The Guardian view on Trump’s 'big, beautiful bill': reject the con of a class-war manifesto | Editorial

The Republican budget proposal is a gift to plutocrats. Democrats should clearly make the case for deficits to work for the people

Donald Trump's One Big Beautiful" budget squeaked through the US House of Representatives last Thursday - a shiny populist package hiding a brutal class agenda. No taxes on tips! Bigger child tax credits! But look closer and the bill is a sleight of hand. The middle-class perks expire in 2028 - just as Mr Trump's second term would end - while permanent tax cuts for the rich, and delayed cuts to means-tested welfare, entrench inequality. It's not a budget. It's a bait-and-switch. Itturns Democrats' fiscal caution into a liability - one that punishes their own base. Republicans understand what Democrats still don't: deficits aren't the danger. It's what you do with them that matters.

This bill supercharges inequality: a $1.1tn giveaway to Americans earning more than $500,000 a year - funded by pushing poorer families off Medicaid and food assistance. It slashes green energy subsidies. Experts say it could add $3.1tn to the debt - but it's more than millionaire tax breaks. It raises Immigrationand Customs Enforcement fundingby 365% for detention, 500% for deportations -fuel for MrTrump's crackdown.