- Trump urges unity on major tax overhaul
- Tensions over Medicaid and state tax breaks
- Bill faces uphill battle amid fiscal concerns
Former President Donald Trump made a high-profile visit to Capitol Hill on Tuesday, urging House Republicans to set aside internal disputes and rally behind his signature tax cut package—one of the largest proposed overhauls in decades.
Behind closed doors, Trump addressed GOP lawmakers for over an hour, positioning himself as both cheerleader and enforcer. He praised House Speaker Mike Johnson’s leadership but also chastised holdout conservatives, warning that infighting could derail the multitrillion-dollar bill ahead of a critical vote.
“We have unbelievable unity,” Trump told reporters after the meeting, projecting confidence while acknowledging the narrow path to passage. “I think we’re going to get everything we want.”
The bill includes major tax reductions for individuals and corporations, alongside deep cuts to federal programs including Medicaid, food assistance, and green energy subsidies. It also earmarks roughly $350 billion for Trump’s proposed expansions to border security and defense spending.
But divisions within the GOP remain. Members of the conservative Freedom Caucus are pushing for even deeper spending cuts, while a bloc of New York Republicans is demanding relief for residents in high-tax states via a more generous state and local tax (SALT) deduction.
One lawmaker described Trump’s tone as “weaving”—a mix of charm and pressure. A White House official said Trump made clear he’s growing impatient with intraparty squabbles, though the former president downplayed that sentiment, calling the meeting “a lovefest.”
Still, the legislative path is tight. With Democrats firmly opposed and the House GOP majority razor-thin, Johnson may need to make further concessions to unify his caucus before the Memorial Day deadline.
The package is seen as a political centerpiece of Trump’s 2024 campaign platform and a key test of Republican cohesion ahead of the elections. But with the U.S. debt nearing $36 trillion, even some within the GOP worry about the long-term fiscal impact.
The coming days will reveal whether Trump’s personal appeal and political muscle are enough to push the sweeping bill over the finish line.
