Trump blasts Sen. Rand Paul over opposition to 'big beautiful bill'
By
President Donald Trump is blasting Republican Sen. Rand Paul over his opposition to the president's government spending package. Trump is piling on MAGA attacks on his fellow Republican this week as he strives to get his signature 'big beautiful bill' through the Senate after it passed the House.
'Rand Paul has very little understanding of the BBB, especially the tremendous GROWTH that is coming. He loves voting 'NO' on everything, he thinks it's good politics, but it's not. The BBB is a big WINNER!!!' Trump wrote on Truth Social. 'Rand votes NO on everything, but never has any practical or constructive ideas. His ideas are actually crazy (losers!). The people of Kentucky can't stand him. This is a BIG GROWTH BILL!' Trump added in a following post.
Shortly after Trump's attack on Tuesday, Paul took to the airwaves to defend his position, and explain what can be done to the GOP spending package to earn his support. New additions to the national debt were a non-starter for Paul, who notes that he does want to see the 2017 tax cuts made permanent. Paul also described the current $5 trillion in new debt as 'Biden spending levels.'
'This will be the largest increase in the debt ceiling ever in our history. We've never raised the debt ceiling without meeting the target. You can say it doesn't directly add to the debt but if you reach the ceiling you'll meet that. We won't discuss it for a year or two. I think it is a terrible idea to do this' Paul told Fox News. On CBS' Face the Nation over the weekend, Paul told host Margaret Brennan that the math in Trump's 'big beautiful bill' 'doesn't really add up.'
'Well, the math doesn't really add up. One of the things this big and beautiful bill is, is it's a vehicle for increasing spending for the military and for the border. It's about $320 billion in new spending,' Paul said. During a Monday afternoon appearance on Fox News ' America Reports, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt called out Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.) for opposing the GOP spending package, which is soon headed to the Senate after it passed the House before Memorial Day.
'Well, anyone who votes against the one big, beautiful bill including Senator Rand Paul, will be voting for a tax hike of more than $4 trillion on the American people and their voters will know about it,' Leavitt warned. 'That is unacceptable to Republican voters and all voters across the country who elected this president in a Republican majority to get things done on Capitol Hill,' Leavitt continued.
Paul was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 2010, long before Trump's foray into politics, and was reelected to a third term in 2022 during Joe Biden 's presidency. Paul is not up for election again until 2028. Kentucky's other Senate seat is up as an open seat in the 2026 midterms election.
The commonwealth's senior senator and former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is not running for another term. Paul has been sharing his perspective against the GOP spending package this week, angering the MAGA camp. Paul compared the spending package with the funds anticipated to be saved by spending cuts pushed for by the Depart of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
'That's more than all the DOGE cuts that we found so far. So, the increase in spending put into this bill exceeds the DOGE cuts. When you look just at the border wall, they have $46.5 billion for the border wall,' Paul said on Face the Nation. He went one: 'Well, the current estimate from the CBP is $6.5 million per mile. So, if you did 1,000 miles, that's $6.5 billion, but they have $46 billion. So they've inflated the cost of the wall eight fold,' Paul continued. 'So, there's a lot of new spending that has to be counteracted. But essentially, this is a bill by the military industrial complex advocates who are padding the military budget. There's going to be a lot of extra money.'
'Look, the President has essentially stopped the border flow without- without new money and without any new legislation. So, I think they're asking for too much money. And in the end, the way you add it up to see if it actually is going to save money or add money, is how much debt are they going to borrow? 5 trillion over two years, an enormous amount' Paul concluded. A May 20th analysis from the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that the federal deficit would increase by $3.8 trillion due to tax changes. Speaking with Fox News Sunday host Shannon Bream on May 25th, Paul shared further reservations about the increase to the national debt, while also touting his past support for lowering taxes.
