Democrats Target Trump’s Tax Bill for 2026 Comeback/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Democrats hope Trump’s sweeping tax and spending bill fuels their political resurgence, highlighting its cuts to social safety nets. Despite public opposition, challenges remain for Democrats to turn outrage into votes. Organizing efforts are underway to keep the bill in voters’ minds ahead of 2026.
Quick Look: Trump’s Tax Bill
- Trump’s $4.5 trillion bill passed Congress, cutting taxes but slashing safety net programs.
- Democrats plan nationwide campaigns spotlighting health and food assistance cuts.
- Polls show voters dislike the bill’s impact, but awareness remains low.
Democrats Pin Hopes on Trump’s Big Bill for Political Comeback—but Face Steep Challenges
Deep Look
WINDSOR HEIGHTS, Iowa (AP) — President Donald Trump is celebrating his “big beautiful” tax and spending bill as a historic win. But for Democrats, the sweeping legislation passed by Republicans on Thursday may hold the key to their own political revival.
Even before the final House votes were cast, Democratic strategists were already laying plans for rallies, attack ads, bus tours, and voter registration drives—all aimed at hammering the most controversial parts of Trump’s legislative achievement: deep cuts to the social safety net that, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, will leave nearly 12 million more Americans without health insurance and millions more without food assistance.
Across battleground states like Iowa, Alaska, Pennsylvania, and California, Democrats are gearing up to make Trump’s bill the defining issue of the upcoming midterms and beyond.
“One thing is abundantly clear: Republicans own this mess, and it’s an albatross around their necks heading into the midterms,” said Ken Martin, Democratic National Committee Chair, in an interview with the Associated Press. “This is the least popular legislation in modern history, and the more voters learn about it, the more they hate it. We’re going to make sure every single voter knows who is responsible.”
Yet despite initial polling advantages, there’s no guarantee the bill will become the political weapon Democrats hope for. The party faces its own problems: a muddled message, declining enthusiasm among some base voters, and no clear national leader. And while some of the bill’s changes kick in immediately, other significant provisions won’t be felt until after the 2026 midterms—leaving Democrats with a limited window to turn public outrage into votes.
“Everyone needs to step up and realize the enormous challenge that’s in front of us,” warned Danielle Butterfield, executive director of Priorities USA, a key Democratic super PAC. “We’re nowhere near a good starting place.”
Inside Trump’s Signature Bill
At the heart of Trump’s legislation lies about $4.5 trillion in tax cuts, extending and expanding breaks first passed during his initial term. Among new provisions: deductions for tips, overtime, and auto loans, as well as a $6,000 tax break for older adults earning under $75,000.
But the bill comes with steep trade-offs. It slashes $1.2 trillion from Medicaid and food assistance programs and rolls back major green energy investments. The Congressional Budget Office projects the package will add $3.3 trillion to the federal deficit over the next decade.
Though some Republicans expressed concerns about the bill’s scale and cost, Trump ultimately succeeded in persuading conservative holdouts to fall in line.
Democrats Struggle to Rally Grassroots Support
While some Democratic leaders predict fierce backlash, the immediate response on the ground has been tepid.
At a Democratic rally in Windsor Heights, Iowa—just miles from Trump’s raucous event at the State Fairgrounds—only about 100 people showed up to hear local officials criticize Republican Rep. Zach Nunn for supporting the bill.
“I didn’t see any advertisement,” said Michael Rieck, 69, who attended the rally after receiving a message from Iowa Democrats. “They slowly corrected that. I’m still not impressed with what they did to advertise this event.”
Meanwhile, progressive groups like Fair Share America are crisscrossing Minnesota on a “stop the billionaire giveaway” bus tour, trying to educate voters about what’s in the bill.
Kristen Crowell, the group’s executive director, said even some Trump supporters have been receptive. Still, she acknowledged, “We know we’re fighting upstream. But when people hear exactly what’s in this bill, they’re adamantly opposed.”
Public Opinion: Mixed and Muddled
Polling suggests Trump’s bill is broadly unpopular, but Americans are divided on specific provisions.
A Washington Post/Ipsos poll found majorities support expanding the child tax credit and eliminating taxes on tipped wages, but strongly oppose cutting federal food assistance and spending $45 billion on new migrant detention centers.
Debt concerns loom large. Roughly 60% of adults say it’s unacceptable that the bill will add an estimated $3 trillion to the national debt, which currently stands at $36 trillion.
But translating these opinions into political consequences could prove difficult: only about one-third of Americans say they’ve heard much about the legislation.
Democrats Plan a Summer Blitz
Despite the challenges, Democrats are planning an aggressive push. The Democratic National Committee and its allies are launching an “organizing summer” campaign focused on town halls, training sessions, and voter registration in at least 35 battleground districts. Digital attack ads targeting vulnerable Republicans are already in the pipeline.
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly, who chairs the Democratic Governors Association, said her party must keep the bill’s consequences front and center if it wants to influence voters heading into 2026—and even the next presidential race in 2028.
“We’ll just have to keep that on the radar,” she said.
Meanwhile, progressive groups are planning a nationwide “Family First” day of action on July 26, including a 60-hour vigil at the U.S. Capitol to spotlight how the bill’s Medicaid cuts could harm vulnerable Americans.
Ai-jen Poo, president of the National Domestic Workers Alliance, said many people didn’t realize until now that their health care was on the line.
“We have made a promise to each other and to future generations that there will be a safety net in place when we need it. And this is what’s being ripped away. And people will not stand for it.”
Whether Democrats can transform outrage into a political comeback remains one of the biggest questions heading into the midterm season. For now, both sides are bracing for an epic fight over Trump’s “big beautiful bill.”
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