Scoop: Trump hosting "everyday Americans" to squeeze GOP holdouts
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President Trump on Thursday will hold an event at the White House to pressure GOP holdouts to get behind his "big, beautiful bill" ahead of his July 4 deadline.
Why it matters: The event will highlight Trump's proposals for increased border security funding and making tips, overtime pay and Social Security tax-free — daring Republicans to vote against popular positions from his campaign.
- "Any Democrat or Republican that votes against the bill, is voting for a massive tax hike on everyday Americans," an administration official tells Axios. "The One, Big, Beautiful Bill codifies many of the promises President Trump was elected by 77 million Americans to deliver."
- Trump himself is slated to speak, the administration official said.
- House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is expected to attend, according to a source familiar with his plans.
The background: A handful of Republican senators have expressed some degree of opposition to the megabill.
- At the same time, multiple House Republicans have claimed they can't support the legislation in its current form in the Senate.
- But Trump is putting the squeeze on his party to get the bill approved.
- "To my friends in the Senate, lock yourself in a room if you must, don't go home, and GET THE DEAL DONE THIS WEEK," Trump posted on Truth Social on Tuesday.
The big picture: The Thursday event, to be held in the White House East Room, underscores how Trump plans to present the domestic spending bill as a win for the middle class, despite claims from Democrats and other critics who say it bolsters the rich.
- It will feature "everyday Americans" who the administration says would benefit from the bill, including tipped workers, food delivery drivers and border patrol agents.
- The White House provided a list of attendees that includes a barber, a nurse and DoorDash driver.
Between the lines: Several of the "everyday Americans" hail from swing states that Trump won in 2024 — a signal to on-the-fence Republicans that the legislation is a political winner and that it's time to get on board.
Editor's note: This article has been updated with Johnson's plans to attend.
