'Big, brutal setback': How GOP infighting sent Donald Trump's 'big, beautiful bill' off the rails
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What happened to Trump's 'big, beautiful bill'?
Today, Donald Trump was on his way back from his big trip to the Middle East. And after several days where he was definitely showered with lavish gifts and a whole lot of praise from foreign leaders, he's coming back to quite a mess here at home. I mean, he got a big smackdown from the Supreme Court today. Former US Attorney for the Southern District, Preet Bharara, is going to join me here in a minute to talk all about that. Trump's big, beautiful bill, as he called it, also had a major setback today in Congress. The ranking Democrat on the House Budget Committee, who was in the room for all that drama, will also join me here a little bit later. But before all that happened, before he had kind of a downer, a pretty big downer, I should say, of a Friday, Donald Trump started the day in his comfort zone, watching Fox News on his plane. At least, that's what we think happened, because
What were Trump's comments about Taylor Swift?
Early this morning, the president's social media feed started lighting up with live and almost constant commentary about some of the pressing issues Fox News was covering this morning. I mean, early this morning, Fox ran this segment about human remains found near Taylor Swift's New England estate. Around that same time, Trump posted to his social media feed this. Has anyone noticed that since I said I hate Taylor Swift, she's no longer hot, question mark, which is a key pivotal part of this. Why is there a question mark? Now, Taylor is obviously still hot by basically any metric. I think anyone would agree to that. And more importantly, that's an insane thing for the President of the United States to ask the American public.
See the key question mark there? Also, what is he even trying to say there? I mean, it's a Friday. So, I mean, if you read it literally, does he think his words somehow put a curse on Taylor Swift that changed her level of hotness? Maybe he does. Who knows? But apparently that wasn't even the only Fox News segment Trump was watching this morning, because later in the morning, there was one about Bruce Springsteen criticizing Trump during his UK tour, which appeared to prompt yet another missive from America's pageant judge in chief, who posted a long, unhinged screen, you can see it on the screen there, about Springsteen. Trump called him a dried-out prune of a rocker and said, his skin is all atrophied. Now, I'm not sure, just as a side note, that word means what he thinks it means, but there it is. And not for nothing. But have you seen the guy over my shoulder lately? I mean, honestly.
Trump did manage to focus on work just long enough to send another post imploring Republicans in Congress to unite behind his one big, beautiful bill, which is shorter, I believe, in words than the one about Bruce Springsteen, but that aside. Now, here's the thing, though.
Why did Trump's bill fail in committee?
If he was still watching Fox News a couple of hours later, and we don't know because he didn't tweet about it then, he would have seen this. So we have some breaking news. The Budget Committee on the Hill in the House failed to report the big, beautiful bill out favorably. The vote was 16 to 21. Chef's kiss, by the way, on Kayleigh being the one to deliver that piece of news. But she's right, because Trump's big, beautiful bill failed a key committee vote after four Republicans voted against it, with a fifth Republican switching his vote to no at the last minute as this procedural maneuver so that Republicans can bring it up again. So it turns out it takes, though, more than just an errant tweet during celebrity gossip hour to keep your caucus in line. That's one thing maybe Trump learned today. I mean, remember, he can only afford to lose three Republican votes in the entire House if he wants to pass this bill. Just three. And today he lost four votes in just one committee.
And there are even more House Republicans saying they cannot get behind this bill as it stands. Now, a number of the things Trump wants to do in that big, beautiful bill are super unpopular. That's probably one of the big factors here. Most Americans don't want to extend tax cuts for rich people.
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Chapters
7 chapters
1
What happened to Trump's 'big, beautiful bill'?
0:01–0:49
2
What were Trump's comments about Taylor Swift?
0:49–2:37
3
Why did Trump's bill fail in committee?
2:37–4:39
4
What do Republicans think about Medicaid cuts?
4:39–11:42
5
How does the Supreme Court ruling affect Trump's agenda?
11:42–14:53
6
What are the implications of due process in deportations?
14:53–25:22
7
What latest news surrounds James Comey?
25:22–32:39
Speakers
1 identifiedMore from The Briefing with Jen Psaki
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Psaki: Trump can't hide by attacking the free press
Alarming new disclosures highlight dangers of A.I. as Trump turns his back on regulation