Core Points - The "Big and Beautiful" tax and spending bill, pushed by President Trump, was passed by the U.S. Senate with a vote of 51 to 50 [1] - Elon Musk criticized the bill, warning it could escalate tensions and exacerbate existing issues [1] - Analysts noted the bill reflects deep contradictions in American democracy, claiming it benefits the wealthy while harming the poor [1] Tax Structure - The bill aims to make permanent the corporate tax rate at 21% and increase the estate tax exemption to $15 million, while maintaining a 37% income tax rate for those earning over $500,000 [4] - The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) reported that the top 10% of households would see a 2% increase in assets, while the bottom 10% would experience a 4% decrease due to welfare cuts, widening the wealth gap [4] Fiscal Impact - The bill is projected to increase the national debt by $2.4 trillion over the next decade, with total debt reaching $30 trillion when including interest costs [5] - The tax foundation estimates a $2.6 trillion increase in the fiscal deficit over the same period [5] - The bill's policies may lead to a stagnation in economic growth by 2025, contradicting claims that economic growth can absorb debt [5] Social Welfare Cuts - The bill imposes strict work requirements for Medicaid, potentially leaving 10.9 million people without health insurance by 2034 [5] - Food stamp benefits are reduced, with daily subsidies dropping from $5.90 to $4.80, leading to a 40% increase in applications for food aid [7] - The bill also increases defense spending to a record $895 billion, raising concerns about prioritizing military funding over social welfare [7] Global Economic Ramifications - The U.S. national debt surpassed $36.22 trillion, with a debt-to-GDP ratio of 124% [8] - The bill includes provisions that could impose punitive tariffs on countries implementing digital service taxes, potentially disrupting global trade [10] - Analysts predict that these measures could lead to significant sell-offs in U.S. stocks and bonds, affecting the overall market [11] Public Trust and Political Climate - Public trust in the federal government has reached its lowest level since 1958, with only 16% of respondents expressing confidence in the government's ability to act correctly [13] - Over half of the surveyed population believes that American democracy needs a complete overhaul, indicating widespread dissatisfaction with the current political system [14] - The bill is seen as a reflection of the deepening crisis in American democracy, exacerbating social inequality and undermining the U.S.'s global leadership [14]

Tax and Spending Bill - The core provisions aim to make permanent the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act passed by the Trump administration in December 2017, locking the corporate tax rate at 21% and permanently raising the estate tax exemption to $15 million, while maintaining a 37% individual tax rate for those earning over $500,000 [1] - The designed tax structure is presented as a means to "stimulate investment and create jobs," but evidence suggests that the wealth gap will widen, with the top 10% of households seeing a 2% increase in assets, while the bottom 10% will experience a 4% decrease due to welfare cuts [1] Food Stamp Reform - Daily benefits have been reduced from $5.90 to $4.80, leading to a 21% cut in welfare in Democratic-led states like Oregon, resulting in a 40% increase in families seeking assistance within a week of the bill's passage [2] - At least 16 states have joined in a lawsuit against the related provisions, with the Supreme Court potentially intervening [2] Tax Exemption for Tips - This provision is part of Trump's 2024 campaign promises, ostensibly benefiting 6 million service workers, but it primarily allows restaurant owners earning $400,000 annually to save an average of $27,000 in taxes, while servers gain less than $800 [3] Defense Budget Increase - The defense budget has risen to a historic high of $895 billion, with $20 billion allocated directly to the "Iron Dome" missile defense system, reflecting a trend of reallocating funds from social welfare to military spending [4] Enforcement Measures on Foreign Taxation - The bill authorizes the Treasury Secretary to impose punitive tariffs on countries implementing a "digital services tax" or "global minimum tax," viewed as a "nuclear option" or retaliatory tax by the Trump administration [5]