• Trump secures major legislative victory with a $3.4 trillion spending bill.
• Bill includes significant tax cuts and deep cuts to health programs.
• Only two House Republicans voted against the bill, amidst concerns over national debt.
• Trump plans to sign the bill into law at a July 4th celebration.
• Democrats predict public backlash could impact the 2026 elections.

U.S. President Donald Trump achieved a significant political win when Congress passed his sprawling tax-cut and spending bill, which is expected to add $3.4 trillion to the country’s already significant debt. With a narrow vote of 218-214 in the House of Representatives, the bill has been described by Trump as "the biggest tax cut and spending cut" in American history, focusing on boosting military spending and funding his immigration agenda. The bill is also projected to cut health and food assistance programs for millions of Americans, possibly stripping health insurance from an estimated 17 million people, according to Le Monde and Reuters.

Trump characterized the legislation as a critical step in “rolling back the damage” purportedly done under the Biden administration, aligning it with his campaign promises. The bill not only extends tax breaks initiated in 2017 but also introduces substantial cuts to federal welfare programs, a move that has sparked criticism from both Democratic leaders and some Republicans worried about future electoral consequences. House Speaker Mike Johnson, who played a critical role in rallying support for the bill, highlighted its intent to address perceived failures of the previous administration, according to The Jakarta Post and Reuters.

Despite the tight margins, Trump and his aides worked diligently to persuade reluctant lawmakers to support the bill, employing various strategies from personal outreach to public posts urging the party to rally behind it. The passage came after a prolonged floor debate where House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries delivered an extensive speech denouncing the bill as disproportionately benefiting the wealthy and exacerbating inequities, a sentiment echoed by Democrats wary of its potential impact on low-income communities. This issue raises questions about the political ramifications as Democrats aim to utilize the dissatisfaction generated by such legislation in the 2026 midterm elections, as expressed by South China Morning Post and Le Monde.

Trump is set to sign the bill into law during a ceremony on July 4, coinciding with Independence Day celebrations, complete with military flyovers that underscore the bill's emphasis on defense spending. The administration is betting that the economic stimulation promised by the cuts will outweigh concerns about growing federal debt. However, initial polling suggests public support for the legislation is low, with most Americans expressing apprehension over its long-term implications for the economy and social safety nets, according to Reuters and Reuters.