'You know, the bigger a bill, the more it includes, the more difficult it is to get everybody to agree to things. I supported the tax cuts in 2017. I support making them permanent. So, I support that part of the bill,' Paul noted. 'I support spending cuts. I think the cuts currently in the bill are wimpy and anemic, but I still would support the bill even with wimpy and anemic cuts if they weren't going to explode the debt,' Paul argued. Later in the conversation, Paul also warned that 'the deficit is a threat to our country. I think it's the greatest threat to our national security', adding that the United States brings in 'about $5 trillion in revenue', while spending $7 trillion.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Dr Martens returns to growth as bootmaker pledges to stamp out costs
Dr Martens shares soared more than 20 per cent on Thursday after the iconic bootmaker revealed it expects to return to profit this year. The retailer, which has struggled for momentum over the last two years, outlined plans to cut costs and scale back discounting in its key markets, including the US and Europe. Dr Martens revealed an annual profit slump as sales came under pressure and it cautioned over ongoing falling revenues in Britain. The footwear group reported pre-tax profits of £8.8million for the year to 30 March, down from £93million the previous year, after seeing sales fall 10 per cent. On an underlying basis, the group's pre-tax profits fell sharply to £34.1million from £97.2million. The company said sales to consumers in the US returned to growth in the second half of the year and had continued to increase, but revealed revenues had remained lower since the year-end 'due to a challenging market'. It added that unfavourable foreign exchange rates would see it take a hit to group sales and profits of around £18million and £3million respectively this year. However, Dr Martens said it expects its underlying profit to rise 'significantly' over the financial year ahead, with analysts expecting a jump to between £54million and £74million. Dr Martens shares rose 21.77 per cent or 13.05p to 73.00p on Thursday, having fallen over 13 per cent in the last year. On curbing discounts, the group said: 'As we look forward into FY26, we will reduce discounting in Americas and EMEA, across both our own ecommerce channel and through wholesale, with the aim of driving full price sales.' The group flagged uncertainty over the impact of higher tariffs, but said it was holding off from price rises for the the remainder of 2025. Its stock is already in the US market for the spring and summer season and either there or on its way for the autumn and winter months. Dr Martens said: 'We do however recognise that there is continued macroeconomic uncertainty and the full outcome of tariffs is still unknown, and we will monitor this closely through the year and take action as appropriate.' The Northamptonshire-based company outlined new plans for growth alongside its results, with aims to attract new shoppers and hold off from discounts in EMEA and the Americas. Annual figures showed sales sales fell 11.4 per cent over the year, although retail lifted 1 per cent in the final six months of the period. In the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region, sales fell 11 per cent, with direct-to-consumer difficulty amid a highly promotional market, particularly in Britain, the group said. The company, whose yellow-stitched boots have been a retro mainstay for decades, has been in the doldrums in recent years, with declining revenues exacerbated by the cost-of-living crisis. It listed on the London Stock Exchange in 2021, and has since issued a slew of profit warnings and replaced its chief executive. Many of Dr Martens' recent problems have come from steep declines in sales in the US, but new chief executive Ije Nwokorie said the group had stabilised in the past year. He said: 'Our single focus in 2024-25 was to bring stability back to Dr Martens. 'We have achieved this by returning our direct-to-consumer channel in the Americas back to growth, resetting our marketing approach to focus relentlessly on our products, delivering cost savings and significantly strengthening our balance sheet.' Nwokorie, previously the firm's head of marketing before taking on the top job from Kenny Wilson on 6 January, said: 'I am laser-focused on day-to-day execution, managing costs and maintaining our operational discipline while we navigate the current macroeconomic uncertainties.' Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, said: 'Dr Martens is on the front foot with a strategy that seeks to kick out the troubles of old and return the business to profitable growth. 'This should shift the market's focus from earlier problems in the US and a sharp drop in earnings to a business intent on regaining its power. 'Having a plan is a good start, but the proof will be in the execution. It has laid out ambitions to get back on top. Turning those dreams into reality might not be easy. 'Fundamentally, it's all down to marketing and product innovation. Dr Martens needs to convince the consumer they need its products – get that right, and it could reclaim its crown in the footwear market. 'The brand still has considerable strength, the business just needs to be more creative at the front end and agile at the back end.'
