I'm Calling Big, Beautiful Bull

Earlier this week, former President Donald Trump lauded the House-passed "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" as a “big, beautiful bill," claiming it would “bring back American greatness,” “protect our families,” and “end the chaos.” But if you read past the headlines and into the fine print, you’ll see what I see: big, beautiful bull.

The bill, passed by a narrow 215–214–1 vote in the House, is being touted by GOP leadership as a triumph of fiscal responsibility. However, a closer examination reveals that it is an assault on poor and working-class Americans. While it promises to ease burdens and expand opportunities, it really dismantles vital social safety nets under the guise of “reform.”

Gutting SNAP While Claiming to Feed Families

Let's start with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which assists over 40 million Americans, nearly half of whom are children. The bill imposes stricter work requirements and shifts 75% of administrative costs to the states. If a state's error rate exceeds 6%, it faces increased costs, ranging from 15% to 25% of benefit costs. These changes could lead to significant reductions in participation by eligible individuals, particularly in states like Wisconsin, where thousands could lose benefits under the new provisions.

Medicaid: A Death by a Thousand Cuts

A protester outside the U.S. Capitol Building before the bill was passed by the House. Getty Images

The bill also targets Medicaid, which provides healthcare to nearly 80 million Americans, including low-income families, seniors in nursing homes, and people with disabilities. It introduces work requirements for the first time, mandates higher fees for recipients above the federal poverty line, and increases the frequency of eligibility checks. These changes are estimated to result in $880 billion in cuts over ten years, potentially stripping coverage from millions and reversing progress made under the Affordable Care Act.

In Pennsylvania, for instance, nearly three million people rely on Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for healthcare. The proposed cuts could disproportionately affect children, adults with disabilities, and seniors in nursing homes.

Austerity for the Poor, Windfalls for the Wealthy

While the bill slashes essential programs, it extends the 2017 tax cuts, which are set to expire at the end of 2025. These extensions are projected to cost $4.5 trillion over the next decade, with the majority of benefits accruing to households earning more than $450,000 per year. The bill also raises the state and local tax (SALT) deduction cap from $10,000 to $40,000 for taxpayers below $500,000, a change that overwhelmingly benefits the wealthiest households.

Moreover, the bill introduces a new tax deduction for tips and overtime, creates a "money accounts for growth and investment" (MAGA) savings account for parents, and imposes a 5% tax on remittances. These provisions are expected to add $3.8 trillion to the federal debt over the next ten years.

The Rhetoric Doesn’t Match the Reality

Trump has always been adept at branding, turning phrases into political slogans. "Build the wall." "Lock her up." And now, "big beautiful bill." But the reality doesn't match the rhetoric. The bill's name may be appealing, but its impact is detrimental.

If Trump and his allies truly cared about American families, they would invest in education, healthcare, food security, and housing, not dismantle the programs that make these essentials accessible. Instead, they are betting that most people won't look beyond the slogans.

Well, I did. And I'm calling it what it is.

Big. Beautiful. Bull.

Photo Credit:

[Header]: ABC News

[Embedded 1]: Leigh Vogel/Getty Images

Sources:

[1]- https://waysandmeans.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/The-One-Big-Beautiful-Bill-Section-by-Section.pdf