Trump is not playing with the GOP.
In a fiery closed-door meeting on Capitol Hill, President Donald Trump issued a bold warning to House Republicans: do not water down the fight against Medicaid fraud and waste.
“We’re not slashing benefits — we’re slashing fraud,” Trump declared, rallying lawmakers behind his “One Big Beautiful Bill”, a sweeping package of conservative reforms aimed at restoring accountability and preserving key entitlements like Social Security and Medicare.
Fighting Fraud, Protecting Taxpayers
President Trump made clear that the goal isn’t to gut Medicaid — it’s to protect it from abuse. With over 70 million Americans enrolled and a federal price tag exceeding $618 billion, Medicaid is long overdue for reform, Trump argued.
“The only thing we’re cutting is waste, fraud, and abuse,” he said — a message that resonates deeply with older voters tired of watching their tax dollars squandered.
Work Requirements: Common-Sense Reform
One of the bill’s headline provisions is a work requirement for able-bodied adults aged 19 to 64, mandating 80 hours per month starting in 2029. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise is pushing to move that deadline to early 2027, with some fiscal hawks urging for even earlier enforcement.
These reforms are designed to ensure Medicaid supports those who genuinely need help — not freeloaders who refuse to work.
Real Savings, Real Accountability
The proposed legislation introduces $35 cost-sharing fees for Medicaid recipients earning above the poverty line and bans states from reimbursing more than Medicare rates. It also blocks funding for states that give coverage to illegal immigrants — a key issue among conservative voters.
These changes are projected to reduce government dependency and restore Medicaid’s original mission. Still, the Congressional Budget Office estimates 8.6 million individuals could lose coverage — a statistic critics are using to stall momentum.
Conservatives Rally Behind Trump’s Message
“The president is the world’s best salesman,” said Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-SD). “When he says don’t touch the bill, he means don’t mess with a good thing.”
Even some skeptics were won over by Trump’s passionate defense of everyday Americans. Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-WI) said,
“Trump is a blast. Fighting Big Pharma, going after Wall Street elites, and protecting Social Security — if Americans heard that speech, his approval would be at 80%.”
Avoiding Distractions: No SALT Giveaway to Blue States
Trump also warned Republicans not to get sidetracked by demands to increase the state and local tax (SALT) deduction beyond the proposed $30,000 cap. That change primarily benefits high-income earners in liberal states — not Trump’s core base of working Americans and retirees.
A Narrow Margin, A Big Opportunity
With a slim 220-213 GOP majority in the House, Speaker Mike Johnson is racing to pass the “One Big Beautiful Bill” by Memorial Day. But not everyone is on board.
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), a longtime fiscal hawk, issued a warning about America’s financial health:
“This bill isn’t fiscally responsible. Look at what Moody’s did to our bond rating. Look at what the Treasury yield is telling us. We need to fix this before it’s too late.”
Still, the momentum is clearly behind Trump, who continues to lead with strength and clarity — focusing on draining the swamp, defending the taxpayer, and rebuilding America’s middle class.