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Marjorie Taylor Greene split with Trump over 'big beautiful bill'
Elon Musk has loudly been bashing the bill online, calling it a pork-filled abomination while Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., has also skewered the bill for growing the debt. Since voting for president Donald Trump's signature 'big, beautiful bill' legislative package at the end of May, Greene has since renounced her support for the package. In a stunning reversal, the Georgia Republican has said that a portion of the massive bill that would force states to cede power to the federal government when it comes to artificial intelligence is so rotten that she no longer can support it. Now as the bill is before the Senate, Greene is urging lawmakers in the upper-chamber to take out the AI regulations. 'This is an incredible clause, and I hope the Senate fixes it, and it's so important, and I believe it's so important that it's worth saying that if it doesn't come out, I don't think I can vote for it,' Greene told the Daily Mail in a phone call Wednesday. Her issue is not with the president or GOP leadership though, she claims. 'It's incredibly important to clarify that there's no daylight between President Trump and I,' she added, noting that the bill should be about securing the border and cutting taxes and not about regulating how states oversee artificial intelligence. Greene has already told the White House's Office of Legislative Affairs and Speaker Mike Johnson about her opposition to the AI regulations. The bill specifically prohibits states from 'limiting, restricting, or otherwise regulating artificial intelligence models, artificial intelligence systems, or automated decision systems entered into interstate commerce' for the next ten years. Taking her grievances to the House floor, Greene delivered an impassioned speech about her opposition to the bill on Wednesday. Her broadside is the latest in a GOP civil war that is brewing over the measure. 'This clause would take away state rights to make laws or regulate AI for 10 years,' Greene shared on the floor. She explained how the federal legislation would hamper state's ability to self-regulate the nascent technology, posing a threat to federalism. 'I think federalism is something that we must always protect, and I warn against the dangers of protecting a tech industry where we have no idea the future of what this industry will hold.' MTG reasoned that since AI is 'rapidly developing' it is unwise to shackle state's ability to regulate the space. 'When we look to the future, we cannot take away states rights to regulate or make laws to protect the people in their state, or to regulate businesses that operate in their state. That would be destroying the very foundation of this country, which is federalism,' she added. 'We must always limit federal power and protect state power.' If the GOP goes ahead with the bill and its AI measure, the GOP and Trump could open themselves up to attacks over federalism. 'I don't want to be the Congress that destroys federalism, and I don't think President Trump wants to be accused of that as well,' she told the Daily Mail. Greene's opposition to the measure comes as it has faced increasing scrutiny from Republicans. Though the Georgia Republican voted for the measure when it passed out of the House on May 22, she admitted that she did not read the entire bill, which is over 1,000 pages. The shocking admission came as she announced her opposition to the measure unless the AI-related provision is taken out. That opposition may prove to be a headache for GOP leadership as the bill may get sent back to the lower chamber after the Senate makes revisions to the package. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (pictured), R-S.D., and Trump have said they want the Senate to finish tweaking the Big Beautiful Bill Act before July 4th. Once the upper chamber finishes its edits, the bill will likely head back to the House for them to sign off on the changes. This is politically tenuous for Speaker Mike Johnson, who was able to just barely pass the measure the first go around. The measure passed 215 - 214 - 1, meaning if Johnson loses a single vote, the entire Trump-backed package is at risk. If the bill needs a second vote in the House, MTG's opposition could mean that the bill won't move on to the president's desk for final authorization. Other conservatives in the House have also expressed frustration with the bill, including many dissatisfied House Freedom Caucus members, who generally want deeper cuts to social programs like Social Security and Medicaid. If the Senate does not scrape the AI measure before sending the bill back to the House for another vote, MTG says she will withhold her support for it. 'With this warning, I urge all of my colleagues that when the House gets to vote on the one big, beautiful bill again after it leaves the Senate, that we make sure we protect federalism,' Greene said Wednesday. 'At the same time [I] urge our colleagues in the Senate to pull this clause out of the one big, beautiful bill,' she concluded.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Musk's stern warning as he challenges Trump's spending bill
