Firewalls & Fallout: Healthcare Cuts, Space Shields, and Foreign Aid Rollbacks
What has President Trump said this week?
〰️
What has President Trump said this week? 〰️
1. The “big, beautiful bill”
In a closed-door meeting with House Republicans, President Trump urged support for his sweeping tax and spending plan, which he refers to as the “big, beautiful bill.” Spanning over 1,100 pages, the proposal includes $3.8 trillion in tax cuts, makes the 2017 tax reductions permanent, and enacts major reforms to federal aid programs and healthcare, including Medicaid, which provides coverage for low-income Americans, children, seniors, and people with disabilities (Medicaid).
Trump warned lawmakers not to “f--- around with Medicaid,” threatening political consequences for those who oppose the bill. The bill would slash roughly $698 billion from the program over the next decade by capping federal contributions, tightening eligibility, adding work requirements for some adults, and barring states from using their own funds to cover undocumented children (USA Today, 2025). While Trump claims “nothing meaningful” would be cut, experts estimate up to 7.6 million Americans could lose coverage (Time, 2025).
The administration argues the changes are essential for fiscal responsibility, but critics say the bill could jeopardize healthcare access for millions (WSJ, 2025). Medicaid reforms have sparked internal GOP divisions, with fiscal conservatives advocating for deeper cuts and moderates expressing concern over the impact on vulnerable populations, especially undocumented migrants (Time, 2025).
According to the Congressional Budget Office, the “beautiful bill” would raise the federal deficit by $3.8 trillion between 2026 and 2034. While high-income earners—especially those making over $217,000—would gain the most, lower-income Americans could face net losses due to reduced support (USA Today, 2025). Despite President Trump’s push, the bill’s passage is uncertain amid unified Democratic opposition and demands from conservative House Republicans for steeper spending cuts (NPR, 2025).
2. USAID and Immigration
During President Trump’s administration, the Department of Homeland Security has suspended multiple programs that previously allowed migrants to remain temporarily in the United States. This month, the administration took a more aggressive turn by proposing to redirect up to $250 million in foreign aid toward a new initiative: funding the voluntary return of migrants to their home countries.
This move comes alongside the termination of approximately 80% of USAID programs, many of which supported development and humanitarian efforts in countries like Ukraine and Haiti, regions that are among the largest sources of migration due to ongoing conflict and instability (The Washington Post, 2025).
The proposal has sparked widespread concern about the United States' retreat from its role as a global humanitarian leader. Critics argue that the initiative, although labeled “voluntary,” effectively pressures vulnerable individuals to return to unsafe and unstable environments. Human rights organizations warn that slashing aid could worsen the very crises that drive migration in the first place.
As part of the plan, migrants are being offered $1,000 and what the President describes as a “beautiful flight back”, a gesture that some have dubbed a "self-deportation" incentive (CBS, 2025).
3. The Golden Dome
On May 20th, President Trump unveiled plans for the "Golden Dome," a missile defense system intended to shield the United States from threats such as hypersonic and nuclear missiles, particularly from Russia and China. Modeled after Israel’s Iron Dome, the initiative is projected to cost $175 billion over three years, with an initial $25 billion allocated in the upcoming federal budget (Fox News, 2025). The system would use space-based sensors and interceptors to detect and neutralize incoming threats, with Trump promising it will be “fully operational before the end of my term” (Fox News, 2025).
While the administration frames the Golden Dome as a critical step forward in national security, experts have raised concerns about its feasibility and cost-effectiveness. The Congressional Budget Office estimates the project’s long-term cost could exceed $500 billion over the next two decades (TFT, 2025). Additional concerns include the potential for sparking a new arms race in space and the role of private contractors. Although speculation has circulated around companies like SpaceX, CEO Elon Musk has publicly denied any involvement (Fortune, 2025). Meanwhile, Canada is reportedly in discussions to join the initiative (BBC, 2025).