic consequences.
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