By He spent much of Wednesday fine tuning his attacks against what he called an 'insane' spending package that Trump is pushing GOP leadership to have on his desk by the fourth of July. Musk wrote on X: 'Call your Senator, call your Congressman, bankrupting America is NOT ok!' He bulleted his message by demanding: 'KILL the BILL.' The Tesla CEO also reiterated his attack line that the bill was forcing Americans into 'Debt Slavery' in a quote tweet of fellow anti-bill Republican Rand Paul. 'This spending bill contains the largest increase in the debt ceiling in US history! It is the Debt Slavery Bill.' Notably, earlier Wednesday, Trump admitted he agreed with longtime liberal rival 'Pocahontas' Elizabeth Warren in saying that the debt ceiling should be scrapped. Undeterred, Musk also posted an image visualizing the increase in the national debt since 1900 and said: 'Flatten the curve.' He proposed that the Congressional GOP leaders - who have stood behind the bill despite a MAGA 'civil war' taking place over it - draft 'a new spending bill... that doesn't massively grow the deficit and increase the debt ceiling by 5 TRILLION DOLLARS.' Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act passed the House last month but is now held up in the Senate where some Republicans agree with Musk's outrage. The SpaceX boss began criticizing Trump's bill earlier this month, then really began tearing into his former best friend with a series of posts on X Tuesday and Wednesday. Musk is highly influential in MAGA world because of his billions and his control over one of the most popular social media platforms in the U.S. With 220 million followers on X, and control over the algorithm, Musk could attempt to turn the tide against Trump. Musk has slammed pro-MAGA lawmakers in Congress who voted for the bill. 'I'm sorry, but I just can't stand it anymore,' he wrote on X on Tuesday. 'This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination. Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it.' The MAGA civil war intensified when Trump loyalist Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) sided with Musk. Musk said enough was enough in another Tuesday post where he claimed: 'Mammoth spending bills are bankrupting America!' Around 2am on Wednesday morning, Musk continued his tirade on his social media platform. He also reposted a series of tweets where Musk aligned himself with Republican Sen. Ran Paul of Kentucky, who has been vocal about his opposition to the Big Beautiful Bill. 'I've been pretty consistent in my time in the Senate: I oppose deficit spending—no matter which party is in charge. If we don't get serious about reigning in the debt, the next generation will pay the price,' Paul wrote in an X post that Musk reposted to his page. 'Fiscal responsibility isn't a campaign slogan,' Paul continued. 'It's a duty which I take very seriously.' Greene is a longtime ally of Trump in the House – but she said Tuesday she voted to pass the bill without reading a section that would have reversed that decision. 'Full transparency, I did not know about this section... that strips states of the right to make laws or regulate AI for 10 years,' she admitted. 'I am adamantly OPPOSED to this and it is a violation of state rights and I would have voted NO if I had known this was in there.' She promised she would change her vote if the bill retained that section when it returned to the House of Representatives for reconciliation following any changed made by the Senate. Experts predict the bill's passage would be dire for the U.S. economy and claim the interest on America's debt alone would be crippling. 'Interest payments already consume 25% of all government revenue,' Musk wrote on X around 2:30 a.m. EST on Wednesday. The Tesla and SpaceX boss continued: If the massive deficit spending continues, there will only be money for interest payments and nothing else! No social security, no medical, no defense … nothing.' It became clear that the bromance between Musk and Trump was over earlier this year as reports emerged regarding clashes the billionaire had with hose in the president's inner circle . Additionally, last month Musk left his role with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), laying the ground work for him to break with Trump after his job within government was done.
