Politics
Two Republicans Under Fire After Siding With Dems On ‘Big, Beautiful’ Bill
The ink is still wet on President Donald Trump’s “big, beautiful” tax cut bill after it was narrowly passed by the U.S. House on Thursday, but already conservatives are plotting out punishments for two Republican lawmakers who voted with all Democrats to nearly kill the legislation.
Leading the opposition was Congressman Thomas Massie (R-KY), a fiscal hawk who went out of his way to threaten control over at least nine other Republicans he claimed on Wednesday would be joining him to oppose Trump’s signature domestic legislation. Overnight talks dashed his hopes as test votes laid out by Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) ultimately proved that he had the 217 votes necessary for passage.
Social media users relentlessly roasted Massie, a self-described libertarian, for grandstanding on principles rather than partaking in pragmatic success, an echo of Trump’s attacks on the congressman.
“Hi I’m Thomas Massie. I’m your classic do nothing Republican. I am principled,” one X user wrote mockingly. “I grandstand on issues while providing zero alternatives or solutions. I vote on CR bills for the Democrats but when it comes to Trump-I take a hard stance.”
“There is nothing principled about Massie,” she added next to an unflattering picture of the Republican contrarian. The post picked up steam Wednesday night as Trump began calling fence-sitting lawmakers and pressuring them to fall in line.
A plethora of conservative figures lit into Massie as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act inched closer to the finish line.
Former Trump advisor Steve Bannon used part of a “War Room” show segment to call out his hypocrisy.
“You were the one in the Rules Committee that let the debt ceiling [hike] go forward,” he said in a viral clip accompanying the original post.
Bannon appeared to be referencing a 2023 vote by the House Rules Committee that indefinitely suspended the nation’s debt ceiling, allowing unlimited borrowing until January 1, 2025.
Much of fiscal conservatives’ consternation around Trump’s bill had to do with estimates that it will likely add over $3 trillion to the debt.
Joining Massie in voting with the Democrats was GOP Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), who is facing equally heated calls for a primary opponent in 2026.
“Massie is so ‘principled’ he votes with the Democrats. Fitzpatrick is such a ‘patriot’ he votes for Ukraine not America,” another user wrote.
“Primary both! It’s now our mission.”
President Trump spent the final hours before the bill’s passage leaning hard on lawmakers, especially those in the ultra-conservative House Freedom Caucus, who mostly fell in line behind Thursday’s vote.
“Largest Tax Cuts in History and a Booming Economy vs. Biggest Tax Increase in History, and a Failed Economy. What are the Republicans waiting for??? What are you trying to prove??? MAGA IS NOT HAPPY, AND IT’S COSTING YOU VOTES!!!” he warned in a Truth Social missive.
He quickly followed up with another. “FOR REPUBLICANS, THIS SHOULD BE AN EASY YES VOTE. RIDICULOUS!!!”
Early polling indicates that the attacks are having an impact on Massie’s support in Kentucky’s 4th congressional district. A first-time opponent with little name recognition is currently far ahead of the six-term lawmaker, according to a survey released earlier this week.
