Whether the American public comes to see the “Big Beautiful Bill” as “beautiful” remains to be seen. A June 26 Quinnipiac poll found 29% of voters support the bill, 55% opposed it, and 16% did not have an opinion. What’s clear is that Democrats will hold the bill against Trump during the 2026 midterm election campaign season.

The White House was hung with red, white and blue bunting for the regular Fourth of July festivities. The United States Marine Band played patriotic marches — and, in a typical Trumpian touch, tunes by 1980s pop icons Chaka Khan and Huey Lewis. The two separate flyovers bookended Trump’s appearance and the band playing the national anthem.

The House on Thursday passed the signature piece of legislation of President Trump's second term, approving his "big, beautiful bill" by a vote of 218 to 214.